Galina is beginning a devotional project for Sigyn in February and solicited contributions. I’m not Heathen but I’ve always been struck by the nobility of this goddess so I wrote the following to honor her.
She sits on a rock while a cold wind blows her knotted hair
and the tattered, filthy remnants of her once lovely gown.
Before she was the fairest of all the Ásynjur;
now hardly anyone would recognize her for the lines of sorrow
and ache that etch her pale face like cracks in stone,
like threads of a spider’s web.
Before there was feasting and song and gay laughter
while her flame-haired husband poked fun at the gods
and said the things they most needed but least wanted to hear
– now all she knows is the cup of bone she holds in her strong hands,
a cup carved from the skull of her son Nari.
She hasn’t had time to mourn him properly,
he who was mauled by his brother, he whose heart was devoured by wolfish Váli,
he whose guts bind the son of Laufey beneath the venom-dripping serpent.
All she does is hold that heavy cup in place to relieve the agony of Loki
until it fills and spills over, burning his face.
Every time he wails it’s like a knife through her heart
but it’s unavoidable — the cup must be poured out
so that she can hold it over him and collect the deadly dew of of the wyrm of Skaði once more.
In his raging pain-fueled madness he curses her, blindly lashing out at what’s nearest.
His words strike like fists, wound where none can see
but she does not waver in her task, remains ever by his side,
his steadfast shield in time of greatest need.
Reblogged this on The Ravens Breath and commented:
most beautiful prayer for Sigyn….
Sannion, this is beautiful. It’s such a wrenching portrait of Her ordeal.
Thanks. The whole thing kind of caught me by surprise. I don’t normally write for the Heathen gods but seeing your announcement kind of sparked the inspiration and the rest just flowed out.
I reblogged this on Hailloki.wordpress.com. Lady, I have no idea who you are- but one day, I hope to meet you and embrace for this incredible poem. I literally lost my breathe.
Thanks! And thanks even more for linking to your blog. I added it to my google reader and am totally loving it.
Thank you, You have made my day!
Well done, Sannion.
:D
This is so beautiful… and I guess honouring Sigyn might be one of those things that start happening all over the place, at the same time. Yesterday, I gave Sigyn a special corner of my altar, and a couple of friends are going to start honouring Her as well.
I really hope that’s true. She’s an amazing goddess and deserves a much wider following.
I find Sigyn’s ordeals humbling… This is beautiful!
Reblogged this on Fire and Ink and commented:
A strong and moving portrayal and honouring of Sigyn.