The History of Initiation - The Masonic Trowel

DOCTRINES AND MORALITY. 181
hall of Odin, was to die in battle, covered with wounds,
valiantly fighting against the enemies of his country.
The most prominent symbols in these celebrations
were, the Cross and Ring already mentioned; 7 the Ash
tree, the Point within a Circle, the Rainbow, 8 and a Cube
the emblem of Odin. 9
6 When Odin perceived that his end drew nigh, " he would not wait
till the consequences of a lingering disease should put a period to that
life which he had so often bravely hazarded in the field ; but, assem-
bling the friends and companions of his fortune, he gave himself nine
wounds in the form of a circle with the point of a lance, and many
other cuts in his skin with his sword. As he was dying, he declared
he was going back into Scythia to take his seat among the other gods
at an eternal banquet, where he would receive with great honours all
who should expose themselves intrepidly in battle, and die bravely
with their swords in their hands. As soon as he had breathed his
last, they carried his body to Sigtuna (the ancient capital of Sweden),
where, conformably to a custom introduced by himself into the north,
his body was burned with much pomp and magnificence." (Mai.
North. Ant., vol. i., p. 6.) Hence in battle the Scandinavians were
inspired with the most furious bravery and contempt of death, under
the impression that all who died bravely in the field would certainly
be received by Odin into his paradise, designated by the endearing
appellation of Valhalla, and be rewarded with an honourable seat in
his presence ; there to enjoy a continual feast of warriors, served up
by the Valkyriae, who were virgins of the most exquisite beauty;
serenaded with martial music, and drinking hydromel or mead out of
the skulls of vanquished enemies, until the destruction and final renovation
of the earth and heavens. The Edda (Fab. 20) thus describes
these envied joys, which incited the barbarians of Northern Europe to
court death in every violent shape ; and inspired an undefined horror
"
at the prospect of a death proceeding from disease or old age. The
heroes who are received into the palace of Odin, have every day the
pleasure of arming themselves, of passing in review, of ranging themselves
in order of battle, and of cutting one another in pieces but as
;
soon as the hour of repast approaches, they return on horseback, all
safe and sound, back to the Hall of Odin, and fall to eating and drinking
Their beverage is beer and mead their ; cups are the skulls
of enemies they have slain. A crowd of virgins wait upon the
heroes at table, and fill their cups as fast as they empty them."
in his
(Mai. North. Ant., vol. i., p. 120.) Hence Ragnor Lodbrok,
death song, consoles himself with this reflection, "I shall soon drink
beer from hollow cups made of skulls." (St. 25 Worm. Liter. Dan. }
p. 203. Jamieson, Scot. Diet., v. Skul. Mai. North. Ant, vol. p. 232.)
ii.,
7 Vid. ut supra, p. 265.
8
" The Ash tree Udrasil," says the
Signs and Symbols, Lect. 8, 9.
Edda, (Fab. 20,) " is the greatest of trees ; Skidbladner, of vessels ;
Odin, of gods ; Slcipner, of horses ; JBifrost, of bridges ; Brage, of
scalds or poets; Habroc, of hawks ; and Garmer, of hounds."
9 Fab. Mys. Cab., vol. i., p. 308.