Beneath the Surface

Hail to Skadhi, fair daughter of Thiazi,
strong-willed battle-maiden, bright bride of Njord,
mistress of Thrudheim, mountain-dwelling goddess,
warrior, huntress, unrivaled bow-woman.
Skadhi, in the northern lands we see you
always--even in the heat of summer
you never leave us, remaining always
in shadowy forests, in cold mountain streams,
in clear, cold nights, stars shining bright as jewels.
When the days grow bitter cold as well;
when the trees become brilliant with color,
their hues deceptively warm; when thoughts turn
to storing food, to gathering fuel,
to the fevered hunt to come--then, Skadhi,
do we know your strength in true, do we feel
your full force, do we enter your realm
of ashen frosts and shrill winds, of slick-iced paths
and waist-deep banks of snow, of long dark nights
by the fire, brutal storms raging and moaning
against the door. Skadhi, blood of giants,
child of discord, the choice to go within
the gates, to seize the world of order,
was given you. Wergild you took,
as fitting, as right; a husband you took,
joining with the clan of gods, with Asgard.
Goddess of our lands, goddess of our hearts,
we call to you! Hail to skillful Skadhi!

Hail to Skadhi, fair bride of gods! Shining Skadhi,
strong is your sword-arm, deadly your blade. Thiazi's child,
vengeance-seeker, bold of spirit, clear of mind,
taker of wergild, woman of worth. Brave Skadhi,
keen-eyed huntress, your arrows swift, your aim unerring,
guide us in our hunting. Steady our hands, goddess,
quiet our footsteps, open our eyes. Winter's maid,
snowshoe goddess, surefooted on slick black ice,
ward us on our travels, keep us safe from storms.
In bitter cold, in knife-sharp winds, we feel your touch;
in bare trees sheathed in gleaming ice, in snows so white
they burn our eyes, we see your beauty. Hail Skadhi!

Skadhi, challenger of the gods, bright bride of Njord,
we welcome you. As green leaves turn brilliant in hue;
as each step grinds them, crisp and dead, into the earth;
as keen-edged winds tear at us, heralding your return.
Grant us safe travels through your season, O Skadhi,
keep our footing firm, our path straight on slick-smooth ice.
Grant us good hunting this year, shining bow-woman;
grant us sharp eyes and steady hands. Hail to Skadhi!


UllR, glory of the gods, swift and surefooted
son of Sif of the golden hair, we welcome you.
On broad fields and in tangled woods we see your might,
snowshoe-god, hunter, bowman whose aim never fails.
Grant us good fortune, UllR, god of the far north,
as we tread on crusted snow, gun or bow at hand,
watching for quarry with which to fill our larder
and feed our families well. Hail to UllR!


(And finished almost a month early! Woo! :))