Brynhildr
Brynhildr is the valkyrie of the Völsung cycle: Völsunga saga and the Eddic poems (Sigrdrífumál, Brot af Sigurðarkviðu, Guðrúnarkviða I, Helreið Brynhildar) tell how she is woken by Sigurðr from a ring of fire, how he wins her and then, under a spell, wins her for Gunnarr instead.
Brynhildr is a valkyrie and a human heroine of the Völsung cycle — not a goddess and not an object of cult; her story is a tragedy about oath, honour and deception, and the 'goddess' framing is modern. The name is spelt Brynhildr, Brynhild, Brunhild or Brünhild, and whether the Sigrdrífa of Sigrdrífumál is the same figure is debated. No native Norse planetary rulership exists: the planetary, zodiac, tarot and sabbat correspondences here are a modern Western overlay (at most the interpretatio romana and weekday readings, Mercury=Odinn, Jupiter=Thor, Mars=Tyr, Venus=Freyja/Frigg, Sun=Sol, Moon=Mani), and the Eddas' own account is primary.
Correspondences
- Planetary Correspondence
- Mars
Offerings
- Offerings
- MeadRed wineA sharp oath keptAn act of courageA wrong avenged justlyArmour or steel cared for
Sacred timing
Symbols and forms
- Alternate Names
- BrynhildBrunhildBrunhildeBrünhildSigrdrífa
- Gender Expression
- Feminine
- Titles
- The ValkyrieThe ShieldmaidenThe AwakenedDaughter of Budli
- Symbols
- ShieldHelmRing of fireSwordPyre
Practice
- Invocation Approach
- ToneProud and unyieldingAddressBrynhildrShieldmaidenDaughter of BudliRelationshipThe equal who will not be managedWarningShe is a human hero not a goddess her story ends in fireResonanceThose keeping a hard oath those who will not be lied to
- Modern Practice
Brynhildr is called on by those keeping a hard oath, by anyone who refuses to be arranged, and at the moment a betrayal has to be named. The practice is the plain refusal, the kept word, and the willingness to pay for it.
Nature and meaning
- Domain
- Battle fateThe shieldThe oathLove and betrayalThe awakened willVengeanceHonour
- Mythology Summary
Brynhildr is the valkyrie of the Völsung cycle: Völsunga saga and the Eddic poems (Sigrdrífumál, Brot af Sigurðarkviðu, Guðrúnarkviða I, Helreið Brynhildar) tell how she is woken by Sigurðr from a ring of fire, how he wins her and then, under a spell, wins her for Gunnarr instead, and how the deception ends with Sigurðr's death and Brynhildr's own on his pyre. In Sigrdrífumál the awakened valkyrie is named Sigrdrífa, and identifying the two is an old but not certain scholarly equation. The Nibelungenlied's Prünhilt is the German branch of the same tradition.
Details
- Correspondences
- ColorsRedWhiteGoldScentsRoseMyrrhJuniperMetalsSteelIronGoldAnimalsRavenWolfSwan
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