Nerthus

Earth Mother

Goddess of the Earth

Mother Earth

Nerthus (often stylised as Nerthuz; Proto-Germanic Nerþuz) is the Germanic Goddess of the Earth. Her worship was common to seven noted Germanic tribes as follows: Reudigni, Aviones, Angles, Warings, Eudoses, Suardones and Nuithones. A widely revered Goddess, Nerthus is described as involving herself in the affairs of men through travel in her chariot amongst her peoples.

Art: God Idol - Nerthus by C.N.J. Cornwell, 2022.

Art Analysis

The Earth Mother gets her debut as a god-pole through this design of Nerthus – an idol for her worship.

 

As none but a Gothi of Nerthus may look upon her, the Unseen Goddess is shown with a concealed face. The sacred veil, adorned with the Algiz (Life) and Rad (Travel) runes, represents the cloth draped over her cart. It doubles as both this and a map – The large Rad runes on the left and right  represent the start and end of her journeying across Germania. Each of the small to medium Algiz runes are the trees she passes by, with the small Rad runes dotted throughout her travel path. The central Algiz is our World Tree, Yggdrasil, beneath which Middangeard resides.

 

The chest is exposed to both signify her role as a Mother and to harken to attested Earth Mother idol finds. The cart-wheel, a symbol of hers, sits atop her Runic Name. Each hand wields thorns to mark her relation to nature. Algiz runes dance around these, their alternating forms represent the cycle of decay and rebirth - Death into Life, Life into Death. The idol shape remains consistent, as does the Sonnenrad (Sun-Wheel) to symbolise divinity.

 

It seemed right to depict our primordial Mother Earth next in our collection. Her appearance as mysterious as the sacred-pools within her grove, she is to be revered. Erce, Erce, Erce!

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Want to learn more about the Goddess Nerthus?

 

Please see the below resources for more information:

The Goddess Analysis - Part I

Are Nerthus and Jord distinct Asynjur?

An observant eye, a discerning mind. Both are needed in the interpretation of all things; be it understanding world politics to studying holy texts. More often than should be, we find these traits lacking in many Pagan circles - it is far easier to accept a false notion at face value than to inspect it in depth...

Nerthus and Her Rites

Who is Nerthus and how was she venerated?

Her related ritual took place in an inviolable sacred grove, on an unknown island out in the ocean. Within the grove was contained a robe-covered cart dedicated to Nerthus. A single Gothi was permitted to touch the cart and was responsible for discerning Nerthus’ presence within...