Volume 1 - Issue 1 - May/June 2003

E-copy preferred (e-mail, diskette, CD), however, printed

materials will be considered.
Editor: Dirk Schmitt
Editor in Chief: Rurik Grimnisson

Contents:

The Irminsul Newsletter is a new form publication of the

Assembly of The Elder Troth, an independent Australian organization dedicated to the promotion of Germanic Heathenism as a viable alternative to the nihilism of postmodern
western society. Our aim is the reawakening of ancestral wisdom in the individual and in the community. The newsletter
continues in the spirit of the Irminsul Journal.

Tiller Talk - Editorial

(Rurik Grimnisson)

The Ravens Caw - Editorial

(Dirk Schmitt)

Wod - The Wild Huntsman - Story

(Carl and Theodor Colshorn)

Trelleborg - Investigation
(Dirk Schmitt)

Migrant Linked to Stonehenge - Article

(Associated Press - London)

An Indo European Heartland? - Book Extract

(Rurik Grimnisson)

Einars Saga - Historical Fiction

(Rurik Grimnisson)

How is your sex drive, honey? - Article

(BBC News)

All submissions to the Newsletter will be considered. The

views expressed by contributors do not necessarily reflect the
views of the Editors, nor do they necessarily reflect the views
of the Assembly of The Elder Troth, its' Directors, or members.

Nine Herbs Charm - Advertisement

Rune-Net - Advertisement

Advertise with the Irminsul Newsletter

10

Articles published in the Irminsul Newsletter are subject to

Australian and International Copyright laws. Quotations used
from this publication in accordance with the aforementioned
Copyright Laws must be correctly attributed.

Schmitt Services - Advertisement

10

Assembly of The Elder Troth

Contacts & Information Page

11

Through this publication we will celebrate the commonwealth of cultural heritage shared amongst the modern Germanic peoples, dispersed world-wide. The newsletter is offered to all who are interested in the study of Mythology,
Magic, Religion, Philosophy, History and current events.
In the light of Globalisation it is imperative that we who are
proud of our Germanic culture, and are determined to not
only see its survive but thrive, support the claims and efforts
of all ethnic cultures to their freedom of expression in language, religion and self-determination.

The Irminsul newsletter will not publish any material that condones or promotes bigotry, discrimination, intolerance, or hatred based on age, colour,
gender, language, national origin, race or sexual orientation.

Subscription to the hardcopy Irminsul Newsletter costs

$30.00 AUD for Six Issues published on a bi-monthly basis,
mailed within Australia using standard postage. If you would
like Express Post delivery, the annual cost is $50.00 AUD.
For overseas subscription, the cost is $40.00 USD postage by
Airmail. Subscription to PDF electronic distribution are
$15.00 AUD.

Cover Illustration:
Picture stone found at Tjanvide, on the Swedish island of
Gotland. This stone is now kept at the Statens Historiska
Museet at Navavagen, Sweden. The top scene shows Odin
astride his eight-legged horse Sleipnir approaching Valhalla.
The bottom scene depicts a Viking warship.

Submissions for the newsletter can be sent to:

Assembly of The Elder Troth
Irminsul Newsletter
PO Box 140
North Richmond, NSW 2754
Or may be e-mailed to: webmaster@aetaustralia.org

Irminsul

T he
Ravens
Caw

T iller
Talk

A warm welcome to you dear reader. The AET has, over

the past few months undergone some rather dramatic changes.
These we feel are all for the better. We now work as friends,
towards a common goal, but more than that, we also wish to
provide to you, and all Asafolk, a forum of expression, which
lends itself to a balanced view of the world.

Greetings reader, it has been a while

since the Irminsul has been to print. Since its last appearance
the AET has moved yet again through another stage of evolution. We trust that you will appreciate the new format reflecting a more relaxed approach to celebrating our heritage.
We live in interesting times confronted by power
struggles. Not only for control of the world economy but also
for the minds of the diverse populations attempting to come
to terms with threats to their cultural identity and social stability. The western world flogs the old warn torn bloodstained
banner of Judeo-Christianity to rally the folk behind them to
justify their fear of the Moslem worlds resistance to their
hegemony. A sad and cynical state of affairs.

Neither political correctness, nor radical ideology will you

find here, instead, some fine balanced viewpoints, intelligent
dissertations, humorous stories, poetry, and more. What is
essential here, is that we get out of the staid and stolid way of
the world to some degree and breath life into the folkway.
In a balanced view, both studious work on our ancestral
lore, as well as ideas and concerns that we must deal with in
our everyday lives shall be addressed. Balance, is of course,
the keyword here.

Yet we mustnt forget that Islam for all its apologists is

just as imperialistic as Christian capitalism. Not as much interested in material resources but very much so in unifying
the souls of the world in worship of Allah, by any means.
Truly there is very little difference between these two
branches of Abrahamic monotheism. The fundamentalist
forces of both would deny you the right to live in troth with
our holy Wights, on pain of death if they could enforce it.
History has a habit of repeating itself. But there is no need for
scape-goating or jingoistic nationalism

Likewise, this publication is little without the input of the

folk. You yes, you. Its not simply a small cadre of writers
who will stimulate your mind and entertain you, but it is as
much for you to tell us what you would like to see, and read
about. In this way we can add value to your experience as
well.
We are here as much to build community and continuity
of expression, as anything else. Reading the Irminsul Newsletter will bring you closer to other Asafolk, and by seeing
what is happening in your world, and your community, you
can bring yourself closer to other folk, whether it is through
the process of expression of your own thoughts and ideas, or
simply interacting with your local folk after being inspired by
something to be found in these pages. In essence that is what
we are really here for. We are here to build community
and that is the core of the matter.

Those who recall the time of the Vietnam war remember the fracturing of our communities caused by polarisation
of political opinion. Let us not permit our kindred sense to be
divided by the spin-doctors, without and within our Folkway,
nor allow our reconstruction to be diminished by selfish fear
reflecting from the many veils of Skuld. Certain times we
must agree to disagree and in this choice of tolerance we exercise our much cherished freedom and independence, and
honour the same with our kith & kin.

So, come with us now on a journey into the world of

Asafolk, like you, and dissimilar from you. Read, enjoy and
most of all, remember that this publication is as much yours
as it is ours. We need your input and thoughts to bring to you
something that you will value, not only today, but in years to
come.

Enjoy our Newsletter. By sharing knowledge, opinion,

lore, legend and humour, the arts and the sciences, the experiences of our personal wyrd we are uniting to rejoice in our
lives, our freedom. Thus we enhance the Folk-Geist.
those who give to each other will ay be friends,
once they meet half way.

Let us build, grow, learn and laugh together, in Frith and

Troth.

Wassail!

Ver thu Heil

Dirk Schmitt

e|~ Z||

Editor Irminsul Newsletter

Steersman AET

Irminsul

bucket nor a pot."

Wod

"Pull off your boot!" cried Wod.

He did it.

T he W ild Huntsman

"Now take the blood and the meat to your wife and child."
At first his fear lightened the burden, but gradually it became
heavier and heavier until he was barely able to carry it. With a
crooked back and dripping with sweat he finally reached his
hut, and behold, his boot was filled with gold, and the hind
quarter was a leather bag filled with silver coins.

Carl and Theodor Colshorn

The dogs of the air often bark on a dark night on the heath, in
the woods, or at a crossroads. Country dwellers know their
leader Wod and pity the traveler who has not yet reached
home, for Wod is often malicious, seldom kind. The rough
huntsman spares only those who remain in the middle of the
path. Therefore he often calls out to travelers, "In the middle
of the path!"

Trelleborg
Danish Viking Fortress

One night a drunk peasant was returning home from town.

His path led him through the woods. There he heard the wild
hunt with the huntsman shouting at his noisy dogs high in the
air.
A voice called out, "In the middle of the path! In the middle
of the path!" But the peasant paid no attention to it.
Suddenly a tall man on a white horse bolted from the clouds
and approached him. "How strong are you?" he said. "Let's
have a contest. Here is a chain. Take hold of it. Who can pull
the hardest?"

Investigation by Ulfrikr

Undaunted, the peasant took hold of the heavy chain, and the
huntsman remounted. Meanwhile the peasant wrapped his
end of the chain around a nearby oak tree, and the huntsman
pulled in vain.

On the western coast of the Island of Zealand, close by

the town of Slagelse one can find the excavated Viking Age
fortress of Trelleborg. Archaeological dating processes have
put the date of construction around 980CE, during the reign
of King Harold Blatand. The site covers six hectares of land,
and it is estimated that when in use the fortress could house
around 450 men.
The above image only shows the foundations, with the
fortress having an oaken log palisade around the top of the
hill, gate houses at each of the four entry points, and water in
the moat that surrounds it. There were also wooden defenses
installed in the moat itself, most probably sharpened stakes to
deter possible attackers.
The single entrance to the fortress was the Western gate,
having a drawbridge to allow access over the moat. The fortresses location was strategically placed to allow access to the
confluence of two rivers (no longer there), but it was also
situated far enough away from the rivers to shield it from
prying eyes.
The term fortress if probably actually a bit of a misnomer,
from the layout of the site, it would more likely have been a
fortified encampment, rather than what we would consider a
fortress in modern terms.
For those lucky enough to get to Denmark to take a look,
there is much to do. You can feel replicas of Viking artifacts,
including the weapons of the age. There are regular activities
during the warmer months, including re-creations taking
place. There is also an onsite museum to wander around.
The site is open from 10am to 5pm and costs 40 Dutch
Kroner for adult entry.

"You wrapped your end around the oak tree," said Wod, dismounting.
"No," responded the peasant, quickly undoing the chain. "See,
here it is in my hands."
"I'll have you in the clouds!" cried the huntsman and remounted. The peasant quickly wrapped the chain around the
oak tree once again, and once again Wod pulled in vain. Up
above the dogs barked, the wagons rolled, and the horses
neighed. The oak tree creaked at its roots and seemed to twist
itself sideways. The peasant was terrified, but the oak tree
stood.
"You have pulled well!" said the huntsman. "Many men have
become mine. You are the first who has withstood me. I will
reward you."
The hunt proceeded noisily, "Halloo! Halloo!" The peasant
crept along his way. Then suddenly, from unseen heights, a
groaning stag fell before him. Wod appeared and jumped
from his white horse. He hurriedly cut up the game.
"The blood is yours," he said to the peasant, "and a hind quarter as well."
"My lord," said the peasant, "your servant has neither a

Irminsul

Testing of cloth, a Celtic-style plaid found with the bodies

revealed it to have a weave that exactly matched cloth found
with the bodies of 13th c. BCE salt miners in Austria. Radiocarbon-dating tests of artifacts - footwear, wraps and hats, as
well as grain found in other excavations in the area show that
the ancestors of Cherchen Man roamed the northwestern corner of China as early as the 21st c. BCE, the height of the
Bronze Age (around the estimated time of Stonehenge's erection).

Migrant Linked to Stonehenge

STONEHENGE, the mysterious ring of ancient monoliths
from the dawn of Britain's civilisation, could be the work of a
central European immigrant.
Archaeologists say an early Bronze Age archer, whose grave
was discovered near the stone circle last year, may have
helped build the monument. And tests on the chemical components of his tooth enamel show he grew up in the region
that is now Switzerland.

Victor Mair, a professor of Chinese in the department of

Asian and Middle Eastern Studies at the University of Pennsylvania who over-saw the project from 1993 to 1999, came
to a conclusion regarding a European homeland for the IndoEuropean people. The territory stretched in a wide swath
across central Europe, from northern Denmark to the northwestern shore of the Black Sea. But its heart, some six thousand years ago, lay in what is now known as southern Germany, north-eastern Austria, and a portion of the Czech Republic.

"The archer would have been a very important person in the

Stonehenge area," Andrew Fitzpatrick, Wessex Archaeology's
project manager in charge of Stonehenge, said. "It is fascinating to think someone from abroad - probably modern-day
Switzerland - could have played an important part in the construction of Britain's most famous archaeological site."
The 4000-year-old remains were identified as an archer because of flint arrowheads found by his body and other artifacts from the Beaker Culture that flourished in the Alps during the Bronze Age. It was likely the man came from an area
now in Switzerland, though it might have been in southern
Germany or western Austria, said Wessex Archaeology
spokesman Tony Trueman.

Under pressure from his colleagues, who cited Indo-European

linguistic references, especially the origin of the word 'loom'
which is held to have come from east of modern Europe, Mair
unhappily re-drew the map for publishing, placing the homeland of the Indo-Europeans in a broad arc stretching from the
eastern Ukraine and southern Russia to western Kazakhstan
to conform to current theories. But personally he insists that
his original conclusions, based on DNA evidence (that also
includes the Ice Man of northern Italy) and radio-carbon dating of multifarious artifacts are correct .

The archer, dubbed the King of Stonehenge by the British

press, lived around 2300 BC, about the time the great stone
circle was formed in Amesbury, 120km south-west of London.

Of this DNA group cited above - Swedes, Finns, Tuscans,

Corsicans, and Sardinians, only the modern Swedes can be
ethnically identified consistently with the Indo-European language culture. The language of the Finns is definitely of the
non-Indo-European origin, and the status of the Tuscans is
still being debated. While the Corsican and Sardinian languages are considered Indo-European, as ethnic groups they
are genetically related to indigenous 'Old Europeans'. But if
the Indo-Europeans arose out of a central European axis of
races as is hypothesized from Mairs DNA results, then Gimbutas so-called invasion of Europe (4,400 BCE >) by Kurgan
hordes out of southern Russia and eastwards (still held by the
majority of academics as being the homeland of the IndoEuropeans), was not that of unrelated peoples but of a divergent culture arising from a shared proto-European matrix.

The 100 or so artifacts found in his exceptionally rich grave,

about 5km from Stonehenge, indicated he was obviously a
prominent man, Mr. Trueman said.
Though it could be coincidence the man lived close to Stonehenge about the time the great stones were put in place, archaeologists suspected he was involved in building the monument and as an important dignitary may have been involved
in its creation.
-ASSOCIATED PRESS (London)

An Indo European Heartland?

It was a re-settling and then a radiation from the Central

European heartland. It was a return of the earlier European
nomads through their descendants, who had earlier travelled
from the fringes of the Mediterranean to the Baltic and dispersed eastwards from there into Asia, and southwards into
Russia. During their nomadic millennium isolation or perhaps, even before their Diaspora they developed a linguistic
template, classified as separate from that of the Ligurians,
Iberians, Basques and Finno-Ugrics; perhaps through contact
with or the absorption of now unidentifiable ethnic groups,
and perhaps through the influence of environment. Whatever
factors came into play it seems logical, by my extrapolating
of Mairs findings to suggest that the Proto-Indo-European
language-culture developed through relative isolation from

The areas that later became known as Switzerland, southern

Germany and western Austria were at the estimated time of
Stonehenge's construction occupied by the Celtic culture. And
the word 'culture' is the key - not race, for DNA tests of the
5000 yr old 'Ice Man' found in the mountain border regions of
Italy and Austria is very similar to that of the 'Xinjiang Mummies' in China, also known as Cherchen Man.
Pringle (2002) in her Secrets of the Red-Headed Mummies,
writes that DNA samples taken from the 'Xinjiang Mummies'
in China, prove that Proto-Europeans roamed the Tarim Basin
as early as the 11th c. BCE. (1) The DNA test results confirm
these ancient folk had the same genetic lineage as most modern-day Swedes, Finns, Tuscans, Corsicans, and Sardinians.

(Continued on page 6)

Irminsul

Tyrvalds Collected Mead Recipes

(Continued from page 5)

the Old Europeans and was spread not only eastwards through
Russia into China but back into Europe completing the cycle
of an ancient Diaspora.

Basic Small Mead

Source: Cher Feinstein (crf@pine.circa.ufl.edu)

Adding to the controversial theories of the origin and dispersal of the Indo-Europeans is Colin Renfews recent hypothesis that also casts doubts on the hitherto accepted theories,
although his own premise seems to disregard both paleolinguistic and archaeological evidence and contradicts his
earlier theories of the Indo-Europeans being nomadic. (2) Renfew (1999) says that the Indo-Europeans origin is to be found
on the southern shores of the Black Sea, in Turkey and specifically in Anatolia. He proposes that the Indo-European
language matrix developed among those who had domesticated both plant and animal species. Language was spread
into Europe along with the change from hunting-gathering to
farming. This movement was from Anatolia, to Crete then
Greece starting around 6000 BCE finally reaching northwestern Europe, Scotland and Ireland by 3,500 BCE.

Ingredients:
2-3 cloves
2 sticks cinnamon
2 thin slices ginger
2-4 teaspoons orange peel
2 pounds honey
yeast
1/4 cup vodka or grain alcohol
Procedure:
In a 1-gallon pot, simmer cloves (lightly cracked), cinnamon
(broken), and ginger. Add orange peel. The amount of orange peel will vary depending on type of honey used. Use
less orange peel with orange blossom honey, for example.
Simmer.

Renfew holds that there was very little migration, rather a

gradual population increase as a result of better food production. With the increase of population came commerce, cultural adoption and surges of loan-word borrowings. To explain the cultural independence of the non-Indo-European
speaking peoples such as the Basques and Etruscans (?) he
hypothesizes that may have held out as isolated enclaves for
such a long time because their denser Mesolithic populations
had independently invented agriculture or they had an abundant subsistent food source in shellfish. Renfew suggests that
the spread of such I-E languages such as Tocharian to the east
as far as China was the result of trade movement along the
Silk Road and cites, as an example in reverse to support his
language diffusion theory, that although the Indo-Europeans
did spread eastward their language and culture have been long
been replaced in these areas by that of the Turks and Chinese.

Add water to bring volume to 3 quarts. Return to simmer.

Add honey, stirring constantly. Do not boil! Skim off any
white scum. If scum is yellow, reduce heat. When no more
scum forms, remove from heat, cover pot, and leave overnight. The next day, strain to remove as much spice particles
as possible. Pitch yeast. Replace pot cover.

Extracts from 'The Indo-Europeans'; Hel's Gates: Rna of the

Teutonic Underworld. 2002 Rurik Grimnisson

Twelve hours later, rack mead to 1-gallon jug, leaving dregs

of yeast. Top off jug, bringing to base of neck. Take a piece
of clean paper towel, fold into quarters, and put over mouth of
jug. Seal with rubber band. Ferment for 36 hours, replacing
paper towel whenever it becomes fouled. Refrigerate 8-12
hours. Rack to new jug and put back in refrigerator for 12
hours. Add 1/4 cup vodka to kill yeast. Rack to fresh jug.
Refrigerate 3-4 days. Bottle.

(1)

Comments:

(2)

H. Pringle (2002) Secrets of the Red-Headed Mummies. From the Mummy Congress.
www.geocities.co,/j_chandler21/mummies.htm.
Norman Berdichevsky, Contemporary Review (Feb
1999), Archaeology and Language, The Puzzle of
Indo-European Origins, Colin Renfrew (1999)

This is a quickie mead, drinkable in 2 weeks, however, it does

improve with age. Aging at least a couple months is recommended. This mead is excellent chilled.
Specifics:
Primary Ferment:
Secondary Ferment:

2 days
2 weeks

(Look forward to another Mead Recipe in next issue Ed.)

Irminsul

could be restored to health and kept hidden until Knut's expected invasion fleet had worked its way around the West
Coast, ensuring his safe rescue.

Einars Saga

The Danish Overlord Knut hoped that this daring plan would
guarantee the appreciation and fealty of Sigurdh to himself.
He had no desire to keep Hundi as a hostage. He wanted to
confirm the Orkney allegiance through gratitude. The rescue
of Hundi would add to his honour and respect as a King of the
greatest empire ever known in the northern world.

An historical fiction by Rurik Grimnisson 2003

PROLOGUE
The Isles of Orkney were settled in the days of Harald Fairhair, King of Norway. Previously the Isles were the sheltering
of Vikings but Harald insisted they were his Fiefdom and
demanded allegiance from the first Jarl Sigurdh. Over the
years the succeeding Jarls resisted Harald. Thereupon the
King sailed against the Isles with a large fleet and forced
them to give up their allodial rights. But no taxes were demanded, for the land had been viciously ravaged. In the time
of Eric Bloodaxe, the renegade son of Harald, the Jarls
switched allegiance to Eric who had left Norway to establish
his own power in Ireland and England.

1. THE CHOOSING
Where the Skagerrak and Kattegat seas mingled it had been a
warm summer. Life was pleasant enough in this time of civil
war and impending invasion. It was now the late Fall season
in the shallow estuaries, where men call the land Uddevalla.
Although ice was forming in some perpetually shaded dales,
game was still plentiful. Fingers of lush land jutted between
turbulent creeks filled with salmon. The deciduous forests,
whose floors were still covered with succulent berries, sheltered the sleek elk while the open woodlands fattened the
partridge and grouse for the coming winter.

The sixth Jarl, Sigurdh the Stout, who inherited his position
from his short-lived antecedents, was known as a great warrior and a powerful man. Olaf Haraldsson was now King of
Norway. Whilst returning home from the Scillies, his fleet ran
for storm-shelter into Osmundvoe harbour on the Orkney
island of Hoy, where fate would have it, Jarl Sigurdh lay at
anchor with only three ships. Sigurdh was taken prisoner.
King Olaf was a fanatical Kristjan and demanded as ransom
that Sigurdh be baptised, under threat of execution as a rebel.
The Jarl was to proclaim Kristjanity in all the Orkney Islands
and swear allegiance to the Norwegian King. Olaf took
Sigurdh's favoured son Hlodver, grandson of the Scottish
King Malcolm II and affectionately known as Hundi (little
hound) back to Norway, as a political and religious hostage.
Hundi remained under Olafs fosterage until the time of
Knut's proclamation of sovereignty over Norway.

Einar Thorrfinson had arisen with the dawn. Today would be

a fine hunt, he mused with mixed feelings of exhilaration and
apprehension. He had dreamed in the last watch of the night,
the time when those who are fated for a straw-death most
often give up the ghost, of a great buck with heavy antlers. It
seemed to stand at the shoulder taller than any other he had
seen; the beast had turned to face him and dropped to its
knees, its eyes large amber pools of reflected light. In his
hand he held a mighty war hammer with which he smote the
stag on the offered forehead. At the moment of impact the
compelling eyes transformed into mlstroms of bloody water.
He caught his reflection in their black abyss centres, and feeling he was being sucked in, awoke with a start.

Knut, King of Denmark had inherited the throne of England

from his father Svein and was now the most powerful ruler in
the North. He became popular with the Norseman who had
become to hate their King Olaf for his brutality: his forced
conversions to Kristjanity and the usurping of the Norwegian
Jarls and Karls ancient legal and religious rights. A civil war
now raged throughout Norway, sometimes as provincial battles and at other times as isolated family resistance. When
Knut realized that diplomacy was not going to win him his
prize of Norway, he made contact through his agents there to
gather men to join him in overthrowing Olaf. He planned to
invade with a mighty fleet sailing from England, Scotland and
the Orkney Isles.

Standing in the early morning chill Einar watched the steam

rising from his piss. His thoughts flitted to his wife who still
lay warm abed, sleeping. Astrid would be pleased if the hunt
would provide enough venison for some early winter smoking.

When Knut first claimed Norway Hundi, who had many

friends at Olaf's Court, was secreted away. Olaf was told that
he had died. The Norwegian king, being distracted by the
threat of Knuts intentions, appeared to accept this news without any inquisition; for Hundi had been ill with the coughing
sickness and was not expected to survive. A weighted and
sealed coffin was buried after an elaborate Kristjan funeral
service, attended by Olaf and his High Court.

Before entering he called in a mock-gruff voice over his

shoulder to Hundi, 'Get a move on "little hound" if you want
to eat before the hunt'. The lad yelped in pleasure, adjusted
his trews then bolted to the stoop water-bucket slopping handfuls of icy water over his head and face.

The sound of a protracted yawn accompanied by a fart broke

his reverie. Einar turned his head to see his young charge,
Hundi, blinking like an owl against the glare of the sun, now
rising through the morning mists like a burnished helm of
bronze. Suppressing a grin of amusement Einar walked back
to the house to string his bow and belt his hunting knife - both
hung on the stave wall inside the doorway of the log cabin.

After a light breakfast of cold porridge and skymilk to sustain

them, they passed through the yard carrying their weapons,
not forgetting to slide the slip-rails back into place. There

Hundi's hide-away was to the south in Alvsbor. This province

lay close to the border of Denmark. It was hoped that Hundi

(Continued on page 8)

Irminsul

(Continued from page 7)

would be Hel to pay from Astrid if he left the Garth fence

open, thought Einar. They forded the bubbling creek across
the narrow footbridge - the fallen trunk of an ancient Yew
tree - climbed the low ridge to the west of the homestead
pausing among the slim Birch, which had lost most of their
leaves. Whilst drawing deep lung-fulls of cool air, the hunters
peered down into the dim lit glade of Oak and Beech, clinging to their last golden leaves. This stand marked the beginning of the forest preparing for its winter sleep. From hereon
there would be no talking. All concentration was on the serious business of stalking game.

Mead was believed to increase virility and fertility

Dr Claire McLoughlin

They will select one couple who will be asked to keep a

nightly record of the effects or otherwise of the ancient brew.
The findings will be published in November to coincide with
UK Chemistry Week, which will highlight the role of chemistry if daily life.
The society has already placed an order for a dozen bottles of
mead to help the couple on their way.

The two cut manly figures as they strode forwards through

the bracken. The elder was tall and bearded, solidly built, a
single golden braid snaking down the back of his fringed rawhide jacket. The younger was as tall with the promise of more
height and size. His hands and feet were large on his rangy
frame. His wet hair rusty, untameably shaggy clung to the
wide shoulders of his leather vest like clotted blood.

Mead is an alcoholic liquor made by fermenting a mixture of

honey and water.
The drink has its roots in Babylon more than 4,000 years ago.
While popular with newly-weds, it was also hailed by soldiers
who poured it on wounds in the belief it helped them to heal
more quickly.

***
To be continued...

"Mead was not just drunk as a wine but was believed to have
magical powers revitalising and healing," said Jerome
Schooler, who runs Britain's largest mead maker, Lurgashall
Winery in Sussex.
"As a result of this, Mead was the elixir to prolong life. People thought if they drank it they would be immortal."
Researchers at the Royal Chemistry Society are hoping their
study will unearth some of the science behind the myth.
"There is some serious science in it," said Claire McLoughlin
of the society.

How is your sex drive, honey?

"Mead was believed to increase virility and fertility and as in

many myths and legends there is a basis in science because
mead is rich in B vitamins and also rich in amino acids which
are the building blocks of protein so do increase stamina."

Life was simpler thousands of years ago. In Biblical times,

the secret to a happy marriage was nothing more than a
honey-based alcoholic drink.

Couples who are interested in volunteering to take part in the

study can email the society at emsleyb@rsc.org

Newly-weds were encouraged to drink mead every night for

one lunar month after they tied the knot.

Story from BBC NEWS:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/2/hi/health/2949742.stm

The fruits of their so-named honeymoon would then appear

nine months later, in the form of a bouncing baby.

Published: 2003/05/30 11:40:15 GMT

BBC MMIII

Sex life
Now scientists at the Royal Society of Chemistry in London
are setting out to determine whether there is any truth in the
ancient myth that mead is, indeed, the key to a healthy sex
life.
Researchers are seeking the help of prospective honeymooners willing to drink mead every evening for 30 days after they
exchange their vows.

Irminsul

Nine
Herbs
Charm
Rune-Study Networking Guild

Swanhilda, a Vitka and Seikona, has been

working as a healer for over 20 years. She is now
offering to the wider community, the Norse Nine
Herbs Charm. The herbs and their preparation
are true to the original formula of the Viking Age.
All are organic and either from Europe and/or
grown by Swanhilda from imported seeds.
Each ingredient is Rune Sung as it is prepared. The final blend is placed in a hand made
leather drawstring pouch then charged for its
healing and protection work by invocation to our
own holy Wights.
Each charm is made to personal order according
to the clients requirements. You have a choice of
emu skin (according to availability) or fine calf
suede pouches.
Cost:

All orders to:

International network for students of the Runes

www.mackaos.com.au/Rune-Net
Rune-Net was formed by a group of rune students
who have been studying as a network for over 10
years, and individually for up to 25 years. The purpose of Rune-Net is to promote the study of our runic
heritage. We have a number of texts on-line to make
Rune-Net studies accessible to all at a minimal cost.
Nearly half of our members are in Australia, with the
rest in the USA, Canada, the UK, and Germany.
Although we try to avoid a dogmatic approach, preferring that individuals find their own paths by their
own work, we are focused on a solid and factual foundation upon which to build. Unfortunately, the majority of rune manuals available in the shops are virtually
devoid of such a foundation. We became frustrated
with the general lack of reliable research available in
the popular New Age books and their make-it-up-asyou-go-along attitude. This prompted us to organise a
study guide, materials, and discussions based on the
best academic & historical sources.

$24.00 AUD (Aust./N.Z.)

$24.00 USD all other orders
(Includes Postage)

Swanhilda
PO Box 5345
Rockingham Beach
WA 6168

Payment by Money Order only should be made

out to:

We have organised Rune-Net as an international networking and support structure for students of the
Runes. We have our own publishing network for runic
books of quality and credibility (such as our latest
books the Runic Primer & True Helm,). We also have
Rune-Net gatherings & workshops (members only),
and hold a Feast for all Heathens and Pagans in Winter (June in Australia) Winter Feast.

L. G. Bennetts
Other specific charms are also available enquiries welcome.

Fees are US$11 due each June. US$16 for new members which will cover you until June 2004. (Australia
A$20 renewal, new member A$30)

Irminsul

Schmitt
Services

Advertise
with the
Irminsul
Newsletter
Advertising Rates per Issue:
Issues

2-3

4-6

7-10 11-12

Page
Full

$70

$60

$50

$40

$30

Half

$60

$50

$40

$30

$20

Quarter

$50

$40

$30

$20

$10

Eighth

$40

$30

$20

$10

$5

Provider of:

Advertisements must be pre-paid, supplied to the

Irminsul Newsletter ready to run, in black and
white, and are guaranteed to run for the requested
number of issues which have been paid for.
Acceptance of advertisements is at the discretion
of the Editors of the Irminsul Newsletter, however
any advertisement run in the Irminsul Newsletter
does not constitute endorsement by the Editors, the
Assembly of The Elder Troth, its Directors or
members of the organisation, nor the goods or services being advertised.

Accounting
Bookkeeping
MYOB Consultation
MYOB Operation
MYOB Implementation
Computer Hardware Sales
Computer Software Sales
Website Design Service
Website Hosting Service

Dirk Schmitt
Schmitt Services
ABN: 49 419 199 158
PO Box 140
North Richmond, NSW 2754
Phone:
Mobile:
Website:

This
Space
For
Hire

(02) 4571-2863
(04) 1472-5493

www.aetaustralia.org/schmittservices.htm
E-mail:
schmittservices@bigpond.com

10

Irminsul

Assembly of T he Elder Troth

Contacts & Information Page
The Assembly of The Elder Troth, Rune-Net and the Order of the Blue Falcon are working together to provide resources for Germanic Heathen study and practice.

Membership of the Assembly of The Elder Troth

Assembly of The Elder Troth

Company Limited by Guarantee
ACN: 103 040 802
ABN: 51 103 040 802
PO Box 140
North Richmond, NSW 2754
www.aetaustralia.org

AET Managing Director

Rurik Grimnisson
c/- PO Box 140
North Richmond, NSW 2754
irminsul@tsn.cc

AET Company Secretary

Dirk Schmitt
PO Box 140
North Richmond, NSW 2754
secretary@aetaustralia.org

AET Director
Order of the Blue Falcon
Geirr Fokstuen
Academy Hu-She Do of Tai-Chi Kung Fu
academyhu-shedo.freeservers.com
PO Box A31
ANU Canberra, ACT 2601

The AET is an Australian organization unique in its national

corporate structure. Membership obtains federal recognition
of your Northern Tradition beliefs and legal warding from
discrimination and harassment whether from individuals or
collectives. This security is upheld and qualified by a minimal
legal constitution to which members are conditionally bound.
The AETs interests are wide-ranging, not exclusively religious and definitely non-dogmatic. We are a networking and
supportive folk-body. We pragmatically recognize that for
cultural integrity to be maintained in this time of Globalisation we must affirm our commonwealth of heritage - spiritual,
ethical and material whilst encouraging the individual to
achieve full potential in all areas of life. Continuing survival,
not only for us but also for all humanity, depends on our interdependence with the bi-sacral realms of the natural world
and the numinous, just as it deed for our ancestors.
As a member you are free to form or to affiliate with any
community organization of your choice, with qualifications.
We require that the philosophy and actions of these associations be not in contravention to the United Nations Bill of
Human Rights or the laws of the country of residence. Comembership of associations that publicly or privately proclaim or support discrimination based on race, colour, ethnic
origin, gender, sexual orientation, or unsustainable ecological
exploitation is unacceptable.
Membership Fees:
Affiliated Member: $15 per year
Provides membership of the AET, including Membership
Certificate, granting legal coverage as a member.
Full Member:
$60.00 per year
Provides membership of the AET, including Membership
Certificate, granting legal coverage, as well as the bi-monthly
Irminsul Newsletter and annual Irminsul Journal mailed to
you as hardcopy.
Subscriptions Only:
Irminsul Newsletter hardcopy only [six issues]
Irminsul Newsletter e-copy only [six issues]
Irminsul Journal hardcopy only [annual issue]

11

$30.00
$15.00
$25.00

Irminsul

An official Publication of the Assembly of The Elder Troth

2003
Assembly of The Elder Troth
ABN: 51 103 040 802
PO Box 140
North Richmond, NSW 2754
Australia

It is a long way
To the home of a false friend,
Even if it stands
close by the road.
A straighter way leads
to the true friend,
Though he lives far away.
Havamal 34