I always have children on my altar when I work with groups, and at the end of many courses, the last thing we do is sing for the children who are coming but not here yet: the ones will not see because they are still a few generations away. To them we will be ancestors.
Thank you so much for this. I have recently been cultivating a relationship with the land spirits. In deep meditation outdoors last spring I met "Alva" the spirit of the hill pond and meadow that our property encompasses. I am also aware of a being in the hill but they have yet to reveal themselves. My ancestors were both Celtic and Anglo-Saxon and my nearest extended family (grandparents, great aunts and uncles etc.) were from Denmark and parts of Sweden and Germany. Its challenging bringing ancestral old world ways to the "new world." Though I have met a Native American water spirit during walks in a local state forest and have discovered that they also frequent the streams that feed the pond on our property. This gives me confidence that weaving traditions is possible when done carefully and with respect.
Thank you for sharing your experiences. I think that weaving traditions, with care and respect, is important work. Not everyone has the option of living where their ancestors lived. Nor does everyone speak ancestral languages (and is able to do research). And of course many people have complex ancestry. So a weaving of traditions is inevitable and much needed. But it is a sensitive subject in our time...
Blessings for this season. I enjoyed reading what you share here. I am in Canada but have Swedish ancestry. Hallowe'en is well celebrated here and my children enjoy the local, modern traditions. I enjoy giving them the chance to be out in the dark in good company of neighbours and to face fears. However, I myself work to remember and revitalize the older traditions of my ancestors. I also have some Celtic ancestry and find that easier to access than more Scandinavian roots, so I am appreciative any time I can learn more about Scandinavian traditions.
Thank you for this very interesting piece. In Germany we also have elves, but I'm not sure of they are also related to male ancestors. In Nordic countries and Germany the sun is female and the moon is male and we have the Man in the Moon. Could you give your perspective on this reversal of roles/genders and how it relates to the Norduc tradition? Many thanks.
Answering your question would require a blog in its own right! The short answer is that it is something to do with climate and temperature. In the North the heat of the Sun is perceived as "only mild" and essential for growing crops in a harsh climate (maternal, feminine). Moonlight is perceived as a cold light (masculine). There is more to it, mythologically speaking!
Such a way with these words u have Imelda. I also feel similar things and express them in a similar way. We are family. Global. We are one. 💚
Yes, we are one, The Global Human Family! :)
I love it that you see ancestors and descendants at the same time - this is how I see things too.
Yes I do and it is not uncommon cross-culturally!
I always have children on my altar when I work with groups, and at the end of many courses, the last thing we do is sing for the children who are coming but not here yet: the ones will not see because they are still a few generations away. To them we will be ancestors.
Thank you so much for this. I have recently been cultivating a relationship with the land spirits. In deep meditation outdoors last spring I met "Alva" the spirit of the hill pond and meadow that our property encompasses. I am also aware of a being in the hill but they have yet to reveal themselves. My ancestors were both Celtic and Anglo-Saxon and my nearest extended family (grandparents, great aunts and uncles etc.) were from Denmark and parts of Sweden and Germany. Its challenging bringing ancestral old world ways to the "new world." Though I have met a Native American water spirit during walks in a local state forest and have discovered that they also frequent the streams that feed the pond on our property. This gives me confidence that weaving traditions is possible when done carefully and with respect.
Thank you for sharing your experiences. I think that weaving traditions, with care and respect, is important work. Not everyone has the option of living where their ancestors lived. Nor does everyone speak ancestral languages (and is able to do research). And of course many people have complex ancestry. So a weaving of traditions is inevitable and much needed. But it is a sensitive subject in our time...
Blessings for this season. I enjoyed reading what you share here. I am in Canada but have Swedish ancestry. Hallowe'en is well celebrated here and my children enjoy the local, modern traditions. I enjoy giving them the chance to be out in the dark in good company of neighbours and to face fears. However, I myself work to remember and revitalize the older traditions of my ancestors. I also have some Celtic ancestry and find that easier to access than more Scandinavian roots, so I am appreciative any time I can learn more about Scandinavian traditions.
Thank you! I will try to keep those posts coming, especially at this time of year, when there are many feast days and special occasions!
Thank you for this very interesting piece. In Germany we also have elves, but I'm not sure of they are also related to male ancestors. In Nordic countries and Germany the sun is female and the moon is male and we have the Man in the Moon. Could you give your perspective on this reversal of roles/genders and how it relates to the Norduc tradition? Many thanks.
Answering your question would require a blog in its own right! The short answer is that it is something to do with climate and temperature. In the North the heat of the Sun is perceived as "only mild" and essential for growing crops in a harsh climate (maternal, feminine). Moonlight is perceived as a cold light (masculine). There is more to it, mythologically speaking!
Wish I had read this before posting today…Clear and wonderfully wholesome! Thank you! ❤️🙏❤️🌲🦦🌟✨
You are welcome!