Hey,
The goal that I am setting for myself is to post once a week on my blog about my progress on learning more about Seid and the women and few men that participated in the practice. The reason I say women and few men is because the practice of Seid was considered women's work (based on the staff - which I will discuss in a post). Men who participated in the practice of Seid were considered Ergi (non masculine - I will discuss this in another post).
This week I have started digging deeper into the food provided to Thorbjorg in Eirik Rauda Saga. Currently, in the article by Dr. Andrea Marashci, Eaten Hearts and Supernatural Knowledge in Eiriks saga Rauda, I am reading about why the specific meal was provided. She references additional sagas, Vansdaela Saga and Orvar-Odds Saga. These sagas apparently discuss a meal but not sure if they discuss the actual food, I will go find out. It is also important to find out why those particular items were eaten. With most ritualistic meals there is a significance I look forward to finding out more.
I have chosen to continue this research even after my SCA Pentathlon entry because there is a lot more that I can learn about the practice of Seid. My Pentathlon entry was just the tip of a very large iceberg and to understand the women (and men) and how this played a role in their life and the lives of the community. I am also very interested in the fact that while many converted to Christianity, others like Eirik the Red chose to remain steadfast in his beliefs while accepting that his wife and son Leif, converted. That seems very openminded for the time period.
What I will ask of you, is please ask questions of the information that I write. If I have made an erroneous conclusion or something I say interests you and you want more info, let me know and I will go and find additional information. I am not perfect and I might make errors. I am open to hearing thoughts provided they are constructive and respectful.
Please return next Sunday to see where I am and check out the Pagan Lady/Seidr page on this website for a more in depth look at the topic of food. This will be updated next week (fingers crossed).
The goal that I am setting for myself is to post once a week on my blog about my progress on learning more about Seid and the women and few men that participated in the practice. The reason I say women and few men is because the practice of Seid was considered women's work (based on the staff - which I will discuss in a post). Men who participated in the practice of Seid were considered Ergi (non masculine - I will discuss this in another post).
This week I have started digging deeper into the food provided to Thorbjorg in Eirik Rauda Saga. Currently, in the article by Dr. Andrea Marashci, Eaten Hearts and Supernatural Knowledge in Eiriks saga Rauda, I am reading about why the specific meal was provided. She references additional sagas, Vansdaela Saga and Orvar-Odds Saga. These sagas apparently discuss a meal but not sure if they discuss the actual food, I will go find out. It is also important to find out why those particular items were eaten. With most ritualistic meals there is a significance I look forward to finding out more.
I have chosen to continue this research even after my SCA Pentathlon entry because there is a lot more that I can learn about the practice of Seid. My Pentathlon entry was just the tip of a very large iceberg and to understand the women (and men) and how this played a role in their life and the lives of the community. I am also very interested in the fact that while many converted to Christianity, others like Eirik the Red chose to remain steadfast in his beliefs while accepting that his wife and son Leif, converted. That seems very openminded for the time period.
What I will ask of you, is please ask questions of the information that I write. If I have made an erroneous conclusion or something I say interests you and you want more info, let me know and I will go and find additional information. I am not perfect and I might make errors. I am open to hearing thoughts provided they are constructive and respectful.
Please return next Sunday to see where I am and check out the Pagan Lady/Seidr page on this website for a more in depth look at the topic of food. This will be updated next week (fingers crossed).