Viking mythology through the ages: Oskoreia

[icymist]

Oskorei is the Norwegian version of The Wild Hunt, an ancient folk myth prevalent across Central, Northern and Western Europe.



The genealogy of the myth is unclear, but the aftermath of an event described in an entry in the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle for 793 suggests a Viking origin:

‘In this year dire portents appeared over Northumbria and sorely frightened the people. They consisted of immense whirlwinds and flashes of lightning, and fiery dragons were seen flying in the air. A great famine immediately followed those signs, and a little after that in the same year, on 8 June, the ravages of heathen men miserably destroyed God’s church on Lindisfarne, with plunder and slaughter.’

http://theforeigner.no/pages/columns/viking-mythology-through-the-ages-oskoreia/

[In_The_Wind]

1. I believe I was part of that time.

[LiberalEsto]

2. Interesting. But I have to quibble with one sentence.

"Dialect synonyms of Oskoreia include Julereia (literally ‘Christmas riders’), suggesting the influence of Christianity on the myth."

Julereia means Yule riders, not Christmas riders, and has no connection with Christianity.

Yule (and variants of the word) was the pagan midwinter celebration in many northern countries, from England to Estonia. Yule celebrations and traditions were later incorporated into Christmas observances.

[Tyrs WolfDaemon]

3. I have dreamed of being in the Wild Hunt many times

Some of my closeness to wolves comes from my childhood dreams of the hunt, even before I had read or heard about it.

I was always there as a wolf, in a pack of wolves that ran beside what I believe to be the gods and great heroes of the past on their horses. Those were/are great dreams. The feel of the cold wind as we ran through the skies as we hunted ethereal game. It is also because of those dreams that I have always prayed for those furry family members that have gone on before us to find their way to the hunt. I want them to have the happy fun times I remember having, at least until we are ready to join them in the other world.


Great dreams. If I'm lucky I will have one of those tonight.

[icymist]

4. What great dreams you have my friend!

You are Blessed.