Seið and Food
The Eirik the Rauda Saga introduces us to a person that is integral to the society through the rituals of the Pagan religion. Prior to the actual prophecies, certain rituals must take place. Thorbjorg is offered a high seat and meal. She also asks for the women of the area to aid in the singing of the Wyrd songs (I will discuss in another post).
In this post, we will focus on the food. The meal mentioned in the Eirik the Red saga consisted of porridge with kid's milk and the hearts of the living creatures in the area. This is a very specific meal and therefore must have specific meanings but what are the meanings? Before looking at the specific items listed, it is important to look at the use of food in rituals/religion. In almost every religion there are rituals or rules surrounding food. For example, Being an Orthodox Jew, food must be Kosher. This is a special way to cook and prepare food. This is similar to Muslims that keep Halal. Also, if someone is Orthodox Jewish or Muslim, they do not eat pork. During the Easter season, Catholics don't eat meat on Friday's. In the Hindu religion, the scriptures support being a vegetarian, although not all Hindu's are vegetarian (www.hinduamerican.org). During specific times, certain foods are eaten. During the Jewish celebration of Passover, Matza, unleavened bread, is eaten as a remembrance of fleeing Egypt. During Ramadan, after the fasting period, participants will eat three dates to emulate the way the prophet Mohammed would break his fast (www.eatright.org). These rituals/rules originally had deep seated meanings and were designed to bring about a stronger connection to the god(s) being worshiped, regardless of religion.
With regards to the eating of the hearts of the animals in the area, the first thought is eww, gross. However in thinking about this it is reminiscent of the Catholic/Christian tradition of eating a wafer and wine/grape juice as a symbol of the body and blood of Jesus Christ. While this is symbolic of consuming the body and blood of Christ, it is reminiscent of eating the organs of animals for ritual consumption. In consuming the "body and blood" of Christ, the person believes that they are taking Christ into themselves and taking on his essence. These ritualistic practices have the same intent.
The question then is, why the heart? What is the significance? In reading, Eaten Hearts and Supernatural Knowledge in Eiriks Saga Rauda, by Dr. Andrea Maraschi, she discusses this very topic. The article reviews various sagas that reference the specific feasting before a Seid practitioner provides the prophecy as well as sagas that mention eating the heart of the slain and the benefits. What are the benefits? According to Dr. Maraschi, the consumption of the blood and heart would allow the consumer to be able to understand the language of the birds. "The language of the birds is associated with precognition and foresight/prophecy." According to the Greek Philosopher Democritus, "that by mixing the blood of certain birds, a snake was produced, whose meat - when eaten - bestowed upon the consumer the same ability."
In the Voluspa en Skamma, the dead witch Hyndla tells the goddess Freyja and a human warrior named Ottar of his ancestry. In chapter 41, Hyndla tells of the god Loki eating the heart of a woman. After eating the heart Loki becomes pregnant and gives birth to a child who then produces all the troll women. The eating of the heart gave him the ability of the woman.
In the Fafnismal, this trilogy continues the story of Sigurth. In chapter 27 Sigurth has stabbed the dragon Fafnir. While Fafnir lays dying he gives Sigurth advice and discusses the norns. At this time Regin, a dwarf and tutor to Sigurth convinces Sigurth to cook the heart of Fafnir. In chapter 32, while Regin sleeps, Sigurth cooks the heart. In a moment, Sigurth goes to test the doneness of the heart and burns his fingers. He then places he fingers in his mouth and tastes the blood of Fafnir. Once the blood touches his tongue, Sigurth is able to understand the language of the birds. The next portion is that he hears the birds speak and they tell him of Regin’s deceit. Ultimately, Sigurth kills Regin.
Looking at the use of blood in rituals. In pagan rituals, as discussed in the book, Heathen Garb and Gear, blood of the sacrificed animal was poured over the harrow and sprinkled on the people and shrines. This is also seen in the Bible story of the Hebrews that placed blood on the door jams of their homes to spare the first born male from the wrath of God. The placement of the blood is seen to cleanse the location and people. In Christianity it is often mentioned that Jesus shed his blood to cleanse the sins of the people.
The heart is the center of all life. If the heart beats a person or animal lives, regardless of other functions. When people love something or someone, they might say, "they love it with all their heart" meaning to the core. This is a romantic viewpoint however, it comes from stories and folklore. This idea could stem from the saga's and the idea that eating the heart of an animal you are taking their core into yourself and becoming one with the animal. If eating the heart provides the Seið practitioner with the ability to see the future then it would be beneficial to ensure that they received that meal before the ritual.
Ultimately, it isn't a stretch to believe that this ritual took place or even that it was not a normal practice. Many folktales come from real life events, just after years and years, they become myths and legends. While modern society tends to shy away from eating the hearts of animals, there are many that like Offal and find it to be a delicacy. Now whether or not the person believes they will receive the essence of the animal is up to them.
Saga's that mention eating the heart/gaining sympathetic powers:
Eiriks Saga Rauda
Vatnsdaela Saga
Orvar-Odds Saga
Drauma-Jons Saga
Fafnismal Saga
Volsunga Saga
Voluspa en Skamma
Ynglinga Saga
Vilhjalms Saga Sjoðs
The Eirik the Rauda Saga introduces us to a person that is integral to the society through the rituals of the Pagan religion. Prior to the actual prophecies, certain rituals must take place. Thorbjorg is offered a high seat and meal. She also asks for the women of the area to aid in the singing of the Wyrd songs (I will discuss in another post).
In this post, we will focus on the food. The meal mentioned in the Eirik the Red saga consisted of porridge with kid's milk and the hearts of the living creatures in the area. This is a very specific meal and therefore must have specific meanings but what are the meanings? Before looking at the specific items listed, it is important to look at the use of food in rituals/religion. In almost every religion there are rituals or rules surrounding food. For example, Being an Orthodox Jew, food must be Kosher. This is a special way to cook and prepare food. This is similar to Muslims that keep Halal. Also, if someone is Orthodox Jewish or Muslim, they do not eat pork. During the Easter season, Catholics don't eat meat on Friday's. In the Hindu religion, the scriptures support being a vegetarian, although not all Hindu's are vegetarian (www.hinduamerican.org). During specific times, certain foods are eaten. During the Jewish celebration of Passover, Matza, unleavened bread, is eaten as a remembrance of fleeing Egypt. During Ramadan, after the fasting period, participants will eat three dates to emulate the way the prophet Mohammed would break his fast (www.eatright.org). These rituals/rules originally had deep seated meanings and were designed to bring about a stronger connection to the god(s) being worshiped, regardless of religion.
With regards to the eating of the hearts of the animals in the area, the first thought is eww, gross. However in thinking about this it is reminiscent of the Catholic/Christian tradition of eating a wafer and wine/grape juice as a symbol of the body and blood of Jesus Christ. While this is symbolic of consuming the body and blood of Christ, it is reminiscent of eating the organs of animals for ritual consumption. In consuming the "body and blood" of Christ, the person believes that they are taking Christ into themselves and taking on his essence. These ritualistic practices have the same intent.
The question then is, why the heart? What is the significance? In reading, Eaten Hearts and Supernatural Knowledge in Eiriks Saga Rauda, by Dr. Andrea Maraschi, she discusses this very topic. The article reviews various sagas that reference the specific feasting before a Seid practitioner provides the prophecy as well as sagas that mention eating the heart of the slain and the benefits. What are the benefits? According to Dr. Maraschi, the consumption of the blood and heart would allow the consumer to be able to understand the language of the birds. "The language of the birds is associated with precognition and foresight/prophecy." According to the Greek Philosopher Democritus, "that by mixing the blood of certain birds, a snake was produced, whose meat - when eaten - bestowed upon the consumer the same ability."
In the Voluspa en Skamma, the dead witch Hyndla tells the goddess Freyja and a human warrior named Ottar of his ancestry. In chapter 41, Hyndla tells of the god Loki eating the heart of a woman. After eating the heart Loki becomes pregnant and gives birth to a child who then produces all the troll women. The eating of the heart gave him the ability of the woman.
In the Fafnismal, this trilogy continues the story of Sigurth. In chapter 27 Sigurth has stabbed the dragon Fafnir. While Fafnir lays dying he gives Sigurth advice and discusses the norns. At this time Regin, a dwarf and tutor to Sigurth convinces Sigurth to cook the heart of Fafnir. In chapter 32, while Regin sleeps, Sigurth cooks the heart. In a moment, Sigurth goes to test the doneness of the heart and burns his fingers. He then places he fingers in his mouth and tastes the blood of Fafnir. Once the blood touches his tongue, Sigurth is able to understand the language of the birds. The next portion is that he hears the birds speak and they tell him of Regin’s deceit. Ultimately, Sigurth kills Regin.
Looking at the use of blood in rituals. In pagan rituals, as discussed in the book, Heathen Garb and Gear, blood of the sacrificed animal was poured over the harrow and sprinkled on the people and shrines. This is also seen in the Bible story of the Hebrews that placed blood on the door jams of their homes to spare the first born male from the wrath of God. The placement of the blood is seen to cleanse the location and people. In Christianity it is often mentioned that Jesus shed his blood to cleanse the sins of the people.
The heart is the center of all life. If the heart beats a person or animal lives, regardless of other functions. When people love something or someone, they might say, "they love it with all their heart" meaning to the core. This is a romantic viewpoint however, it comes from stories and folklore. This idea could stem from the saga's and the idea that eating the heart of an animal you are taking their core into yourself and becoming one with the animal. If eating the heart provides the Seið practitioner with the ability to see the future then it would be beneficial to ensure that they received that meal before the ritual.
Ultimately, it isn't a stretch to believe that this ritual took place or even that it was not a normal practice. Many folktales come from real life events, just after years and years, they become myths and legends. While modern society tends to shy away from eating the hearts of animals, there are many that like Offal and find it to be a delicacy. Now whether or not the person believes they will receive the essence of the animal is up to them.
Saga's that mention eating the heart/gaining sympathetic powers:
Eiriks Saga Rauda
Vatnsdaela Saga
Orvar-Odds Saga
Drauma-Jons Saga
Fafnismal Saga
Volsunga Saga
Voluspa en Skamma
Ynglinga Saga
Vilhjalms Saga Sjoðs