The Alcis

Hengest and Horsa

Protectors of the Folk

Divine Horse-Twins

Divine Horse-Twins

The Alcis (often stylised as Alkaz or Alciz; Proto-Germanic *alhs) are the Germanic Gods of protection and youth. As Divine Horse-Twins, they often act in immanent divnity by manifesting as men in our Middangeard - typically as warriors or warlords. Their last incarnations were the Jutish brothers, Hengest and Horsa, who founded the historic Kingdom of Kent in the 5th century.

Art: God Idol - The Alcis (Hengest and Horsa) by C.N.J. Cornwell, 2023.

Art Analysis

Let horse be bridled, and horn sounded, as the Alcis ride forth in this god-pole design – an idol for their worship.
 
As the Divine Horse-Twins of the Germanic race, each brother is depicted in unity as a twin headed man-steed. The noble Horsa (Horse) faces eastward, marking where he fell at the White Horse’s Stone, Kent, England. Looking further west, the vengeaful Hengest (Stallion) drives his attention to the folk conquest of the West Country, and his final resting place, at Hengistbury Head, Dorset. The bridles of each brother are connected, symbolisng connection as a single deity for veneration.
 
The bridles are fashioned with ropes comprising the Hægil Rune (H), namesake of their early English theonyms. The rings, acting as ornate linkings, are emblazoned with the Ing Rune to represent the English as a favoured tribe; most recent of the Germanic tribes to which the Alcis bore themselves within. The bit is unfastened from each brother’s mouth – to show that they are mastered to none but themselves.
 
The Alcis wield two seaxes crossed at the tips in a protective stance, for they are the Protectors of our Folk and, indeed, their sacred groves. Beneath each clasped hand is one side of broken reigns to set sombre fact; it has been a millenia and a half since the Twins have walked our Middangeard with our folk. At the time of their return, when the folk have need of their leadership once more, may these reigns be tied to steer our collective Wyrd to victory!

 

Two horse-shoes sit atop their plural Runic Name with special meaning. The smaller shoe sits lower, inverse to the other, to symbolise the death of the first Brother. The second, larger and facing upward, represents the retribution of the second Brother for the misdeed of a slaying against his kin; for the Gods themselves are the models of our values, and likewise are bound to the honour of their clan.

 

The idol shape remains consistent (with exception to the man-horse motif), as does the Sonnenrad (Sun-Wheel) to symbolise divinity.

 

Arise, arise, worshippers of the Alcis! May the scars of the past be healed at their hands and, with renewed vigor; may our folk meet strength after strength on the road to our prosperity. The Alcis will be observed by our Order during the Alcisblot on the coming Full Moon. Forth, Horse-Lords!