Heidi Herman's Blog, page 3

Magical Icelandic Spar-The Sunstone

Medieval Icelandic texts indicate that the Vikings used the spar, which they called the Sunstone, to navigate. I am fascinated by this beautifully sparkly crystal. I have researched the history and have used the Sunstone in several stories.  I even have one of my very own that stays on my desk. 

The Spar has a magical property to split light. Pretty cool, huh?

So, for all the rational people who need to understand the practical side of where the magic comes from, these details are especial for you. The Spar is a crystallized calcium carbonate. It has a unique birefringence for polarizing light.  Birefringence is the marvelous - dare I say magical? - property of double refraction that splits the sunshine. If a ray of light goes through birefringent material, it is split by polarization into two rays on barely different paths.

Most light we see unpolarized, like sunlight, light bulbs, and firelight. So what is polarized? Many of us are familiar with polarized sunglasses. The glasses help filter out the glare and clear up the image of what we see. That's a basic principle of the Sunstone. An unpolarized ray of sunlight passes through the crystal and is divided into two rays of perpendicular polarization directed at different angles. This is called double refraction. It splits the ray of sunshine and makes clear rays.

At that time, most maritime navigation was done based on the sun and stars. This was fine as long as they could be seen. But, during storms or cloudy days - even weeks - a ship could drift far off course. The Vikings could use the Sunstone on cloudy days or at twilight to identify the direction of the sun within a few degrees. This is one of the reasons they were able to accomplish their amazing travel, that they were not taken off course during long periods of cloudy conditions.

See, it is just a little Icelandic magic!

The Vitality of a Viking

Achieving a state of true happiness is a common goal that everyone strives to attain. It is elusive and is often even difficult to define. We all know it when we see it. When we meet someone that exudes true happiness or watch them in a video, perhaps see a photograph of a beautiful smile, there is a elemental understanding of an internal joy or peace that we feel we must understand.

We all want to define this elusive characteristic.  How is it that this person is so completely happy? What is the secret? And, most importantly, how can we recreate it for ourselves? I know of such a person. She is never depressed, never complains. She greets each day with a smile. She is always ready for the day’s tasks, challenges, and enjoyment. She is the mother to ten children, and has over 30 grandchildren and great (great) grandchildren. She has tried white water-rafting, paragliding, zip lining, target shooting at the pistol range, and even flown a single-engine aircraft. She has a ready hug and an infectious laugh. She tries to encourage people not to be a “sad sack”, “negative Nellie” or “downer Dave” and will readily share her favorite quote (by Kathleen J. Edgar):

Smile awhile and while you smile          Another smiles
          And soon there will be miles and miles of smiles
          Because you smiled
         And life’s worth while because you smile

She is my mother. She just observed her 71st Mother’s day and celebrated her 92nd birthday. As a very active 90 plus, she is a constant source of inspiration to so many people . From from the first moment of introduction, people are drawn to her. What is her secret?  She is constantly asked, “How do you do it?” She embraces the joy of every day, revels in daily activity and is always as excited as a child with a new toy is when presented with the opportunity of another adventure. She will tell you that you only have this moment. Live it fully. Yesterday is past and you cannot change it. Tomorrow is not guaranteed. Focus on the positive and say yes to your dreams. She was eighty-eight when she published her first book. Today, four years later, she has four books in print and is working on two more. She writes for the pure love of storytelling but constantly laments her lack of time to focus on writing. She finds herself lost in the fascination of her research, which often sparks a flurry of notes on future storylines. But it is more than just that.  There are events to attend, birthdays and graduations, family barbeques, as well as heritage events and festivals that all promise fun. So much to do and so little time. I laugh when she says she doesn't have time to sit in a rocking chair like retired people are "supposed to do".

Why is her story important? Her zest for life is an inspiration to us all, but there is more to her story. In November 2016, she suffered a stroke. The onset did not present with any of the normal symptoms. She did not feel weakness or lose control of one side, there was no impact to her speech, and no noticeable indicators. As she moved in the kitchen, the room spun in a way she had never experienced before. She described it as more than dizzy and beyond a sense of vertigo. It was so severe and rapid that she knew there was something seriously wrong. Calling for help, an ambulance was quick to respond and she was in the emergency room in just over thirty minutes. Due to the quick medical treatment, she completely recovered with no lasting effects. She became committed to learning the early signs of a stroke, what she could do to limit her risk and what lifestyle changes she could make. She still lives ever day to the fullest, but now she checks her blood pressure. She watches what she eats a more carefully- but still thinks candy-coasted chocolate counts as adding “green” to her diet. Even more since this experience, she values every day as a gift.


May is stroke awareness month. Know the warning signs. The common symptoms many people associate with a stroke are paralysis on one side of the body, weak muscles or sudden coordination problems, blurred or double vision, slurred speech, confusion, or rapid involuntary eye movement. There are other signs you should never ignore, especially if they come on suddenly or unexpectedly. Did you know other symptoms might include overactive reflexes, problems with balance, intense lightheadedness or vertigo, difficulty swallowing, sudden severe headache, or a sudden inability to understand speech. If you even think there is a possibility you or someone you know if having a stroke, call an ambulance. The risk is too great to wait.

To learn more about her story, visit her website at www.vikingamma.com. Watch the video of her experience, told in her own words.


#strokeawareness
#vitality
#aging
#Iceland
#mom

 

 

 

 
 

The Legend of Hvítserkur the Troll

Many people think that Hvítserkur, the beautiful basalt stack on the Vatnsness Peninsula in northern Iceland, looks like an elephant, a rhinoceros, or even a dragon.

Actually, according to legend, it is a petrified troll.

Hvítserkur was a giant troll who lived at Mount Bæjarfell with his family. He had enjoyed peace and quiet for centuries but then humans discovered Iceland. At first there were few and Hvítserkur they were not much trouble. They were easy to ignore, step on or eat. One day, Hvítserkur heard shouting, clattering and all sorts or rumbling and thumping sounds.  As most trolls in Iceland, Hvítserkur could not go out during the daytime. Any troll caught out in sunlight would immediately turn to stone. Waiting until that night, when the sun was down and all was dark, he investigated the area on the other side of Húnaflói, where the sound had originated.

He found signs that humans were constructing a large building. He was not happy and knew he would have to watch them carefully. He might have to stop them. Over the next few weeks, Hvítserkur watched and listened. He found out the humans were building a convent they called Þingeyraklaustur. He did not know what that was, and vowed to keep a close eye on the progress.

One night, he was jolted from a deep sleep by a irritating ringing sound. Hvítserkur knew that humans were to blame for the noise coming from the at Þingeyraklaustur convent. They had added bells and they were clanging loudly. Each night, the awful noise got worse. For weeks, Hvítserkur and his family couldn't get a decent night's sleep. One winter's night, Hvítserkur decided he couldn't take it any longer. To stop the horrible sound, he decided to destroy the bells and stomp on convent to dust.

As soon as it was dark, he planned walk across the fjord, destroy the bell, and spend the daylight hours in nearby caves. He would then return home the next night. He prepared during the day and as evening approached, he was ready to set out. As the Hvítserkur started to leave, his son, Bárdur, begged to go with him. Bárdur wanted to see the world. He also argued that he would be able to assist his father just in case the bell tower was to difficult for Hvítserkur to destroy alone. Hvítserkur worried the the fjords were too deep and the hike too difficult for Bárdur. But, Bárdur pleaded and was relentless in his pestering until Hvítserkur agreed. It took Bárdur quite a while to convince his father and it was fully dark when they finally set out.

They soon found out the fjords were very difficult for Bárdur to cross and their progress was slow. So slow, in fact, it took all night. As they came close to the shore of the peninsula, the night was nearly over. Hvítserkur was certain they could make it to share and the safety of caves. They were nearly to land when Hvítserkur looked eastward and saw the sun rising. As soon as the rays of the sun touched him, he instantly began turning to stone. Hvítserkur could feel his body turning and with one arm he shielded Bárdur. Using the other arm and all the strength he had left, he heaved his hammer at the convent where the bell hung. To this day, it is said that the hammer is visible in the eastern part of Þingeyrarsand.



The pronunciation is a little difficult but sounds like "queet ser cur". It starts with a "Q" for the hv and the "er" in the middle is almost "eh" sound.

Iceland Christmas Folklore podcast

This was great fun!  As a guest of Bernie Anderson on his podcast Folkloristic, we talked about Icelandic Christmas mythology and legends - which included, of course, the Yule Lads!  Click on the link below for the interview:

http://www.folkloristic.com/podcast/2016/12/19/episode-007-icelandic-christmas-folklore-with-heidi-herman

Legend of the Icelandic Yule Lads Video

Mayhem is now an eBook

Thanks for following the Yule Lads Story

If you've enjoyed the series of the Yule Lads: Mayhem at the North Pole here's good news.  The entire story, including an added ending is now available as an eBook.  You can download it from Amazon for just $1.99

Please feel free to message me through the Yule Lads Legend Facebook or comment here if you'd like to see this as a paperback.  I have so enjoyed the antics of the Yule Lads and I'm pretty sure they're going to have a few more adventures.  I think Gryla may be making an appearance to share more of her story.  Be sure to follow this blog for more updates!

Thanks so much for your support and your love of fairy tales and all things Icelandic!  Merry Christmas & Happy Holidays.

Here a link for the book:  https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01N5EZVR6/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1481686211&sr=8-4&keywords=the+icelandic+yule+lads

News bulletin…..

  Santa says WHAT?The Icelandic Yule Lads are in an uproar today as shocking news comes in from the North Pole. It is said that the communication comes directly from the big guy, Santa, himself. Sources report that Window Peeper, the social media representative of the Yule Lads, was literally knocked over with a puffin feather after reading Santa’s message.  In a ground-breaking decision, Santa has notified that the Yule Lads, all 13, have been banned from the annual Nice List. It is not clear whether the decision is for this year only or is a permanent status for the Lads.While details are still sketchy, reports from sources at the North Pole indicate that Santa has lost patience with the Yule Lad’s antics and mischief-making. Between Pot Licker, Spoon Licker, and Stufur, Mrs. Claus wasn’t able to serve a decent meal until March last year. This year’s ruckus seems to have started at the Southern Reindeer training camp and before the Reindeer Council could meet, the Yule Lads showed up at the North Pole. Sources say all thirteen Yule Lads were involved in one of four separate incidents around the village. There was the disappearance of a large number of sausages and meats from the smokehouse, most of the yogurt was eaten, the milk was completely drained dry, and the entire stock of candles has gone missing. The final straw, it seems, was the destruction the kitchen storage room and many of the cookies and cakes that had been prepared for the upcoming holiday season. Mrs. Claus is doubtful that the holiday cookie stores can be replenished in time. Rumor has it the reindeer threatening to boycott deliveries this year so Santa felt he had no choice but to take this extreme action.No word yet from the Yule Lads on what they think of this -

Yule Lads: Mayhem at the North Pole Part 20

  “Santa, we got troll trouble!” Mrs. Claus stood with her hands on her hips, fifteen elves, four reindeer, three sprites, two reindeer trainers, and eight fairies stood behind her.  They all began speaking at once. “The cookies are gone” “The reindeer barn is a mess of hay mixed with the straw and milk dumped everywhere” “There’s no skyr for the morning oatmeal” “It will take days to clean up the mess in the kitchen” Santa held up both hands in defense, “ho – ho – ho.”  He shook his head laughing, “one at a time please.” “You there, what seems to be the problem?” he said to a little sprite. “Santa, you have to do something!  These Yule Lads come up here and run around causing trouble and we always have to spend days cleaning up the mess!” “Hmm,” said Santa, “Well, now OK.  I see that would be quite upsetting, yes.” “Mrs. Claus, what do you think?” “Santa, they are so active and they act without thinking and turn everything upside down.  And I don’t know if we have enough time this year to replace all the cookies they just ruined.  I just don’t know if we can welcome them here in the future.”  She shook her head, sad because she like them but they really did cause such a mess. “I like those guys, all thirteen.”  Santa said, pacing as he continued, “They were raised to be very bad, well their mother was an ogre-troll after all.  But, now they do TRY not to be bad.  It’s really not their fault they really don’t know how to be good.” He stopped suddenly, “But a year with no cookies?  I don’t know, I don’t know.  They should learn a lesson.  We should send a puffin message that they cannot come for a visit for at least six months.” An elf jumped up and ran to Santa.  Standing on his tip-toes as Santa leaned down, the elf whispered urgently into his ear. Santa smiled, “Yes, yes, that is an excellent idea.  Everyone!   No toys or gifts for the Icelandic Yule Lads this year.” The elves, reindeer, sprites, fairies and Mrs. Claus all gasped.  “Surely, you don’t mean it!”  Mrs. Claus sputtered, “You have never made such a decision so far before Christmas.  Are you sure?” “Yes, I’m sorry.  I have no choice but to move the Yule Lads to the Naughty List.” He smiled again and Mrs C. looked closely.  Something was up.  Santa hated for anyone to be on the Naughty List.  What was he thinking?  

Yule Lads: Mayhem at the North Pole Part 19

 
“Quick – go – go –go” Bowl Licker shouted after he swallowed the glob of honey-flour-nutmeg mixture that had filled his mouth.
“Phew-ack!” Spoon Licker hacked as he coughed up a cloud of powdered sugar and cinnamon.  He slipped as he tried to stand and slid toward the door.
Door Sniffer raised his head, covered in four and gooey corn syrup.  He tried to wipe the stickiness from his nose and just added to the mess when he smeared the raspberry preserves from his hands to his face.  As he stood, he leaned on the wall, leaving behind grimy handprints.
Bowl Licker grabbed Pot Scraper and pulled him along to the door.  The room behind them was in shambles.  They didn’t look back and they moved as fast as their troll legs would go toward the back door of the kitchen.  They had just reached the outdoors when they heard the chaos from the kitchen.
“Yikes!  The cookies and cakes are destroyed”
“What a mess – look at the piles of gook!  And there’s flour on EVERYTHING!”
“Look!  Troll handprints and troll footprints!”
“Agh!  We got troll trouble!”
“MRS C is gonna cry when she sees her kitchen!”
Pot Scraper and his three troll brothers ran for the closest barn.  They found Sheep Cote Clod and quickly explained their new mischief. 
“Yikes!  We’ve got to get out of here” he shouted, “Go get the rest of our troll brothers and get back to the cave.  I’ll get Gully Gawk.”
They flew through the North Pole compound, barely avoiding the elves, reindeer and other creatures tracking their very obvious stick and gooey footprints.  Very quickly, all thirteen had been gathered and took off towards Iceland.  Suddenly, dealing with Gryla didn’t sound too bad.
They were all afraid of what would happen if they stayed here -   #YuleLads#Iceland#Christmas#Trolls Part 19 of 20 - Yule Lads: Mayhem at the North Pole, written by Heidi Herman, illustrated by Colleen Stiles

Yule Lads: Mayhem at the North Pole Part 18

Bowl Licker had tried to snatch the bowl from Rufus.  The huge North Pole sheepdog had latched on the edge with his teeth as Bowl Licker pulled with both hands.  Door Sniffer fell over laughing when he saw Bowl Licker brace his feet against the sheepdog’s chest.  Rufus refused to let go of the bowl.  He shook his mighty head back and forth and poor Bowl Licker flapped around like a wet rag. The sound of running footsteps in the hall sent them all through the closest doorway.  Door Sniffer, Spoon Licker, Pot Scraper and Bowl Licker scrambled around the dim room, each finding a small hiding place. 

Bowl Licker ducked behind the door.  Door Sniffer jumped in a large open barrel.  Pot Scraper scrambled up the shelves with Spoon Licker hot on his heels.  They each found canisters and boxes to hide behind.  This was some closet!

They listened for a moment to the sound in the kitchen.  It was calming down, so they felt a bit braver.  The small dim room smelled wonderful.  Door Sniffer popped his head up and reached over to a nearby shelf.  Cookies!  He nibbled on a few. Getting more daring, he crawled out of the barrel and up to the next shelf.  It was lined with fruit-filled cakes!  He nibbled some more.  Spoon Licker started exploring too. 

There weren’t any ooey-gooey spoons in there, but he saw a canister of clean ones waiting to be used.  He needed one!  Carefully, he crawled over to snatch one as Pot Scraper explored the shelf below.

Bowl Licker was on the other side of the room, watching his three troll brothers crawl around, sniffing, slurping, and drooling over everything.  He heard a creaking sound.

He heard a crack. The wood shelves started to moan and groan and Bowl Licker saw the whole wall come crashing towards him.

Flour flew in the air, sugar sprayed everywhere and there was a choking thick cloud of cinnamon that rose in a puff of smoke.  Corn syrup oozed from jars and dripped, joining with globs of honey and strawberry preserves to make a huge sticky mess in the center of the floor.
The four Yule Lads were buried!