Norse/Native American Shamanic Correlations.

[NorseSkeyes]

I've been delveing into a bit of anthroplogical research here, cross refernceing primarilary Norse Animistic Prsctices and Native American Shamanism.

I know both Norse and many of the Tribes were fond of useing Sweat Lodges, Pipes and Herbs, tinctures and teas in alot of their spiritual practices.

I've also noticed strong similarities with between divine influences. Thor and Thunder Bird, Coyote and Loki. Even some legendary heroes have alot in common, Haiawatha(sp?) and Sigurd for example.

As well niether culture, as well as the celts (to throw in for good measure) share the same sort of back ground that alot of other faiths do. Such one being sacrificeing themselves for the slavation of all of human kind, or the demanding sacrifices such as Abraham had to under go. Many heroes lost sons, and many sons lost fathers, but I cannot recall a legend or tale demanding a sacrifice such as Abrahams.

So this is the path I am currently treading on, as I am slowly beginning to learn about a newly realized heritage, and doing my best to blend it in with an old one.

I would like to get input on other correlations people have realized, and share thoughts and feelings on all of that. Is there something equivalant or similar to a Skald? I know tales, just like in any culture are prevalent. I know as well ancestor reverance is a key part in the Native American way of life. Is there a correlation to Odhinn, Freyja, Frigg or Erce if any?

Any idea or thought will be happilly pondered over for hours.

[WolfMoon]

You know I'm interested in this as well.... Anyone else have any thoughts on this?

[Grey]

Totem animals and fylja... an old warrior initiation Involved killing an auroch tell they died out... similar to killing buffallo in Native Customs. Young men often took up positions as raiders/vikings, and served under there local chiefs/carls who served under the greater chiefs/jarls/kings. They both had shamans tell very late in their history, and using the spirit world to aid themselves was not uncommon. Many tribes cremated their dead or placed them on burial platters... this wasnt uncommon among the norse either, though a boat or a mound was used rather than a scaffold.

[NorseSkeyes]

Very interesting, similar hunting ceremonies and practices. I did not even think of that, thank sooo much for pointing that out. The other thing was the funeral rites, which I seemed to greatly over look as well. The Great Aurochs and The White Buffalo are really quite similar, when I think my runic knowledge. I think musically there alot of similaritie. Such chanting Galdur and Runic Stadha, and Wyrd dances performed at Things with accompanying drums and flutes.
Quite reminisant of Cachina and Rain dances, do you think?

Can you think of similaritites between particular totem and Aesir/Vanir.

The Allfather I would think is a blend of many Totems. Such as Raven, Wolf, Eagle and even Snake, Trout and Bear.

Are there any tribal legends that are similar to the Norse Bifrost Bridge.

All things to deffinetly start looking into.

Especially lore concerning Yggdrasil and Mimirs Well and the Well of Urd.

Are there not tribal legends of Giants as well?

Ok... I'll stop asking questions and go do some research. ;o)

[Fane Ayuma]

in native american lore, the stories are normally fairly short and have a specific, straight to the point way of telling it. also because of the number of tribes, there are tons of different stories about the origin of everything.Some think aliens brought us to earth, others think the spirits got bored with where they were and came out of the rocks and trees and formed us.

I dont know much about norse lore but arent much of the stories grand tales about hereos and monsters?

[NorseSkeyes]

Noprse stories are the huge long and colorfull Prose. More like poetry involving song and and music along with dramatic voices and and very pronouced characters. Heroes and Monsters are high prevelant in the norse way of way story telling, and when you live in a covere with ice and snow most of the year, you need such things from makeing you go crazy. The Role of the Skald for this, reason, is so important to ancient Norse Culture... even today it, as forgotten as it is, it's still a role that focuses on keeping the community, and educateing, in a form of art with amultitude of mediums.

So the tribes had no Skalds. Hm.

[mothwench]

wow, that is interesting, how many parallels there are. is there any form of native american writing, i was wondering?

[NorseSkeyes]

As far as I know, Native amaericans had no wrttien Language un till the Cherokee Chief Saquoiah(sp?) had developed sometime I believe in the 1800's (I could be grossly in acurate about the date.) They had used many symbols, which ment many different things, as they decorated their weapons, homes, animals, and themselves in them. Alot of Native american symbols have similar angles like the runes do, as well, work in spiral patterns that are associated with Pictish spirals. Thoguhm to explore the mericas further, I do the Aztecs and Incans had a form which like the runes, was also for Magickal appilcations and divination.

Though, my knowledge of that is sparse indeed.

[Grey]

They were more like Hieroglyphics than Runes for the most part. As a rune is a phonetic symbol that also imbodies a concept you could say they had similar types of writing but they are far from related.