NorsePlay.

  When we think of Norse Mythology we think of the "nor-" prefix for the North, that these colder climes specifically inspired or fostered the Norse Lore. And yet, as we look at the Norse Cosmology with its whole fiery world of  Múspellsheimr , the raging volcanos of Iceland's Midgard ian landscape, the lava tube cavern of  Surtshellir, the geysirs & hot spring pools, we find many heat-centric constructs. Add the Viking explorations of the Mediterranean into arid Northern Africa & the Middle East, such encounters had to open up hotter climates to be contextualized within their Heathen Worldview. To NorsePlay: When Odin, Vili, & Vé create the Nine Worlds, this accounts for all Midgard's landscapes and attendant weathers, which includes the deserts. These same areas would also have attendant Landvættir, the spirits that occupy that land, plus  Álfar , Hulderfolk, D vergar, all as forces that support & interact with most portions of Midgard . ...

This horned-helmet wearing, Templar crossed shield bearing, and longsword brandishing Viking cover art illustration is from a 1959 CE 38-page vintage pamphlet by Hjalmar Rued Holand. Holand (b.1872-d.1963 CE) was a proponent of the Kensington Runestone along with other contested Norse America artifacts, and wrote five books supporting those theories before the discovery of Leif Erikson's camp at L'Anse aux Meadows in 1960 CE . In 1950 CE Holand was awarded a Guggenheim Fellowship in Anthropology & Cultural Studies. No matter which way you weigh in or abstain on such theories, the above illustration's a remarkably out-there NorsePlay. #    #    # Guillermo Maytorena IV knew there was something special in  the Norse Lore when he picked up a copy of the d'Aulaires'  Norse Gods and Giants  at age seven. Since t hen he's been fascinated by the truthful potency of Norse Mythology, passionately read & studied, embraced Ásatrú, launched...

Because of a very questionable runestone discovery, Alexandria, MN, lays claim to being the "Birthplace of America", and flaunts that declaration with the roadside attraction of viking Big Ole , seen here in 1965 conquering a traffic island. Moved later to a roadside, you can watch him via this webcam to make sure he doesn't move when you're not looking. [Fiberglass sculpted by Gordon Schumaker, originally for the NY World's Fair earlier that year.] 06/2021 Addendum: Note that a Chrome update has made the Big Ole camera incompatible, but it will still work with other browsers. #    #    # Guillermo Maytorena IV knew there was something special in  the Norse Lore when he picked up a copy of the d'Aulaires'  Norse Gods and Giants  at age seven. Since t hen he's been fascinated by the truthful potency of Norse Mythology, passionately read & studied, embraced Ásatrú, launched the  Map of Midgard  project, and spearheaded the n...

Fantasy artist Ron Walotsky's book cover for Tim Sullivan's The Martian Viking (1991). Longships > Rocketships! [No, haven't read it, just ran across it at a used bookshop. Have you?] #    #    # Guillermo Maytorena IV knew there was something special in  the Norse Lore when he picked up a copy of the d'Aulaires'  Norse Gods and Giants  at age seven. Since t hen he's been fascinated by the truthful potency of Norse Mythology, passionately read & studied, embraced Ásatrú, launched the  Map of Midgard  project, and spearheaded the neologism/brand NorsePlay.   If you have e mployment/ opportunities in  investigative mythology,  field research, or product development to offer,  do contact him .