Borrekaupangen, Sudden photoshoot in front of The Gilde Hall

 

 

This Majestic Viking Hall is a reconstruction of a great mead hall from the Viking Age. Imprints of such halls were found in 2007 by archeologists, which strengthened Borre’s position as a centre of power, even before the Viking Age. Archaeological theories, and even the epic of Beowulf has been taken into account in the reconstruction- simply because we do not know what these halls looked like. This excites me the most about the viking age- the mystery and the art. On the exterior, shingles have been carefully laid and tarred, and Beautiful wood carvings adorn the upper walls and the entrance.

This is a popular spot to shoot photos for modern day vikings. After pillaging the market, I had to pose like the queen I am;) The viking garb is something I made a few years ago, and I made it according to the Oseberg style, a long train apron dress in diamond twill. The underdress is not based on archeological evidence – as it has no arms…! I know, shocking…. *rolls eyes* According to some russian women and…men(!!) on instagram I might as well be naked simply because I am showing my shoulders. Bahahah! I know ,what the actual fuck? On another note, I doubt that vikings covered up that much. They worshipped fertility gods and goddesses for fucks sake. Let’s take a moment to appreciate that<3

For more info about the Gilde Hall, click HERE

What is do you love the most about the Viking Age?

Sól, The Viking Queen 

 

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Borrekaupangen ‘2018’ (part one)

Walking amongst The Borre Mounds is almost a religious experience to me. It always has been, and always will be. Borrekaupangen is the biggest, biannual viking market in Norway, and it is my favourite.  I had an amazing day filled with positive energies, hugs, friends, and beauty. Several blog readers came up to me to chat, I felt humbled and happy. Other vikings invited ut to stay to join the gilde, it felt as if they genuinely wanted us around, which was nice. We had to leave early but I swore to myself that next time, we will be staying for a whole week. I shot pictures, complimented the craftswomen – and men, and felt the sun warm my bare shoulders. Time stood still.

I bought some necessities, but the most important thing I brought home was warmth in my Heathen Heart. A feeling of belonging, a feeling of being Home. 

More pictures to come…

Sól, The Viking Queen

The idea of a perfect summer

 

Photos: Emilie Vikene

Here in the north, the winters are dark and brutal. Therefore, summer is cherished and celebrated by Norwegians. I am currently trying to plan my vacation to make the most of the time I have (in between work and thesis writing). The last week of July, I am going to distant shores to explore a new country, and I am really excited about that! However, this will probably not be the idea of a perfect summer…

Why? Simply because…I will not be attending as many viking markets as I would have liked to, and to be honest -that makes me quite sad. For a modern viking, these markets are the closest thing to an authentic viking experience in organized form. Like re-living some valued memory of the past with fellow enthusiasts. Sigh.. I will make it to Borre viking market – a day trip at least. And…There is still some sort of hope for Gudvangen as I still cling to the idea of it, refusing to let it go. Wanna know something? At one point I actually considered asking random people on IG to join me in order to lower the expenses . Luckily, one of my friends talked me out of the idea, reminding me that I would have to sleep with pepperspray under my pillow in that kind of stranger danger scenario. Haha, I wouldn’t actually have gone through with this experiment – but I think it paints a picture of how bad I would like to go. Lack of money – and lack of people to join me makes this challenging. Oh well. It’s times like these I wish blogging actually made me some cash, but in the niche world of underground blogging, it doesn’t work like that..

However, I will make this summer glorious. You can take the girl out of a viking market, but you can never take the viking spirit out of the girl. No matter where I go or what I do, it is always in some sort of Nordic spirit. Inside or outside a viking camp, it really doesn’t matter. To Hel with it- I’ll just hand stitch some new viking garb that I can strut around with in the forest. That, a bottle of mead, people I love and who love me back, is my idea of a perfect summer.

What are your plans for the vacations?

Sól, The Viking Queen

 

Berry Lips

 

Decided to take up a project that I started some time ago; experimenting with and creating ‘berry makeup looks’. A few years back I did an all natural look where I painted my entire face with blueberry makeup (eyebrows, eyes and lips). This is today’s lip colour – created by mixing blueberries and raspberries with honey, and dabbing it on in three layers. So…This is the colour that came of that, Tadaaa! Those of you who have been around for some time know that I love modern makeup and that I like to go batshit crazy with it. Every now and then it’s fun to experiment with whatever is at hand, though. Wild berries have quite potent colours and I have a few more “experiments” coming up 😉

Sól, The Viking Queen

Kulturhistorisk museum, Oslo

Gazing at bronze, silver and gold that has been dug up and put on display tends to give rise to more questions than answers. I kind of like that. It might even be the main reason why I love the Viking Age so much; The beauty, the mystery, the unknown. Viking Art and craftsmanship litterally makes me stand and gasp in awe. Next time I visit I will remember to pay more attention to the information. I shall not be blinded by the shiny jewelry! Good fucking luck, future me.

Sól, The Viking Queen

Viking Boob Bling is everything

I am all about the Viking Boob Bling, so I made it a ‘hashtag thing’.
The more rows, the merrier. Would love to add more rows for that Pagan Peacocking Extraness.

I have quite a few different Viking Boob Bling rows, and this is my bead combination of choice at the time. Behold! Switching up the colour scheme and bead combinations to match my Viking Garb is something I enjoy doing while watching TV.  Man, I wish I could present a more magical background activity, and tell you that I ask the gods for creative help in a special ceremony while chanting forgotten songs before engaging in the bead threading process… but that is simply not the case. (Keep in mind that I might do those things – just not whilst threading beads). Every piece of jewelry and every bead that I have means something special to me – on a totally random note -This reminds me of a really cool lady I met this summer – who said that she talked to her beads as she crafted them, and that they all had different personalities. She said that she threw away the nasty behaving beads because she didn’t like bullies, and then she cackled like a madwoman. That lady was cool. I hope I meet her again. 

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On a random note – I have been looking for a silver pair of turtle brooches for what seems like forever.. This might be a shot in the dark – but please contact me if a collaboration/promotion sounds interesting. Yes, I am shamelessly putting it out there.

Wishing all of you a glorious weekend. I’m off to spend the last bit of this month’s student loan on food. Haha, The struggle is real! Who can relate…

Sól, The Viking Queen

Winter is here

Winter is here. It feels as if the snow buried my creativity, and I had to face it in order to restore balance from within. I figured the best way to clear one’s head is to spend time in nature, far away from other human beings. The snow almost swallowed me whole, I felt as if I was swimming in it. A real Fimbul Winter. I might have dug up my creativity as I snapped some photos, because I instantly felt more alive posing in the icy wind. It’s been a while, I whispered to the trees. Time to get back into my viking game… For real.

I hope you’d like to see more photos, because that’s what’s coming.

– Sól Geirsdóttir

Galdratafur makeup, Ginfaxi

 



A little on the side of my usual content, but hey…! Those of you who follow me on instagram have probably seen this look already, felt like posting more pics of it nevertheless. I love experimenting with makeup, especially when incorporating ancient norse symbols and runes. It’s my thing. The icelandic magical staves, Galdrastafur, were my main source of inspiration for this specific look. Usually, these kind of ideas spring to mind when I am doing something extremely boring, or even when I am dreaming. To me, Putting on makeup is a hobby, a ritualistic act, and meditation -all at once-. On a higher level, it is my attempt at making everyday art that ties the ancient heritage with the Urban way of life. 

Sól, The Viking Queen

Sigurðr Fáfnisbani (Kulturhistorisk Museum pt. 2)

The life of Sigurd Fåvnesbane is described in the Elder Edda, in the German Nibelungenlied, and in Volsungesaga. It is assumed that the story is spun together by different historical events from different times. Several motives from the Story were carved in wood on the Stave Church Portal of Hylestad Stave Church in Setesdal, Norway. The church is no more, but two remaining portal boards are preserved and exhibited in the Cultural History Museum of Norway (see photos). It is estimated that these portals were made around 1175.



Ancient cartoons. Wood carvings that tells the story of Sigurðr Fáfnisbani

The Tale of Sigurd Fåvnesbane
According to the story, Sigurd’s father falls before he is born, and he is raised by the dwarf Regin. Sigurd is told that he will win fame and power by killing Fåvne, a terrible dragon that guards a great treasure. Being a smith, Regin forges a glorious sword for Sigurd to slay the dragon with. This sword breaks shortly after, but Sigurd finds his fathers sword, Gram.

Fåvne the Dragon
Together, Sigurd and Regin ride to slay the dragon. When they reach the dragon’s cave Regin suggests that they make a pit for Sigurd to hide in. He jumps in and Regin lays branches over the opening. Sigurd waits for hours for the dragon to return. As soon as it does, Sigurd attacks its soft stomach with Gram in both hands. The dragon dies, and Sigurd climbs out of the pit.

Regin’s betrayal and Sigurd’s revenge
Regin takes out the dragon’s heart to fry it. A few drops of dragon blood makes Sigurd able to understand what the birds in the trees are saying. They speak about how Regin plans to betray Sigurd, that he wants to kill him to have the treasure for himself. Sigurd sees in the eyes of Regin that it is true, seizes the sword and beheads the dwarf. As Regin draws his last breath, Sigurd goes into the cave to collect the treasure.

According to the Saga, this is how Sigurd earned the name “Fåvnesbane”.

Later, Sigurd learns that Regin’s brother, who was called Fåvne, had killed their common father to gain access to the wealth of the country. Due to its great greed of silver and gold,
Fåvne transformed into a giant dragon to better manage their treasures.

Sól, The Viking Queen

Kulturhistorisk museum – Stave church portals

 

Ål Stave church, Hallingdal, 1100

Stave church portal, Åtrå church, Tinn, Telemark 1163-1189

Stave church portal, Sauland church, Hjartdal, Telemark c. 1200

You know me – I love museums. Kulturhistorisk museum (in Oslo, Norway), is one of my absolute favorites, and I have visited it numerous times. Never have I ever met anyone as excited as I am at museums. I take TONS of pictures, get down on one knee and speak softly to the wood carvings as I photograph them. To me, this is the best form of meditative exercise there is. Every time I behold these carvings feels like the first. There is always a new detail to take notice of, no matter how many times I’ve seen them. I think this goes without saying, but I adore norse wood carvings and one day I hope to have a replica of one of these as my front door… sigh… THAT would be absolute bliss.

Would you like to see more photos from this museum? 

Sól, The Viking Queen.