Iron Wood Kindred has raised several poles to various deities from the Northern pantheon. All of these poles are located at Cauldron Farm. Visitors are often moved to leave offerings in front of them, or to spend a quiet moment or two communing with the deities represented by these poles. (There are also poles for Frey, Farbauti, Nerthus, and Gerda at Cauldron Farm, but these were not raised by Iron Wood Kindred.)
I’ve also included a photo and description of a memorial stone commissioned by our elder, mentor, and friend, the late Fuensanta Plaza, in honor of two special gods she loved very much.
ANOTHER ODIN POLE
This was also carved by Bella Kaldera. It was raised in October, 2010, by Galina Krasskova on her property in New York. Galina says, “This is a pic of the Odin god-pole that I raised this morning on my property. It’s an eight foot ash pole, sunk 18 inches into the ground. It’s about 9-10 inches in diameter. It has an image of Odin carved on the front and He is holding an antique spear head, which you really can’t see too well in the photo. When the pole weathers a bit, I shall wood burn a prayer around its base.”
(Photo by Galina Krasskova)
BRAGI
In October of 2010, Iron Wood Kindred raised the above pole for Bragi, the Skald of Skalds, son of Odin and Gunnlod. Bella Kaldera was the artist who carved Bragi’s image out of a pole of maple wood, and the strings in His harp were made of old guitar strings from Raven’s guitar. We placed this pole near Odin’s pole in the ritual field at Cauldron Farm, offered Him bread, an enormous Honeycrisp apple, and whiskey, and participated in a “bardic divination” session in His honor.
(Photo by Elizabeth Vongvisith)
NARVI AND VALI
Thisstone was commissioned from Bella Kaldera, who carved it from a slab of granite. It was set up by the kindred in August of 2009 to honor the sons of Loki and Sigyn, who are virtually ignored by most modern worshipers of the Norse gods. Visitors to the farm — especially parents, even those who are not Heathens or Northern Tradition Pagans — often leave offerings of toys, food, and other small gifts for Them. The stone stands near a small stream and a bridge, close to an Arctic blue willow planted in honor of Laufey, mother of Loki and grandmother of Narvi and Vali.
(Photo by Elizabeth Vongvisith)
IDUNNA
In April of 2009, Iron Wood Kindred raised this pole to Idunna in the orchard at Cauldron Farm. It was carved by Bella Kaldera, and before the pole was raised, a number of kindred members and friends spent a few hours clearing the orchard of brush, weeds, and fallen tree branches from a previous winter’s ice storm. Then the pole was set and stabilized, and cider and alcohol were poured out to the Lady of the Golden Apples. However, it is our understanding that She considers good honest labor to be the best offering of all.
(Photo by Elizabeth Vongvisith)
LOKI
Loki’s pole was erected in August of 2008 at Cauldron Farm. True to Loki’s troublesome reputation, we had to remove a large rock the exact size of the hole we were digging, only to find a second and immovable one just beneath it, so Loki’s pole ended up with a large cairn to keep it steady. Both Odin’s and Loki’s poles now lean a little bit, possibly due to Their somewhat crooked natures. Loki’s pole was further anointed with Snake Oil (which is very strongly scented) from Black Phoenix Alchemy Lab. Offerings of liquor and jewelry were made to Himself.
(Photo by Sunastria)
SIGYN & HER SONS
This pole was also raised at Cauldron Farm in August 2008 for Sigyn, Vali (middle) and Narvi (bottom). They were both commissioned from and carved by Tannin Schwartzstein of Bones and Flowers in Worcester, MA. This was placed on the other side of Loki’s pole so that He is surrounded by His two wives. Narvi’s eyes are shown as closed to represent His death. Both this and the Loki pole were carved of cedar wood and finished in oil stain and linseed oil. Offerings of Kahlua and milk, nasturtiums, jewelry and small items were made to the Lady of Endurance and Her sons.
(Photo by Sunastria)
ANGRBODA
Here is Angrboda’s pole, which Iron Wood Kindred raised at Cauldron Farm in early August, 2008. The pole stands about six feet tall. It came from an oak tree felled on the property, and the carving was commissioned from Bella Kaldera. There is red ochre on Angrboda’s hair, and semi-precious stones and bits of shell were inlaid in the wolf’s head that forms Her headdress. She holds a shard of obsidian in Her hand, and there are strings of beads and feathers attached to the pole. No poem or prayer was carved or burned into Angrboda’s pole, but the (UPG) story of Angrboda’s children was told at the pole-raising and invocations were made.
(Photo by Elizabeth Vongvisith)
ODIN
This is an Odin pole that was raised on Cauldron Farm by the kindred in November, 2007. The pole is of ash wood and was carved by Bella Kaldera. The runic inscription was wood-burned by Raven Kaldera. The spear point was provided by Galina Krasskova, who led the pole-raising ritual. She also wrote the prayer that has been burned into the pole, which is as follows:
Warrior of warriors, be Thou hailed.
Lord of Hosts, Terror of Asgard’s foes,
Be Thou honored.
Destroyer, Ravager of Worlds, Cunning Chieftain,
Gifting God of Victory’s hand,
Be Thou praised.
Drighten, King and Ring Giver,
Pour Yourself out upon this land.
Come the unseen guest to every feast.
Come with unspoken blessings upon this hallowed hall,
Terror of the heart.
Progenitor of all, We praise you.
Binder of the breathcord,
Bestower of life,
All father, Master of madness and inspiration,
Ecstasy, bliss and devouring hunger:
Victory bringer and merciless Butcher,
Shaman, King, and Corpse,
Winner of the runes and Ordeal Master,
God of magic, battle and death,
Bestower of endless blessings,
Odin, Woden,
We hail You.
(Photo by Elizabeth Vongvisith)
