Dear Heather,
Alas, these statements have no grounding in any Norse
mythology I can think of. If you run across it, I wouldn't mind knowing
the author of the book you mention, if only to warn students against it.
it sounds pretty New-Age to me (for example the idea that berserkers
got visions is pretty strange).
With regard to Norns, there are other possible explanations:
1) common Indo-European roots (the figure of Volundr the smith, for example
,
is thought to be related to greek vulcan (also to Daedalus, but that's
a different issue)
2) much of what we know about norse mythology was written down by a
13th century christian Icelander, Snorri Sturluson - who was not
beyond 'editing' his material to make it fit his own ideas. For
example, he tacks norse mythology onto a common medieval genealogical
tree, and makes the norse gods into trojans!
in short, the question of the "ancient roots" of norse mythology is
one that scholars are re-examining. I think we have got beyond the
point of thinking (as was done in the middle of this century) that,
in effect, Snorri just knew a few names and made up the stories;
however, the question of what is traditional pre-christian material
and what is later is very much under discussion.
with regard to Yews, I wonder if Ingegerd Holland is still on the list
and can comment on their presence (or absence) from scandinavian
churchyards?
another tree of possible interest in this context is the rowan,
which also has red berries, but is not evergreen. it was, however,
thought to have protective powers against witches.
I see I am meandering - the natural result of a huge pile of
work i have to get to after reading email.
apologies to all,
Meg
> This came from a source on Norse type magic - "pop" stuff, but I think
> the author researched it pretty carefully. I can try to dig the book up
> and track down the author's sources if anyone's interested:
> Vitkr (sp?) [rune magicians] and/or "berserkers" are said to have slept
> under yew trees on warm days to get "visions". If the source of this is
> reliable, it may point to previous or parallel European traditions on
> yew trees - no doubt added to from the Greek stuff the Vikings/traders
> would have picked up in their travels, as the three "norns" (Fates) are
> thought to have been (there is only one in the earlier Teutonic
> material, apparently).
Margaret Cormack [log in to unmask]
Dept. of Philosophy and Religion fax: 843-953-6388
College of Charleston tel: 843-953-8033
Charleston, SC 29424-0001
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