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| Texel lighthouse |
Recurring themes [note: some of the chapter codes may have gotten messed up at conversion]:
- Frya's Tex: D3c, D4, Ea, F1c, F1d, H, N1
- Frya’s counsel/ teachings/ advice (refers to the Tex, see D4): Cb, Ec, Ed, F2, K1, N1, T2b, Zd
- Frya's (watch) maidens: D4, Gc, L1a, S1a, S4, Y, Zc
- Frya and the number seven: D1, D3c, L1a, R3, Zc
- Frya morals*: D4, Ee, L2a, Ma
- Frya's Day: D1, D5, 13e2
- Frya's watch-star: D1, D3c
- Frya's spirit: Mb, S4
1. Key fragments about Frya and Her Tex
D1. Take up your Stylus [006/01] THÁ HROP FRYA FON HIRA WÁK.STÀRE
It was Frya’s Day, seven times seven years since Festa had been ordained Folksmother according to the will of Frya. The burg Medeasblik was ready and a maid had been chosen. Now it was time for Festa to light the new Lamp, and when that had been done in the presence of the folk, Frya called from her watch-star so that all could hear it: “Festa, take up your stylus and write the things that earlier I had no chance to say.” Festa did as she was bidden, and that is how we, Frya’s children, received our primal history.
D2. Our Primal History [006/15] FRYA WÀRTH UT WARME STOF
(for longer fragment, see part 1)
Earth bore all grasses, herbs, and trees; all cherished creatures and all dreaded creatures. All that is good and dear, she brought forth by day, and all that is evil and fearsome brought she forth by night. After the twelfth coming of the Yule Season, she bore three girls: Lyda was of glowing hot, Finda of hot, and Frya of warm substance.
D3c. Frya [009/18] FRYA WAS WIT LIK SNÉI BY.T MÔRNE.RÁD
Frya was white, like snow in the blush of dawn, and the blue of her eyes surpassed that of the rainbow.
Beautiful Frya! Like rays of the midday sun shone her hair, fine as gossamer strands.
Adept Frya! If she parted her lips, the birds fell silent and the leaves became still.
Formidable Frya! Under the force of her gaze, the lion would lie down at her feet and the viper hold back its venom.
Immaculate Frya! Her food was honey and her drink was the dew, gathered from the bosom of flowers.
Bright Frya! The first thing she taught her children was self-mastery, the second was love of virtue. And when they grew up, she gave them to understand the value of freedom, for, she said: “Without freedom, all other virtues will only help make you into slaves, bringing eternal shame upon your descent.”
Mild Frya! Never would she let metal be delved from Earth for her own benefit, but when it was done, it was for the good of all.
Most fortunate Frya! As the stars swarm around Earth, so her children flocked around her.
Wise Frya! When she had raised her children to the seventh generation, she summoned them all to Fleeland, and gave them her Tex, saying: “Let this be your guide, so that it shall never go ill with you.”
Exalted Frya! When she had spoken, Earth throbbed like Wralda’s sea. Fleeland’s surface sank beneath her feet, the sky turned black and rain fell ceaselessly. And when her children looked to see their mother, she was already on her watch-star. But finally, thunder spoke from the clouds and lightning scrawled upon the firmament: “Watch!”
Far-seeing Frya! The land whence she had ascended was now a stream and, except for her Tex, all that had come from her hands was overwhelmed.
Dutiful children! When they came to themselves again, they made this high mound, built the burg thereon, and upon its walls they wrote the Tex. And in order that all should be able to find it, they called the surrounding land ‘Texland’. Therefore shall it remain as long as Earth is Earth.
D4. Frya’s Tex [011/13] TO THA LESTA SKILUN HJA MY HWITHER.SJA
2. Other relevant fragments concerning FryaGood fortune awaits the free. In the end, they shall see me again. But only those can I deem free who are slave neither to another nor to their own impulses.
Here is my counsel:
1. When great is the need, and good counsel and good deed no longer avail, then call upon the spirit of Wralda. But you must not call upon him before everything has been tried, for I tell you with good reason, and time shall prove: Those who lack courage shall always collapse under the burden of their own suffering.
2. One may offer up to Wralda’s spirit only kneeling thanks, yea, thricefold: for the gifts you have received from him, for what you now have, and for the hope of guidance in troubled times.
3. You have seen how readily I lent my help. Do the same for your kinsmen, but do not wait until you have been asked. The suffering ones would curse you, my maidens would erase your name from the Book, and I should have to shun you as a stranger.
4. Never accept from your kinsmen kneeling gratitude, which is owed to Wralda’s spirit. Envy would stalk you, wisdom would rebuke you, and my maidens would accuse you of stealing (the honor) of the Father.
5. Four things have you been given to use, namely: air, water, land, and fire. But Wralda claims ownership of them all. Therefore, I advise you to choose righteous men who justly divide the labor and its fruits, so that no man is free from work or defense.
6. If anyone is found among you who sells his own freedom, he is not of your folk. He is a bastard, of corrupted lineage. I advise you to expel him and his mother. Teach this to your children, morning, midday, and evening, so they will dream of it at night.
7. Anyone who robs another of his freedom, even if the other were in debt to him, I would parade with collar and leash like a slave girl — though I advise you to burn his corpse and that of his mother in a barren place. Thereafter, bury their ashes fifty feet deep, so not a single blade of grass might grow upon them. For such grass would kill your most precious animals.
8. Never assail the folk either of Lyda or of Finda. Wralda would help them, so that your violence would return upon your own heads.
9. If it should happen that they seek your counsel, or anything else, you ought to help them. But if they come to rob, then fall upon them like radiant fire.
10. If one among them desires to marry one of your daughters, and she consents to it, you shall explain to her her folly. But if she insists on following her suitor, then they may go in peace.
11. If your sons desire any of their young women, you must do the same as with your daughters. But neither the one nor the other may ever return, for they would bring back foreign morals and habits. And the moment these took hold amongst you, I could no longer watch over you.
12. Upon my maid Festa, I have fastened my hope. Therefore, you must make her your honorary mother. If you follow my advice, then she should remain my maid, and all devout maidens who come after her. Then the Lamp that I have lit for you shall never be extinguished. Its light will forever illuminate your mind and you shall remain as free from domination as your sweet rivers are free from the brine of the endless sea.
Cb. Adela’s Advice [002/03] MACHT FRYA NAVT LONGER WÁKA OVIR HJAM
Frya said we should not allow unfree people to dwell among us. But what have they done? They have imitated our enemy, for instead of killing their prisoners or setting them free, they have ignored Frya’s guidance and used them as slaves. Because they did so, Frya could no longer watch over them. They took the freedom of another and thus lost their own.
D5. Festa’s Guidance [014/17] THÀT IS FRYA.S WILLA
Should necessity or coercion come to give us rules in conflict with our laws and customs, then people must do as demanded. But when the troubles have passed, then one must always return to the old ways. That is Frya’s will, and so must it be of all her children.Festa also said:All things one wishes to undertake, whatever they may be, on the day that we have dedicated to Frya, shall always go awry.Since time has proven that she was right, it has become a law that, absent necessity or coercion, Frya’s Day shall be reserved for joyful feasting.
Ea. Burg Laws [016/07] FRYA.S TEX ÀND THA ÉWA
Each burg may have three hundred young defenders. (9.) For this service, they must learn Frya’s Tex and the laws.
Ec. Defense Laws [022/13] NÉI FRYA.S RÉD
Except for the king, all officials may be re-elected if they have acted righteously and in accordance with Frya’s counsels.
Ed. Mother and Kings at War [023/29] WITH.A ÉWA JEFTHA WITH FRYA.S RÉDJEVINGA
When the army is afield, the king needs consult only his captains, but there must always be three burg lords of the Mother present, sitting in front, with no vote in the matter. These lords must send messengers to the Mother daily, so that she will know if anything is done that is in conflict with the laws or with Frya’s counsels.
Ee. Security and War Aftermath [026/13] MÀN LÉRTH HJA VSA FRYA SÉDE
If we ourselves capture enemies, they are to be brought deep into the lands and educated about our Frya morals. (7.) If they are afterwards set free, it must be done with kindness by the maidens, in order that we make allies and friends of adversaries and enemies.
F1c. Useful Precedents [029/20 + 030/01] THAT IS NÉI FRYA HIS TEX
If our neighbors have a piece of land or water that seems good to us, it is fitting for us to ask them to sell it. If they refuse, we must let them keep it. That is in accordance with Frya’s Tex, and it would be unjust to take it from them.
[...] If any should come and say: “I am at war, you must help me”; or if another comes and says: “My son is underage and unskilled. I am old, so I wish to name you steward over him and over my land until he comes of age,” one ought to refuse in order that we may not come into dispute over matters that are in conflict with our Frya morals.
F1d. Concerning Laws [031/04] ÀFTER HÀV.IK FRYA OFTEN TANKED VR HIRA TEX
At times in my youth, I griped about the constraints of the laws. Later, I often thanked Frya for her Tex and our ancestors for the laws that were established upon it.
F2. Minerva [034/14 + 035/32] BIN IK IN FRYA.S THJANEST
Once they came and asked: “So if you are not a sorceress, what then is the purpose of the eggs you always have with you?” Minerva answered: “These eggs are the symbol of Frya’s counsels, in which our future, and that of all humankind, lies concealed. Time must hatch them and we must see that they come to no harm.”The priests replied: “Well said, but what of the hound at your right hand?” Hellenia answered: “Does not the shepherd have a sheepdog to keep his flock together? Like the dog in the service of the shepherd, I am in Frya’s service. I must watch over her flock.”[...] “Frya has put us on the path, and the Bearer — that is time — must do the rest. [...]”
Ge. Three Thieves [044/17] FRYA.S FÁMNA HÉDON BY HIM OMME WÁRATH
But the third owner went to his thief’s house and, when he saw how famine had set up its throne there, he went back and returned with a wagon full of supplies with which he drove need from their hearth.Frya’s maidens had been gathered round him and written his deed in the Eternal Book, and all his shortcomings had been erased.
H. Yule and Script [045/10] THANA HETH FRYA THAT STAND SKRIFT MAKAD THAT HJA BRUKTE TO HJRA TEX
[...] the Yule wheel, the primary symbol of Wralda and of ‘Tempo’ (the celestial rhythms and cycles) or The Beginning, from which came Time, the Bearer, who must conduct the Yule in its circuit forever.
From it, Frya made the Standscript that she used for her Tex.
K1. Magyars [050/27 + 052/22] FRYA WÀRTH ANHROPEN
Mountains, bow your crowns; weep, ye clouds and streams. Yes, Skeanland, blush in shame. Slave folk tread upon your gown, O Frya![...] Eighty years later — the Yulefeast had just begun — they assailed us unexpectedly and fell over our lands like a blizzard. Those who could not flee were cut down. Frya was called upon, but the Skeanlanders had neglected her advice.
K2. Wodin [054/02/20 + 055/20 + 056/03] FRYA WAS HJARA WÉPEN HROP
When the northern brothers had joined him, Wodin divided his powerful army into three. “Frya!” was their war cry, and thus he drove back the Finns and Magyars as if they were children.[...] The Magy possesses great riches, but he has seen that Frya is more powerful than all our spirits combined. He wishes to lay his head down in her lap.[...] Wodin gradually became so audacious that he dared to disavow and ridicule Frya and Wralda’s spirit as he bent his free neck before images of false gods.[...] Beyond this dispute, there was yet another quarrel among his own Magyars and Finns, who would honor neither Frya nor Wodin.
L1a. The War of Kelta and Minerva [062/01] FRYA.S SIVGUN WÁK.FÁMKES THERE WÉK
Near the southern mouth of the Rhine and the Scheldt, there are seven islands, named after Frya’s seven watch maidens of the week. In the middle of one island is the burg Walhallagara.
L2a. Minerva and Jon Resettle [071/19] JEFTHA FRYA.S SÉDA TO ÁTHENJA ÀND THA ÔRA KRÉKALANDA BLOJA SKOLDE
When the mother had agreed to this, they asked her whether Frya’s morals would flourish in Athenia and the other Greeklands. She answered: “If the far Greeklands are a part of Frya’s legacy, then her morals shall flourish there;
Mb. Athenia in Decline [076/13 + 078/05] .N STRÉL FON FRYA.S GÁST
From this king, a scribe of pure Fryas blood remained here, born at the new port of Athenia. And what is hereunder told, he wrote for us about Athenia. From it, we may conclude just how truly the mother Hellight spoke when she said that Frya morals could not prevail in Athenia.
[...] So long as there yet prevailed a spark of Frya’s spirit, all building materials were used for common works, and no one was permitted to build a house that was larger and more luxurious than that of his neighbors.
N1. Denmarks Lost [081/13] THAT HJA FRYAS TEX NAVT NE LÉSDE
Because of this and the lack of good weapons, they lost the battle and, with it, their freedom — as the Magy became their master. This was the consequence of not reading Frya’s Tex and neglecting her advice.
N2a. Frana’s Prophecy [085/08] WILLATH WY FRYA AFTERNÉI HROPA. WÁK. WÁK. WÁK.
We do not call for revenge, for time shall take that. But, a thousand-thousand times we repeat Frya’s call: “Watch! Watch! Watch!”
R3. Ode to Adela [096/13] FRYA THÉR SJUGUN SKÉNHÉDE HÉDE
Frya, who had seven gifts of beauty, of which her daughters gained each but one, or three at most.
R5. The Unsociable Man [104/05] THÁ FRYA BERN WAS
(for longer fragment, see part 1)
When Frya was a child, our mother stood naked and bare, unprotected from the rays of the sun. No one could she ask for help, nor was there anyone who could have lent her help. Then Wralda wrought in her conscience affinity and love, anxiety and fright. She looked round, her sense of affinity chose the best option and she sought refuge under the sheltering linden trees.
But rain came and, with it, the discomfort of getting wet. But she had seen how the water ran down the drooping leaves, so she made a roof with sloping sides. She built it of sticks. But a storm wind came and blew rain under the roof. She had seen that the bole of the tree provided lee. Thus, she set to work and made a wall of sods and turfs — first on one side and then all round. The storm wind returned, raging yet more fiercely than before, and blew the roof away. But not once did she complain about the way of the world or to Wralda. She made a roof of reed, and laid stones upon it.
Having learned how painful it is to toil alone, she passed along to her children how and why she had done all these things. And the children wrought and thought together. In this way we came to have houses with porches, a lane, and covering linden trees to take up the rays of the sun. Eventually, they built a burg — and after that, all other buildings.
R6b. Along the Rhine [110/25] ET FRYA.S.DÉI
In the lake, a great fleet lay ready, with flags of many colors. On Frydays, the shields were hung about the decks. Some shone like the sun. The shields of the ‘Witking’ — or sea king — and his watch-by-night were gilt-edged.
In my youth, I heard grievances all over: Bad times would come — bad times had come. Frya had forsaken us; she had withheld her watch maidens because idolatrous images had been found within our borders. I burned with curiosity to see these images.
The Magy was proud of his own cunning, but Earth would show him that she could allow neither a Magy nor idols at the holy seat where she bore Frya.
S3a. Alexander the King [121/08] WY SEND FRY BERN FRYA.S BERN
We are free-born children of Frya. We are forbidden to become slaves.
S3b. Demetrius and Friso [127/06/10] THAHWILA FRYA HJRA HAVED FON JOW OFWENDA MOT
But Friso, who was proud and stern, sent a messenger with a letter to his children [...]
Yet the messenger had also brought poison and another letter ordering them to take it.[9] “Because,” he said, “against your will, your body was defiled. For that, you are not to blame. But if you defile your soul, you shall never reach Walhalla. Your soul shall then wander the earth, never permitted to see the light. Like bats and owls you shall hide in your hole by day, and come out at night, crying and howling upon our graves, while Frya must turn her head away from you.” The children did as they were told. Demetrius had their corpses thrown into the sea and the people were told that they had fled.
S5. Faults of the Brokmen [132/21] SÁ KVMATH THA SIBBA ET SÉMNE ÀND BIDDATH AN FRYA
Whenever anyone makes an image of someone who has died and it is a good likeness, they believe that the spirit of the departed enters into it. Therefore they all keep hidden idols: of Frya, Festa, Medea, Thiania (Diana), Hellenia, and many others.
When a child is born, the family gathers and prays to Frya that she may send her maidens to bless the child. When they have prayed, no one may move or make a sound. If the child cries and persists for a while, it is a bad omen and the mother is suspected of adultery. I have seen terrible consequences from that! If the child sleeps, it means that the maiden spirits have come. If it also smiles, the maidens have promised it good luck.
They invariably believe in evil spirits, witches, sorcerers, little forest men, and elves — as if they stemmed from the Finns.
T2c. Bald Priests in Rags [140/13 + 141/13] THAN SKIL FRYA JUWGJA
This religion, which requires the priests to possess no skills other than lordly talk, outward piety, and foul customs, is expanding from East to West — and will also spread over our lands. But when the priests reckon that they have utterly extinguished the light of Frya and of Yesus’ teachings, then everywhere people shall rise up who amongst themselves have silently held on to the truth, keeping it hidden away from the priests.[...] There shall be no other masters, princes, or bosses than those elected by the common will. Then shall Frya rejoice, and Earth shall grant her gifts to the working people alone.
T3. Frana’s Will [141/27] FRYA ÀND THÉRE FRYHÉD
In the name of Wralda, of Frya, and of freedom, I greet you
We have endured much, but among all burgs that were damaged and destroyed in the bad time, Earth has left Fryasburg unscathed, and I can add that Fryas, or God’s language, has been preserved equally intact here. Here at Texland, schools must thus be established.
U3c. Schools and Friendship [163/01] THA ASVNDERGANA TWÍGA FON FRÍA.S STAM
All these actions were taken to bind the sundered branches of Frya’s tree together again.
Y. Rika: Title Theft [190/01 + 191/21 + 192/23] TO SMERT FON FRYA
Since I know whence this folly comes, hear me now: It comes from our enemies. And if ever you should follow their example, you shall be made slaves thereby — to the sorrow of Frya and to the punishment of your impudence.
[...] If by your men some are to be found who wish to be set upon a level with Wralda, there are some amongst your women who want the same with Frya! Because they have borne children, they allow themselves to be called ‘mother’ — but they forget that Frya bore children without the intercession of a man. Indeed, not only are they intent on stealing from Frya and the honorable mother their exalted titles (though these they could never hope to attain!), they do the same even with the honorary titles of their neighbors and kin: There are women among you who allow themselves to be called ‘frow’ (lady),* although they know that this title belongs only to the wives of nobles. They also cause their daughters to be called ‘faemna’ (maidens), despite knowing that no girl can be called so unless she belongs to a burg.
[...] Then shall you be damned. Your ghosts will rise affrighted from the graves. They will call upon Wralda, and upon Frya and her maidens — but no relief shall they see to bring forth ere the Yule enters a new cycle.
* ‘‘frow’ (lady)’ (FROWA) — plural in original; Dutch/German/Swedish cognates: ‘vrouw’/‘Frau’/‘Fru’.
Zc. Reintia's Dream [202/27] WÉRON FRIA.S SJVGUN WÁK.FÁMKES HJA ANDA DRÁME FORSKINNEN
Wralda, she said, had called to her by thunder that all Frya’s folk must become friends, united as sisters and brothers. Otherwise, Finda’s folk would come and eradicate them all from the face of the earth. Following the thunder, Frya’s seven watch maidens had appeared in her dreams over the next seven nights. They had said: “Disaster hovers over Frya’s lands, lurking with yoke and chains. Hence, all tribes sprung of Frya’s blood must cast aside their various names and call themselves only ‘Frya’s children’ or ‘folk’. Further, they must all rise and expel Finda’s folk from Frya’s domain. If they refuse this calling, they shall come to wear slave collars around their necks. The foreign masters will abuse their children and have them lashed until their blood seeps into your graves. Then shall the specters of your ancestors come to disturb your slumber and bewail your cowardice and carelessness.”The naïve folk, who, under Magyar influence, had become accustomed to such folly, believed all that she said, and the women clutched their children to their breasts.
Zd. Askar Lost to Idolatry [207/06] ÀJEN FRIA.S RÉD
They brought home various treasures from foreign lands, yet for precisely this reason the young folk lost their ambition to learn a craft or work in the fields, so that in the end they had to use slaves. But this was all very much against Wralda’s will and against Frya’s advice. Thus, punishment was inevitable.
