NorsePlay.

Berserker bearskin headdress made by The Crafty Crawford. Complete with all paws & claws, with the upper jaw taxidermied in, claimed by Idaho harvests where the meat is eaten and the pelt sold only to cover costs with a Native American art license. #    #    # 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 .

From the longstanding & gullible Bailey School Kids' series comes Vikings Don't Wear Wrestling Belts . Viking Vince goes up against Bear Claw for the city championship belt, and teaches the kids about runes & that real vikings don't have horns on their helmets along the way. As silly as it looks, really, and not one mention of Glima, the Icelandic wrestling where they actually do wear belts . [illustration by John Steven Gurney.] #    #    # 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...

Viking Princess Barbie. (Yes, really.) From the Mattel Barbie Dolls of the World Princess Collection, the back of the box has a nice context of Barbie being a jarl's daughter, living in a longhouse inside a Trelleborg, and so on & so forth. What's funny about this product shot is the wings on her helmet are pushed just a bit too far forward. [from 2003, still available on Amazon for $35, if you can af-fjord it.] #    #    # 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...

Citing a Gullveig reincarnated into the völva Heiðr, this curious organic oil is "triplet gemstone charged with Amber, Jet and Viking Sunstone nuggets" and "herb charged with an exotic triplet of Amber resin, Mugwort and Viper's Bugloss Honey." Is it actually prophecies in a bottle for ritual & shamanic workings? We like the cavern hand label artwork and the idea of what it could be. [from  Witchcraft Artisan Alchemy. ] #    #    # 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 deve...

Volva's Vision by Natasa Ilincic for the tabletop RPG Fate of Norns' The Illuminated Edda . [She's got a Patreon, if you're feeling as impressed by this as you should be.] #    #    # 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 .

Sleeping Wotan by sculptor Rudolf Maison. [cast in 1900 CE, reproduction available here .] #    #    # 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 .

Bifrost arcs from Midgard to Asgard. [illustration by Steele Savage (1898–1970), from Adventures with the Giants (1950) by Catharine F. Sellew.] #    #    # 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 .

Highly stylized sterling Icelandic Fossi Thor's Hammer. Pakabone has NorsePlay'd the zoomorphic/wolf's head into a more Osbergian version, while varying the surfacing between the crosspiece and endcaps. [by Pakabone on Etsy.] #    #    # 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 .

During a blu-ray re-watch of Fritz Lang's 1924 restored masterpiece Die Nibelungen , my wife & I found ourselves favouring different female protagonists, so NorsePlay poses the question. Which would you choose: Kriemhild or Brunhild? Tell us why in the comments. #    #    # 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 .

Online slot machine themed Valhalla . The reels feature runes, Loki, Freyja, Thor, Heimdal, Odin, and a Valkyrie. And if you pick the door to Valhalla you can double your winnings. Any of you tried this? [made by Wazdan.] # # # 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 then 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 employment/opportunities in investigative mythology, field research, or product development to offer, do contact him .

NorsePlay had hoped for more of a Sherlock Holmes-related entry , and while we love Elementary to pieces, we feel that there's more than one reference to be mined from this possibility. [And Kim Newman, if you're reading, we'd like a StormPunk Moriarty & The Jötnar of Kensington Runestone book, please & thanks.] #    #    # 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 .

Odin and Fenrir at Ragnarok by LunaticLucien. If the ravens strike the wolf's eyes, NorsePlay bets this ends differently. Listen, ravens, listen. #    #    # 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 .

Bifrost Under Maintenance. Please Proceed To Escalator . Marvel Heimdall cosplayer takes the moving stairway bridge instead. Possibly during Asgard's repairs between Thor & Thor: The Dark World ? Idris Elba: You had to have spotted this fanlove, yeah? [from Welcome To Geek Town.] #    #    # 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 .

A Venn diagram titled Semantic field diagram of words for sentient beings in Old Norse ! [originally published in Alaric Hall, "Þur sarriþu þursa trutin": Monster-Fighting and Medicine in Early Medieval Scandinavia .] #    #    # 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 .

The Valkyrie Brunnhild (1898) by symbolist painter Gaston Bussière. [Color lithograph on wove paper.] #    #    # 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 .

For NorsePlay, any song that praises the merits of Sleipnir is aces with us. Simultaneously majestic & ridiculous, Manowar 's " Sleipnir " from their 2007 album Gods Of War , presented with battle stirring lyrics and an awesome intro. And if you check out the liner notes to this Odin-dedicated concept album, it's all in runes ! #    #    # 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 .

Manifest your inner digital valkyrie with this Tron -esque illuminated acrylic winged headpiece! [from Etsy.] #    #    # 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 .

This hubcap art sculptured lamp by Ptolemy Elrington totally reminds us of Sam Flegal's mechanized take on Gullinbursti . [from http://www.hubcapcreatures.com/ ] #    #    # 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 .

A rune-skinned Hel from Hellblade: Senua's Sacrifice from developer Ninja Theory on PS4 & Windows. #    #    # 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 .

During a blu-ray upgrade re-watch of Fritz Lang's 1924 cinematic adaptation of Die Nibelungen, one is even more impressed with the practical effect making up Fafnir, the dragon Siegfried defeats to gain nigh-invulnerability from bathing in a torrent of its blood. Grand lore aside, the puppeteering of Fafnir was way ahead of its time. #    #    # 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 .

The devourers Hati, Fenrir, and Skoll make a miniboss appearance in the free MMORPG RuneScape . NorsePlayers: Go kill 'em before they can cause the big trouble. #    #    # 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 .

Raid your way to jarldom in NSKN Games' In the Name Of Odin . Any of you played this? [designed by Krzysztof Zięba, art by Odysseas Stamoglou.] #    #    # 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 .

When is a subdermal ring NorsePlay? When in The History of the Danes the hero Hadingus kills a jötunn to save princess Regnhild from marriage, she tends to his leg wound and implants a ring inside of him so she can identify him later in a line of suitors, all of whom she gets to feel up first. Clever girl. So just maybe inline with the tissue-thin tribalist pretensions of body modification enthusiasts there's a callback to Norse Lore somewhere inside this practice. [photo from La Carmina - lacarmina.com's gothic culture blog.] #    #    # 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 mplo...

The holiday decoration of the Yule Goat was probably inspired by Thor's battle cart goats Tanngrisnir (teeth-barer) & Tanngnjóstr (teeth-grinder). The world-record julbok's largest manifestation is the Gävle Goat, a 42.6' feet, 3.26 ton version! What makes the Gävle Goat even more like Thor's goats is its cycle of death & resurrection as every year it gets burned, crashed into, or vandalized, and rebuilt, just as Thor while traveling would cook his goats for food and bring them back to life using his hammer the next morning.  You can keep an eye on this process via webcam . [In Gävle, Sweden, first made by Stig Gavlén in 1966.] #    #    # 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, launch...

NorsePlay makes a request: We want an English translation of Georges Dumézil's Loki . Many of Dumézil's other works have seen translation and do a fair share of referencing Loki , so it would stand to reason that for research's sake Loki would be translated too, but this is not yet the case. While we may not agree with some of Dumézil's premises, we love the erudition he brings to the table to weave together, and from this we always learn something. If any of you have contacts at Flammarion who can get a translation from UCLA Center for the Study of Comparative Folklore & Mythology or The University of Chicago Press' Derek Coltman, for the sake of Norse Lore studies, please do so. Thanks. [For NorsePlay's review of Dumézil's Gods of the Ancient Northmen, read it here .] #    #    # 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. ...