Nerthus and Her Rites
Who is Nerthus and how was she venerated?
Historic Rite
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.
A yoke of heifers were used to pull the cart once the Goddess was discerned within, with the Gothi guiding it with reverence. A great time of festival, all locations set to be honoured by the presence of Nerthus would remain in a state of holiday for several days. Men of these observant locations were expected to maintain frith; war not to be declared and all weapons locked away.
This would be kept until Nerthus tired of conversing with mankind, being discarded upon Nerthus’ return to her grove. Once present In her domain, enthralled men would then wash the cart and robe within a sacred pool. The process culminated with the drowning of the slaves in said pool. No man was to bear witness to this most sacred rite on pains of death.1
She is referred by her pseudonym In the early English metrical charm, the Æcerbot Charm. Thrice is her moniker chanted as follows:
Erce ,Erce . Erce . earth's mother give
us all-wielder ever-ruler acres
fruitful & flourishing
fertile & strong high shafts...
- excerpt from the Æcerbot Charm.2
While not a ritual dedicated to Nerthus directly, she is invoked for her healing quality. The purpose of the charm was the revitalising of unfruitful land – invocation being appropriate for her role as an Earth Mother.
Our Order's View
As English Pagans, we hold Nerthus fundamental to our folk. As an ancestral tribe of the English, the Angles give us a direct link to this Goddess deeper than many other Gods recognised within our pantheon. Her role in the Æcerbot Charm is further evidential as to her significance to our people.
Hail the Gods.
Tacitus – Germania (Mattingly, H. (2009). Tacitus – Agricola and Germania. England: Penguin.)
The Metrical Charms. Retrieved from: The Metrical Charms | Old English Poetry Project | Rutgers University.