

Hel's Legacy: The Second Coming

Kerry D. Ogden

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Published by Kerry D. Ogden at Smashwords

Copyright 2013 Kerry D. Ogden

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Smashwords Edition, License Notes

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you are reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you.

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Dedication

This book is dedicated to the Helenbolt family; especially, my sister Julie who recently reminded me how, "anything is possible - even the impossible" and the family of Terry Ogden (1957 - 1995).

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Acknowledgments

I am deeply indebted to the Cornelis Over de Linden family and their ancestors for preserving the Oera Linda Book from generation to generation. Furthermore, I am indebted to Dr. Jan Gerhardus Ottema, one of the early translators and first publisher of the Oera Linda, who believed in the book and spent the rest of his life defending its authenticity.

I am also very grateful to my children, Terry and Joni, and my granddaughter, Bailey – their candidness is greatly appreciated. I am thankful to my sister Monie and my friend Meg Bishop as well for their suggestions, encouragement, and support in writing this book. I would also like to acknowledge Jerome Kills Small, my teacher, mentor, and friend whose contributions have proved to be timeless, boundless, and immeasurable - Philamayaye.

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Table of Contents

Introduction: The Book of Names

Chapter One: The Oera Linda Book's Contributors and Contents

Chapter Two: Atland and the Legend of Atlantis

Chapter Three: Our Daily Bread

Chapter Four: The Symbols of the Alphabet

Chapter Five: The Story of Hel

Chapter Six: Gnosticism

Chapter Seven: Proto-Indo-European, Old Frisian, and the Oera Linda Alphabet

Conclusion: The Apocalypse

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Introduction: The Book of Names

When an Old Frisian manuscript later named the Oera Linda Book surfaced in 1871, it was quickly deemed a fraud even though its translator Dr. Ottema was confident in its authenticity. Furthermore, Dr. Ottema claimed there was a world-wide conspiracy to stop the book's production and distribution. Dr. Ottema also noted the book raised such a fuss it seemed the, "well-being of land and folk depended upon the authenticity or inauthenticity thereof". More recent research concluded the book was written as a hoax by three men from the Netherlands.

I came across the manuscript about thirteen years ago during a Google search. I had been working on my family genealogy and was told my maiden name was Frisian. Since I did not know anything about the Frisians, I included it in the inquiry along with several first names of descendants I had already found. My maiden name is Helenbolt, and the Oera Linda Book popped up on the screen because in addition to the claim of being the earliest primary source on Frisian history, the surname Hellenia and several given names in the book were very similar to, or the same as, several names in my family. The book claims to be the only surviving evidence of a past civilization headed by enlightened women called folk-mothers or earth-mothers. It contains writings from several authors covering a time period of almost two thousand years. The book also includes inscriptions copied from citadel walls dating before 4000 B.C.E.

The Frisian Folk-Mothers

The Frisian folk-mothers were the ancient leaders of matriarchal societies covering a vast area including all of Europe. The folk-mothers ruled by succession and presided over an order of maidens. These societies promoting freedom and equality were founded by Frya, the mother of the Frisian people. This book claims Frya's authority came from Wralda. In the Old Frisian language, Wralda means 'world'. In the Oera Linda, Wralda is also recorded as Wr.alda meaning 'the elder' and 'the oldest one' and as Wral.da meaning 'present everywhere'. In the later writings of the book, Wralda is referred to as God. Moreover, the authors of the Oera Linda Book claim a conspiracy between church and state has left people ignorant about Wralda and under the rule of a false god.

The Oera Linda Book Themes

Some of the themes found in the Oera Linda Book seem too outrageous to be true. Not only is there a man resembling Jesus Christ living two thousand years too early, but the book talks about several mythical characters from Norse traditions as if they are real historical people. The book states Frya (Freya) created the symbols of the alphabet and written instructions on how the Frisian people should live. Frya based her symbols on a six-spoke wheel, the first symbol of Wralda. Just after Frya gave her text to her descendants, a major disaster occurred in 2193 B.C.E. destroying much of the civilized world at that time. The disaster concluded with the sinking of Atland, a name very similar to Plato's legendary Island of Atlantis. The folk-mothers also prophesized Frisian descendants would remember and reveal the conspiracy between church and state in approximately A.D. 2000 and, "1000 years later there shall exist no longer either priest or oppression".

Not only did I recognize several names in the Oera Linda Book, as I read the voices of the writers seemed to come alive and were as familiar as the names. As I stumbled through the awkward text full of double and sometimes triple negatives, I was often shocked at the bluntness and arrogant attitudes of the writers. For example, when the priests tried to convert the mothers to their own religion by noting the similarities between their gods, the mothers responded by informing the priests the mothers' god could not possibly be the priests' god because the priests' god was "dumb" instead of "light and wise" like Wralda. The priests did not respond well to this reply, and unsurprisingly, many of the mothers and their followers were hung and burned as witches and heretics.

While many scholars found the themes in the Oera Linda Book too outrageous to be true, I found them too outrageous to be false. Further research into the book brought me into the world of Norse mythology and other early traditions. I was quite surprised when I found a variant of the Helenbolt name, Herebeald, in one of the most important works in Anglo-Saxton literature known as Beowulf. Herebeald is considered the predecessor to Balder, the returning Norse messiah. I also noticed the themes in Beowulf were very similar to the themes in many of the other stories found in Norse mythology. In particular, I kept finding one story being told over and over again. Then I noticed this same story appearing in Egyptian and Sumerian mythologies as well as in various religious texts. Moreover, I continued to notice more variations of the name.

The Story of Exile and Return

The common story found in the various mythologies and theologies is about an exile and a return. In many cases the exile was associated with the underworld, and the return was associated with major disasters or the apocalypse. For example, a pre-Christian religious group known as the Gnostics revered a feminine being named Sophia meaning the 'wisdom of God'. Sophia and the myth of her fall and redemption were important aspects and the basis of the Gnostics' beliefs. The motif is also found in much earlier traditions and legends. The story of Sophia is very similar to the Sumerian myth of the descent of the Goddess Inanna. In this myth, Inanna is exiled by the God Enlil from her realm of heaven and earth to descend into the great below.

When Inanna arrived at the outer gates of the underworld, she commanded her servant Ninshubur to wait there for her for three days. If she did not return, Ninshubur was to go to the elder gods for help. In the underworld, Inanna is condemned to death, and her corpse is hung on a hook. Three days later when Inanna does not return, Ninshubur approaches the gods. Although the first two refused to help, the great God Enki was grieved by Inanna's troubles, so he created two creatures to descend into the underworld to save her. This story has many parallels to Christian beliefs where Jesus Christ descended into the underworld after his crucifixion. Like Inanna, Jesus stayed in the underworld for three days before rising to heaven.

Egyptian myths also tell of a god who descends to the underworld in the story of Osiris, son of the deities Geb and Nut. Osiris, revered as the Universal Lord, became the king of Egypt. Osiris married his sister Isis. After Osiris' death and restoration to life by Isis, Osiris became the judge of the dead in the underworld. In addition to Egyptian myths, a similar motif to the descending Christ is found in Northern European mythology with Balder and Frigg.

Although Frigg did everything she could trying to prevent it, her son Balder is sent to the underworld after he is accidently killed by his brother Hod. The Germanic people believed Balder would return to rule in a new age after Ragnarok, the doom of the gods. This belief has parallels to Christianity where the motif of an Apocalypse is found in the Revelations of Jesus Christ in the New Testament. Similar to the Norse Balder and Christian Jesus, the Oera Linda Book predicts the return of the light of Krishna and Frya.

Norse myths tell the story of an exile and return as well. When the God Odin finds out a woman named Hel and her siblings have some sort of writings or lore powerful enough to destroy all the gods, Odin banishes her to the underworld and puts her in charge of the inglorious dead. At Ragnarok or the final battle ending the world, the dead of Hel will return and be destroyed along with the gods.

The World Puzzle

With the Oera Linda Book in hand, I began a journey extending beyond the next decade earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in English and American Indian Studies and two Master's Degrees. My first Master of Arts is in Interdisciplinary Studies. Most of my classes were taken in areas intended to benefit the research into the Oera Linda such as Communications, Linguistics, and History of the English Language. I recently completed my second Master of Arts in Leadership. My thesis for the program is based on the Oera Linda Book and establishing the folk-mothers historically as the world's first authentic leaders.

During the many years spent studying the Oera Linda, I discovered how the "well-being of the folk" could be dependent upon whether or not this book is a fraud. I also discovered several reasons why there would be powerful people who would not want the book published or distributed. One reason is the book provides the invisible symbol used to format the letters of the alphabet. Efforts in symbolic interpretations of the letters have created many ideas combining various disciplines, and there are some who believe understanding the symbols will lead to the divine. The invisible symbol of the wheel around each of the letters found in Frya's alphabet can be used to develop a theory to support this belief.

The Oera Linda also contains enough details to formulate a reasonable explanation of Plato's Atlantis or Atland. The book gives the date of the sinking of the legendary Island, and it provides a general idea of where Atlantis was located. This explanation offers a history contrary to popular beliefs about the benefits of "civilization" and the creation of world classes - a subject the rich and powerful may prefer left unmentioned.

The most important and most dangerous detail in the book is the original definition of the word hell. The book links the name Hel to the early folk-mothers forming a proto-mythology and the possible core of the world's major religions. Furthermore, the folk-mothers advocated a successful direct democracy intended to protect individual rights and freedom where "common people rule" instead of elite representatives. The book also defines the current power structures of both church and state as oppressive.

One by one, these details became the pieces of a gigantic world puzzle extending into many disciplines including theology, mythology, history, sociology, psychology, political science, languages, and communications. As each piece was placed in its proper position, the picture became clearer and clearer. However, upon completion the center piece of the puzzle was missing. Without it, the picture did not quite make sense, and there was one huge question left unanswered.

The Missing Piece

The piece of the puzzle still missing was the letter W \- literally. In Frya's alphabet recorded in the Oera Linda Book, there is no symbol for the W, although, the letter is clearly used throughout the text. Moreover, it is the first symbol in the name Wralda. I felt it impossible this was an oversight when the text was copied from the citadels' walls, and there had to be a very important reason why it was not included.

While working on my first Master's degree, I formulated the theory Frya's symbols parallel the way speech is formed according to point and manner of articulation. In other words, Frya was actually drawing sounds, and the W was not included in her illustration of the alphabet because it was silent. But during the process of writing the thesis for my second Master's degree, I discovered the symbols had dual meanings. I included my findings in the research, but it was not until the morning after I submitted the final thesis, I realized I had not explained the dual meaning of the symbol for the W. Because it was not visible in Frya's alphabet, I had forgotten about it.

For several weeks I had been working from sunrise to sunset trying to complete the thesis and had just submitted it the night before, a few hours before its midnight deadline. I was sitting on the couch drinking my first cup of coffee for the day, relieved I was finally done. A copy of the thesis laid next to me on the couch, opened to the final page of the literature review quoting Frya's final words before she died. The Oera Linda Book was lying on my coffee table, opened to the page containing the illustration of the symbols for Frya's alphabet. As soon as I saw the letters, I remembered I had not accounted for the W. Moreover, I did not know how to account for it. I picked up my thesis, and as soon as I began to read the opened page, I saw my name again. At the same time - I found the missing symbol.

My grandfather was Albert Harry Helenbolt, and some of his ancestors' given names included Tunis, Demas, John, Adel, and Minerva. These names are the same as, or very similar to, names in the Oera Linda Book including the surname Hellenia and the given names Tunis, Demetrius, John, Adela, Minerva, and Alberta. After the first reading of the Oera Linda, I concluded the book provides sufficient evidence the name Helenbolt is indeed Frisian. After several years of researching the book and other significant texts, I have concluded the name Helenbolt provides sufficient evidence to disprove the theories the Oera Linda Book is a fraud or a hoax as well.

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Chapter One: The Oera Linda Book's Contributors and Contents

The Oera Linda Book surfaced in 1871 when a man named Cornelius Over de Linden (Oera Linda) took some manuscripts belonging to his family to a local librarian for translation. The collections of texts and writings had been given to Cornelius by his Aunt Aafjie Meylhof in 1848. The manuscripts had previously been in the care of Andries Over de Linden, Cornelius' grandfather. The language used in the texts was an earlier form of Old Frisian, previously unknown and unreadable by the Over de Linden family. Consequently, Cornelius waited nineteen years before taking the manuscripts to Dr. Elco Verwijs. When the librarian refused to publish the manuscript, it was turned over to Dr. Ottema who translated and published the text.

What is now called the Oera Linda Book had been in the possession of the Oera Linda family from, "time immemorial without anyone knowing whence it came or what it contained". It was first compiled of ancient writings found on the walls of burghs or Frisian citadels. Family members through the centuries added on and recopied the book to safeguard the writings. The most ancient of the texts is "Frya's Tex" dating from before 2193 B.C.E. The Oera Linda Book describes the transformation of the Frisian people from a free matriarchal society into a period after floods and other disasters when a new militaristic power assumed control.

The matriarchal society the Frisians belonged to is described as one where females are enlightened. In this society, there is equality between men and women – neither dominates nor controls. Their roles are often different, but the various positions and responsibilities are considered equally important and recognized as essential in maintaining the culture's sovereignty and independence. For example, the women are the carriers and consciences of their culture and customs. They travel and teach others their ethics, morals, and laws; however, within their own citadels, most of the teachers are men.

In addition to Frisian history, the Oera Linda describes the histories of other peoples such as the Finns, Phoenicians, Gauls, Celts, Britons, Greeks, Franks, and Scots. This book also challenges the institutions of church and state by revealing the original source for both the system of government and moral codes in Europe. Along with identifying Wralda as the creator, the Oera Linda Book identifies a man named Jessos Krishna as a possible predecessor to Jesus Christ. The histories in this book portray a culture with an advanced level of thinking. The laws found in the Oera Linda are described as the fairest to all people. They were designed to protect the people's democratic system of government based on Frya's advice protecting individual rights. Three principles bound all laws: the right to protect one's livelihood, the right to procreate when of age, and the right to live free and unharmed. Above all, freedom must be maintained at all times; and the word 'free' derives from the name Freya. The Old Frisian laws and regulations also provided for a defense and political system.

The laws provided for the people economically as well. This system split profits between all the people with the main objective of keeping people as "equally rich" as possible. The folk-mothers served the members of their communities, and they faced the highest penalties for any crimes they committed against the people.

This system resisted change and sustained their culture for over 2,000 years until a division within the Frisian people led to its fall. The people were divided between the political powers of the matriarchal folk-mothers and the patriarchal kings. This division began when a sea king by the name of Jon the Navigator saved the Maiden Hellenia from an attack by a maiden named Kalta, thus starting a war between them. Jon also came into the possession of Kalta's lamp, a powerful symbol used by the mothers as a means of communication. After the fall of the mothers, Jon's descendants became the royal kings. Although the folk-mothers and their followers were eventually conquered, demonized, and destroyed, the folk-mothers predicted a time in the future when they will be remembered, and the light of Krishna and Frya will return. Moreover, the light of Krishna and Frya has strong parallels to Jesus and Sophia in the Gnostic traditions.

The Letters

The Oera Linda Book is divided into several sections. The introductions and writings are a compilation contributed by ten people over a period of about six hundred years. The book also contains texts copied from citadel walls dating from just after 2193 B.C.E.

The Oera Linda begins with a brief letter written by Hiddo surnamed Oera Linda in A.D. 1256. The letter is addressed to Hiddo's son Okke, and in the letter Hiddo writes:

You must preserve these books with body and soul. They contain the history of all our people, as well as our forefathers.

Hiddo has recopied the book on what he calls "foreign paper" because a flood the previous year has gotten the original book wet. Hiddo instructs Okke to recopy the text when it is passed on in inheritance in order to preserve the book. Hiddo states the letter was written at Liuwert and dates the letter as three thousand four hundred and nine and fortieth year after Atland sank.

Another brief letter written by Liko surnamed Oera Linda in A.D. 803 follows Hiddo's letter. This letter, like its predecessor, is adamant about protecting the book:

Beloved successors, for the sake of our dear forefathers, and of our dear liberty, I entreat you a thousand times never let the eye of a monk look on these writings. They are very insinuating, but they destroy in an underhand manner all that relates to us Children of Frya. In order to gain rich benefices, they conspire with foreign kings, who know that we are their greatest enemies, because we dare to speak to their people of liberty, rights, and the duties of princes. Therefore they seek to destroy all that we derive from our forefathers, and all that is left of our old customs.

The Book of Adela's Followers

Following the two brief introduction letters, the Oera Linda Book is a collection of texts and manuscripts written or added by eight people. The first entry is a letter from a woman named Adela Hellenia dating from 558 B.C.E. In this letter, Adela explains how even though she is not the folk-mother, she has watched over the people as if she has been folk-mother. Adela is concerned over the loss of the Frisian culture and language. She instructs the people to visit each of the citadels and copy down the inscriptions written on the walls into books. Adela stresses how important it is the children are still taught the old ways, and she insists the old stories be retold. Adela's husband, Apol, and several other graves (men of high rank in a citadel) did as Adela instructed. The Oera Linda Book contains these inscriptions as well as other writings found at citadels from various periods of time.

The first transcript in the Oera Linda Book dates from around 2134 B.C.E. It contains the Frisian's earliest history. This transcript includes a section called "Frya's Text" followed by the Frisian's laws and regulations separated into sections pertaining to specific areas such as laws for the government of the citadels, universal laws, the rights of the mothers and the kings, laws for the security of all Frisians, and laws for the navigators taken from the Seaking (Sea King) Minno's writings.

Minno's writings also contain the story of how a woman named Minerva Ny-hellenia (Hellenia) founded Athens around 1600 B.C.E. Other transcriptions in this section explain how bad times came including a flood in 2193 B.C.E. sinking Atland. It also tells the story of the Seakings Wodin, Tunius, and Inka dating from 2000 B.C.E. The first book of the Oera Linda ends after describing the loss of Frisian lands as the people are pushed farther and farther north by others who have lost their own lands in the flood.

The Writings of Adelbrost and Appolonia

The next book in the Oera Linda is contributed by Adelbrost and Appolonia, children of Adela and Apol. Apol is the grave over Lindasburg (Linda country) and is most likely surnamed Over de Linden. While the beginning of the book is written by Adelbrost, Appolonia finishes this section after her brother is murdered. This book describes the death of Adela and the dissolution of the Frisian Kingdom.

The Writings of Frethorik and Wiljow

A third book in the Oera Linda contains writings dating from around 305 B.C.E. The beginning of this book is added by a man named Frethorik Oera Linda. Bad times have come again, and the people believe Frya has forsaken them because god-like images have been found within their borders. Frethorik relays stories of strife and treason including the murder of his own father. After Frethorik's death, this section is continued by Frethorik's widow, Wiljow.

The Writings of Konered, Beden, and an Unknown Author

The next three books contain writings from three separate authors. The fourth book is written by Frethorik and Wiljow's son Konered. Konered's memoir about the descendants of Jon the Navigator is followed by their grandson Beden's account of King Adel III. Beden begins to tell the story; however, there are many pages missing from the original text leaving most of the tale untold. The contributor is not named in the last section of the book, but it is believed the author is Beden's son. The last writer dates from the middle of the last century before Christ. This dates the fall of the last folk-mothers and their matriarchal societies in Europe as well.

(Figure 1, Oera Linda Book Contributors)

Oera Linda Book Errors

Since the time period the Oera Linda Book covers is so vast, so are the differences in the language and styles. For example, "Frya's Text" is written in a much older language and form than the language and form found at the end of the book dating several thousand years later. In a paper read at a meeting of the Frisian Society in February of 1871, Dr. Ottema cited several reasons why he believed the Oera Linda is authentic. One reason is the language changes from the beginning to the end of the book correspond with the language changes occurring naturally.

Another reason Dr. Ottema believed the book is authentic is numerous errors were made in the book while it was being copied in A.D. 1256, strongly indicating it is not an original. One of these errors can be found where the initial A is omitted from the name Adela when a letter written by Adela was found and added to the book by the Maiden Wiljow. Although the letter is introduced as being the oldest and belonging to Adela jefta Hellenja (Adela origin Hellenia), the letter is actually signed Dela Hellenia.

Frya's Lands

The lands of the children of Frya once covered most of Europe including Greece and Italy. According to the Oera Linda:

On one side we were bounded by Wralda's Sea, on which no one but us might or could sail; on the other side we were hedged in by the broad Twiskland [Germany], through which the Finda people dared not come on account of the thick forests and the wild beasts.

The book goes on to explain how their Eastward boundary bordered on the outer end of the East Sea (Black Sea), and in the Occident (Countries of Europe and the Western hemisphere), their boundary was the Mediterranean Sea. The original home of Fyra's people is described as a natural paradise with numerous resources including fruits, nuts, barleycorn, oats, rye, and wheat. The land is the most beautiful in the world and there is seldom frost. Since one year is as "blithe" as another, years are not counted.

After a flood in 2193 B.C.E., wars and encroachment from others who lost their own lands pushed the Frisians northward until they ended up in the coastal areas of the Netherlands and Germany, and on islands in the North Sea. In ancient times, these areas were referred to as Frisia. Today Friesland is a province in the north of the Netherlands and several West Frisian Islands. (See Figure 2)

(Figure 2, Friesland and the West Frisian Islands)

Earliest History

The Oera Linda Book describes the Frisian's earliest history:

Wralda, who alone is eternal and good, made the beginning. Then commenced time. Time wrought all things, even Irtha [the earth]. Irtha bore grass, herbs, and trees, all useful and all noxious animals. All that is good and useful she brought forth by day [in the open], and all that is bad and injurious by night [in secret].

Wralda is the oldest concept of monotheism meaning 'all that is' and the 'oldest one'. Wralda has strong parallels to the World Serpent found in Sumerian texts known as Tiamat, Phoenician texts as Lotan, Hebrew texts as Leviathan (the dragon in the Book of Revelations), Shesha in the Vedic tradition, and Quetzalcoatl in Mesoamerica. In the earliest references to Wralda, the feminine gender is found; later in the book, the masculine is used. The spirit of Wralda is described as eva, a word too sacred to speak. The Oera Linda Book claims eva is most like the word 'even', and it means the inherited standards impressed upon the spirit which enables us to judge the difference between right and wrong.

The Three Daughters

According to the Oera Linda, the Earth (Irtha) had three daughters. Eventually, hatred came between them. The three daughters, Lyda, Finda, and Frya, each bore twelve sons and twelve daughters who became all of mankind – or at least those found in Africa, Asia, and Europe. The division of the black, yellow, and white races noted in the Oera Linda can be supported by language and corresponds to the three main language groups: Hamitic found in N. Africa, Semitic found in Asia, and Indo-European found in Europe. There is evidence showing Semitic and Hamitic had a common ancestor called Afro-asiatic. There are also some who claim there is a connection between Indo-European and Semitic, but currently the evidence is inconclusive.

While the Oera Linda Book is the only European source known describing three daughters as the mothers of mankind, there are many parallels between the three sisters and the three Norns in Norse traditions and the three Fates in Greek mythology. Statues and votive altars of the three Matres or Matronae meaning 'mothers' have been found throughout Gaul, Northern Italy, and Northern Spain. Little to nothing is known about the Matres, but it is believed the Mothers are protective deities. The cult of the Mothers is also recognized by a variety of names including Matres Paternae meaning 'fatherly mothers' or 'ancestral mothers'.

Lyda and Finda

The Oera Linda describes Lyda, mother of the black race, as having hair curling like a lamb's. Lyda is violent and when she screams, all creatures quail. Lyda has no regard for laws, and her actions are governed by her passions. Lyda turns grey by her mad behavior and dies heart-broken by the wickedness of her children. Lyda's children then accuse each other of their mother's death and cry like wolves.

Finda, mother of the yellow race, is described as having hair like the mane of a horse. Finda is seductive and unreasonable, and her children are described as despicable people. Although Finda writes thousands of laws, she refuses to obey them herself. The good laws are destroyed and self-seeking laws replace them. The book claims since the laws of Finda are written on golden leaves (tablets), they are useless.

Frya

Frya, the mother of the white race, is described as the snow at sunrise, and the blue of her eyes are taken from the rainbow. Frya has such a powerful look, lions lay at her feet and snakes do not strike. Frya is the sensible one of Irtha's daughters; she teaches her children self control, love of virtue, and the worth of freedom. Frya is part of a matriarchal society consisting of an order of maidens responsible for both the leadership and the guardianship of their culture. The folk-mother (earth-mother) is at the head of this order. The folk-mother is chosen for her clear vision and far sight. She is revered as the shepherd, and her main duties include watching over the holy lamp (foddik) and giving advice.

The holy lamps are a form of light and symbols of the matriarchal system of the folk-mothers. From their citadels, the folk-mothers and maidens watch the sky and study the cosmos. The folk-mothers also travel and teach their customs and beliefs to other tribes and clans of people. They grow various plants in their gardens and serve as healers. Laws are passed down through the folk-mothers whose most important priority is to remain as peaceful as possible.

The people of Frya are also told never to attack the people of Finda or Lyda. According to the text:

Meddle not with the people of Lyda, nor of Finda, because Wralda would help them, and any injury that you inflicted on them would recoil upon your own heads.

The people are also warned not to make slaves of others. The book explains while the four elements, earth, wind, fire, and water, are given to all to enjoy, Wralda is their sole possessor. Therefore, it is crucial all derived from the four elements must be "fairly divided" between all of Irtha's children. In addition to maintaining peace, the folk-mother's main objective is to keep the people as "evenly rich" as possible. The text also states famine is due neither to Wralda or Irtha, but because of the princes and priests whom the Oera Linda Book often refers to as pompous and dirty respectively. This conspiracy between the church and state is a common theme throughout the book.

The Written Language

The Oera Linda Book credits Frya with the creation of a written language consisting of 33 symbols closely resembling the symbols of the present day alphabet. (See Figure 3)

(Figure 3, The Oera Linda Book Alphabet)

Frya's written language is a standing script based upon the yule (cycle of a year) represented by the six-spoke wheel. The yule is the first symbol of Wralda. The Kroder is the center point or the hub of the yule-wheel, giving the wheel its ability to turn. "Fyra's Tex", the most ancient of all the inscriptions in the Oera Linda Book, was written by Fyra as a way to preserve the traditions and codes of the folk-mothers. After Frya appoints Fasta as folk-mother, Frya gives Fasta her text:

Wise Frya! When she had seen her children reach the seventh generation, she summoned them all to Flyland, and there gave them her Tex, saying, "Let this be your guide, and it can never go ill with you."

After giving the people the written language, Frya ascends into the night sky to the stars to become the first "Watcher". Before she leaves, Frya promises her children salvation. She also promises to return:

Prosperity awaits the free. At last they shall see me again. Though him only can I recognize as free who is neither a slave to another nor to himself.

Sinking of Atland

Frya's and Finda's people suffer demise during some sort of major catastrophe sinking Atland just after Frya gives Fasta her text. This disaster included flooding, volcanoes, fires, and earthquakes covering a massive area including Germany, the Mediterranean regions, and Finda's lands. According to the Oera Linda Book:

During the whole summer the sun had been hid behind the clouds, as if unwilling to look upon the earth. There was perpetual calm, and the damp mist hung like a wet sail over the houses and the marshes. The air was heavy and oppressive, and in men's hearts was neither joy nor cheerfulness. In the midst of this stillness the earth began to tremble as if she was dying. The mountains opened to vomit forth fire and flames. Some sank into the bosom of the earth, and in other places mountains rose out of the plain. Aldland, called by the seafaring people, Atland, disappeared, and the wild waves rose so high over hill and dale that everything was buried in the sea. Many people were swallowed up by the earth, and others who had escaped the fire perished in the water.

It was not only in Finda's land that the earth vomited fire, but also in Twiskland (Germany). Whole forests were burned one after the other, and when the wind blew from that quarter our land was covered with ashes. Rivers changed their course, and at their mouths new islands were formed of sand and drift.

Although Atland is often mistakenly referred to as Frya's land, as evident in the above passage, the original text clearly states Atland is actually Finda's land. This is a very important oversight because the correct location of Atland is essential when fitting the events found in the Oera Linda Book into history. It is also written in the Oera Linda:

In early times almost all the Finns [Finda's Folk] lived together in their native land, which was called Aldland [Atland], and is now submerged. They were thus far away, and we had no wars. When they were driven hitherwards, and appeared as robbers, then arose the necessity of defending ourselves, and we had armies, kings, and wars.

After the deluge, Fasta organizes the Frisian society with citadels built in every district to house the maidens and their constitutions. Instead of with wood as the citadels had been previously made, Fasta builds the citadel at Texland out of stone, and Frya's instructions and the Frisian laws are engraved in the walls.

Additional Scripts and Numbers

Fasta then creates a running (cursive) script, and a Sea King (seaking) named Godfreiath the Old makes the script for the numbers. The people honor Wralda for giving them the language by having a yearly festival. The people are, "eternally thankful to Wralda that he allowed his spirit to exercise such an influence" over their forefathers. Finda's people also invent a script, but it is not written in a uniform way; so their descendants lose the meaning of the symbols. The text explains:

Furthermore, they wished that their writing should be illegible by other people, because they always had matters to conceal. In doing this they acted very unwisely, because their children could only with great difficulty read the writings of their predecessors, whereas our most ancient writings are as easy to read as those that were written yesterday.

Finda's people eventually learn Frya's script again under the names of Finnish, Tyrian, and Greek; however, they do not know it is based on the yule and must always be written "round like the sun".

Frya's Laws, Ethics, and Moral Codes

Frya's instructions consist of twelve rules or Frya's advice. Frya's advice became the basis of a constitution outlining the foundation for regulations. The regulations must be followed for one hundred years (an age) before they can be added to the walls of the citadels, thus becoming laws. The Frisian laws are described as being the fairest to all people. These laws have a strong educational aspect intended to preserve their democratic system based on Frya's advice protecting the rights of individuals.

The folk-mothers served much like Supreme Court Justices do today making sure their laws and codes were being followed. Similar to the Supreme Court, the folk-mothers were the final decision and used only when the parties disputing could not come to an agreement themselves. While the folk-mother is at the head of the order, she is also the most liable. If she is found to give bad advice by "ill will", the consequence is death. Above all else, Frya's laws specify freedom is most important. It must be maintained at all times, and the word freedom derives from Frya.

Direct or Pure Democracy

Historically, the first form of democracy found in Athens was called direct or pure because all male citizens voted on matters, and decisions were not made by elected officials. This democracy resembles the type of democracy found in the Oera Linda Book where elected officials were not even allowed to vote. Democracy is a Greek word meaning 'common people rule', but its definition has undergone constant change throughout history. The type of democracy found in the federal government of the United States is a representative democracy (constitutional republic) where instead of rule by the common people, officials are elected to make decisions for them.

The founding fathers of the United States did not want a direct democracy because they believed a majority rule government would oppress the freedom of individuals, and an indirect or representative democracy would protect certain individuals from the majority. In addition, the founding fathers did not want the people to pick their own leaders because they believed it foolish to place so much responsibility in the hands of the common people since they were "liable to deception" and "too little informed" to choose a good president. Although common people with a representative democracy have given the right to make their own decisions over to a group of elite representatives, ironically, democracy is now being used simultaneously with the word freedom.

Three Principles

Before the flood, Finda's people were mainly located in Atland "far off" from Frya's lands. After the flood, Finda's people encroached upon the Frisians stealing their lands and goods. This made it necessary for Frya's folk to defend themselves by forming armies with kings. Warfare created the need for laws based on Frya's rules specifying the rights of the Frisian people. The first of these maintains all laws must be decided upon by common need and not to profit any individual. There are three principles bounding all laws:

1. Everybody knows that he requires the necessaries of life, and if he cannot obtain them he does not know how to preserve his life.

2. All men have a natural desire to have children, and if it is not satisfied they are not aware what evil may spring from it.

3. Every man knows that he wishes to live free and undisturbed, and that others wish the same thing.

Frisian States

The Frisian's laws outline how people are chosen for positions and for the length of time people serve. The people of Frya live in states, each having its own burgh (citadel). The folk-mother chooses her own successor; however, if the folk-mother dies without deciding, a new mother is elected by the general assembly or by judgment of all states together. The head mother resides at Texland. Each new burgh requires authentication by the head mother. The mother of each burgh selects her own maidens as well. The burgh has twenty-one burghers: seven wise old men, seven old warriors, and seven old sea fighters who all serve as teachers. Three of each seven go home each year, and successors cannot be closer than the fourth kinship. Each burgh has three hundred guards who are taught by the elders about wisdom, the art of war, and the art of navigation in exchange for their services.

Each burgh has fifty farmers chosen by the folk. The farmers are selected from those who are not capable of seafaring. Each burgh is required to be self-sufficient and has to be able to support itself through the food grown in its roundeal (land surrounding a building) and through trade. The folk-mothers serve as the judicial system making decisions on disputes. In each and every case, it is the mother's main objective to ensure all of her children remain as "equally rich" as possible. When disputes are two-sided, the mother finds in favor of the community over a grave because it is better when one is wronged than many. The Oera Linda claims Finda's people also have laws, but the rules are made for the benefit of the priests and princes causing strife and murder within their states.

Frisian Economics

The laws of the Frisian people provide for the people economically as well. All men are given homes made available by the community when they marry. All homes are similar. Each thorp (village) has a market to buy, sell, and barter. All other lands are farms and woodlands which cannot be cut without first consulting a forester. Wood cannot be taken for individual needs but community purposes only. Fields are monitored to make sure they are not depleted for future generations. All sales revenue from the market is divided up yearly among the members of the community with the folk-mother receiving the smallest share at one percent, and the poor people receiving the largest share at fifty percent. Usury (lending money at an exorbitant rate of interest) is strictly forbidden, and punishment includes the offender being barred from the market.

Frisian Defense

For the most part, defense is the responsibility of the Frisian men. All boys who are twelve years and older spend one day a week out of school to learn how to use weapons. Once qualified on the weapon, the boy is promoted to warrior where he serves for three years before becoming a burgher. After the warrior becomes a burgher, he is allowed to participate in the selection of the headman. Once the burgher has been a voter for seven years, he can help to choose a general or king, or be elected himself. Burghers are chosen each year while kings serve for three years. Kings can be re-elected after seven years by all officials who follow Frya's advice.

The Frisian laws specify there are no limitations to the types of weapons a defender can use. In times of war, messages are sent daily to the folk-mothers who make sure nothing being done is in conflict with Frya's laws. Most importantly, the kings do not have the power to act outside the advisement of the folk-mothers.

The community is responsible for the results of war; what is destroyed, everyone fixes. The community supports anyone hurt during war and all widows and orphans as well. Those hurt at war are honored at festivals. Prisoners of war are taught the Frisian morals then let go because the Frisians believe this is how to turn enemies into friends and allies. It is also very much against Frya's peoples' beliefs to take another's freedom.

Laws for Helmsmen

There are separate laws for the seamen, also called helmsmen. Everyone is eligible to be a seaman, and all who want to register can do so without fear of rejection. The seamen name their own master but have no vote in the choosing of merchants. The merchants are selected by the communities they belong to. Seamen who are lamed are supported by the community along with any orphans and widows. Similar to laws dividing up the profits of the merchants, Frisian laws provide the instructions for dividing up the profits of the seamen's voyages.

Tunis, Inka, and Wodin

Three key figures in the Oera Linda Book are the cousins Tunis and Inka and their uncle Wodin (Odin). These three men are the nephews of an old seaking named Sterik. The seakings, also identified as navigators, are merchants who travel the world trading for goods. These navigators who dominate the foreign commerce are not necessarily Frisians, but rather from independent city states such as Thera and Tyre. The seakings are also mercenaries who will fight for whoever hires them.

Inka, Tunis, and Wodin fight the Finns who have invaded southern Scandinavia in 2013 B.C.E. The Finns are being ruled by priests called the Magyars. The head priest is called the Magy. Although Wodin defeats the Finns, the Magy regains his power after drugging Wodin with a magic herb. The Magy then gives Wodin his daughter in marriage, and Wodin is appointed king of the region. Inka continues on with Wodin until Wodin disappears in 2006 B.C.E. After his disappearance, the Magy deifies Wodin and appoints his young son, the Magy's grandson, as king. In addition, the Magy appoints himself as regent. Many of the men who still adhere to Frya's instructions flee at this time including Tunis and Inka leading a group of Frisian and Finn refugees.

The folk-mother will not allow Tunis and Inka to dock in any of the Frisian's harbors or come on to any Frisian lands. Tunis then leads one party into the Mediterranean to sail for the rich king of Egypt as he has done in the past. Inka decides he "has had enough" of Finda's people and leads his followers back to Atland, uninhabited since the flood of 2193 B.C.E. After this there is no mention of Inka, but the book does state Tunis lands on the Phoenician coast in 2000 B.C.E. Tunis builds a burgh surrounded by a wall founding Tyre. Although some wish to call the burgh Fryasburgh or Neftunis, the Magyar and the Finns wish to name it Thyrhisburgh after their God Thyr. In compensation to Tunis, they agree to recognize him as their eternal king.

The name Odin (Wodin) appears in traditional Norse mythology during the same time period as Freya (Frya) almost two hundred years earlier than Wodin, Tunis, and Inka. Norse traditions claim Odin or Othin was a title belonging to the man with the most power and was likely connected to the family of gods known as the Aesir. Consequently, it is also likely the Wodin in the Oera Linda Book is a descendant of a member of this family who survived the disasters and the sinking of Atland.

Minerva Ny-Hellenia

Another important Frisian is one of the most famous of the folk-mothers who founds Athens around 1640 B.C.E. Her name is Minerva surnamed Ny-Hellenia. The Oera Linda Book states the surname is well chosen because Ny-Hellenia's advice is 'new' (ny) and 'bright above others' (hell). In German, hell means 'bright' and 'light'. It comes from the root kel meaning 'to hold', 'shelter', and 'conceal' (in the earth). This surname is also used by a folk-mother named Adela (Dela) Hellenia who contributes writings to the Oera Linda in 593 B.C.E. In the Indo-European languages, many words for the sky-father relate to positions in altitude and light. In the Gospel of Thomas, Jesus says, "he is the light that is above everything". Even Balder, the Norse hero who died and is to be resurrected to rule the world after Ragnarok, has a name meaning 'the bright one'.

The story of Minerva, also known as Hellenia, starts when an old folk-mother dies and names the Maiden Rosamond as her successor. The old folk-mother appoints Hellenia, a priestess of Walhallagara on the Rhine, as next in line. Sijred or Kalta, the burghmaid of Flyburgh, is named as third choice. Kalta is jealous and envious of Hellenia. Kalta wants to be honored, feared, and worshipped. Hellenia, however, only wants to be loved. Eventually Hellenia wins the support of all the sailors. But because of her jealousy, Kalta convinces the people to turn on Hellenia. Kalta achieves this by putting a magic drink in the people's beer, and after they are "altogether drunk", she misleads them into believing it is Hellenia's fault the seamen no longer buy the paper the Frisians produce, something essential to the Frisian's economy.

Jon the Navigator

A navigator by the name of Jon rescues Hellenia from the overthrow by Kalta. Although Jon rescues Hellenia, he causes a great war when he attacks Kalta's people. Jon eventually ends up fleeing after he is defeated by the Folk-Mother Rosamond's land defenders. After Kalta's burgh is destroyed, she escapes to Britain where she rebuilds and rules from a burgh named Kerenak meaning 'cornerstone'. Kalta becomes the folk-mother of the Celtic people; however, she does not rule for the people but over them. In less than a year, Kalta becomes the mother of all the Thyners or Phoenician-Frisian settlers.

Establishment at Athens

After separating from Jon, Hellenia and her maidens establish themselves in Crete where Hellenia becomes mother. Later, Hellenia moves to Attica where she founds a citadel named Athens meaning 'city of friends' to help the Greeks throw off a foreign domination. Priests visit Hellenia for advice. The priests want to know about evil and wonder why Frya does not "turn back evil" since she is so good. Hellenia tells the priests:

Frya has placed us here, and the carrier, that is, Time, must do the rest. For all calamities there is counsel and remedy to be found, but Wralda wills that we should search it out ourselves, in order that we may become strong and wise. If we will not do that, he leaves us to our own devices, in order that we may experience the results of wise or foolish conduct.

The priests think Hellenia is very wise and want her to teach them how they can take total control of their own people. Hellenia tells the priests, "this is what our god does not desire, he desires that we should help one another, but that all should be free and wise". When the priests want to know why Hellenia's gods have sent a plague, Hellenia replies:

I know no gods that do evil, therefore I cannot ask them to do better. I only know one good spirit, that is Wralda's; and as he is good he never does evil. Where, then, does evil come from? asked the priests. All the evil comes from you, and from the stupidity of the people who let themselves be deceived by you.

When Hellenia tells the priests in order for people to follow them, the priests themselves must become pure within and without instead of creating foul festivals where people drink beer and wine, the priests ridicule Hellenia. Instead of becoming pure, the priests make statues of Hellenia and sell her advice to the poor. The priests tell the people God has sent his wise daughter Minerva Nyhellenia to give them advice so all who hear will become rich and happy. More so, all those who buy Hellenia's advice will become the masters over all the kingdoms of the earth.

The Oera Linda Book goes on to explain how the priests tell the people of miracles Hellenia never performed. Through tricks and deceit, the priests take control of the Frisian's laws and customs in order to alter and corrupt everything. The priests also take control of the maidens under the claim of being their protectors. But instead of making the maids wise, so they can go out into the community to teach and heal the people, the priests make them "dumb" and unwilling to go out into public. After the death of Hellenia, the priests try to persuade the people not to appoint a new mother and denounce the followers of Hellenia as impious.

From Athens to India

The Frisians ignore the priests and choose Gert as the new mother. However, they are forced to evacuate Athens around 1565 B.C.E. after the Egyptian ruler Cecrops demands the burgh from Gert. Given safe passage by Cecrops, Gert leaves three months later and is joined by thirty ships from Tyre headed to Athens unaware of the takeover. The Tyrian seaking leads everyone through the strait running out of the Red Sea. The "Book of the Adela Followers" states:

The King of Tyre afterwards, seeing that all his best sailors were gone, sent all his ships with his wild soldiers to catch them, dead or alive. When they arrived at the strait, both the sea and the earth trembled. The land was upheaved so that all the water ran out of the strait, and the muddy shores were raised up like a rampart. This happened on account of the virtues of the Geertmen, as every one can plainly understand.

The story of Gert fleeing through the Red Sea falls into the same time frame as Moses crossing the Red Sea leading the Israelites out of slavery. Eventually Gert and her followers settle in Punjab, India.

While many of Frya's children flee to India, some remain in Athens where Cecrops allows them to live by their own laws until his death. Following his death, the Oera Linda Book claims:

his successors soon began to tear up our charters, and gradually to enact so many unsuitable statutes that at long last nothing remained of liberty but the shadow and the name. Besides, they would not allow the laws to be written, so that the knowledge of them was hidden from us.

When the Frisian elders try to complain, the new government calls them "sea monsters" and refuse to listen to what they have to say.

Mixed Bloods

The Oera Linda addresses the issue of mixed bloods or "bastards" as it describes the relationships between Frisian men and the native women of Athens. These unions result in children without moral values and laws who jump back and forth between the two cultures to their own advantage. According to the Oera Linda Book:

At first the men of Athens only married women of our own race, but the young men as they grew up with the girls of the country took them to wife. The bastard children of this connection were the handsomest and cleverest in the world; but they were likewise the wickedest, wavering between the two parties, paying no regard to laws or customs except where they suited their own interests.

The book goes on to explain how the "bastard townsmen" build expensive larger homes over the hills to live apart from the rest.

Nehalennia

Hellenia is established in traditional Norse mythology as Nehalennia. Statues have been found mainly in the Netherlands and Germany depicting Nehalennia with a basket of apples, eggs, or sometimes loaves of bread with a sheep-dog at her side. Other times she is portrayed as a woman standing next to a prow of a ship. Ships are often associated with fertility and the cycle of birth, life, and death.

Since Nehalennia is often depicted in an apse (semicircular part of a building containing an alter), it is likely she was revered as a goddess. Over 160 votive altars have been found mainly in the province of Zeeland located in the southwestern Netherlands. They all date from the second and early third centuries. There are also resemblances between the images of Nehalennia and Herecura, a goddess of death and fertility. Similarities between the designs of the votive altars of Nehalennia and the Matres suggest a strong link between the two as well.

Many of the inscriptions on the votive altars for Nehalennia are from sailors expressing gratitude for safe passage across the North Sea. During adverse weather, the sailors evoked the goddess in hopes she would guide them to sanctuary. In return for her protection, the sailors would instruct a mason to cut and erect a monument near the sanctuary. Inscriptions found on the altars for the Matres also mention gratitude for received support.

Symbolism

Hellenia is known in Roman traditions as Minerva, the virgin goddess of poetry, medicine, wisdom, and magic. Minerva is equated with the Greek Goddess Athena. She is also equated with the emblem of the owl. In the Oera Linda, Hellenia clarifies some of the symbolism. She describes eggs as a representation of Frya's counsel. Hellenia explains the eggs hold the future for all of mankind. Hellenia describes her position to Frya by comparing it to a dog as she explains how it is her duty to watch over Frya's herd. When the priests ask if the owl is a symbol of clairvoyance, Hellenia replies the owl:

reminds me that there are people on earth who, like him, have their homes in churches and holes, who go about in the twilight, not, like him, to deliver us from mice and other plagues, but to invent tricks to steal away the knowledge of other people, in order to take advantage of them, to make slaves of them, and to suck their blood like leeches.

Hellenia also refers to the people under the rule of the priests as sheep being sheared and led to the shambles.

The Lamps

After Hellenia and Jon separate in the Mediterranean, Jon takes Kalta's lamp and her maidens with him and went on to become a pirate settling in the Ionian (Jon) Islands in the Aegean Sea. The lamps are very powerful symbols and seem to be at the heart of the Frisian culture. The lamps are housed in the citadels with the mothers and their maidens. A citadel is described as having a ninety foot tower with a flat roof. There is a small house on the roof. All towers have six sides, and its walls are decorated with precious stones. The tower is also surrounded by a mote.

The lamps are attended by seven maidens at all times. The maidens keep watch in three hour shifts. The rest of the time they do housework, study, and sleep. The Frisians have a strong communication system between the citadels, and the folk-mothers are in constant touch with each other. Since the Oera Linda Book claims the system of communication between the citadels is quicker than traveling by sea, it is very possible the folk-mothers developed a system of light signals using the lamps. These same towers located near waterways, could have served as the first lighthouses for the sailors. If this were the case, it would explain how Kalta, in her jealousy of the sailor's support of Hellenia, tried to lead the sailors back to her through the use of fear. According to the "Book of the Adela Followers":

At the full moon, when the sea was stormy, she [Kalta] ran over the wild waves, calling to the sailors that they would all be lost if they did not worship her. Then she blinded their eyes, so that they mistook land for water and water for land, and in this way many a good ship was totally lost.

In times of adverse weather, the sailors were dependent on light signals. Consequently, it is easy to see how Kalta could have created chaos and why the soldiers would fear her if she intentionally sent out the wrong signals.

The need for seven maidens to keep watch at all times could have been necessary in order to have enough maidens to cover all six directions (walls) as they watched for signals coming in from other citadels, as well as having a seventh in the center to send signals out. This arrangement may have been based on the actual symbols of the alphabet according to Frya's formation using the six outer and one inner point of the six-spoke wheel. Since light has the ability to travel very long distances, the citadels could have passed messages from one to another spreading news very quickly as long as all the citadels understood the codes or the alphabet symbols. According to the Oera Linda Book, the lamps had to be lit at the folk-mother's citadel or authenticated by the mother.

While the sacred lamps are referred to numerous times, the Oera Linda Book never mentions flames or fires indicating the light may have been another source. If the people were sending light signals back and forth, a reflective material such as obsidian could have been used. Obsidian is a natural occurring volcanic glass used during the Stone Age in Turkey to make primitive mirrors. It was also one of the earliest trade items of the first civilizations; obsidian from Anatolia has been found in many Neolithic sites.

Ulysses

The Oera Linda Book tells an interesting story about the lamps paralleling elements in Homer's account of the legendary Greek hero Odysseus (Ulysses). In the Oera Linda version, a king named Ulysses from the Ionian (Jon) Islands has an encounter with a maiden named Kat, also called Calypso. The book describes how Ulysses came with three ships to fulfill a prophecy claiming if he could obtain a lamp from one of the folk-mothers, he would become king of all of Greece. Ulysses met up with Kat and here:

he [Ulysses] tarried for years, to the scandal of all that knew it. According to the report of the maidens, he obtained a lamp from her; but it did him no good, because when he got to sea his ship was lost, and he was taken up naked and destitute by another ship.

The Oera Linda Book claims survivors of the Trojan War fled to Italy, a supported theory held by Roman beliefs their renowned ancestors were the Trojans. These ancestors were led by Aeneas who founded a new Troy in Italy. In the traditions of the Etruscans, the predecessors to the Romans, they came from an overseas land submerged under the seas in a cataclysm shortly after or during a great war.

The Royal Kings

In 303 B.C.E., descendants of Jon the Navigator return with a large fleet. They are led by a Frisian seaman named Friso. After the death of the last folk-mother named Gosa Makonta, Friso establishes a kingdom for himself enabling his descendants to eventually become royal kings. These descendants are addressed at the New Year's feast identified as the yule-tide. Friso has been brought up during times of war and has learned many of the cunning ways of the Gauls'. According to the account recorded by Konred:

When Gosa died, the people from all parts wished to choose another mother; but Friso, who was busy establishing a kingdom for himself, did not desire to have any advice or messenger from Teerland. When the messengers of the Landsaten came to him, he said that Gosa had been far-seeing and wiser than all the counts together, and yet she had been unable to see any light or way out of this affair; therefore she had not had the courage to choose a successor, and to choose a doubtful one she thought would be very bad; therefore she wrote in her last will, It is better to have no mother than to have one on whom you cannot rely.

Although the Frisian laws clearly state if the mother dies without naming a successor the people are to elect one, Friso convinces the Frisians they no longer need a mother. When the old maidens object and warn Friso is using the enemy's tricks by speaking their language in order to have full power over everyone, many still side with Friso causing a separation between them. Konred explains:

Among the people there now existed two parties. The old and the poor wished to have the mother again, but the young and the warlike wished for a father and a king. The first called themselves mother's sons, the others father's sons, but the mother's sons did not count for much; because there were many ships to build, there was a good time for all kinds of workmen. Moreover, the sea-rovers brought all sorts of treasures, with which the maidens were pleased, the girls were pleased, and their relations and friends.

While the old maidens cannot prevent Friso from meddling with their customs, they do prevent him from ever being elected as king himself.

Adel and Ifkja

Friso rejects a new folk-mother and refuses to rebuild any of the burghs, yet he still sends his son Adel to Texland to learn the Frisian's customs and laws. Adel marries a woman named Ifkja who is still loyal to Frya. Ifkja works to bring Frya's children back together again under self-government and in one federation. Adel and Ifkja travel and teach the Frisian ways. Adel founds schools according to Frya's instructions from Texland which he and Ifkja visit yearly. Konred writes:

Here in Texland, therefore, schools should be established; and from all the states that have kept to the old customs the young people should be sent here, and afterwards those whose education is complete can help those who remain at home. If foreigners come to buy ironwares from you, and want to talk and bargain, they must come back to God's language. If they learn God's language, then the words, "to be free" and "to have justice," will come to them, and glimmer and glitter in their brains to a perfect light, and that flame will destroy all bad princes and hypocritical dirty priests.

Although these schools are intended to teach Frya's ways, it is not long until this is abandoned as well.

Askar

Under the leadership of Black Adel, also called Askar, the schools become military institutions for children instead of places to learn how to read and write. Askar justifies this change by pointing out when the mothers taught the children literacy, it did not prevent their lands from being taken over. He asserts in order to remain free, the people must exchange the knowledge of books for the knowledge of swords and spears. Askar's goal is to recover the whole of Gaul, lands lost to the Celts. Askar sails with forty ships and takes Kerenak, Kalta's old burgh, and all the gold belonging to the Gauls.

Eventually Askar marries Frethogunsta, the daughter of the King of Hals. When Frethogunsta comes to Staveren, she brings a Magy follower with her. Shortly after the wedding, a church is built. Askar is then accused of worshipping false idolatry by the Burghmaid Reintja. Although Askar had previously promised Reintja he would rebuild her citadel in exchange for her support, he now refuses to do so. When Reintja complains, the citadel at Texland is attacked by the King of Hals; and it burns to the ground. Reintja, the Burghmaid Prontlik from Texland, and all their maidens take refuge in a wooded area protected by Magy folk lore of witches and magic.

King Askar does not deal with foreigners in appropriate Frisian customs and uses their ways whenever it suits him. For example, Askar uses his fleet for piracy instead of for legitimate trade as in earlier times. After more warfare, Askar is abducted by people identified as the Franks. While the Oera Linda Book claims the name Frank means 'free', it also claims they are called the Franks because their first king was Frank, and not because they are free. Because of a "degenerate maiden", Frank was able to become hereditary king over his people. Askar is exchanged for another prisoner because the Gauls do not recognize who they have taken.

The final pages of the Oera Linda Book describe how the Magy take over all the neighboring lands building churches instead of citadels. The Magy abduct Frisian children and raise them in the secrets of their corrupt teachings. At this point, the Oera Linda Book ends along with the story of how Friso's leadership turned into a kingship and the final defeat of the folk-mothers.

Jessos Krishna

In the writings of Adela Hellenia, it talks about a man who was born in the heart of Finda's land. The mother of this man was the daughter of a king, and his father was a head-priest. In order to escape shame, they had to forsake their own blood, and the baby was given to poor people to raise. Adela explains:

As the boy grew up, nothing was concealed from him, so he did all in his power to acquire wisdom. His intellect was so great that he understood everything that he saw or heard. The people regarded him with respect, and the priests were afraid of his questions.

Adela describes the man as well:

His first name was Jessos but the priests, who hated him, called him Fo, that is, false; the people called him Krishna, that is, shepherd; and his Frisian friend called him Buddha (purse), because he had in his head a treasure of wisdom, and in his heart a treasure of love.

When he was of age, Jessos returned to his parents; but they still did not acknowledge him as blood. Jessos was overwhelmed with shame and became a wanderer. During his travels, Jessos met a Frisian seaman who had been taken as a slave. Jessos bought and freed the sailor, and they remained friends until death. The sailor taught Jessos the Frisian's morality, customs, and laws.

Jessos continued to travel and spread his message. He taught gold and silver were not the riches people should seek because they cause envy and hate. Jessos taught for twelve years before he died. After his death, his friends preserved and continued to spread Jessos' teachings to anyone who would listen. The text also explains how false priests went to the land of Jessos' birth, and like they did after Hellenia's death, spread deceitful doctrine about Jessos, so they could rise to power themselves. Yet in the writings of Adela, it explains how the priests will be unable to keep this power:

But when the priests fancy that they have entirely extinguished the light of Frya and Jessos, then shall all classes of men rise up who have quietly preserved the truth among themselves, and have hidden it from the priests. They shall be of princely blood of priests, Slavonic, and Frya's blood. They will make their light visible, so that all men shall see the truth; they shall cry woe to the acts of the princes and the priests. The princes who love the truth and justice shall separate themselves from the priests; blood shall flow, but from it the people will gather new strength. Finda's folk shall contribute their industry to the common good, Lyda's folk their strength, and we our wisdom. Then the false priests shall be swept away from the earth. Wralda's spirit shall be invoked everywhere and always; the laws that Wralda in the beginning instilled into our consciences shall alone be listened to. There shall be neither princes, nor masters, nor rulers, except those chosen by the general voice. Then Frya shall rejoice, and the earth will only bestow her gifts on those who work. All this shall begin 4000 years after the submersion of Atland, and 1000 years later there shall exist no longer either priest or oppression.

By using the number 4,000, Adela was most likely rounding and using an approximation of the true number. Since Atland sunk in 2193 B.C.E., the estimated date of the return of the light of Frya and Jessos would be around A.D. 2000.

This ends the writings of Adela and is followed by the last will of the Folk-Mother Frana and the proverbs of the Mother Gosa Makonta. These sections were added by the Maiden Wiljo who also preserved three additional books: the book of songs, the book of narratives, and the Hellenia book.

(Figure 4, Oera Linda Book Timeline)

The Light of Sophia and Jesus

The return of the light of Frya and Jessos has strong parallels to Sophia and Jesus in the Gnostic traditions. Gnosticism is a pre-Christian and early Christian religious movement with a doctrine of salvation by knowledge. This doctrine teaches there are spiritual truths which can free humanity from the oppression of the false god and creator of the material world. The Jesus in the Gnostic tradition rejects the material world and endorses a simpler life. While many of the known Gnostic texts date from around A.D. 200, its beginnings are still largely debated by scholars; and traces of Gnosticism can be found dating centuries earlier.

Gnosticism Defined

Similar to the core of Frya's codes of moral behavior intended to preserve individual freedom, the core of Gnosticism is liberation. According to Theodotus, the principal formulator of Eastern Gnosticism:

What liberates us is the knowledge of who we were, what we became; where we were, whereunto we have been thrown; whereunto we speed, wherefrom we are redeemed; what birth is, and what rebirth.

The word Gnostic is derived from the Greek word gnosis meaning 'knowledge'. The knowledge forming the core of the Gnostic belief system is not rational knowledge, but an understanding gained through experience.

Gnosticism was the greatest threat to Christianity because it challenged Christianity's foundation. Instead of through the death of Christ, Gnosticism claims humanity can only be saved by knowledge. Knowledge is a divine spark left inside everyone waiting to be discovered, so it can grow. Gnosis consists of an intuitive process implementing both self-knowledge and an understanding of ultimate, divine realities. Gnosticism is based in spiritual experiences expressing itself through myths instead of religion. The experiences are grounded in visions with little to no connections to mainstream religions.

Similar to Wralda, the godhead of the Gnostics is the ultimate reality which lies beyond the created universe. In some Gnostic texts, God is known as Monad meaning 'the one' and 'the absolute'. God is the "All" and dwells in the Fullness. While the true God is the creator, the true God did not truly create. Instead, God emanated all things in the world. The root of evil comes from humanities' ignorance of this godhead leaving mankind in a state of sleep. Throughout time, the sleeping spirit of man has been awakened by divine messengers of the light. These messengers descend from the spirit realms of the Fullness to restore the human spirit to its original state of conscience by leading it back to the divine. Jesus and Buddha are considered to be among these divine messengers, and there are numerous parallels between Gnosticism and Buddhism, Hinduism, and Taoism. Of all the messengers and members of the Fullness, Sophia is considered the most important. Sophia meaning 'wisdom of god' is also important to Orthodox Christianity, Hellenistic philosophy, and Platonism. Although texts and traditions vary on her role, all agree she is essential to the fate of the universe.

~~~~~

Chapter Two: Atland and the Legend of Atlantis

The Oera Linda Book challenges many current interpretations including the legend of Atlantis or Atland. Throughout most of the book, time is measured by the number of years since the sinking of Atland in 2193 B.C.E. The Oera Linda does not disclose any details about the conflicts leading up to the sinking of Atland and simply states hatred came between Frya, Finda, and Lyda. The book identifies Atland as the heart of Finda's land, most likely located in Mesopotamia. There are strong parallels between the Legend of Atlantis and the actual development of civilizations in Mesopotamia, also known as the Fertile Crescent, as well.

Plato's description of the Seakings of Atlantis is very similar to the historical figures of King Sargon the Great and his dynasty. Furthermore, King Sargon's dynasty can be compared to the birth of the gods known as the Aesir in Norse mythology and Finda's people in the Oera Linda Book. Sargon was the King of Akkad who conquered the people of Sumer. The people of Sumer can be equated with the Vanir in Norse myths and Lyda in the Oera Linda. King Sargon's dynasty fell in 2193 B.C.E., the exact year as the sinking of Atland and possibly Ragnarok.

Around this time, Mesopotamia historically underwent what was called a "dark period" lasting for over a hundred years. Little is known about this period, but almost all existing literature was recopied after this time. A major flood disturbing the entire area could explain why. There is also physical evidence of the destruction and rebuilding of both Jericho and Troy during this period. This parallels the Oera Linda where the book explains how it took over a hundred years for the reconstruction of the flood affected areas. The book also mentions how the Sea King Inka wished to return to the sunken Atland around 2000 B.C.E.

The physical description of Atlantis provided by Plato can be equated to Mesopotamia as well when the history of words and their meanings are taken into consideration. In addition, the inconsistency in the time difference between the sinking of Atlantis and the sinking of Atland can be explained by the meaning of the word 'year', which originally could be used to represent a season. The creation story in Norse mythology also parallels the scientific creation of the Fertile Crescent after the last ice age. Furthermore, the nine worlds or levels of the Norse parallel the Mediterranean and Mesopotamian regions when elevation is considered.

Norse Families of Gods

According to Northern European mythology, in the beginning there were two families of gods. The Vanir were the older branch, and the younger branch was the Aesir. The leader of the Aesir was Odin, the war god. At one time, these families were connected, and Asa-gods was an early term used to refer to the Aesir and the Vanir together. The Vanir were associated with nature and fertility while the Aesir were concerned more with fighting wars and gaining territories as well as a labor force.

Nordic sources mention a third and even older generation of gods than either the Vanir or the Aesir. This generation included Aegir who lived in an underwater hall and had the ability to destroy ships and their crews. Since it is reasonable these cultures were much more advanced then what is currently believed, it is possible an underwater hall is describing a type of submarine. Although details of his descendants have not survived, it is known Aegir was ordered by the Aesir God Thor to brew beer for all the gods. When Aegir said he did not have a cauldron large enough, Thor stole one so Aegir could complete his assigned task.

Home of the Aesir

The stronghold of the Aesir was called Asgard located on a plain above Midgard. Asgard was surrounded by walls and built by a stonemason named Hrimthurs who demanded the hand of Freya plus the sun and the moon to build. Hrimthurs died when Thor found out he was really a frost giant and killed him. The theme of city walls being built by giants is common in Europe, and legends claim the walls in Tiryn located in southern Greece were built by Cyclopes. Cyclopes were giants who like Odin, had only one eye. There is also a story of a dispute over payment for the strengthening of the walls of Troy by the gods Apollo and Poseidon, and King Laamedon resembling the story of Asgard and Hrimthurs.

Home of the Vanir

The home of the Vanir was called Vanaheim located far from Asgard. While the distinctions between the two families are unclear, according to the "Ynglinga Saga" the Vanir were originally inhabitants of the land by the Don River. Vanaheim is attested in the Poetic Edda or Elder Edda, a collection of Old Norse poems, where it describes how Heimdell was not raised with the Aesir but in Vanaheimr by "wise powers".

The Aesir and Troy

In the Prologue of the Prose Edda written around A.D. 1250, it alleges Odin was from Turkey and went to the North after finding out through lore he was to be honored above all kings there. Although this has been discredited by scholars, Snorri Sturluson claims the most famous of all palaces and halls was built near the center of the world in Turkey. One of the kings was called Munon (Mennon) and his wife was the daughter of the chief King Priam. Priam was called Trooan and their son was named Tror, also called Thor. In traditional Norse mythology, Thor is believed to be Odin's son and revered as the god of thunder. The lightning bolt and the hammer Mjolnir are Thor's main symbols.

(Figure 5, Thor and Mjolnir)

Sturluson compared Ragnarok with the fall of Troy and claims Asgard was called Troy. Sturluson also makes a comparison of the gods and heroes alleging Thor was once called Hector, Ali was Helenus, Vidar was Aneas, and Loki the trickster was compared to Ulysses, the trickster of Greek mythology. There are additional similarities between Achilles and Balder who died when Loki found out about Balder's one vulnerable spot, his Achilles heel. Loki then tricked Balder's blind brother, Hod, into throwing mistletoe at Balder, striking his heel and killing him. In other versions of this myth, Loki is not involved in the death of Balder.

Gullveig and the First War

Eventually war came between the Vanir and the Aesir. According to "Voluspa", the first poem in the Poetic Edda, the war started because of the mistreatment of a woman named Gullveig. The "Voluspa" is the only text mentioning the name Gullveig. It is the earliest accepted text on Norse mythology and one of the most important primary sources. There have been suggestions Gullveig is linked to others in Norse traditions including Freya.

The "Voluspa" is a poem about a seeress who rises from her grave and addresses Odin. The seeress addressing Odin reveres herself as being kin to the giants and tells of the world's creation and the world's end. The seeress also recollects the events leading to the first war and identifies herself as knowing the nine worlds. According to the Prose Edda, Odin put Hel in charge of the nine worlds.

Apparently the Goddess or Giantess Gullveig was a Vanir who went to the Aesir to teach Odin her magic called seid. Gullveig was stabbed and burned three times in Odin's hall. The "Voluspa" alleges Gullveig rose three times and still lives on as a seeress performing magic. The gods called Gullveig Heid meaning the 'bright one' or 'shining one', the same meaning as Balder in Norse mythology and hell in the German language. The etymology (history or origin) of the name Gullveig is unclear, but the first element, gull, means 'gold'. The second element, veig, can mean 'an alcoholic drink'.

Seid

Seid (seior, seidhr) is a particular type of magic and a form of divination (prophecy or foretelling). Customarily seid was only performed by women until Odin became a practitioner of the art. The practice of seid included a trance-like state allowing the seeress to do such things as taking on animal forms or shape-shifting and traveling through space. The trance state was induced by using several different methods including sleep or sensory deprivation and abstaining from food and drink. In most Norse myths, it is Freya who taught the mysteries of seid to Odin; so some scholars have speculated she and Gullveig are the same. When Gullveig is compared to other traditions, there is also evidence to suggest she is Nerthus, Freya's mother. The "Voluspa" maintains Gullveig was the reason for the first war in the world because of a conflict over who should pay for her.

Hostage Exchange

The war fought between the Vanir and the Aesir was devastating and resulted in extreme land depletion until peace was finally agreed upon between the two groups. With the peace agreement, hostages were exchanged for the purpose of trading wisdom and knowledge. From the Aesir, the Vanir received two men named Honir and Mimir. However, the Vanir were upset when they realized Honir was dumb without Mimir. As a result, they cut off Mimir's head and sent it back to the Aesir. Odin embalmed the head, and in time, heard words of wisdom coming from it.

The Vanir who came to live with the Aesir were Njord and his twins Frey and Freya. (See Figure 6)

(Figure 6, The Vanir)

The names Frey and Freya are terms meaning 'lord' and 'lady' and refer to specific positions. Njord is known as the sea god, and his name corresponds to the masculine form of Nerthus (Irtha). In Germania written by the Historian Tacitus in A.D. 98, Nerthus was an important mother goddess who had a sacred grove on a Frisian Island. Nerthus is traditionally identified as being the mother of Freya and Frey, and the wife and sometimes sister of Njord.

Frya/Freya

After the hostage exchange, Njord, Frey, and Odin were revered as head gods. Freya was known as the mother goddess and goddess of fertility. Freya taught the Aesir her secret wisdom and magic. Freya is known by many different names, and her attributes are connected to many other Norse goddesses including Frigg, Mardoll, Horn, Idun, Syr, and Gefion; a name associated with 'giving.'

(Figure 7, Gefion Fountain in Copenhagen, Denmark)

Modern scholars tend to speculate Frya is Frigg because in early myths, the two are not distinguished between; although in later Scandinavian legends, they are not the same goddess and even appear in the same texts together. The name Frigg means 'beloved' and 'wife', and like the title Freya, it comes from the root of free.

Freya is considered the counterpart to Venus, Aphrodite, Ishtar, and Astarte. Astarte was the primary fertility goddess of the Phoenicians and Canaanites, and her name translates as 'womb'. She was sometimes revered as the queen of heaven and as the wife of Yahweh. Astarte is often paralleled with the Anglo-Saxton maiden Eostre or Ostara, the goddess of fertility. Eostre means 'illuminate' and is associated with daybreak. Symbols of Eostre include spring, hares, and eggs. The word Easter derives from Eostre originating with the Proto-Indo-European (PIE) language aus meaning 'to shine'. Freya is also associated with the symbols of the boar and the cat.

In addition to being the most direct descendant of Nerthus, Freya is revered as the wife of several different deities. Moreover, it seems apparent in several sources, the male deity's power comes from their position as Freya's husband. Od, also known as Odur and Oth, is one of these deities; and after he disappeared, Freya cried golden tears as she searched for him. Freya and Od had either one or two daughters identified as Hnoss and Gersemi. Both names mean 'treasure' so it is possible they are two names for the same daughter, instead of two daughters. Not much is known about Od and some scholars currently speculate he is the same deity as Odin.

Odin

Odin is the chief god of Germanic mythology. He is revered as the All-Father and the father of the slain. Odin commands the Valkyries (twelve handmaids) who choose those who are to be slain in combat. Odin's heroic dead are called Einlherfar, and they live at Valhalla. These dead warriors fight all day, then feast and drink all night while their wounds heal. Odin shares those who fall on the battlefield with Freya.

(Figure 8, Odin)

According to the Poetic Edda, Odin and his brothers are responsible for making "the green things grow". The Oera Linda refers to the All-father as the All-feeder. The book also describes how agriculture led to the birth of the gods as well as their final demise when Atland sunk. The rise and fall of Odin and the gods of the Aesir has many similarities to the rise and fall of the kings in Plato's legend of the "Lost Island of Atlantis".

Critias and Timaeus

The legend of Atlantis is found in Critias and Timaeus, the two primary sources describing the very first civilizations written by Plato in 360 B.C.E. In 595 B.C.E., Solon, the great lawgiver to Greece, visited Egypt where he was told a tale from Egyptian priests about their earliest history and of the founding of Attica, the district of Athens.

The story was told by Solon to Dropides, the great-grandfather of Critias. Even though Critias was only ten years old at the time he heard the story, he remembered it. Critias recounts how they sang the poems of Solon on the day of the Apaturia, or Registration of the Youth, because singing was still used to record history demonstrating the importance of song and dance to memory. As a result, Critias was able to tell the tale of the most glorious deed of the Athenians' which he claims has gone unrecorded because of the destruction of the actors. Plato wrote about the tale some two hundred years later describing how Neith, who the Hellenes call Athene, was a deity who founded the great city of Sais located in the Egyptian Delta as well as Athens.

The Story of Atlantis

The story of Atlantis is about the first dynasty of kings upon the earth. It explains how the gods divided up the land and distributed it among the kings, giving Poseidon what was called the Island of Atlantis. Poseidon fell in love with a mortal woman named Cleito, and they had five sets of twin male children. Poseidon divided up the island between his sons giving Atlas, his first born, the largest and best allotment of land previously belonging to the boy's mother. Poseidon named the whole island and the ocean after Atlas calling them Atlantis.

The sons retained this vast kingdom and all its wealth passing it down from generation to generation. The kings had total control of their citizens and of the laws used to punish the people. These kings got together to pass judgment on others, and their sentences were written on tablets of gold. In Critias, Plato describes how these kings joined together in a bonding as well. They agreed not to go to war against each other and to come to each other's aid if the people tried to overthrow the royal house.

Plato also describes a great war which took place between the kings of Atlantis and the city of Athens. Hephaestus and Athene were siblings who obtained Greece as an allotment when the earth was split up. In Timaeus, Plato depicts those who originally founded Athens as the fairest and noblest race of people who have ever lived. The current Athenians are descendants of a few who survived. Plato also explains how the current Athenians do not know their history or ancestors because most of the survivors died without leaving any written word.

The Oera Linda Book describes how the folk-mother Hellenia re-establishes the Frisian people in Greece. A group of people called the Hellingers agree to allow Hellenia and her people to settle with them to live peacefully. The Frisians build their citadel, "one and a half poles from the harbour" and name it Athens at Hellenia's suggestion. When Hellenia was asked if she believed their customs would flourish in Athens and other parts of Greece, she replied:

If the distant Greeks [Italy] belong to the direct descent of Frya, then they will flourish; but if they do not descend from Frya, then there will be a long contention about it, because the carrier must make five thousand revolutions of his Juul before Finda's people will be ripe for liberty.

Plato goes on to describe how Athens was the best governed of all cities, and how it had the fairest constitution of all known to exist. Athens was a self-supported city with excellent resources. It was also Athens who stopped the seakings, a "vast power gathered into one", who were spreading their influence over a large area subjecting parts of Libya, Egypt, and Europe. Although Athens defeated the invaders, sometime afterwards there were earthquakes and floods. As a result, the island of Atlantis and all the soldiers disappeared in the depths of the sea. While the legend of Atlantis and its empire of kings has been discredited, or at the very least, has no strong supporting evidence, the story is still important today captivating the imaginations of many with varying ideas about the roots of civilization and what it means to be human.

Roots of Civilization

Historically, civilization first began in the present day area of Iraq known as Mesopotamia. This area is located in the valley between the Tigris and the Euphrates Rivers and is known as the Fertile Crescent. (See Figure 9)

(Figure 9, The Fertile Crescent)

The Fertile Crescent had extremely valuable farming land and was the location of the food source supplying all its surrounding areas. It was also prone to flooding on a regular basis. Being able to control the flooding was an important issue with settlers in this region.

The Tigris and the Euphrates Rivers were also very important for navigation and transportation. However, because of strong currents, travel upstream was impossible, and collapsible ships had to be used. In Norse mythology, the Vanir God Frey had a collapsible ship. Even though this ship was massive enough to hold all the gods, it could be folded up and put in Frey's pocket "like a handkerchief".

The Fertile Crescent was first permanently settled by a group of people called the Sumerians who migrated into the valley around 4000 B.C.E., most likely displacing Semite people already living there. The Sumerians were followed by the Akkadians, the Assyrians, and then the Babylonians before falling under the control of foreign powers. Historically, the Near East is the area where people lived during the Neolithic Age when groups of individuals made the switch from nomadic hunters and gatherers to stationary agricultural societies.

Neolithic Age

During the Neolithic Age, farmers built permanent dwellings. The dwellings were circular huts housing a couple of people. These huts were clustered together around a central storage house. Later, people of this period built square houses all similar and of equal size suggesting there was no class distinction. While there is evidence of some trade, these early villages were self-sufficient. Two settlements unlike the rest of the villages during this early period were Catal Hoyuk in present day Turkey and Jericho located near the Dead Sea.

Catal Hoyuk was situated in a fertile region with a population of over 6,000 people. Some of the world's oldest sculptures and paintings were found here including one showing a nearby volcano exploding. Along with their farming techniques, this settlement clearly showed advancement over the other villages of this time. Catal Hoyuk was located near a major obsidian source. Obsidian was important for producing early mirrors, something which would have been important to people who studied the stars and used a system of lights for communication.

Jericho is believed to be the very first settlement founded before 8500 B.C.E. It was revered for its tower and walls built by 8000 B.C.E. During the first Neolithic age, the people domesticated barley and emmer wheat as well as animals. In the late Neolithic age (5000 - 4000 B.C.E.), the people lived in pits.

Jericho is often speculated to be the least likely area for civilization to begin because of its surrounding terrain of rugged hills and the Dead Sea. Even though it was surrounded by desert, it was a natural oasis with semi-tropical plants and fruit trees. The oasis was nourished by a natural underground spring becoming the first known irrigation system. This spring produces 4,500 liters of water bubbling up from underground every minute. A unique quality about this underground spring is its continuous flow which enables the creation of a garden paradise in a barren desert.

Jericho was also provided with self protection from a natural wall resulting from a rift extending from the Sea of Galilee to North Africa. Jericho is located 260 meters below sea level making it the lowest city on earth. Because of the natural fountain and the ability to produce fruits and vegetables year round, Jericho became the ideal location for establishing trade routes and for the exchange of communication.

The Formation of Cities and States

Following the shift from the Paleolithic culture of hunters and gatherers to the Neolithic culture of herding and agriculture, a shift occurred again in the Fertile Crescent. Larger cities were established alongside the smaller villages creating hierarchies. The cities served as urban centers, housing the temples used for trading. This time gave birth to social stratification based on the control of natural resources and personal wealth. Unlike the villages, the cities were not self-sufficient and relied upon surplus food produced by the farmers and stockbreeders. Farming techniques included management of water resources. The people built dikes to keep the rivers from flooding the fields in spring and for storage in the fall.

By 3000 B.C.E., Uruk was the largest Sumerian city in the world. During the Early Dynastic Period from around 2800 - 2370 B.C.E., many major cities were built along the main water ways including Ur, Nipper, Shuruppak, and Lagash. Several of these cities formed leagues with each other giving them religious and political power. In time, fights broke out between the larger cities and smaller towns over water and land rights. The stronger cities joined by leagues eventually conquered and dominated the smaller, weaker cities expanding their area to form kingdoms much like Plato described in his description of Atlantis.

The people who lived at this time were advanced, also like the Atlantians Plato described. They had been writing for around 1,000 years and kept chronological records. They were traders and traveled throughout Western Asia and Egypt. They were financiers, bankers, and engineers building systems of dykes and canals. Astrology was also important at this time, and the people had knowledge and an understanding of the movements of the heavenly bodies. It is currently believed all aspects of civilized society including writing, laws, the development of a calendar, and religion comes from the lands of Sumer and Akkad.

During the earliest known period, Sumer was divided into about twelve independent city states with limits defined by canals used to flood the fields. Each city was centered on a temple with a specific god or goddess. The city was ruled by either a priest (ensi) or a king (lugal) who was intimately tied to religious rites. The two main cities and temples were Nipper in the North and Eridu in the South. Nipper was the city of the God Enlil, and the city of Eridu belonged to the God Enki. Similar to the great power developing in Atlantis, a great power developed in Mesopotamia under the rule of King Sargon the Great from Akkad.

King Sargon the Great

The Akkadians were a Semitic group of nomads who occupied northern Mesopotamia and Syria. Under the leadership of Sargon, the Akkadians conquered the entire Mesopotamian region between 2400 - 2300 B.C.E., unifying the north (Akkad) and the south (Sumer). The Akkadians spoke a language from the same family as Arabic and Hebrew belonging to the Afro-Asiatic language group. The Sumerian language was the language of the scribes, and many earlier administrative tablets from Akkad were written in Sumerian. Sumerian is regarded as a language isolate because it belongs to no other known language family. It is based on morphemes which are units of meaning added together to make words. Later, the Semitic people adopted the Sumerians' written language along with many other aspects of Sumerian culture. As a result, Sumerian continued as the language of religion and law in Mesopotamia.

The fighting back and forth between Akkad and Sumer before the unification was not about slavery, but a work force to pay taxes, so the gods could build temples and cities. Sargon first became a prominent member of the royal court of Kish. He then killed the king and usurped the throne before embarking on a campaign to conquer Mesopotamia, Asia Minor, Syria, and Iraq.

Through Sargon, a Semitic domination was established throughout both Sumer and Akkad; and the Babylonian kings descended from him. At one point after returning home after years of battles, Sargon found his own people had rebelled after the lords had formed a league and besieged him in his own capital, Akkad (Agade). Somehow Sargon withstood this siege and remained in authority. This rebellion parallels Plato and his story of the Atlantis Kings who returned home to find the other kings had conspired against them as well.

Sargon had an interesting childhood, and legends claim he was born to a daughter of a headman. It was not known who Sargon's father was. In an attempt to try not to bring shame to her family, Sargon's mother hid his birth by placing him in a basket she had waterproofed by lining it with tar. She then put the basket in the Euphrates River. Sargon was found by a peasant and raised as a gardener's son. Another myth states Sargon was the son of the cupbearer of Ur-Zababa. Sargon had a unique relationship with the Goddess Inanna, and many of the other regions submitted to Sargon's rule because of this relationship. It was not until the writings of Enheduanna, Sargon's alleged daughter who is credited as being the first author in world literature, the Inanna cult became popular.

King Sargon and the Aesir

Parallel to Sargon, the gods of the Aesir in Norse mythology came to power with the birth of agriculture. Buri, the first Norse god's name, most likely derives from barley. When compared to other traditions, there is sufficient evidence to conclude the rise of King Sargon and his dynasty directly parallels the creation of the gods in Norse mythology beginning with Buri and ending with Thor. (See Figure 10)

(Figure 10, The Aesir and Sargon's Dynasty)

Early sources place Buri's grandson Odin in Asia Minor or Turkey. Early sources also claim the gods lived outside of the Middle world or world of man. Similar to the conflicts between Sumer and Akkad, the Aesir and the Vanir were fighting back and forth until they came to an agreement. The agreement included a hostage exchange, and some of the Vanir gods joined the Aesir who became the dominant power. Similar to Sargon, the fighting between the groups was not about slavery, but about developing a workforce to toil in the fields and build markets and temples for the gods. Sumerian and Norse mythologies strongly suggest humans were created to serve the gods, so the gods would not have to do any physical labor themselves. Even though the gods agreed to live together peacefully, the gods were eventually destroyed at Ragnarok along with the giants.

The Sargon Dynasty

According to the King List, Sargon ruled for 56 years followed by his son Rimuc (Rimush). Rimuc's brother Man-icticcu ruled next, followed by Sargon's grandson Naram-Suen (Naram-Sin). Naram-Suen was different than any other king; he built temples for himself instead of for a god or goddess. In inscriptions found scattered at various sites throughout Mesopotamia including Nipper and Ur, Naram-Suen's name is written as if he was divine. Naram-Suen assumed the title of God of Akkad and called himself the King of the entire universe. In Norse mythology, it was Odin who became god and the all-father. After Odin, Thor came to power. While Odin was revered as a war god, Thor was associated more with fertility, thus becoming popular with crop growers.

After the reign of Naram-Suen, his son Shar-Kali-Sharri, the last of the dynasty's rulers, was in power for another 25 years. In total, Sargon's dynasty, the first Sumerian empire, existed for about 150 years and fell in 2193 B.C.E., the same year as the sinking of Atland. Little is known about the kings after Shar-Kali-Sharri because only the names of a few have survived. While the exact causes and circumstances leading to the sudden fall of Sargon's dynasty are not known, it is generally agreed on by historians the Akkadian empire weakened and fell to invading tribes living in the mountains to the northwest identified as the Amurrus and the Gatians. Historians also agree the invasions were made possible because Akkad was already weak at the time.

Not only is little known about the kings who ruled after Shar-Kali-Sharri, but little is known about the entire period after the fall of Sargon's empire until the rise of the Ur III Dynasty around 2100 B.C.E. While it is not known how this dynasty came to power, it is believed it was still strongly connected to Sargon. The last three kings of this dynasty had Semite names, and the founder, Ur-Namma, is believed to be Semitic. Documents at this time were also written in Sumerian.

The Ur III Dynasty fell in about 2004 B.C.E. when it was conquered by the Elamite from the mountains to the east. It was also about this time when the prophet Abraham came from Ur in search of his promised home in the land of Canaan. Through an experience or a prophetic vision, Abraham claimed the Canaanite god known as El of the Rock chose him as his spokesman. The identification as "Hebrew" came about because of its connection with the name Abraham. El eventually evolved into the one recognized as the modern day God who reigns over those who believe he is the true and only God.

The Flood

Even though the Sumerian culture existed from around 4000 - 2000 B.C.E., the vast majority of their literature comes from the Ur III Dynasty. Even the writings of Enheduanna, considered to have come from the earlier Sargon era, were recopied during this period. Of the Ur III Dynasty literature, one of the earliest stories recalls an account about a flood. Another source of Sumerian literature known as the King List also identifies two specific time periods, before and after a flood sweeping over the earth.

Floods are very common themes to many people and exist in numerous early traditions. In Greek mythology, Zeus decided to destroy all of mankind by the means of a flood. A man named Deucalion, who was the son of Prometheus and the father of Helen, made a boat and survived. While many early civilizations including Greek, Celtic, and some tribal societies have flood stories, there is no world flood tradition in the literature of the Egyptians whose writings exist from about 3000 B.C.E. This parallels the Oera Linda Book indicating some of Lyda's people from Libya were displaced but does not include Egypt in the area massively affected by the flood.

One of the earliest written sources containing evidence of a world flood is the Sumerian epic about the legendary figure of Gilgamesh. Gilgamesh is considered to be two-thirds god and one-third man, and he knows all things. Gilgamesh goes on a search for a man named Utnapishtism, a survivor of the flood the gods had set loose upon the people. The story of Utnapishtism has many parallels to the story of Noah and the Ark and is considered its predecessor.

Eventually Gilgamesh finds Utnapishtism who tells Gilgamesh in order to learn the secrets of immortality, he must stay awake for one week. Even though Utnapishtism knows Gilgamesh is unable to stay awake because Gilgamesh has not eaten the seven loaves of bread Utnapishtism's wife has made for him, Utnapishtism offers Gilgamesh an herb which would bring back his youth. But, the herb did Gilgamesh no good because it was stolen and eaten by a snake before it shed its skin.

The spiritual beliefs of the Sumerian people influenced all the near Eastern religions including Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. Yet, the Sumerians are not mentioned in any of the biblical, classical, or post-classical literature. The knowledge of their existence seemed to be wiped out not only historically, but from the memories of man until as recent as the 1800's. It is not hard to imagine this would be possible if a major flood covering a very large area did occur because most evidence would be lost in the waters. Survivors would be busy relocating with food and shelter becoming their main priorities. According to the Oera Linda Book, this is exactly what happened.

Description of Atlantis

Other evidence supporting the theory Atlantis was Mesopotamia can be found in Plato's description of the location of Atlantis:

This power came forth out of the Atlantic Ocean, for in those days the Atlantic was navigable; and there was an island situated in front of the straits which are by you called the Pillars of Heracles; the island was larger than Libya and Asia put together, and was the way to other islands, and from these you might pass to the whole of the opposite continent which surrounded the true ocean; for this sea which is within the Straits of Heracles is only a harbor, having a narrow entrance, but that other is a real sea, and the surrounding land may be most truly called a boundless continent.

While they have had no success, researchers and scientists have tried to find the Island of Atlantis in various places throughout the world. It is one of the most common beliefs Atlantis was an island located in the Atlantic Ocean. However, when considering the beliefs of the time, it is very possible the Atlantic Ocean Plato is talking about is actually the Indian Ocean.

Historically, people believed one ocean surrounded the continents of Europe, Africa, and Asia. They named this ocean the Atlantic. According to the Oera Linda Book, long before the construction of the Erie Canal, it was possible to access the Red Sea from the Mediterranean Sea. Taking this route, the Arabian Peninsula would have appeared to be a large island, perhaps larger than Libya and what was considered to be Asia at the time. On the Far East side of the Arabian Peninsula, the Gulf of Oman leads to the Strait of Hormuz and into the Persian Gulf containing many islands including Dilmun, which many believe is modern-day Bahrain. (See Figure 11)

(Figure 11, The Middle East)

Dilmun was revered as the original Sumerian paradise and the home of the gods.

The sea with the narrow entrance Plato describes as being inside the Pillars of Hercules could have been the Red Sea if the Pillars were the Strait of Hormuz. The "real sea" Plato refers to would be the Arabian Sea, and the boundless continent surrounding this sea could be what is today called Asia. It is interesting to note, the name Aesir means 'pillar' and an early explanation of the name claimed they were "Asia-men", meaning they were 'men from Asia'.

Much of the actual description of the surrounding areas of Atlantis matches Mesopotamia including size when the fact the width between the Tigris and the Euphrates Rivers has varied because channels have shifted throughout time is taken into consideration. In the Norse tradition, the final battlefield Vigrid where Ragnarok is to take place, is said to be 120 leagues in every direction. This would make the area of the plain around 360 miles long and 360 miles wide which would fit into the area of Mesopotamia because the lengths of the Tigris and Euphrates have also changed due to the formation of river deltas. Sargon's city of Akkad (Agade), like the city of Atlantis, has never been found.

While Plato refers to Atlantis as an island, the word 'island' comes from Proto-Indo-European (PIE) akwa simply meaning 'water' and land meaning 'land'. The word ealand was an Old English cognate (from the same original word or root) to the word island. Ealand meant 'river-land', 'a watered place', and a 'meadow by a river'. The name Mesopotamia itself is a Greek word meaning 'between rivers'. The Oera Linda Book makes reference to Marseilles in France as once belonging to the Frisians. What is interesting about the reference is Marseilles is also identified as "an island" indicating its meaning may have been associated with ports as well.

In the myths of South and Central Asia, it is believed Lake Chi Gyatso contains four worlds. Each world is described like "an island" having its own unique inhabitants. Furthermore, several Northeastern woodland tribes in North America refer to the continent as "Turtle Island" strongly indicating the term 'island' meant something very different in ancient times than it does in modern times.

Flood Evidence

After the flood, new harbors were made, citadels rebuilt, and various people settled and reclaimed lost lands. Historically, changes did occur throughout Europe and the Mediterranean regions around this time period. The construction of megalithic stone circles and circular earth structures called henges in Northwest Europe began during the later Neolithic and the early Bronze Age. Some of the circles have astrological alignments or form parts of complex ritual landscapes, but their exact functions are not known. The Oera Linda claims when Atland sunk, there was substantial damage on the shores of the Mediterranean. By looking at the history of two highly excavated cities, Troy and Jericho, evidence does exist the areas around the Mediterranean underwent changes during this period.

Somewhere around the early Bronze Age 2300 – 2200 B.C.E., Jericho was destroyed along with Ai, the largest town in the area at that time. From Jerusalem to Nablus to Jenin, villages and towns were abandoned. Crops were not grown and only a few shepherds remained. Then somewhere around 2000 B.C.E., descendants of the shepherds rebuilt the town, this time with extra thick walls. Precautions were taken within the town to protect it from flooding as well. This parallels Plato in Timaeus as he describes how the gods purged the earth with a deluge, and the only survivors were the shepherds and herdsmen who lived in the mountains.

Another area experiencing changes at this time was Anatolia. According to excavation results at the site now believed to be Homer's Troy, Troy III was destroyed in approximately 2150 B.C.E. While it is not known what caused the change between Troy III and Troy IV, it is believed it was the same people occupying each city. However, Troy IV was built with a large wall surrounding it.

It was also approximately 2150 B.C.E. when a period of low Nile floods began, causing famine and the eventual collapse of the Old Kingdom in Egypt. During this period, the first ziggurats were built at Ur, Eridu, Uruk, and Nipper. The ziggurats may have been used to preserve records. According to the Oera Linda Book, after the flood Fasta was instructed to preserve Frya's text by building a new citadel of stone and writing the text on the walls.

The devastation recorded in the Oera Linda included fires, volcanoes, earthquakes, and floods:

During three years this continued, but at length it ceased, and forests became visible. Many countries were submerged, and in other places land rose above the sea, and the wood was destroyed through the half of Twiskland (Germany). Troops of Finda's people came and settled in the empty places. Our dispersed people were exterminated or made slaves. Then watchfulness was doubly impressed upon us, and time taught us that union is force.

The time frame of three years parallels the Norse Poetic Edda where it describes the final fall of the gods as, "doom will come when three winters see no summer".

While the reign of Shar-Kali-Sharri lasted from 2217 - 2193 B.C.E., there were four Babylonian kings during the next three years. This may indicate it was a time of great turbulence and chaos. The Oera Linda Book describes how the three years were followed by one to two hundred years of bad times when total reconstruction of society was necessary. This time period is comparable to Mesopotamia's "dark period" before the rise of the Ur III dynasty around 2100 B.C.E. An additional piece of Sumerian literature supporting a flood within this time period is called the Cursing of Agade (Akkad).

The Cursing of Agade

The Cursing of Agade tells the story of how Sargon's grandson Naram-Suen angers the God Enlil when Naram-Suen destroys Enlil's temple at Nipper. Enlil and the other gods bring many punishments to the city of Agade including war and famine. Finally, Enlil creates a flood entirely destroying Agade. Because it is believed Agade was not destroyed during the time of Naram-Suen, historians discredit this text. While other historical evidence concludes a disaster like the one in the Cursing of Agade did not occur in the time of Naram-Suen, the manuscript itself does not state the flood occurred in Naram-Suen's time. Furthermore, Naram-Suen's name is not mentioned any time after the composition begins to describe the flood.

The early Norse poets used a writing technique called parataxis where events are recorded irrelevant to time. When analyzing Sumerian texts, this style is also evident. For example, in the Cursing of Agade events are listed, but the amount of time between the events is not. Many hardships took place before the flood which could have extended long after Naram-Suen's reign. These hardships could have ended with Shar-Kali-Sharri some 25 years later in 2193 B.C.E., the same year as the sinking of Atland.

Atrahasis is another ancient composition about a deluge. The hero and survivor of this flood story is a man named Atrahasis meaning 'exceedingly wise'. Atrahasis is believed to be the predecessor to Utnapishtism in the Epic of Gilgamesh. This composition not only claims the gods caused the flood, it describes how man was created to dig out the irrigation canals and labor in the fields, so the gods could be free and would not have to do the work themselves. Mesopotamia was divided into city states with boundaries identified by canals. Since these canals were used to flood the fields, it would have been quite easy for the gods to flood the cities as well.

Tunis and Inka

The story of Tunis and Inka in the Oera Linda Book discusses Inka's desire to return to the sunken Atland. Around 2000 B.C.E., Tunis and Inka returned to the Mediterranean after Wodin's disappearance. The men separated and Tunis ended up at Tyre, but Inka decided to return to Atland to see if anything remained of it because he was tired of Finda's people. The Oera Linda states Atland had not been inhabited since the flood which would not be the case if Inka was returning to Mesopotamia. However, it is possible Inka may have been returning to the city of Atland, and like the city of Atlantis and Agade, would not have been inhabited since the flood because neither has been found. While the Oera Linda Book does not mention a city named Atland, if these stories are based on each other, it is likely the city existed. Since the Ur III Dynasty fell in 2004 B.C.E. to the Elamites, Finda's people would not have been in control of Mesopotamia at the time Inka returned in 2000 B.C.E.

The Question of Time

There are many similarities between Atlantis and the Fertile Crescent including laws, round citadels, and political systems. Plato also gives a detailed description of extreme land depletion, the same thing which happened in the Mesopotamia area because of the switch to agriculture. Nevertheless, there is one major inconsistency - time. Plato claims the deluge destroying Atlantis took place 9,000 years before he was telling the story or in approximately 9595 B.C.E. The fall of the empire of Sargon and the Oera Linda flood destroying Atland occurred in 2193 B.C.E. The most conceivable reason for the variation in time is the date written by Plato is using a numbering system different than the one presumed.

In the King List and the Old Testament of the Hebrew Bible, people lived much longer than what is known to be possible. Even Abraham's wife Sarah is said to have been in her nineties when she got pregnant. Since it is probably safe to assume a woman could not get pregnant at this age, and people did not live for thousands of years as stated in the King List and the Bible, it is plausible when the story of Atlantis was being told, another numbering system was used resulting in exaggerated dates. Additional support for the theory the measurement of time changed is found in the Oera Linda Book because everything is dated from the flood in 2193 B.C.E. This is called epoch (reference point from which time is measured) dating and is based upon important events such as the birth of Christ. Although the years before an epoch date are measured as negative such as B.C.E. (Before Common Era), the Oera Linda Book claims time was not measured before the flood.

Another possibility which could explain the difference between the dates of the flood can be found in the word year. While it is generally believed a year is a time period lasting twelve months, in its earlier use a year was also the word used to represent a 'season'. This means what is now counted as one year could have been counted as four years at one time. It would also mean when Plato maintains the war started 9,000 years earlier, what Plato is really saying is the war started approximately 2,250 years ago.

Considering Plato wrote in 360 B.C.E., it would make the estimated time for the beginning of the war 2610 B.C.E. However, by using the number 9,000, Plato was most likely rounding and using an approximation of the true number. As a result, the number 9,000 could be used to indicate a time period corresponding to the rise of the King Sargon dynasty between 2400 – 2300 B.C.E.

Location and Elevation

The cosmology of Norse mythology has nine levels or worlds connected by Yggdrasil, the World Tree.

(Figure 12, The World Tree)

The nine worlds of the Norse are comparable to the Mediterranean and Mesopotamian regions when it is taken into consideration the Norse "levels" of the nine worlds could be referring to elevation. In the Norse tradition, Odin divided up the worlds and determined who was in charge of each. The upper level was the home of the gods. It contained Vanaheim; land of the Vanir, Asgard; world of the Aesir, and Alfheim; land of the light elves. According to the Prose Edda, the stronghold of the Aesir was Troy placing their domain in present day Turkey. The Vanir were located near the Don River. The light elves were located to the east of Turkey, most likely in the steeps above Mesopotamia. When elevation is considered, these areas are the highest.

The next level under the home of the gods contained Nidavellir; land of the dwarfs, Midgard; the middle world and home of man, Jotunheim; land of the giants, and Svartalfheim; land of the dark elves. In Sumerian, the land of man is found in Mesopotamia, and Plato describes the mortals as being in the hills to the west of Atlantis which corresponds to the land of the giants. In the Norse tradition, a rainbow bridge named Bifrost meaning 'Trembling Roadway' connected the upper level and the middle level. It is also possible Bifrost was a bridge spanning across the Euphrates separating Asgard from Midgard.

The lower level of the Norse Worlds contained Hel and Niflheim. Hel was the realm of the dead, and Niflheim was the world of the dead. In some traditions, Hel and Niflheim are two different names for the same place. As a result, Muspell meaning the 'land of fire' is sometimes considered the ninth world. Niflheim is described as being a nine days ride northwards and downwards from Midgard. The citadel of Niflheim was also called Hel. Again, when elevation is considered, the lower elevation points in the Middle East are found in Jordon and Egypt.

Historically, Egypt was known as the land of the dead paralleling Muspell. Jericho is renowned as the city located at the lowest elevation point in the world and could very well be the underworld or Niflheim. If this is the case, it would make sense why Plato's description of Niflheim was northwards and downwards from Midgard. Early trade routes show people did go northwards, then downwards when traveling from the Mesopotamia region to Jericho in order to avoid the desert. In Norse mythology, Odin banished Hel to the underworld when he found out Hel and Loki's other children were to be the cause of the doom of the gods. In addition to their physical locations and destruction myths, there are similar parallels in the creation myths between the Sumerians and Norse beliefs.

Creation Stories

The Norse creation myth claims in the beginning there was Ginnungagap or a "yawning emptiness" existing between the realms of fire and cold. During creation, the warm southern air mixed with the cold northern air and began melting the ice of Ginnungagap. From the drops of the melting ice, Ymir or Augelmir, the first living creature, was formed along with Audhumla, the primeval cow. Ymir is the father and mother of the frost giants. By licking the ice, Audhumla uncovered Buri, the ancestors of the gods. Buri's son Bor married the frost giant Bestla who was the daughter of Bolthor, a name likely cognate with Bergelmir. Bor and Bestla had three sons: Odin, Villi, and Ve. (See Figure 13)

(Figure 13, The Norse Gods and Giants)

Due to Ymir's brutality, the sons of Bor were enemies of Ymir. Eventually they slew Ymir and took the corpse to the center of Ginnungagap where they turned the body into Midgard, the world of men. Odin drowned the rest of the frost giants in the blood of Ymir except for Bergelmir and his wife who escaped by sailing away on a hollowed tree trunk. After making the world, the three brothers made man and woman from wood. Odin breathed the spirit of life into the man and woman while Vili gave them intelligence and emotion. Ve contributed by giving the man and woman the ability to see and hear.

The Norse creation myth of how the warm winds from the south mingled with the cold winds from the north parallels the scientific creation of Mesopotamia. The fertile lands of Mesopotamia came into existence when the warm air of the south mixed with the cold air of the north, thus melting the ice and ending the last ice age. In the Norse myth, Ginnungagap lay between these two realms. The Norse creation myth is comparable to the Sumerian creation myth of how the heavens (An) and the earth (Ki) were split by Enlil or the "atmosphere between the two" paralleling the "yawning emptiness".

Enlil is traditionally revered as "lord of the wind" and was the supreme ruler over the humans. Before humans were created, Enlil oversaw the gods in their goal of digging out the beds of the Tigris and Euphrates, so permanent settlements and canals could be built. Enlil, along with An (Anu) and Ki (Ninhursaga), make up the main triad of Sumerian deities. The God Enlil corresponds to the Babylonian Marduk who created the world by the dismemberment of Tiamat, the world serpent. This is analogous to the Norse creation myth occurring by the dismemberment of Ymir by Odin and his brothers. Furthermore, the dismemberment of Ymir and Tiamat is likely analogous to the division of the earth to accommodate fields and grazing lands for livestock.

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Chapter Three: Our Daily Bread

Civilization, as it is currently defined, began in the Middle East largely because of agriculture. The Oera Linda Book claims agriculture came about because of the jealousy of the kings and priests who wanted to become the "feeders of the folk" instead of the earth (Irtha) and Wralda. Early texts and manuscripts from various traditions indicate agriculture came about because of the production of mead, a mixture of beer and honey. Moreover, many of the ancient texts claim the gods became gods because of alcohol.

The gods drank a mixture of beer and honey, yet the workers or humans mixed their beer with date juice. Although fresh dates contain Vitamin C, dried dates have very little. Honey is a poor source of Vitamin C as well. From descriptions in early texts, there is evidence to suggest the change in diet made people very sick with many suffering from scurvy. Apples were important, and without them, even the gods became ill.

Similar to the Norse creation myth, many traditions associate gods and goddesses with bulls and cows. It is possible this association came about because of the need for supplemental milk to feed babies and young children due to their parent's consumption of mead. Many ancient texts indicate mead became the staple food including the Prose Edda which states Odin, the "father-of-armies himself lives always only on wine". Later, Odin changes his mind and rejects alcohol claiming it has left humanity in a state of ignorance. According to the Gnostic text the Gospel of Thomas \- so does Jesus Christ.

Civilization also gave birth to rules and laws replacing earlier customs and traditions. Many of these early laws were concerned with alcohol production and distribution. Laws were also a means of social control. They came from the divine and disobeying God had serious consequences. The Oera Linda Book claims laws came from the Frisian people based on Frya's advice and there are many parallels between their rules and regulations and Moses and his Ten Commandments.

Birth of the Gods

For 99.9% of man's existence, life was sustained by hunting and gathering. Mother Earth was the provider of food. Land and water were not owned. Men and women went hunting, fishing, and gathered roots and berries. Daily activities included weaving, carving, sewing, making pottery, gardening, traveling, singing, dancing, and socializing with family and friends. People helped each other out, but no one worked for anyone else. Everyone was equal. Everyone shared.

Then about five thousand years ago, something happened to change the way people thought and lived. Farming techniques were developed; and plants, animals, and women were domesticated. Agriculture was created, and now man became the provider of food. This is the time of the birth of the gods and the building of cities and temples. This is also the time of the creation of humans to serve the gods. Former matriarchal societies became patriarchal societies. Former daily activities evolved into leisure activities, and people now spent their days laboring for someone else for a wage and paying taxes. Like the story of Atlantis, many mythologies reflect this change.

The All-Feeders

The Oera Linda Book describes how the folk-mothers and the maidens were rejected and replaced by the priests and kings. In the letter of Rika the Oldmaid added by Beden, it explains the reasoning behind this overthrow was directly related to agriculture. Rika writes:

You know, or you do not know, how many titles Wralda has; but you all know that he is named universal provider, because that everything comes and proceeds from him for the sustenance of his creatures. It is true that Irtha is named sometimes the feeder of all, because she brings forth all the fruits and grains on which men and beasts are fed; but she would not bear any fruit or grain unless Wralda gave her the power. Women who nourish their children at their breasts are called nurses, but if Wralda did not give them milk the children would find no advantage; so that, in short, Wralda really is the nourisher. That Irtha should be called the universal nourisher, and that a mother should be called a feeder, one can understand, figuratively speaking; but that a father should be called a feeder, because he is a father, goes against all reason. Now I know whence all this folly comes. Listen to me. It comes from our enemies; and if this is followed up you will become slaves, to the sorrow of Frya and to the punishment of your pride. I will tell you what happened to the slave people; from that you may take warning. The foreign kings, who follow their own will, place Wralda below the crown. From envy that Wralda is called the universal father, they wish also to be called fathers of the people. Now, everybody knows that kings do not regulate the productiveness of the earth; and that they have their sustenance by means of the people, but still they will persist in their arrogance.

Rika also explains how the arrogance of the foreign kings eventually leads to forgetfulness, especially when it comes to consequences:

You all fancy that you are the better for this name-stealing, but you forget that jealousy clings to it, and that every wrong sows the seed of its own rod. If you do not alter your course, in time it will grow so strong that you cannot see what will be the end. Your descendants will be flogged by it, and will not know whence the stripes come. But although you do not build citadels for the maidens and leave them to their fate, there will still remain some who will come out of woods and caves, and will prove to your descendants that you have by your disorderliness been the cause of it. Then you will be damned. Your ghosts will rise frightened out of their graves. They will call upon Wralda, Frya, and her maidens, but they shall receive no succour before the Juul shall enter upon a new circuit, and that will only be three thousand years after this century.

Since Rika was addressing the people who came with Friso, the letter dates from around 320 B.C.E.

Civilization and Alcohol

Civilization began in the Middle East largely because of agriculture. Sumerian and Norse myths both link creation with agriculture as well. It also seems apparent from the earliest Sumerian and Egyptian writings, agriculture was developed for the purpose of making mead, beer mixed with honey. For the ancient Egyptians, beer became the staple food consumed by all people regardless of class. It was also used for currency; the slaves, priests, and traders were all paid daily with beer. At that time, it took six days to produce the alcohol; consequently, on the seventh day the slaves were released from their duties, so they could stay home, rest, and drink beer the entire day.

The Indo-European culture was historically revered for spreading both farming and brewing techniques. In addition to becoming the ones responsible for feeding mankind, the kings and priests were concerned with social control through the use of laws. Many of the early laws had to do with the production and distribution of alcohol.

Alcohol and God

Ancient texts describe how early civilizations believed mead was supernatural and connected to the divine because of its mood-altering properties. It was believed mead was in a sense "god", and it is because of this association, alcohol is often referred to as "spirits". The Epic of Gilgamesh describes the evolution from primitive man to cultured man as being directly connected to beer and how much one could drink:

Enkidu knew not what bread was nor how one ate it. He had also not learned to drink beer. The (prostitute) opened her mouth and spoke to Enkidu: "Eat the bread now, O Enkidu, as it belongs to life. Drink also beer, as it is the custom of the land." Enkidu drank seven cups of beer and his heart soared. In this condition he washed himself and became a human being.

As pointed out in the Epic of Gilgamesh, bread played an important role in civilizing man. Bread may have also played an important role in the process of "turning water into wine". In ancient times, bread contained all the ingredients needed for brewing beer. Early pictograms illustrate baked bread being crumbled into water making mash, an intoxicating drink making the people feel joyful and bliss.

The first known beer recipe identifying the usage of bread is coded within the Hymn to Ninkasi. Versions of this poem believed to be at least 3,800 years old, have been found on clay tablets, scrolls, seals, and cave walls in various places including Mesopotamia, Cairo, and China. Interestingly, a line in the poem translated as, "you are the one who spreads the roasted malt on a large mat (to cool)," by Miguel Civil was translated by J. D. Prince as, "thou real producer of the lightning, exalted functionary, might one". Since early texts were not written in neat lines with every sign in the appropriate order, the correct order to read the signs is thus a matter of interpretation, and both translations can be correct.

The Mead of Inspiration

Northern European mythology also defines the connection between the gods and beer. In the days of Odin, the gods were subject to fate just like man. The gods' rights as gods came from their consumption of the magic mead. This mead was a mystical beverage inspiring whoever drank it. When the Vanir and Aesir made their peace treaty, they spit in a jar to seal the agreement. From the spit, the gods created a very wise man named Kvasir. Two dwarfs named Fjalar and Galar killed Kvasir in order to gain his magical powers. The brothers then mixed Kvasir's blood with honey in a cauldron making mead. The brothers lost the drink to a frost giant named Suttung. It eventually came into Odin's possession after Odin took the mead from Suttung's daughter Gunnlod. Interestingly, saliva is like yeast and causes fermentation.

Like saliva, honey can also ferment. As honey is being produced, it is stored in the honeycomb. The bees fan their wings in order to create an air flow across the honeycomb. Without this step, the sugars in the nectar would ferment because of its high water contents as well as natural yeasts.

Christ's Thorn

Honey is also associated with the Promised Land sometimes described as the "land of milk and honey". The Promised Land of Canaan was the destination of the people fleeing slavery in the Hebrew Bible. A species of Lotus Ziziphus spina-christi, also known as "Christ's thorn", is the characteristic vegetation of Jericho. It is believed the crown of Christ was woven from the branches of one of these trees. This tree is recognized as the most important of all for producing honey in this area and could have been the main source of the honey needed to make mead.

Apple Symbolism

Remains of apples have also been found in excavations of Jericho dating back to 6,500 B.C.E. Apples are symbols of eternal life and important to many mythologies including the Hebrew story of Eve, the woman accused of causing the fall of man. In Norse mythology, Frey's messenger Skirnir offers Gerd eleven golden apples in exchange for marrying Frey. Apples are also the main theme found in the Norse story of Idun, also recognized as Indunnar or Iduna.

Idun is the wife of Bragi, son of Odin and Suttung's daughter Gunnlod. Bragi is considered the god of poetry and eloquence. Idun has many similarities to Freya; in some myths, they are considered the same deity. Idun has a box of apples needed by the gods when they become old, so the gods can become young again. Without the apples, the gods become frail with bleaty eyes and loose skin. Their minds become weak, and they become afraid of death.

These symptoms are comparable to those of scurvy including tiredness, weakness, bleeding symptoms, and bruising. In the later stages, the flesh becomes gangrenous, and the skin will spontaneously hemorrhage. Left untreated, scurvy will lead to death. Although this rarely happens in modern times, scurvy was a major cause of death among sailors in ancient times. Scurvy first developed in humans at the time when agriculture was discovered. The underlying conditions causing scurvy include an inadequate diet because of a lack of Vitamin C found in citrus fruits, and alcoholism.

Historically, King Sargon was known as the Date King. While the gods mixed their alcohol with honey to make mead, the poor people and workers mixed theirs with date juice. Fresh dates are an excellent source of Vitamin C; however, most of the Vitamin is lost during the drying process. Like dried dates, honey is not a good source of Vitamin C with a serving containing about 1% of the daily recommended amount. Consequently, fruit would have been an essential food necessary to sustain life. While Jericho was able to grow fruit year round, it was surrounded by desert. Because it became a major trading center and was permanently settled, the demand for fruit would have far exceeded the supply very quickly.

Apples of Hel

Scholars believe apples may have once been recognized as the fruit of the dead as referenced by the phrase, "Apples of Hel" used in an 11th century poem by the Skald Thorbiorn Brunarson. Although scholars are confused about this phrase and find it strange, it is possible the phrase is referring to Nehelenna or Frya. In many of the votive altars of Nehelenna and the Matres, the figures were holding baskets of apples. Since the folk-mothers were healers, it is logical the apples were a symbol of their positions, especially when scurvy is considered.

The Linden Tree

The folk-mothers were associated with the linden tree as well, as apparent in the family name Oera Linda translating as 'over the linden trees'. The linden tree, also known as the lime tree, is from the genus Tilia with about thirty species. Tilia species are large deciduous trees. They are also hermaphroditic with perfect flowers containing both stamens and carpels. The flowers, leaves, and wood from the linden are all used for medical purposes.

Customarily the linden tree was called the mystical tree of life and the tree of health. It has heart-shaped leaves and a sweet smell. In earlier times, a linden tree was planted in the center of a town. The tree became a place for social gatherings. The linden tree was also used to make shields; in Norse folklore, sword fights were often described as "linden play".

The linden tree was important to Frya as well. A folk-mother by the name of Trast tells a story about the birth of Frya. According to Trast:

When Frya was born, our mother stood naked and bare, unprotected from the rays of the sun. She could ask no one, and there was no one who could give her any help. Then Wralda wrought in her conscience inclination and love, anxiety and fright. She looked round her, and her inclination chose the best. She sought a hiding-place under the sheltering lime-trees [Linden trees], but the rain came, and the difficulty was that she got wet. She had seen how the water ran down the pendent leaves; so she made a roof of leaves fastened with sticks, but the wind blew the rain under it. She observed that the stem would afford protection. She then built a wall of sods, first on one side, and then all round. The wind grew stronger and blew away the roof, but she made no complaint of Wralda. She made a roof of rushes, and put stones upon it. Having found how hard it is to toil alone, she showed her children how and why she had done it. They acted and thought as she did. This is the way in which we became possessed of houses and porches, a street, and lime-trees to protect us from the rays of the sun. At last we have built a citadel, and all the rest.

This story could be describing Frya's arrival in Greece after the division of the three sisters. The sap from the linden tree is often described as excessive, literally dripping from the branches coating everything beneath with a layer of syrup or "honeydew". When describing Frya, the Oera Linda Book claims, "Her food was honey and her drink was dew gathered in the bosoms of the blooms."

The linden tree is also called the American Basswood. The White Basswood in Russia, China, and the central Eastern European countries including Greece are referred to as "bee trees". The linden tree produces honey used for colds, sore throats, liver and gallbladder problems, and inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract. It is used externally for festering sores, eczema, and burns as well. As a result, honey from the linden tree is one of the most valuable varieties and used as a medicine.

The flowers from the linden tree are used as an herbal remedy for colds, flu, coughs, inflammation and fevers. They are also used as a sedative and are beneficial in treating anxiety, nervous tension, depression, and insomnia. The wood from the linden is used to treat liver and gallbladder diseases.

There is also some evidence the flowers of the linden tree may be hepatoprotective (able to protect the liver), something that would have been very helpful to early healers such as the folk-mothers. In addition to linden trees, apples, and honey, milk would have been crucial to a culture where the staple food was becoming an alcoholic drink.

Cow Symbolism

When taken into account what is known today about fetal alcohol syndrome and other birth defects resulting from pregnant women drinking, it is reasonable cow's milk was not only a necessity, but so important civilization could not have continued to develop without it. Perhaps this is why the early creation stories were based on cows as well as various goddesses being associated with cows. The first evidence of dairy farming dates from at least 6,000 years ago. The world's first cities and states developed in Mesopotamia during the Uruk period between 4300 - 3100 B.C.E. It was also during this period, priests emerged as rulers of cities. Many of the gods were associated with bulls including Gilgamesh and El of the Rock, the Canaanite God who was known as "Bull-El", representing fertility.

The cow was also important and a very powerful symbol in the Norse creation myth where the first living creature was nourished from a cow licking the ice. When the Mediterranean started to melt after the last ice age, the ice would have been salty around the sea, and animals would have been drawn to it. Salt is important because a deficiency of sodium or chloride in the diet of cows will ultimately decrease milk production.

The myth then explains how the cow continued to lick the ice until it eventually freed the gods. This may indicate the gods now had surplus milk they could exchange for labor, thus, freeing themselves from having to work. In the Norse myth, a cow fed the giants as it freed the gods indicating the giants had now become dependent on the gods for their food.

The Gods of Mount Meru

Bulls and cows are also very significant in India; the great Hindu god Shiva takes the form of a white bull. In Hinduism and Buddhism, the first gods were from Mount Meru also known as Sumeru. Mount Meru is a golden mountain standing in the center of the universe above seven lower worlds. Meru is the abode of the gods, and in the beginning, everyone was happy because pain and illnesses did not yet exist.

According to legends, the gods discovered a creamy substance lying on the surface of the earth and decided to eat it. The more the gods ate, the dimmer their lights became until they were extinguished completely. The world was dark and the gods became humans. When the creamy substance was gone, the humans had to eat fruit. But the fruit was limited, so they began to steal from one another.

Mimir's Well

Another Norse story describes how Odin had only one eye because he had to give up the other to drink from Mimir's well. Mimir's well was the fountain of mead, and it was believed one could gain wisdom if they drank from it. In another passage from the Poetic Edda, Odin seems to have changed his mind about beer:

If a man takes with him a mind full of sense he can carry nothing better; nothing is worse to carry on your way than a head heavy with beer. Beer isn't such a blessing to men as it's supposed to be; the more you swallow, the less you stay the master of your mind.

Gospel of Thomas

Another written source claiming humans are blind because of alcohol can be found in a gospel containing the words of Jesus Christ not included in the New Testament. In 1945, an earthenware jar was uncovered in a cave in Upper Egypt not far from the pyramids near Nag Hammadi by some camel drivers. The jar contained a collection of apocryphal Christian documents consisting of thirteen codices containing over fifty texts. Included in the collection was the Gospel of Thomas, a manuscript dictated by Jesus Christ to "doubting Thomas". The Jesus described in the Gospel of Thomas is not the messiah, but a great teacher and social radical instead. This Jesus rejects the business world and its values. He also claims we can return to the light if we are willing to return to a simpler life.

Although most of the texts found at Nag Hammadi were damaged to some extent, the Gospel of Thomas was not because it was written on the finest papaya used only for the most highly valued books. This would suggest the book was popular and widely read in its time. While the Gospel of Thomas contained many sayings found in the four gospels of the New Testament, it was not accepted by the Church. The Church rejected this text because it went against the Church's current teachings salvation is open to anyone who accepts Christ as their savior because Christ suffered and died on the cross.

The Lost Gospel Q

Over one third of the sayings in the Gospel of Thomas are similar to those of Gospel Q, an early Christian collection of the sayings of Jesus believed to be older than all of the surviving gospels. The basis for Gospel Q or the "Q hypotheses" as it is commonly called, is a large amount of similar material found in both Matthew and Luke but not in Mark. Most scholars do not believe either the author of Matthew or the author of Luke knew the other's gospel; therefore, material must have come from an earlier written source to which they both had access. Over time, this source became known as the Lost Gospel Q. The Lost Gospel Q theory brings into question the possibility Jesus was teaching and explaining someone else's texts. This could also explain why Jesus did not write his own texts even though he was a great scholar. It is written in the Gospel of Thomas:

I Stood In The Midst of the world and appeared to them in the flesh. I found all of them drunk, but I did not find any of them thirsty. My soul ached for humanity's children because they are blind in their hearts. They do not see that they came empty into the world; and they seek to go empty out of the world. Now they are drunk. When they have shaken off their wine, then they will repent.

While this gospel has been credited to "doubting Thomas", the real author still remains a mystery. However, in the Gospel of Thomas, the introductory line refers to "Didymos Judas Thomas". Thomas is the Semitic word for 'twin', and Didymos is the Greek word for 'twin'.

The Gospel of Philip

The Gospel of Philip is another Gnostic text found in the cave near Nag Hammadi in 1945. While the Gospel of Thomas consists of spiritual sayings, this Gospel is a collection of Gnostic teachings. According to Philip:

The world came about through a mistake. For he who created it wanted to create it imperishable and immortal. He fell short of attaining his desire. For the world never was imperishable, nor, for that matter, was he who made the world. For things are not imperishable, but sons are. Nothing will be able to receive imperishability if it does not first become a son.

The Gospel of Philip was bound in the same codex as the Gospel of Thomas. A large part of this text addresses the issues of the origin and true nature of mankind. It also addresses the sacraments of baptism, anointing, and marriage. Moreover, the Gospel of Philip claims Mary Magdalene was the consort of Jesus. While some scholars have interpreted this relationship to be a marriage, the meanings of consort include 'partner', 'comrade', 'wife', 'brother' and 'sister'. It comes from consors meaning 'sharing' and 'partner'. There is also evidence to suggest the word meant sharing knowledge in order 'to make harmony' and is associated with the word twin.

Social Mythology

There are two types of mythologies, one connecting people to their own nature and the natural world, and one which is strictly sociological linking a person to a particular society. The two mythologies parallel matriarchal and patriarchal societies, the mother representing love, and the father representing discipline. The people found in the Hebrew Bible belonged to a socially oriented mythology where nature is condemned. This transition occurred with early civilizations and the agricultural age. Previous customs and traditions were replaced with law and order. Social laws were infused with divine authority, and disobeying God had serious consequences. While the Hebrew Bible claims Moses received these laws from God, there are many similarities between the Laws of Moses and Frya's Rules and the Frisian's Laws.

Laws of Moses and Frisian Rules and Regulations

In rabbinic customs, the Ten Commandments are divided into two categories, what is owed to God and ethical or moral commandments. Lutherans and Catholics believe these are separated as the first three and last seven, and Greeks and Reformed Christians believe it is four and six. The first four commandments have obvious parallels to Frya's instructions in the Oera Linda; although, this is not the case with the rest which come from different sections within the book.

According to the New English Bible, the first commandment forbids acknowledgment of any other gods. This parallels Frya's first piece of advice giving permission to call upon the ghost of Wralda in times of need, but not before all other things have been tried first. Frya explains:

When in dire distress, and when mental and physical energy avail nothing, then have recourse to the spirit of Wralda; but do not appeal to him before you have tried all other means, for I tell you beforehand, and time will prove its truth, that those who give way to discouragement sink under their burdens.

The second commandment forbids making carved images of false gods and the worship of such. Frya's second word of advice says almost the identical thing:

To Wralda's spirit only shall you bend the knee in gratitude—thricefold—for what you have received, for what you do receive, and for the hope of aid in time of need.

The third commandment prohibits misusing the name of the Lord. The third rule of Frya is not about misusing the name, but about helping others so your name will not be removed from Frya's book. According to the Oera Linda:

You have seen how speedily I have come to your assistance. Do likewise to your neighbour, but wait not for his entreaties. The suffering would curse you, my maidens would erase your name from the book, and I would regard you as a stranger.

The fourth commandment is about remembering to keep the Sabbath day holy. Reserving a specific day for a specific meaning is also stated in the Oera Linda. On Friday or Frya's day, the people were not suppose to do anything except celebrate with joyful feasts. Moreover, the book claims:

Anything that any man commences, whatever it may be, on the day appointed for Frya's worship shall eternally fail, for time has proved that she was right; and it is become a law that no man shall, except from absolute necessity, keep that day otherwise than as a joyful feast.

Although this is not part of Frya's instructions, this statement was written by the Folk-Mother Fasta and immediately follows Frya's advice. If Frya's instructions are the source of the Laws of Moses, this might explain the difference in the separation of the laws among the denominations.

The fifth commandment honoring your father and your mother does not seem to have an equivalent in the Oera Linda because the book does not mention the father. However, Wralda was originally recognized as both Father and Mother and could be who is actually being referenced in the fifth commandment. The sixth commandment forbidding murder also corresponds to the rules and regulations found in the Oera Linda stating if someone kills a Frisian, he must pay with his life:

If a man is so wicked as to kill a Frisian, he must forfeit his own life; but if the Burgtmaagd [Burgh maiden] can send him to the tin mines for his life before he is taken, she may do so.

The seventh commandment does not have an equivalent because the Oera Linda Book does not address the issue of adultery. Since all laws had to fall under three principles, one of which forbids the prohibiting of sex, it is highly unlikely adultery laws existed.

The remaining three commandments are comparable to laws, rules, and regulations in the Oera Linda Book. The issue of stealing is addressed in the laws belonging to the burghs:

Any one who commits a theft shall restore it threefold. For a second offence he shall be sent to the tin mines. The person robbed may forgive him if he pleases, but for a third offence no one shall protect him.

The ninth commandment forbidding giving false evidence against your neighbor is addressed in the rules and regulations the Frisians endorsed in order to remain secure:

If the affair concerns only one district, he must bring forward not less than three witnesses; but if it affects the whole of Friesland, he must have twenty-one additional witnesses, in order to guard against any deceptions.

The tenth commandment forbids coveting your neighbor's house, or anything belonging to him. Similar to this, the rules and regulations maintain anyone who burns down another's house out of envy must be thrown on the fire themselves.

The Hebrews did not codify their laws in the form of the Ten Commandments until they adopted alphabetic writing supporting the theory the Ten Commandments were based on the Frisian's laws and customs. It was also at this time, the Hebrews first introduced monotheism and the notion of a prime mover or first cause.

The Testimony of Truth

The Gnostic text Testimony of Truth is included in the Nag Hammadi collection. This text was damaged to the point it is very difficult to read or comprehend. Yet, it does explain the Law in the context of the Demiurge or false god:

For no one who is under the Law will be able to look up to the truth, for they will not be able to serve two masters. For the defilement of the Law is manifest; but undefilement belongs to the light. The Law commands (one) to take a husband (or) to take a wife, and to beget, to multiply like the sand of the sea. But passion, which is a delight to them, constrains the souls of those who are begotten in this place, those who defile and those who are defiled, in order that the Law might be fulfilled through them. And they show that they are assisting the world; and they turn away from the light, who are unable to pass by the archon of darkness until they pay the last penny.

The text also explains how many look for the truth but are unable to find it because they are looking through the lens of the pre-conceived beliefs of the Pharisees and the Scribes of the Law.

~~~~~

Chapter Four: The Symbols of the Alphabet

Currently scholars do not know what the symbols of the alphabet are based on. Moreover, efforts in symbolic interpretations of the letters have created ideas combining the domains of philosophy, religion, mysticism, and linguistics. There are also some who believe understanding the symbols will lead to knowledge of the divine. The Oera Linda Book maintains Frya designed the symbols for the alphabet based on a six-spoke wheel, the original symbol of Wralda, as a way to preserve their formation. The alphabet in the illustration of Frya's letters contains 32 symbols, and the alphabet used throughout the Oera Linda Book has 34 symbols, still highly recognizable because of their resemblance to the letters in the modern day alphabet.

Frya's illustrations include the invisible symbol of the wheel around each letter making it possible to create a system of identifying the formation of the symbols according to point and manner of articulation as the sounds of the letters are being made. Furthermore, the symbols correspond to the zodiac, moon phases, and the sun, all serving as a way to measure time. Not only is it possible to identify what the symbols of the alphabet were based on, many ancient texts exist validating the theory including Odin's descriptions of eighteen of the runes recorded in the Poetic Edda.

There is also strong evidence to suggest the ancients' knowledge of the cosmos and its formation was far more advanced than modern day scholars give them credit for. The symbol of the wheel used to create the alphabet provides evidence suggesting Wralda is the super massive black hole at the center of the Milky Way Galaxy, and the origins of monotheism as well. In addition, evidence exists suggesting the creation story found in the Hebrew Bible is actually the story of the creation of the alphabet and measuring time.

While the Oera Linda claims Frya developed the alphabet, the name Frya is a title meaning 'lady'. There is also significant evidence Frya's name was Hel, her descendants were surnamed Hellenia, and her followers were called the Hellenes. Furthermore, there is evidence suggesting Hel was a direct descendant of Bergelmir, the Norse equivalent to Noah. Since the name Bergelmir is possibly cognate with Herebeald, the earlier version of the returning Norse messiah known as Balder, it is also possible this name represents the bloodline of Christ. Moreover, ancient texts and the Oera Linda Book imply the man identified as Jesus Christ was Christ because he recognized his name and knew who his ancestors were.

The Infancy Gospel of Thomas

The manuscript Infancy Gospel of Thomas supports the theory Jesus was teaching someone else's text, namely Frya's. This text depicts the childhood of Jesus where his nature is portrayed as a prankster or a trickster. For example, there is a story about Jesus making birds out of clay, and then he brings the birds to life. Jesus also makes a child come back to life who dies after a fall from a roof. In some versions, it was Jesus who pushed the child from the roof.

The Infancy Gospel of Thomas includes a story of how a teacher named Zacchaeus overheard Jesus talking to Joseph and was amazed at the wisdom the little five-year-old boy possessed. The teacher then asked Joseph to bring Jesus to him so Zacchaeus could teach Jesus the alphabet. Although Joseph made it clear to Zacchaeus no one but God taught Jesus, Joseph still agreed to let Zacchaeus try to teach Jesus after Zacchaeus noted Jesus was unruly and learning the alphabet would do him good.

The next day, Jesus went to school. The teacher kept repeating the first letter to Jesus, but Jesus failed to respond. After the third attempt, Zacchaeus got mad and hit Jesus over the head. First, Jesus got over his anger. Then he looked at the teacher and said:

"Since you don't know the real nature of the letter alpha, how are you going to teach the letter beta? You impostor, if you know, teach me first the letter alpha and then I'll trust you with the letter beta".

Jesus then began to quiz the teacher about the first letter, but the teacher was unable to say anything. Then, while many were listening, Jesus told Zacchaeus:

"Listen, teacher, and observe the arrangement of the first letter: How it has two straight lines or strokes proceeding to a point in the middle, gathered together, elevated, dancing, three cornered, two cornered, not antagonistic, of the same family, providing the alpha has lines of equal measure".

Because the description of the alpha did not apply to Hebrew, Aramaic, Phoenician, or the Greek alphabet, religious scholars quit teaching this text in the churches around the 19th century. Unfortunately, the Oera Linda Book was not discovered until almost a century later; therefore, no one seemed to notice Jesus' description of the alpha was identical to the first letter of Frya's alphabet - also the alpha. (See Figure 14)

(Figure 14, The Alpha)

History of the Alphabet

It is currently believed the alphabet was invented somewhere between 1700 - 1500 B.C.E. by people who spoke a Semitic language. These people lived in the area linking the ancient civilizations of Mesopotamia and Egypt. Canaanite and Aramaic are two branches of the northwestern Semitic language group. Aramaic is the language spoken by Jesus Christ, and the Phoenicians belonged to the early Canaanites. The Phoenicians are credited with the stabilization and spread of the alphabet. When the Greeks adopted the alphabet from the Phoenicians, they made significant changes, and it went through a long period of localization before it was standardized. According to the Oera Linda Book, the Seaking Tunis may have brought the alphabet to the Phoenicians around 2000 B.C.E.

Historically, the Greeks are not only credited with the invention of literacy, but with establishing the basis of modern thought. As children, the skill of reading becomes an automatic reflex because once it is learned, you no longer have to think about it. Consequently, the alphabet changed the content of the human mind. Since its formation, schools were important and were depended upon to teach the alphabet.

The development of the alphabet actually revolutionized communication because the symbols could be used to convey the thoughts of any language. While the first writing systems used symbols to represent objects and ideas, the alphabet was developed by using symbols to represent sound. This phonetic principle is what sets the alphabet apart from all other writing systems. Since this system had the ability to translate any ordinary spoken language, it made cross translations possible.

The alphabet revolutionized literacy and was able to make information available to vast amounts of people from different cultures and languages. But, from the time when writing began, it has been controlled by specific groups of people. These groups of people were in most cases, associated with religion. This did not change as writing evolved and spread. As a result, the monastic communities and bishops controlled the illiterate world. While writing made information more widely available to vast amounts of people, writing vastly limited what information was being made available as well. This parallels the Oera Linda where the theme of a conspiracy between the church and state by controlling and manipulating language and knowledge was common throughout the book.

Structure

The alphabet is the most widespread writing system existing today. Currently, all languages are either written by using the alphabet or by using Chinese characters. Other writing systems existed in the past, but they have all disappeared through cultural changes. While there are many variations between alphabets, they share similar structural qualities, and they all consist of approximately 24 to 30 different symbols.

Cultures often changed the symbols for the letters when adopting the alphabet; yet, the order did not change. The reason the order did not change was for memorization purposes, as noted with the sing-song formation of our present day alphabet. It is also plausible the original alphabet from which all the others were based would not be in this sing-song order. Instead, the symbols would be in the order from which they were formed. The alphabet found in the Oera Linda Book is not in the sing-song order. (See Figure 3)

Drawing Sound

The current symbols of the alphabet have been in use for over three thousand years. Scholars have speculated about the origin of the symbols and what the symbols mean. Although academia deemed the Oera Linda Book a fraud over one hundred years ago, a close examination of the symbols in the alphabet found in the Oera Linda may help to discredit their conclusion. The Oera Linda claims Wralda, knowing deception would eventually take over, provided the proof in the characteristics of the symbols used to form the words.

One of the most notable characteristics about language is its consideration. When speaking, sounds are formed in different parts of the mouth. The process of making one sound after another involves the tongue constantly moving. As the tongue moves from one consonant to another, vowels are used in-between to make the transition, so language flows smoothly. As a result, vowels enable people to speak without stammering.

The Oera Linda Book claims Frya formed the symbols of the alphabet as a way to carry on the oral traditions of the matriarchal societies at a time when they were falling, and the patriarchs, or Finda's people, were on the rise. The patriarchs were gaining power through deception, something Frya loathed. Frya based her alphabet upon the six-spoke wheel, so the letters would always have to be made the same. By doing so, it was assured future generations would still be able to recognize them, the very reason they can still be understood today. While it is currently believed the symbols of the alphabet do not have sound, one way Frya could have based the symbols on the obvious is to actually draw sound.

The Consonants

By modern day standards, consonants are classified under two categories. The first is the place of articulation or where the sound is being made. The second is by the manner of articulation or how the sound is being made. In order to make the sounds of the consonants, eight different areas are used. These areas include the labial (bilabial, labiodental), the dental (interdental, alveolar, alveolopalata), the palatovelar (palatal, velar), and the glottal. The manner of articulation is classified as stops, fricatives, affricatives, nasals, liquids, and semivowels. Another consideration taken into account when classifying consonants is whether or not they are voiced.

In modern day charts, the letters P, B, and M are all classified as bilabial. They are bilabial because the location of the sound being made is the two lips. The letters P and B are classified as stops because in order to make their sounds, the flow of breath is being stopped at some point in the mouth before being released. While the P and the B are made in the same location, they differ because the P does not use any vibration of the vocal cords while the B does, resulting in a voiced sound.

By looking at the alphabet Frya developed, it is possible to see how the letters or symbols seem to be drawing the characteristics of the sounds according to their classifications. For example, the symbol Frya used to represent the B sound consists of a straight line down the center of the circle or the stop, and it incorporates both the top right pie and bottom right pie of the circle. The result is comparable to the visual profile of a mouth actually forming the letter B with the two pieces of the pie representing the two lips. (See Figure 15)

(Figure 15, Oera Linda B & P)

The B and the P are the first two consonants listed in Frya's alphabet. The P is very similar to the letter B with the only difference being the P does not incorporate the bottom right pie of the wheel. Linguistically, the only difference between the B and the P is the B is voiced, and the P is not. Or in other words, the sounds are being made in the same place and in the same way with the exception of the use of the vocal chords when making the B sound. So by removing the bottom pie as in the symbol for P, it is conceivable Frya was indicating this particular sound is not voiced.

The other letter classified as bilabial is the M. The M is made by closing the two lips, yet it differs from the P and the B because when the sound is being made, the air passage flowing through the mouth is blocked, and the sound is formed from air passing through the nasal passage instead. The other nasal letters are the N and the NG. The N is classified as an alveolar because the stop is at the gum line, and the NG is a palatovelar because the stop is either at the palate (the hard palatte of the roof of the mouth) or the velum (the soft palate of the roof of the mouth).

By observing the M in Frya's alphabet, it is apparent it looks almost identical to the B except the wheel has been turned, perhaps symbolizing the sound is coming from above or from the nasal passage, so the center line is now horizontal. (See Figure 16 on right)

(Figure 16, Oera Linda N, NG, & M)

The result is the letter B facing upward or the letter M. The M does not incorporate the center horizontal line because the M is not a stop. In Frya's alphabet, the other two nasals, N and NG, are located next to the M and are formed in the same location on the wheel as the M indicating they are nasal sounds as well.

While it is possible to see the connection between the real sounds and the symbols in Frya's alphabet, one symbol not matching its sound is the letter L. The L does not seem to fit because Frya's symbol indicates the tongue should be at the bottom of the mouth touching the back of the bottom teeth instead of behind the top teeth. (See Figure 17)

(Figure 17, Oera Linda L)

Even though the symbol does not match the sound of the L as in the initial sounds of words such as lull and lips, the English language does contain what is called a "dark L". The dark L is made with the tongue at the bottom of the mouth touching the back of the bottom teeth as in the words help and wheel.

The Vowels

While many early alphabets did not have vowels, they are included in Frya's symbols. One major difference between the consonants and the vowels in Frya's illustrations is like the nasals, the wheel has been turned. This may indicate these sounds are being formed from a continuous flow of air through the mouth without being stopped.

In the illustration of Frya's alphabet, the vowels are listed first, followed by the consonants. The first three symbols are all forms of the letter a. The first symbol of Frya's alphabet is the wedge. When this sound is made, the tongue is in the neutral position in the mouth slightly raised from where the tongue would be when it is relaxed and not speaking, or the low central part of the mouth. This sound is often represented by schwa in modern English, and it is the vowel heard in the word cut.

The following symbol in Frya's alphabet is the ae as in had. This sound is made in approximately the same position as the wedge, except it is formed in front of the wedge, so it is classified as a low front vowel. The next symbol listed is the a as in the word hard, classified as a low back vowel.

These modern day classifications parallel how the symbols are being drawn in Frya's alphabet. For example, the first symbol, the wedge, rises up and represents the neutral position. (See Figure 18)

(Figure 18, A's and H)

The next symbol is identical to the first, except it extends slightly towards the front representing the low front vowel. The third symbol extends slightly towards the back representing the low back vowel. The fourth symbol listed in Frya's alphabet is the h, also serving as a vowel. The line on the h extends farther than with the other forms of a, perhaps illustrating how the air is pushed farther and longer when making the sound.

The o as in boat follows the h in Frya's alphabet. This symbol includes the wedge identical to the first symbol as well as the entire outside circle. (See Figure 19 on left)

(Figure 19, The O's)

Notice when the o is formed, the position of the tongue is in approximately the same place as it is when forming the sound found in cut. The only difference between the two sounds is when making the o sound, the lips are also used and are rounded. Again, this matches the symbol used in Frya's alphabet.

The next symbol is the ↄ found in saw. This sound is also rounded like the o, but it differs because only the lips are used to make the ↄ, and the tongue is positioned at the bottom of the mouth. Comparably, the symbol for this sound found in Frya's alphabet is simply a circle. (See Figure 19 on right)

The Silent W

Another piece of evidence to help support the theory Frya's alphabet is based on natural sounds is there is not a letter W in the alphabet copied from the citadel wall, yet the W is clearly being used throughout all parts of the text. More importantly, it is the first letter in the name Wralda. Curiously, it is not even possible to make the form of the letter W on a wheel as the rest of the letters have been based because its outer lines are straight. Although this does seem somewhat confusing, it would make sense under the condition the W is silent. If the W is silent, it could easily explain the loss of the W in names such as Wodin (Odin) and Wralda (elder).

The Numbers

The Oera Linda Book also has symbols for the numbers zero through nine. They were developed by the Seaking Godfreiath the Old who based them on Frya's letters. By observing the symbols, it can be seen how they could have been drawn according to the way the number sounds when saying it as well. For example, the zero starts with air blowing directly through the center of the mouth and ends with an O sound possibly symbolized by the 0. (See Figure 20)

(Figure 20, The Numbers)

When saying the word two, the tongue is first at the top of the mouth; and then it moves downward, finally resting on the bottom of the mouth. This also matches the symbol for the two in the numbers Godfreiath developed. While it is possible to identify all of the symbols for the numbers, vowels, and consonants based on point and manner of articulation, it cannot be known exactly how numbers and letters sounded 4,000 years ago. Consequently, it is impossible to identify the symbols to an exact science using this method.

Runic Alphabet

Currently, scholars believe the Old Frisian alphabet originated from the runic alphabet. (See Figure 21)

(Figure 21, The Runes)

The runic alphabet is called Futhark because the first runic letters are f, u, th, a, r, and k where the Greek alphabet begins with alpha and beta. One of the later writers in the Oera Linda Book was named Frethorik, a name very similar to Futhark. Frethorik wrote about a flood occurring in 305 B.C.E., once again displacing many of the Frisian people. The first runic inscriptions date from around A.D. 200, but it is speculated their origins are quite older and belong to the prehistory of Europe. Like the alphabet, the runes have a history involving beliefs about the mysterious and magical properties of the symbols. The etymology of the word rune includes the Germanic word run meaning 'to conceal' and 'a secret'.

Ancient Old Frisian

The language used in the Oera Linda Book differs from Old Frisian in form and spelling. The last writings in the book were written almost two thousand years after the first writings copied from citadel walls dating from approximately 2150 B.C.E. As a result, there are wide variations in form and spelling within the Oera Linda Book depending on the timeline. If the Oera Linda is accounts of factual history and Frya did indeed invent the alphabet, it is logical the older form of the Old Frisian language and culture is actually what is known today as Proto-Indo-European (PIE). PIE is the prehistoric language other languages derived from and the ancestor of most of the languages spoken in Europe and many of the languages spoken in south Asia.

One of the main groups of languages to descend from the division of the Indo-European group is the Germanic languages. The Germanic languages are divided into three groups: the North, the West, and the East. The West Germanic languages include High and Low German, Dutch, English, and Old Frisian.

The Wheel

The wheel was an invisible symbol essential in the formatting of the letters of the alphabet. The wheel is also a symbol which can place four different language families on common ground. The word for wheeled vehicles in PIE is currently believed to be 'kwekwlo' and is similar to the words for vehicles in Sumerian; 'gigir', Semitic; 'galgal', and Kartvelian; 'grgar'. Since the wheel was first discovered in Sumer, these words may be the original word for a wheeled vehicle in four different language families. However, if the oldest language used in the Oera Linda Book is PIE, it would mean the PIE word for a wheeled vehicle, 'kwekwlo', would really be 'hehl'. During sound shifts, in the case of reflexes (words developed from earlier forms), it was assumed by linguists Sanskrit and Latin preserved the original pronunciations of PIE because it was easier to explain the changing of two languages rather than a major change affecting almost all other languages from the group.

Using symbols are characteristic of human behavior; nevertheless, they are short-lived and generally do not survive after the loss of the culture creating them. If the culture vanishes, there is no one left who understands their significance. According to the Oera Linda Book, the wheel is the first symbol of Wralda and the onset of the beginning. Then time came. Fasta began the first Kroder upon Frya's instructions after Atland sank. By examining the symbol of the six-spoke wheel, it can be seen how the symbol could be successfully used to measure time in the sexagesimal (based on 60) counting system. Although an ancient development, the sexagesimal counting system is still used today to measure time in seconds, minutes, and hours by many clocks and watches. It is still used to measure angles as well.

Sexagesimal Counting System

It is currently believed the sexagesimal counting system was developed by the Sumerians. The Sumerians were using twelve, thirty day months for a total of 360 days for their calendar years. Names of years were after the fact and based on something specific which stood out at some time during the year. The Sumerians made observations while studying the sky and stars, and cosmological beliefs spread through the Middle East and Asia by the 3rd millennium B.C.E.

For the Sumerians, days began at sundown. The Sumerians used the moon to determine the length of the month, and their months began with the first visible crescent after a new moon. A day and night were each divided into three watches. Each watch was two hours, so a Sumerian day and night had twelve hours. Each hour was divided into sixty minutes, and each minute into sixty seconds. In Mesopotamia, the solar year was divided into two seasons, Assyria had three, and Anatolia had four.

Even though the ancient civilized world had three different measurements for seasons, the sexagesimal counting system based on a six-spoke wheel could have measured seasons in all three areas because of its fractional properties. The number sixty is a highly composite number and is used for simplification. Sixty is divisible and the lowest common multiple of every number from one to six. In other words, in the sexagesimal system, any fraction where the denominator is a regular number can be expressed exactly. One theory on why the Sumerians used this system is because its fractional properties were used to measure grain.

Eye of RA

The Egyptians were also measuring grain and using fractions at a very early date. In Egypt, the tool used to measure was not a six-spoke wheel but the Eye of RA (RE) or Horus. The Eye of RA is known as the Egyptian symbol of life and resurrection. Parts of the eye serve as symbols for the senses as well as standard measurements representing the fractions 1/2, 1/4, 1/8, 1/16, 1/32, and 1/64. The eye was personified as the goddess Wadjet or Wedjat meaning the 'whole one'. However, not all the fractions add up to 1 because 1/64 is missing. This was considered the throw out portion and was taken by the one doing the measuring. (See Figure 22)

(Figure 22, Egyptian Measurements)

The Eye of RA first appeared in the late old kingdom. RA was revered as the creative power, and all forms of life came into existence by RA speaking their secret names. RA eventually merged with Horus. RA was often depicted with the head of a falcon and a sun disc resting on his head. The sun disc was surrounded by the serpent or snake Wadjet. Wadjet is known as the serpent goddess. She is the oldest Egyptian goddess and a symbol of justice, time, heaven, and hell. Moreover, the Egyptians' interpretation of the Milky Way described it as the primal snake Wadjet, the protector of Egypt.

The Hebrew Creation Story

The creation story in the Hebrew Bible is also about measurement. First, God is compared to the logos or word, and then he speaks matter into existence. According to the Old Testament:

In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. Now the earth was formless and empty . . . And God said 'Let there be light,' and there was light. God saw that the light was good and he separated the light from the darkness. God called the light 'day' and the darkness he called 'night.' And there was evening, and there was morning - the first day. . . . And God said 'Let there be lights in the expanse of the sky to separate the day from the night, and let them serve as signs to mark seasons and days and years, and let them be lights in the expanse of the sky to give light on the earth'. And it was so. (Genesis 1:14-15)

By comparing the symbols in Frya's alphabet to the Hebrew creation story, it is possible to identify additional characteristics about the basis of their formation. For example, by drawing a circle on a piece of paper or papyrus, the earth is separated from the sky. Since the circle now represents the earth, by placing a line vertically down the center, the night and day are separated because of the earth's natural rotation and positions from the sun. (See Figure 23)

(Figure 23, The Separation)

The Hebrew creation story states the lights in the sky served as signs to indicate seasons, days, and years. The lights seen in the sky are the sun, moon, and stars. Day, night, and the seasons are all due to the sun's affect on earth. As the earth moves counter clockwise around the sun, one hemisphere points towards the sun while the other hemisphere points away from the sun. (See Figure 24)

(Figure 24, The Seasons)

In the hemisphere pointing towards the sun, it is warmer and there is more light than in the hemisphere pointing away. As a result, the earth's tilt and trip around the sun create the seasons. In addition to temperature and amounts of light, shadows are also impacted by the sun.

Shadows and Seasons

The sun is higher during the summer, therefore, shadows are shorter. Shadows began to grow longer in the autumn reaching their longest lengths in the winter. During the spring, shadows began to get shorter until summer is reached, and shadows are at their shortest lengths again. In comparison, the first four symbols of Frya's alphabet could be representing the four seasons according to the lengths of shadows. (See Figure 25)

(Figure 25, Oera Linda Seasons)

Day, Night, and Morning

Following the Hebrew creation story, God turned dark and light into night and day, evening before morning. In Frya's alphabet, the three symbols following the seasons could also represent evening, morning, and day. In the evening, the sun sets below the horizon, and everything is dark similar to the second symbol in Figure 26.

(Figure 26, Day, Night, & Morning)

In the morning, the sun rises, and it is light above the horizon similar to the third symbol in the illustration. As it is in modern times, many of the ancients started a new day at midnight. Notice the first symbol in the illustration is exactly like the symbol for evening, but it includes the wedge at mid-point possibly denoting midnight or a new day.

The Months

The next line of symbols in Frya's alphabet is comparable to the lunar phases. The lunar phases change as the moon orbits the earth because of the changing positions of the sun, earth, and moon. Lunar phases are dependent on both the moon's position as it orbits around the earth, and the earth's position as it orbits around the sun. (See Figure 27)

(Figure 27, The Moon Positions)

The moon appears full when the sun and the moon are on opposite sides of the earth. A new moon occurs when the moon and the sun are on the same side as the earth. Since the sun and the moon are aligned on the same side of the earth, the side of the moon visible from earth is not illuminated by the sun.

By comparison, the dark line extending from the center to the bottom in the second symbol in Figure 28 could be expressing the alignment of the moon and sun and symbolizing a new moon.

(Figure 28, Oera Linda Moon Symbols)

A waxing crescent follows a new moon. Waxing means the moon is growing larger while waning means it is growing smaller. Waning moons appear after a full moon. Since the moon rotates counter clockwise around the earth, the seventh symbol in the illustration could represent waxing and the eighth symbol waning.

The third symbol in the illustration is comparable to a crescent moon, and the fourth symbol could signify the gibbous. During the first and third quarter moons, the half moon appears in the sky as illustrated in the fifth and sixth symbols, perhaps with the dot above the sixth symbol signifying the first quarter.

During a full moon, the earth is between the sun and the moon. Since the sunlight falls on the side of the moon facing the earth, the moon appears to be full and bright in the night sky. As with a new moon, during a full moon the earth, moon, and sun are in approximate alignment. This could correspond to the dot in the center of the first symbol.

The Years

According to the Hebrew creation story, lights in the sky served to mark the years. Lights in the sky or star constellations are seen differently depending upon which month it is. The earth makes one rotation around the sun in one year. During the year, there are twelve different constellations representing the months called the Zodiac. (See Figure 29)

(Figure 29, The Zodiac)

In astrology, the month of the year each sign of the zodiac dominates is determined by the sun in its corresponding, opposite constellation. As a result, zodiacal constellations cannot be seen in the night sky during the time its sign is dominant. Instead, the constellation seen at any given time is the constellation in the exact opposite time of the year.

When the zodiac constellations are compared to the next twelve symbols following the eight symbols for the moon in Frya's alphabet, it is possible to identify all twelve opposite of their zodiac complements in the sky. (See Figure 30)

(Figure 30, Oera Linda Zodiac)

Circumpolar Constellations

There are five circumpolar constellations: Draco, Cassiopeia, Ursa Major, Ursa Minor, and Cepheus circling around the pole or the pole star approximately every 24 hours or one day. The circumpolar constellations are always above the horizon and never set. They were especially important to sailors and people traveling in the Northern hemisphere. (See Figure 31)

(Figure 31, Circumpolar Constellations)

By comparison, the final five consonants in Frya's alphabet could represent the Northern circumpolar constellations. (See Figure 32)

(Figure 32, Oera Linda Circumpolar Constellations)

The Secrets of the Runes

Evidence to support the theory Frya's symbols are based on the cosmos can be found in Norse mythology. Odin hung upside down for nine days and nights to learn the secrets of the runes. Legends claim when you learn their secrets, your eyes shall open, and you shall become a god. Odin had to endure three hardships: hanging, wounding himself with a spear, and suffering from hunger and thirst during his search, but he did find the meaning of eighteen runes. As Odin describes the attributes of each rune, he could also be describing attributes connected to symbolism associated with the cosmos.

The Zodiac

For example, the fifth rune described by Odin has the ability to catch a flying arrow aimed to harm man. This could be corresponding to the symbol of the constellation Sagittarius, an archer. The sixth rune explained by Odin speaks about karma, and how anyone wishing to harm him would be harmed instead. When observing the symbol for the star constellation Pisces, the idea of karma or, "what goes around comes around" is present in the two fish in opposite positions forming a circle.

The seventh rune is identified as having the ability to stop flames from burning down a hall. The constellation Aquarius is known as the water bearer and is symbolized by a man pouring out water from a large urn. Odin describes the eighth rune as settling arguments and hate between warriors. This is comparable to the constellation Libra represented by scales symbolizing judgment and justice.

Lunar Phases

Odin also explains symbolism associated with the moon. He claims the ninth rune calms the waves and puts the sea to sleep. By comparison, during quarter moons, neap tides occur resulting in low waves and tides. The tenth rune depicts ghosts or witches riding the rafters and could certainly be connected to a full moon. The eleventh rune claims to be able to protect warriors on the way to battle. Often, soldiers and hunters traveled during a new moon when the darkness protected them from being detected by an enemy, predator, or their prey.

The Twins

The sixteenth rune explained by Odin expresses knowledge about winning the heart of a white armed woman. Since Freya was revered as the Virgin, associated with white, and possibly the consort (companion or partner) of Odin, the constellation Virgo or the Virgin could be what Odin is describing. The final rune described by Odin proclaims he will not tell to either a maiden or a wife of man. Odin will not tell the rune to anyone other than his intimate love or his own sister. Although this seems confusing, this explanation could be referring to Gemini, the twins.

In early myths, many of the goddesses not only had twins but married them. While many understand these relationships as biological and incestuous, it is important to understand the term 'twin' as it would have been used 4,000 years ago. As a noun, twin comes from the root dwo meaning 'two'. As a verb, its usage means 'to combine two things closely'.

In the Norse creation myths of the gods, it is speculated Freya and Frey were twins who were married when they were Vanir but were separated after they became Aesir. Since this was a hostage exchange, it is logical Freya was the consort to Frey, but Odin reassigned Frey to Freya's previous position and claimed Freya for himself. The Oera Linda alleges Frya and her maidens were the ones who watched over the light; however, according to Norse mythology, Frey lived in the land of the gods and was put in charge of the light elves after the hostage exchange.

Since the hostage exchange was also an exchange of information, the term twins could have meant two people who both knew the same things. This term could have also been used to describe those who Frya and the other earth-mothers taught their secret wisdom considering in the Gnostic tradition, the higher self is known as the "Angelic Twin". Not only did the males acquire the information, it seems they acquired the positions and power of the mothers' as well.

The etymology of the word twin includes dey. Dey is from Old English dæge meaning 'female', 'servant', 'housekeeper', and 'maid' and from PIE dheigh which forms the first element of 'dairy' and the second of 'lady'. The title Freya also means 'lady'. The name Ymir, the first living creature in Norse mythology, derives from the Sanskrit Yama meaning 'twin' or 'hermaphrodite'. Ymir was also associated with dairy and fed from the milk of Audhumla, the first primeval cow.

The Book of Thomas the Contender

Another manuscript supporting the twin theory as an exchange of information is a Gnostic text containing the teachings of Christ. According to the Book of Thomas the Contender:

The savior said, "Brother Thomas while you have time in the world, listen to me, and I will reveal to you the things you have pondered in your mind".

"Now, since it has been said that you are my twin and true companion, examine yourself, and learn who you are, in what way you exist, and how you will come to be. Since you will be called my brother, it is not fitting that you be ignorant of yourself. And I know that you have understood, because you had already understood that I am the knowledge of the truth. So while you accompany me, although you are uncomprehending, you have (in fact) already come to know, and you will be called 'the one who knows himself'. For he who has not known himself has known nothing, but he who has known himself has at the same time already achieved knowledge about the depth of the all. So then, you, my brother Thomas, have beheld what is obscure to men, that is, what they ignorantly stumble against."

While the Savior identifies his brother as Thomas, Thomas is the Semitic expression for 'twin'. Considering the concept of teaching wisdom or "twinning", Odin could be describing the constellation Gemini or the twins in his account of the eighteenth and final rune.

Earliest Form of Monotheism

Genesis is uncompromisingly monotheistic; however, it makes no attempt to account for the origin of God. This parallels the Oera Linda, also uncompromisingly monotheistic where no explanation of Wralda's origin is given. One reason for this might be it was not necessary to mention it because their origins were common knowledge.

In regards to the cosmos, the earth orbits the sun in an elliptical course moving counter clockwise. The earth spins counter clockwise as well. The moon also orbits the earth in a counter clockwise motion. Yet, in the name of the first symbol of Wralda, the letters are moving clockwise around the wheel. (See Figure 33)

(Figures 33 & 34, Wralda and the Super Massive Black Hole)

This could signify Wralda is something in the universe everything else moves clockwise around. The center of the Milky Way galaxy identified as the super massive black hole matches this description. (See Figure 34)

The black hole is considered the greatest feature of the galaxy. Like the Kroder, it is the hub the Milky Way rotates around acting as a stabilizer giving the galaxy its shape and form. Black holes are areas where the gravitational pressure is so intense, finite matter is squashed into infinite density or a singularity. Primordial black holes may have been produced directly from external pressure just moments after the big bang. Formation of black holes from the deaths of the first stars have been widely studied and supported by observations.

Big Bang Theory

According to the Big Bang theory, the early universe had no time or space. Then an ultra hot fog of energy expanded from a flash of radiation, and the universe exploded into existence. As the expansion occurred, everything cooled, and pure energy began to form particles of matter and anti-matter. Although the matter and anti-matter destroyed each other as they met, some survived. Eventually the force of gravity began to pull the surviving matter together to form hydrogen gas clouds. These clouds were compressed over millions of years until the center became hot enough for fusion to occur forming the first star.

Stars create hydrogen gases which fuse together to create helium producing the star's energy. Helium sinks to the center because it is heavier than hydrogen. Here, helium fuses together and forms carbon, the vital building block of every living thing. This process continues over and over producing neon, oxygen, and iron. Iron builds up in the core until almost all the fuel runs out because iron does not produce energy when it fuses. As the fuel runs out, gravity squashes the star in on itself. The temperature soars until the star finally collapses and explodes. This is called a super nova. During a super nova, the outer layers of the star are blasted away while the center core folds down a gravitational well until a single point develops, and a black hole is born.

At the center of the black hole lies a gravitational singularity. This is a region where the spacetime curvature becomes infinite. Some centers are rotating, and some are not. If the center rotates, as in the case of the Milky Way, it forms a ring singularity of infinite density containing all the mass of the black hole. It has zero volume as well, so it cannot be seen or heard. The center is surrounded by a galactic halo limited in size by two Milky Way satellites. Star formation occurs in the ring around the center. After forming, the stars revolve clockwise around the center.

Approximately three million years after the big bang, stars began to form galaxies with the Milky Way being one of the oldest. The Milky Way consists of over two hundred billion individual stars all held together by gravity. Since the Oera Linda claims Wralda is the original creator, and Wralda means 'the eldest', it is conceivable the ancient Frisians believed the Milky Way was not one of the oldest galaxies, but the oldest.

The Milky Way Galaxy

The center of the Milky Way is a compact concentration of mass appearing invisible. It was detected by scientists because of its effects on other solar masses. There are four distinct arm structures spiraling outward from the black hole. Images of this great feature resemble an eye; furthermore, there are distinct similarities between the structure of the Milky Way galaxy and the structure of the eye of RA, the Egyptian symbol of life and resurrection. (See Figures 35 & 36)

(Figures 35 & 36, Structure of the Milky Way and Eye of RA)

It is currently believed the black hole was not discovered until the 1900's; however, if it is the origin of Wralda and the basis of one creator, the contents of the Oera Linda Book suggest otherwise. Like the attributes generally connected with God, scientifically the black hole is where all life comes from and where all life returns. While the Black Hole theory explains the origins of the galaxy, if Wralda is the black hole, it supports the theory of a creative, powerful force within everyone and everything as well. According to the Oera Linda Book, this force wants nothing more from mankind than for everyone to be free and wise. Punishment and condemnation is nonexistent, unlike the concept of God taught and held by many world religions.

Images of the black hole also resemble a coiled snake eating its own tail. (See Figures 37 and 38)

(Figures 37 & 38, The Milky Way and Coiled Snake)

This image is symbolized through many cultures all over the world. In ancient Greek mythology, the image is often found with the words "one is all". In alchemy, the symbol of the tail-eating dragon represented the guardian of mystical treasure. Alchemy is the philosophical tradition establishing the foundations for the developments of modern chemistry and medicine. Alchemy differs from science because it includes beliefs and practices associated with mythologies, religions, and spirituality. The Egyptians' interpretation of the serpent eating its tail was the primal snake, Wadjat, the protector of Egypt. The primal snake represents the Milky Way, eternity, and immortality. A parallel to Wadjat can be found in Nordic myths with Jormungand, the world serpent. Although Jormungand is described as lying on the ocean bed biting his own tail, in early literature the sea and ocean actually meant the heavens.

The Holy Book of the Egyptians

The Gnostic text Holy Book of the Egyptians describes the attributes of the Father. These same attributes could be describing the black hole:

The great invisible Spirit, the Father whose name cannot be uttered, he who came forth from the heights of the perfection, the light of the light of the aeons of light, the light of the silence of the providence <and> the Father of the silence, the light of the word and the truth, the light of the incorruptions, the infinite light, the radiance from the aeons of light of the unrevealable, unmarked, ageless, unproclaimable Father, the aeon of the aeons, Autogenes, self-begotten, self-producing, alien, the really true aeon.

And the throne of his glory was established in it, this one on which his unrevealable name is inscribed, on the tablet [...] one is the word, the Father of the light of everything, he who came forth from the silence, while he rests in the silence, he whose name is in an invisible symbol.

The wheel is an invisible symbol around each of the letters of Frya's alphabet. The W was a symbol not included in Frya's alphabet, most likely because it was silent. The name existing within the word wheel is Hel. The Oera Linda also links Wralda to the name Hel. The priests called Minerva Nyhellenia (Hellenia) "god's daughter", and those who followed Hellenia used her name as a name of honor. The Oera Linda Book claims the name Nyhellenia means 'new' (ny) and 'bright' (hell) above others.

This surname was used by another folk-mother named Adela (Dela) Hellenia who contributed writings to the Oera Linda Book a thousand years after Minerva NyHellenia in 593 B.C.E. Adela explains how they dedicate thanks to Wralda because his spirit is part of their forebears. The priests and princes gained control of the people through the lies they told about Hellenia including miracles she never performed. Through tricks and deceit, they gained control of the Frisian laws and customs in order to alter and corrupt everything - including the name.

The Thought of Norea

The Thought of Norea is a Gnostic text about the birth of a feminine being described as the twin to the mind of the Father. In this text, she is identified as Norea:

Father of All, Ennoia of the Light, dwelling in the heights above the (regions) below, Light dwelling in the heights, Voice of Truth, upright Nous, untouchable Logos, and ineffable Voice, incomprehensible Father!

It is Norea who cries out to them. . . . in order that <she> might inherit the first mind which <she> had received . . .

He it is who is within all of the Adams, possessing the thought of Norea, who speaks concerning the two names which create a single name.

In Nordic myths, Hel was a frost giant and descendant of Ymir. Ymir was also called Augelmir and descendant's names include Thrudgelmir and Bergelmir, signifying the surname of this particular family was Gelmir. Many scholars believe the name Ymir derives from the Sanskrit yama meaning 'twin' or 'hermaphrodite', indicating Ymir may have been the one who discovered the black hole and perhaps the first earth-mother.

Yama

Yama is known as the first to die, the guardian of Hell, and the King of the Dead. Yama was first revered as a protective, friendly deity; but in later traditions, Yama evolved into a negative force. Yama can be male or female, and his twin sister is Yami. Yama and Yami were the first couple. Yama explored the world and discovered a path to heaven. Consequently, mortality was introduced to the world. Yami and Yama are sometimes referenced as "protectors of the teaching". Like Ymir, the main myth connected to Yama is the Primal Cow Creation Myth. Yama was killed and the world was made from the dismemberment of the body. And like Ymir, Yama's death provided food for the humans.

Bergelmir

Hel also descended from Bergelmir and his wife, the lone survivors of the Norse massacre. (See Figure 39)

(Figure 39, Frost Giants' Family Tree)

The name Bergelmir contains three morphemes. The morpheme ber comes from PIE bhereg meaning 'to shine', 'bright', and 'white' just like the name Balder. The morpheme gel is cognate to PIE kel, the root of hell meaning 'to conceal'. However, the Oera Linda Book indicates hell is the earlier form of gel and kel, and its meaning is 'bright' and 'above others'. Since the morpheme mir comes from PIE root mei meaning 'to bind', the name Bergelmir binds two words which mean virtually the same thing. In Russian, mir means 'world peace', and miru was used by the early Christians as a word meaning 'a collective community of peace'. Interestingly, by simply changing the a for the e, the Sumerian equivalent to the name Bergelmir would have been Bargalmir. In Sumerian, the morpheme bar means 'to see' and 'to uncover' when used as a verb. The morpheme gal means 'vulva' and possibly represents a woman. Moreover, the morpheme mir can mean an 'encircling snake'.

If the Oera Linda Book is actual history, Balder would have lived around 4,000 years ago. In the earlier tradition, Balder is called Herebeald, the son of Hrethel (Odin), who is killed by his brother. In Norse mythology, Odin is also known as Harbarth, a name cognate with Herebeald. What is interesting about the name Herebeald, is if it was a PIE original name affected by both the sound shifts known to have occurred and a possible lallation or shift between the l's and r's, the name would have been Thorbolt, the reversal of the two morphemes making up the name Bolthor, Balder's great-grandfather.

When sound shifts are applied again, the name Bolthor is directly cognate with Balder. It is also likely the name Bolthor is cognate with the first two morphemes of the name Bergelmir. Consequently, it is reasonable to conclude Bolthor and Bergelmir are the same person. The relationship between Balder and Bergelmir is supported by the Hebrew Bible stating Jesus Christ was a descendant of Noah, the survivor of the flood. The reversal of the morphemes in the name might explain what Christ meant when he said, "But many who are first will be last, and the last first" (Mark 10:31).

Patrilineal Naming System

The name changes in Norse mythology could also demonstrate what happened with the imposition of patrilineal family names. If the name Bergelmir is a combination of two family names, the first morpheme, ber (Balder), is associated with the patrilineal side, and the second, gel (Hel), with the matriarchal. Yet in the name Herebeald, the matriarchal Hel (Here) is first, and the patrilineal Balder (Beald) is the second morpheme indicating Herebeald is the older name.

Conquerors are the ones who get to tell the story when recording history. One technique used is to demonize the opposing side while glorifying their own. Consequently, in later literature the two morphemes are split apart again into Hel and Balder. (See Figure 40)

(Figure 40, Evolution of Names)

The name Balder now represents 'good', and the name Hel represents 'evil' and the Christian eternal location for the damned even though etymologically, the word savior replaced Old English haelend meaning 'healing'. Heal is Old English haelan which means to 'cure', 'save', and 'make whole'; Proto-Germanic hiljan, Old Frisian hela, and Dutch helen, also meaning 'to make whole'.

The Gospel of Philip

The Gospel of Philip addresses the importance of names. It also addresses the issue of manipulation through name changes and the consequences:

Light and Darkness, life and death, right and left, are brothers of one another. They are inseparable. Because of this neither are the good good, nor the evil evil, nor is life life, nor death death. . . . But truth brought names into existence in the world for our sakes, because it is not possible to learn it (truth) without these names. Truth is one single thing; it is many things and for our sakes to teach about this one thing in love through many things. The rulers (archons) wanted to deceive man, since they saw that he had a kinship with those that are truly good. They took the name of those that are good and gave it to those that are not good, so that through the names they might deceive him and bind them to those that are not good. And afterward, what a favor they do for them! They make them be removed from those that are not good and place them among those that are good. These things they knew, for they wanted to take the free man and make him a slave to them forever.

The Gospel of Truth

The Gnostic text Gospel of Truth suggests Jesus Christ was Christ because he knew who he was because of his name. Moreover, the text indicates the only one who could understand would have his name:

Those whose name he knew first were called last, so that the one who has knowledge is he whose name the Father has pronounced. For he whose name has not been spoken is ignorant. . . . Hence, if one has knowledge, he is from above. If he is called, he hears, he replies, and he turns toward him who called him and he ascends to him and he knows what he is called. Since he has knowledge, he does the will of him who called him. He desires to please him and he finds rest. He receives a certain name. He who thus is going to have knowledge knows whence he came and whither he is going. He knows it as a person who, having become intoxicated, has turned from his drunkenness and having come to himself, has restored what is his own.

And the name of the Father is the Son. It is he who, in the beginning, gave a name to him who came forth from him – he is the same one – and he begat him for a son. He gave him his name which belonged to him – he, the Father, who possesses everything which exists around him. . . .

Who, then, has been able to pronounce a name for him, this great name, except him alone to whom the name belongs and the sons of the name in whom the name of the Father is at rest, and who themselves in turn are at rest in his name, since the Father has no beginning?

The Oera Linda Book also supports this theory because it states Jessos Krishna understood all that he was even though he was raised by poor people and not his biological family.

The Forgotten Name

In the Prologue of the Prose Edda, Sturluson describes how the Almighty God created heaven and earth. He claims eight people survived Noah's flood. They in turn, "peopled the world and founded families". But as populations grew and expanded, people pursued money and power. Consequently, "in the end they lost the very name of God and there was not to be found in all the world a man who knew his Maker". Nevertheless, the people understood all life came from the earth, and they "reckoned their descent from it". They also learned astronomy from their ancestors and believed there must be someone who ruled the stars and controlled the primal elements. Sturluson also describes how these people:

gave their own names to everything, but with the migrations of peoples and multiplication of languages this belief has changed in many ways.

~~~~~

Chapter Five: The Story of Hel

Comparative mythology is the process of studying and evaluating myths and legends from different cultures in order to find underlying common themes. Areas studied include mythology, theology, linguistics, oral histories, and anthropology. Often the purpose of comparing traditions is to try to find a "proto-mythology" from which other mythologies evolved. In the past, many scholars held the belief there were enough similarities between myths to suggest they evolved from a single story. While many theories and possibilities have been formed, modern day scholars tend to be apprehensive when it comes to broad theories about myths.

In the Sumerian and Norse traditions, knowledge and wisdom comes from knowing what came before the flood. When comparing worldwide myths, histories, the Oera Linda Book, and various religious texts, a possible story unfolds going back seven generations before the disaster sinking Atland. However, when comparing myths and various texts, there are many important considerations such as how names and titles were translated between languages, early relationship and kinship terms, and how the ancient poets recorded history through the oral tradition using techniques such as kennings and parataxis.

An early historian named Tacitus recorded the Frisians as having the dominant culture throughout Europe. Socrates called them the Hellenes, and the Oera Linda Book links the name to Hellenia. The name Freya is actually a title meaning 'lady'. Other names which are titles include Frey, Nerthus, and Njord. In Critias, Plato explains when retelling stories from one language to another, names were translated by their meanings.

By closely examining Norse literature, evidence can be found suggesting Njord, the father of Freya and one of the hostages during the exchange with the Aesir, was named Heimdell, and Freya's name was Hel. Consequently, Hel's father, Loki the trickster, is actually Heimdell, the creator of the world classes under the name of Rig meaning king. Evidence also suggests Gullveig is Irtha or Nerthus, the mother of Freya and consort to Njord, before she became one of Odin's consorts. There is additional evidence to suggest Freya was Frey's consort before becoming a hostage and wife to Odin as well. Retellings of the Odin, Freya, and Frey triangle along with variations of the name Hel are evident in many of the Lays found in the Poetic Edda and the final story told in the Prose Edda.

The name Hel is also prominent in Beowulf, an early Norse text crucial to understanding the historical connections to various myths. There is also evidence to support the theory Hel, Freya, Inanna from Sumerian texts, and Hathor and Isis in Egyptian texts are all based on the same historical person. Furthermore, parallels to Odin, Heimdell, and Irtha are also evident in Egyptian and Sumerian texts. It is even possible Freya's influence and teachings spread as far as North America.

Traditional Norse Mythology

Traditional Norse mythology contains improbable stories about frost giants, dwarfs, serpents, tricksters, gods, and goddesses which seem to be a reflection of someone's imagination instead of possibly being anyone's history. Some of the stories have similar themes to other known legends such as Bergelmir being the survivor of a massacre and flood destroying the rest of the frost giants corresponding to the Hebrew story of Noah and the Ark. The stories also tell how the first war started between two families of gods, and how it ends at Ragnarok, a final battle destroying the world. Although the frost giants and the gods descended from common ancestors, the hostilities existing between the groups cannot be resolved. As a result, the final battle known as Ragnarok will be fought on the Vigrid Plain. At Ragnarok, the frost giants and the dead of Hel led by the trickster Loki are destined to settle the final account for Ymir's dismemberment.

Ragnarok begins with the death of Balder and ends in total destruction. First there will be three winters without end resulting in battles and feuds between the people. The wolves Skoll and Hati eat the moon, and the stars vanish leaving the world in darkness. The cock Fjalar alerts the giants, and the cock Gullinkambi crows to the gods. A third cock wakes the dead of Hel. Earthquakes and flooding occur freeing the children of Loki, Fenrir the wolf and Jormungand the serpent, of their bonds. Heimdell blows the magical Gjallahorn signaling the gods to the final battle. As the gods gather and defend, the sons of Muspell or Hel advance in a big ship from the south collapsing the bridge Bifrost after they cross. Thor attacks Jormungand and Odin attacks Fenrir. Loki and Heimdell come face to face for the final time. They all fight until everything in the nine worlds is destroyed by floods and flames.

While most of these descriptions seem to be obviously make-believe, it is important to factor in several considerations when analyzing ancient texts based on previous oral traditions. Moreover, when traditional Norse mythology is compared to Sumerian and Egyptian myths as well as various religious texts, a new story unfolds turning mythical nonsense into historical sense.

The Proto-Myth

The unfolding story tells of the first folk-mother (earth-mother) who discovers the black hole and the first cause or prime mover. This is also the time of the birth of the gods based on agriculture in order to produce mead, and their ability to consume alcohol. By building dykes and canals to control the flooding, civilization, the raising of livestock and large scale farming began in Mesopotamia in order to grow the crops needed to produce the alcohol. But farming included strenuous physical labor, so the people complained and threatened to rebel against the gods. The god's response to the threat was to intentionally break the canals flooding the cities instead of the fields. The entire family connected to the first folk mother was massacred except for one man and his wife. In exchange for his life, the man had to accept the gods' rule and make sacrifices to the gods. This included becoming a farmer and producing wine for the gods. In other words, the former matriarch became a patriarch. This involved both a change in the naming system and a change in positions of power.

After the massacre, the people no longer got along. Since there were conflicts, they were divided into three areas with each having separate languages, customs, and laws. The Oera Linda Book describes this division as Irtha's daughters: Lyda, Finda, and Frya who each gave birth to twelve sons and twelve daughters. These three groups are known in the Hebrew Bible as Noah's three sons who each gave birth to twelve tribes. The sons of Ham (Lyda) became the Canaanites and Amorites. Shem (Finda) became the father of the Assyrians, Babylonians, and Hebrews. Japheth (Frya) gave birth to the Indo-European groups. The three groups are also the three main groups of people found in Norse mythology: Frey and the Vanir (Lyda), Odin and the Aesir (Finda), and Freya and the Frost Giants (Frya). Frya's lands included most of Europe with Athens as their stronghold. Finda's lands included Anatolia, Syria, and Akkad with Troy as their stronghold. Lyda's lands included Sumer, the Bible lands, and Upper Egypt. Lyda's stronghold was the city of Kish.

After the waters receded, Odin and his brothers returned to Mesopotamia. This time they created humans to serve the gods by working in the fields. By definition, humans meant people who would work for a wage and pay taxes to the gods, so the gods could build markets and temples for themselves. The gods convinced the humans to work for them by getting them drunk, so they too could feel divine. Unfortunately, along with feeling divine, the humans were feeling sick because of the change in diet and the effects of alcohol. Since the folk-mothers were healers, Irtha (Gullveig) from Sumer went to Akkad with her "golden drink" (linden honey) to help the people. Instead of using the honey to cure their ailments, the gods mixed the honey with the alcohol believing it would prevent their ailments. Unfortunately, this was not the case.

Irtha was taken to Odin's mead hall where she was eventually killed. But before she died, Irtha gave birth to Balder who she gave to poor people to raise. Irtha's death started the war between the Vanir (Sumer) and the Aesir (Akkad). Frya became Frey's consort and a Vanir, relocating to Sumer. This union was intended to bring an alliance between the Vanir and the frost giants. Frey and Frya were also the parents of Thor and a daughter known as "Treasure". The fighting continued between Sumer and Akkad resulting in years of battles causing extreme land depletion until the Vanir and the Aesir came to an agreement. Sumer agreed to join Akkad ruling together. The agreement included a hostage exchange, and Frya and Frey were separated. Thor and the daughter were given to Frya's father Heimdell to foster. Frya became Odin's consort and the leading goddess of the Aesir. She taught Odin her wisdom and knowledge as well.

Frya wrote a text during the time she was a hostage to the Aesir, something which threatened Odin and the other god's rights to their positions of power. Consequently, Odin banished Frya to the underworld where she became known as Hel. Balder is accidently killed by his brother Hod causing Odin much grief. This also leaves Thor as the rightful heir to the throne. After becoming king, Thor rules peacefully for many years.

At some point, Frya returns to Athens with her text to give to her descendants. Her actions cause some sort of revolt ending in a major battle and the sinking of Atlantis or Atland in 2193 B.C.E. The Oera Linda Book continues with the histories of the Frisians and other groups of people after the disaster, but it gives no details to what happened before the catastrophe. In regards to the sisters and the division, the book merely states, "hatred came between them".

Oral Tradition

In the oral tradition, history was sung for memorization purposes. In the Nordic myths, the authors who recorded these stories did so through poetry where they used imaginative imagery to tell fantastic stories of major events, as they do now. Since poets had the power to name, they had control of how a story was told. In a sense, the poet was the living memory of a culture and through songs, history was retold and perpetuated. Poets were often looked upon as God's voice who they believed, inspired them.

Kennings

One technique the poets of this time used was kennings or condensed metaphors. Kennings are usually two words standing for something else such as referring to a sword as a "battle flasher". A description such as a "frost giant" could simply mean someone tall from the north or a tall white person, and a description such as a "light elf" or "dwarf" could be a light skinned short person. The "hollowed tree trunk" Bergelmir escaped on is likely a boat.

The kenning used in the Oera Linda Book to describe the Frisian elders is "sea serpents". Although most current interpretations would conclude this description represents something bad or evil, since the universe was recognized as the sea, it is plausible sea serpents meant people who had knowledge of the creation of the universe. Images of mythical legends such as Sigyn, Loki, Thor, Hymir, and the world serpent have been found depicted on the remains of an Anglo-Saxon stone cross in the Gosforth Church in Cumberland. This would indicate at one time, pagan beliefs and Christian beliefs blended together along with the concepts of good and evil.

Parataxis

Another writing technique used by early Norse poets is called parataxis. A parataxis is when one thing is placed alongside another with nothing subordinate to another. An example of a parataxis is a phrase such as "Beowulf did this, then he did that, and then he did this". This style of writing describes what was done and in what order, but it gives no clues on how much time elapsed between the events. Since oral history was recorded as poetry, it is important to consider parataxis, kennings, and descriptive writing when reading and analyzing ancient texts.

Shape Shifters and Dissociation

In Norse myths, many of the giants and gods were called "shape shifters". While it is speculated shape shifters could take on other forms and move through time and space, it is possible shape shifters is a kenning for people with a high degree of dissociation, a symptom of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). PTSD is an anxiety disorder occurring in some people who have experienced life-threatening trauma. It is common in war veterans and is traditionally known as "shell shock".

Dissociation is a process which allows the mind to separate certain memories and thoughts from regular consciousness. These memories and thoughts are not permanently erased and can resurface unexpectedly when triggered by similar objects, events, people, and environments. Some believe these traumatic memories can be inherited from generation to generation, and in some traditions they are called Blood Memories or Historical Trauma.

The group of people identified as the frost giants were descendants and lone survivors of a blood massacre killing the rest of their family. Some of the descendants including Freya became hostages to the Aesir. According to the Oera Linda Book, the descendants of Frya have not fared much better and were under constant threat and attack by the Magy. Since the Oera Linda Book ends as it is describing how the Magy kidnapped the Frisian children in order to raise them according to their own beliefs, it is reasonable surviving members of this family would suffer from Historical Trauma.

Relationships

In the Oera Linda, Frya is revered as the Frisian's mother; moreover, many people refer to her as their mother because of her position as folk-mother. Another name which is possibly a title denoting the folk-mothers is Fjorgyn meaning the 'personification of Mother Earth'. Consequently, being the son or daughter of Fjorgyn or Frya was not necessarily a biological relationship. Likewise, Odin in Norse mythology and Enki in the Sumerian traditions were both called all-fathers. Their relationships with others can also be misunderstood because Odin and Enki were revered as everyone's father in the same way many people call God their father today. Taking this into consideration, it is possible some of the relationships in these traditions are being interpreted as biological when they are not. For example, myths claim Thor's father was Odin and his mother Fjorgyn. Yet, it is likely this simply implies Thor's mother was a folk-mother, and his biological father is someone other than Odin. It is also likely Thor's mother was Frya and his father Frey when these relationships are compared to other corresponding myths and stories.

In many early traditions, distinctions were not made between certain kinship relationships in extended families. Consequently, the word for a biological son or daughter can be the same as the word for a nephew or niece. It is also unlikely there were words denoting in-laws at the time of the first marriages; therefore, the word for father and father-in-law were probably the same. Relationships are further obscured because some early texts claim people were often referred to by their parent's names.

Irtha and Gullveig

Nerthus (Irtha) is identified as being the mother of Freya. It is probable she is also Gullveig, a name possibly cognate with Hel. If Gullveig and Nerthus are the same person, it would explain why Nerthus was not part of the hostage exchange even though she was Njord's consort and Freya's mother. It would also explain the confusion between Freya and Gullveig since both would have similar names due to a matriarchal naming system carrying on the mother's name instead of the father's.

Other names likely associated with Gullveig are Frigg and Fjorgyn. Traditional Norse myths claim Frigg is the consort to Odin, and many scholars believe she is Freya. The name Frigg means 'beloved' and 'wife'. Since it is likely Frya and Irtha were both wives to Odin, they would have both been called Frigg.

Not only was Gullveig mistreated in Odin's hall, she was eventually killed after she came to the Aesir to teach them her wisdom. Odin may have also had a child with Gullveig because Odin and Frigg are the alleged parents of Balder. This would mean Balder and Freya had the same mother and were half-siblings. When compared to Sumerian texts, the possibility arises Odin is not Balder's biological father. These texts imply Njord was actually Balder's father making Balder and Freya full-siblings instead of half.

Njord and Heimdell

Heimdell plays a prominent role in Norse mythology. Heimdell is the one who watches over the gods and the last to fall at Ragnarok. He is also known as the father of man.

(Figure 41, Statue of Heimdell in Stockholm, Sweden)

Heimdell has been compared to other religious figures including Agni the Hindu fire god, Mithras the Middle Eastern god of light, and Saint Michael and Jesus Christ in the Christian faith. In addition to Gullveig identifying herself as kin of Heimdell, Heimdell had a close connection to Freya. For example, it was Heimdell who suggested Thor disguise himself as Freya in order to get his hammer back from the frost giants.

In traditional Norse mythology, Njord is Frya's father. However, there are many similarities between Heimdell and Njord making it likely they are the same person. For example, Njord married a frost giant named Skadi after becoming a hostage to the Aesir. The marriage of Njord and Skadi was a union between the sea and the mountains bringing peace between the two groups. This marriage did not work out because Skadi hated the sea, and Njord hated the mountains; so neither could live in the other's home due to being homesick for their own lands. What is interesting about this marriage is Heimdell was also called "Hallinskadi". Ancient wedding practices included combining names to create a new surname. This might indicate Njord's name was Hallin, a name similar to Heimdell, the Hellens, and Hel.

The first element of Heimdell's name identifies with heimr meaning 'homeland' or 'world'. The second part is the masculine noun dallr. The feminine form of this is doll, and it is the second component of the name Mardoll, one of Freya's names. The name Heimdell (Heimdallr) has been connected with the Old English deall meaning 'brilliant', 'bright', and 'proud' and may refer to Heimdallr's 'shining whiteness'. This interpretation is supported by another etymology connecting Heimdell's name with the Old Frisian hemtiacht meaning 'brilliantly luminous'. Heimr is also very similar to Hymir, another name possibly referring to Heimdell. In Norse mythology, Hymir was known as "the dark one". Hymir was also revered for his possession of an enormous cauldron capable of brewing ale for all the gods until it was stolen by the Thunder God Thor. Since Heimdell knew the secrets of the runes, and Odin learned the secrets of the runes from his uncle, it is logical Heimdell was the unnamed brother of Bestla.

World Tree

Heimdell is associated with the world tree or cosmic tree. While many legends include a cosmic tree, there are striking similarities in the details of the descriptions between Sumerian and Norse myths. In Sumerian, Lilith is the demon of waste places originally living in the garden of Inanna. She is mentioned briefly in the Sumerian story Gilgamesh and the Huluppu-Tree. In this text, Inanna cannot cut down the Huluppu-Tree because a snake has built its nest at the base. A Zu-bird and its young live at the crown of the tree. Lilith has built her house in the middle.

According to Norse mythology, Odin hangs on the cosmic tree, Yggdrasil, for nine nights to obtain wisdom. Yggdrasil means 'dreadful mount', and its name is a reference to the gallows or Odin's horse. In ancient times, gallows were often called "the horse of the hanged". Yggdrasil is a gigantic ash tree and is considered holy. Similar to the Huluppu-Tree, the Yggdrasil tree has an eagle perched at the top. Another bird in its branches is a cock, sometimes referred to as Vidofnir, the tree snake. At the end of the world, Lif (life) and her mate Lifthrasir (eager for life) take shelter in the branches of the Yggdrasil tree. After the earth is purged by fire and flood, the couple will come down from the tree. It will be the dawning of the green age as Lif and Lifthrasir repopulate and renew the human race.

Loki the Trickster

While evidence does point at the likelihood Freya (Hel) is the daughter of Heimdell (Njord), Norse mythology records her as being the daughter of Loki. At Ragnarok, the frost giants will be led by Loki, a prankster or trickster, who can change shapes. Loki is recognized as the "fire god". He is the son of the frost giants Farbauti and Laufey. Loki's mother gave birth to him after being hit by a lightning bolt unleashed by Farbauti, a name meaning 'cruel striker'. Loki's mother's name means 'island of trees'. Laufey is similar to the Frisian Irtha (Nerthus) who is associated with an island of trees as well.

In Norse myths, Loki was first married to the frost giant Angroboda. Their children were Fenrir the wolf, Jormungand the serpent, and a daughter named Hel. When Odin found out the children of Loki were going to destroy him at Ragnarok, he hurdled Jormungand into the ocean, chained Fenrir, and banished Hel to the world beneath the worlds in charge of the inglorious dead. Even though the underworld was much different than how it is conceived today, Hel was adopted by the Christians as the name for their place of agony and eternal damnation. Once in the underworld, Hel's powers are greater than Odin's as myths also describe how Hel has the ability to hold Odin's son Balder there until the dead of Hel are fated to return and be destroyed along with the gods. At Ragnarok, Jormungand is destined to overwhelm the world before being killed by Thor, and Odin is to be killed by the wolf Fenrir.

Loki often causes the gods hardships and difficulties. Nevertheless, he is also the one who sometimes gets the gods out of dilemmas. Loki continually causes more trouble until the gods decide to put an end to him. At first, Loki escapes from the gods by turning himself into a salmon. However, Odin locates the fish and bounds him in a dark cave, a possible kenning for the underworld, until Ragnorak.

If Loki is Heimdell and Njord, it also means he is a frost giant living in the world of the gods. In order for a patriarchal society to succeed, the previous matriarchal system must be completely eliminated because it is impossible to be equal in a society based on inequalities. Being split between two cultures or what the Oera Linda Book calls "bastards", may explain why Loki is a trickster and continually going back and forth between the two groups. At Ragnarok, Loki and Heimdell, or the trickster and the god, are the last two to be destroyed when they come face to face with each other. Perhaps - this happens because they are each other.

Freya and Frey

Nordic myths place Frey as Freya's twin and Od (Odur) as Freya's consort, but it is feasible Od is Frey. In addition to having a consort named Od, Freya has a human lover named Ottar known as the 'battle boar'. Although Freya's husband is called Od or Oth, because of an early sound shift occurring between d's and t's, Od, Oth, and Ottar are possible word cognates referring to the same person.

In the "Lay of Hyndla", Ottar is Freya's protégé. Freya wishes to match the genealogical lore of Ottar with the hero Angantyr. Ottar avers to be of nobler decent. Three groups are identified as Ottar's race. He is the descendant of the kings of Horthaland, the line of Halfdan the Old (kings of Norway), and famous legendary heroes including Sigurd. By connecting Ottar to Sigurd and the Volsungs, Ottar is able to claim divine descent through Odin. This also puts him in a position to win the wager with Angantyr. According to traditional myths and the Oera Linda Book, Frey (Lyda) and Odin (Finda) were related, originating from the same family line of frost giants.

In Norse mythology, Frey's consort is a frost giant named Gerd, a name likely cognate with Hel in its gel form. Since Freya or Hel would have been a frost giant who married a Vanir, it makes sense the myths describe Freya as a Vanir, yet Hel was a frost giant. While it is speculated Heimdell is a Vanir as well, this has puzzled scholars because Heimdell's traits are much more like a frost giant's, and he is identified as being kin to the giants. Instead of Frey's father who would have been a Vanir, Heimdell would have been Frey's father-in-law and a frost giant. Heimdell's (Njord) first consort, Nerthus, was a Vanir, and Heimdell likely joined the family at the time of their union.

Lay of Skirnir

The story of Frey and Gerd is titled "Lay of Skirnir" and is included in the Poetic Edda. While Skirnir is Frey's attendant in this myth, Frey is often described as skirr meaning 'shining'. This is also the root of Skirnir, so some scholars conclude Frey and his attendant are the same person. In the Lay, Frey sees Gerd in the land of the giants and decides he must have her. But Gerd is not swayed by Frey's attempts, even when she is offered Draupnir, the powerful ring buried with Balder. Gerd finally agrees to love Frey, but she only does so under the threat of being physically assaulted to the point no other man would ever want to look at her again.

Gerd insists upon waiting nine nights before meeting Frey in a grove called Barri. This name is usually taken to derive from barr meaning 'barley'. Barley is an important ingredient in the process of making beer. Many of the early gods were directly associated with the production and distribution of alcohol, and the first god of the Aesir was named Buri. Similar to Freya, Gerd is sometimes compared to Idun. Before offering Gerd the ring Draupnir, Frey offered Gerd eleven golden apples, so it does seem they were the same person at one time.

It is also possible nine days is equivalent to nine months, and the reason Gerd (Frya) agreed to meet Frey was she was pregnant. Other early texts claim there were mistakes in translations of time, and often days meant months. In matriarchal societies, the males joined the female's family, and children were raised in their mother's household. In patriarchal societies, the females joined the male's family, and the children were raised in their father's household. When compared to other world traditions, it is also likely Freya and Frey's child was Thor.

Hymir, Gymir, and Aegir

Gerd and Frey's descendants became the royalty of Sweden. Gerd's father was named Gymir, a name cognate with Hymir. Hymir possessed an enormous cauldron capable of brewing ale for all the gods until it was stolen by Thor. This is a direct parallel to Aegir in Norse mythology who was ordered by Thor to brew beer for all the gods. When Aegir said he did not have a cauldron large enough, Thor stole one so Aegir could complete his assigned task.

In the prose introduction to "Lokasenna", it alleges Gymir is Aegir, a name meaning 'sea'. While one myth claims Aegir was married to Ran, and they had nine daughters whose names all describe different types of waves, another myth claims Heimdell was born of nine waves. If Heimdell and Aegir are the same, it might explain the confusion in the stories. The term being born of nine waves may indicate months spent at sea, meaning Heimdell's mother spent her entire pregnancy aboard a boat.

Aegir had two brothers named Logi and Kari. Logi means 'fire', and like Hymir, Kari means the 'dark one'. However, in Iceland, Kari is the name of the Scandinavian 'god of the wind'. What is interesting about this is in Norse mythology, Heimdell was probably Loki, a name cognate with Logi; and in Sumerian mythology, Heimdell was probably Enlil, a name meaning 'wind'. This may indicate Aegir's two brothers were actually aspects of himself.

Additional evidence to support the theory Heimdell and Loki are the same person can be found in the "Short Seeress' Prophecy". This text claims, "Frey wedded Gerth [Gerd], who was Gymir's daughter, of etin-kin [giant's kin], with Aurbotha". Loki's first wife and the mother of Hel was Angrbotha, a name almost identical to Aurbotha. Consequently, evidence suggests Heimdell, Njord, Hallinskadi, Loki, Rig, Hymir, Gymir, and Aegir are all names or titles referring to Frya or Hel's biological father.

In addition to possibly being the parents of Thor, Freya (Gerd) and Oth (Frey) had either one or two daughters named Hnoss meaning 'treasure' and Gersemi meaning 'jewel'. The Oera Linda Book also talks about Frya having a child who inherited Frya's love of right and freedom.

Parallel Stories in Norse Mythology

Another myth with striking parallels to Frey and Gerd is "The Ballad of Svipdag". In addition, several Lays in the Poetic Edda retell versions of the Freya (Gerd), Frey, and Odin triangle including the "Lay of Helgi Hjorvarthsson", "Helgi Hundingsband and Sigrun", and "Helgi Haddinjaskati". The triangle theme is also evident in the story of Hild and Finn found in the ancient manuscript known as Beowulf.

In the Beowulf poem, the Hild and Finn saga is told by a poet at the celebration of Beowulf's victory over the monster Grendel. It is also likely the reason this saga was told at this time is Finn and Hild were the ancestors of Beowulf, which was customary at the time. The story of Finn is about a man referred to as Finn Folcwalding who marries a woman named Hildeburh in order to stop a war between the Jutes and the Danes. While Finn Folcwalding is referred to as the king of the Frisians, it is doubtful Finn himself is Frisian. In fact, Finn is not even a Frisian name but Scandinavian instead. If this is a retelling of the Freya and Odin story, Finn would have been Aesir or possibly a Geat. Finn would have become king of the Frisians through his marriage to Freya. Folcwalding means 'folk father', a realistic title for someone who married the folk-mother, as Frya was according to the Oera Linda Book. Moreover, Finn was referred to as "son of Folcwalda".

In the Finn story, Hildeburh has a brother named Hnaef, and her father is Hoc Healfdence. Hildeburh's unnamed son and Hnaef are both killed during a war resulting in further conflicts and more deaths. Hildeburh's husband Finn is also killed, and Hildeburh is taken back to the Jutes after Finn's kingdom is completely destroyed.

Beowulf

The Beowulf poem injects fragments of historical legends such as the story of Hild and Finn without coherent chronological order indicating these legends were already well known to the audience. Other examples of this include the story of Sigmund, the mythical hero who is compared to Beowulf, and the story of Heremod. While some scholars believe the Beowulf poet was just reminded of these other historical legends, it is also feasible they were related or are parallel stories using different names, something common in Norse mythology.

The heroes in Beowulf are also a reflection of the gods in Norse mythology including bloody feuds with humans and monsters and feasting in mead halls. The hero Beowulf is very similar to Thor, and it is reasonable the story of Beowulf and his defeat of Grendel is a retelling of the defeat of Ymir and the dismemberment of Ymir's body. Furthermore, Beowulf's final conflict with a dragon many years later has strong parallels to Thor's final battle against the serpent at Ragnarok.

The three groups of people Lyda (Vanir), Finda (Aesir), and Frya (Frost Giants) found in the Oera Linda likely correspond to the Swedes (Vanir), the Geats (Aesir), and the Danes or Shieldings (Frost Giants) in Beowulf. The poem also refers to the Jutes which could be another name for the Giants or the Gods. Since the gods were once the giants, and there were so many marriages uniting groups of people, the combinations and possibilities are numerous. Adding to the confusion, Odin was the all-father and some texts suggest those appointed to rule his territories were all called his sons regardless of their biological relationships.

The Beowulf poem is revered as the first masterpiece in English literature. Only one manuscript dating from around A.D. 1000 has survived. The date the poem was composed has not been established and there is a wide variance between scholars, generally ranging between A.D. 700 - 900. Scholars are also puzzled because the poem was written in Old English, yet almost all the characters are Scandinavian. Although scholars believe the setting of the poem is in Northern Europe, the spelling of some of the names such as Herebeald indicate the date of the composition is earlier. Since groups of people have a tendency to rename new settlements after their previous homelands, it is possible the original setting is not Northern Europe but Greece, Anatolia, and Mesopotamia instead.

The Three Parts

The Beowulf epic is divided into three parts. The narrative does not follow traditional timelines as it moves forwards and backwards as well as injecting side stories. First, Beowulf fights in Denmark defending King Hrothgar's hall and people against the monster Grendel and Grendel's mother. Grendel has a grievance with Hrothgar and his kingdom over the way the creation story of man's beginnings and how the Almighty made the earth was being told by the poets. Consequently, it is likely Grendel parallels Ymir and the folk-mothers.

The second part of the epic tells the story of how Beowulf becomes king of the Geats ruling for fifty winters. While Beowulf parallels Thor and Shar-Kali-Sharri of King Sargon's dynasty who only ruled for twenty five years, it is important to remember the word year originally could represent a season. Mesopotamia had only two seasons but Anatolia had four, so the number of years could vary depending upon who is recording or telling the story.

The third part of the poem describes Beowulf's death after he fights the dragon in the final battle. Beowulf kills the dragon; however, he dies from the injuries he received during the struggle. At Ragnarok, Thor also kills the dragon (serpent) then dies from the injuries he received.

The Danes

The Beowulf poem begins by stating the genealogy line of the Danish kings beginning with Scyld. (See Figure 42)

(Figure 42, The Danes or Scyldings)

In a later story, Heremod is described as another king of the Danes. Heremod is depicted as being a bad king who brought harm to the Danes. The story of Heremod is told by Hrothgar just after Beowulf gives Hrothgar a golden hilt containing the name of the person the sword was originally fashioned for:

Then Hrothgar spoke, as he looked on the hilt, the old heirloom, engraved with its tale of origins of ancient strife, when the surging of the sea rushed in a flood, sweeping to slaughter the kinship of giants, of creatures estranged from the eternal Lord - through the whelming waters the Ruler dealt them their final retribution. The name was made known, clearly marked out, in the shape of runes shining with gold, on the sword-guards, for whom the smith first wrought that best of weapons, with twisted grip, and patterns of serpents.

Hrothgar then explains to Beowulf how it is Beowulf's destiny to bring peace to the people and to act as a source of strength to heroes. Hrothgar tells Beowulf this was not the case with Heremod:

Not so was Heremod to the sons of Ecgwela, the honorable Scyldings. He did not bring them success, but slaughter instead and destruction for the people of the Danes. Carried away with rage, he killed table-companions, his close loyal comrades, till this ill-famed prince journeyed all alone from the world of men's joys. Although mighty God had given him power, the pleasures of strength, and raised him in ruling over all other men \- yet there grew in his heart a bloodthirsty breast-hoard. He gave out no treasures, to earn glory among Danes, but he dwelt without joy, forced to suffer the rewards of the strive that he caused, the long-lasting evil to his people.

The story of Heremod is very similar to the story of Bergelmir (Noah) and the massacre of the frost giants. Hermod or Helmit is also the name of one of Odin's sons and Balder's brother. Odin sends Hermod to the underworld after Balder's death to ask Hel for his release. The name Helmit, like Hel, derives from PIE kel.

The Geats

In the Beowulf poem, King Hrothgar has built a large mead hall in middle earth named Heorot. Hrothgar's kingdom is being attacked by the monster Grendel, so Beowulf from Geatland comes to his defense. It is currently believed Geatland was located in Southern Sweden, but scholars are not sure who the Geats were, and they are unsure about the meaning of the name. Although Beowulf's father is Swedish, he was fostered by his grandfather Hrethel who Beowulf came to live with when he was seven. Hrethel is a Geat, a word likely cognate to the word god and describing the Aesir. (See Figure 43)

(Figure 43, The Geats)

Moreover, scholars are currently unsure of the etymology of the word god, but the word gate comes from Old English geat meaning 'an opening', a 'passage', and a 'door'. It also comes from Old Frisian gat meaning 'hole' and 'opening', a word most appropriate if it was describing the black hole at the center of the universe. Because of language changes, the word god and the word gat are identical as well.

Hrethel and Odin

Hrethel is the father of Herebeald. After Herebeald is killed by his brother Haethcyn, King Hrethel dies from grief because he is unable to avenge Herebeald's death. Since the name Herebeald is cognate with Balder and Haethcyn with Hod, many scholars conclude the Beowulf account is an earlier version of the Balder story. Hrethel also has many parallels to Balder's father Odin. For example, in a Lay included in the Poetic Edda, Odin is the ferryman Harbarth, a name likely cognate to Herebeald. In the passages describing Hrethel dying from grief, there are references to hanging on the gallows and being pierced by a spear, both paralleling Odin hanging on Yggdrasil.

Ecgtheow and Frey

Beowulf's father is the Swedish Ecgtheow who comes from the family line of the Waegmundings. (See Figure 44)

(Figure 44, The Swedes)

This is consistent with Frey who founded the Swedish Royal house, the Ynglings or Scylfings, with his consort Gerd. Conflicts between the Swedes, Danes, Jutes, Geats, and Frisians are a common theme throughout the poem. Beowulf's King and Lord is Hygelac. King Hygelac dies in Frisia and is succeeded by his son Heardred who was guided by Beowulf. Beowulf succeeded Heardred after he is killed by the sons of the Swede Ongentheow.

King Hrothgar and Heimdell

According to the Beowulf poem, Ecgtheow once asked King Hrothgar for help after slaying Heatholaf, a man from another tribe called the Wulfings. Ecgtheow's family may not have been able to pay the wergild (man-price) to Heatholaf's family, so King Hrothgar paid it for them. Ecgtheow is indebted to Hrothgar, and this is why Hrothgar believes Ecgtheow's son Beowulf has come to help them defend themselves against the monster Grendel.

It is also possible Hrothgar is Heimdell. Hrothgar marries his daughter Freawaru to Ingled, a prince of the Heathobards, to settle a feud between the families. Freawaru is a name very similar to Frya, and Frey was known as Ing. Although the marriage is currently taking place during the time Beowulf (Thor) is at Hrothgar's hall, other sources such as the "Lay of Skirnir" and the "Ballad of Svipdag" indicate there was a large time span between Freya (Gerd) agreeing to love Frey, and when she actually marries him. Hrothgar claims he knew Beowulf when he was a boy, so it is conceivable it was Hrothgar who Beowulf lived with until he was seven.

Thor, Beowulf, and Horus

Parallels to Thor can be found in Egyptian myths with Horus, the son of Isis who is the equivalent of Freya. Seth is the brother of Osiris who corresponds to Frey. Seth, who has numerous similarities to Odin in the Norse myths, murdered Osiris and appointed himself as king. But Osiris and Isis already had Horus (Thor) who was raised secretly in the underworld by Isis. Thoth, Osiris's sacred scribe, looked after Horus while Isis was bringing him up. Since Seth had no children as heirs, it was Horus who was the true inheritor and king. From the underworld, Osiris demanded his son's right to the throne and threatened Seth if Horus's inheritance was not acknowledged. The matter was then taken up by RA, the Egyptian equivalent to Heimdell, who agreed to Horus's claim. Consequently, Horus gained the throne.

Horus had a right to the throne because Isis told Horus RA's secret name. The name had something to do with a snake, and when his true name was spoken, it healed him. After gaining the throne, Horus like Beowulf, ruled peacefully. In traditional Norse mythology, Thor rose to power as the main god ruling peacefully as well, while Odin eventually faded away. Although Beowulf stated he did not father an heir and Thor had sons, perhaps Beowulf did not have any sons who inherited his knowledge of the runes.

Draupnir

In Norse mythology, rings were symbols of power and were sometimes used for currency. These rings were also symbols of destiny and sometimes symbols of doom. At the funeral of his son Balder, Odin buried the ring Draupnir even though Odin had other sons. This may indicate Odin, like Seth, had no children to inherit the ring because inheritance was not based on blood but by descendants who understood the runes. In Norse traditions, Balder also had a son named Forsite meaning 'president' or 'presiding one'. Since Forsite is not described as an inheritor or as one of the survivors of Ragnarok, it is likely he did not understand the runes either.

Lay of Rig

According to the "Lay of Rig", when Heimdell taught the future generations the runes they inherited his name. In this Lay, Heimdell disguised himself as a mortal named Rig meaning 'king' and established the three social groups: the nobles, the peasants, and the slaves. In order to do this, Rig fathered three sons by three different women. The first son was born of great-grandmother, and the second son was born of grandmother. The third son, born of mother, was called Earl (Odin) until Rig taught him the runes. After claiming Earl as an heir, Rig gave Earl his name. Earl had many children; the youngest was named Kon (Balder). Of all the children, Kon was the only one who understood the runes; moreover, Kon understood the runes better than his own father. As a result, Kon inherited the name Rig as well. (See Figure 45)

(Figure 45, Descendants of Rig)

Clarifying, Odin and Balder would have both inherited the surname Bolthor or Herebeald (Harbarth) from Heimdell after they learned the runes. While the "Lay of Rig" claims Heimdell fathered Earl or Odin, Heimdell was actually Odin's uncle, a role more important than the biological father's in many early traditions. Furthermore, uncles and fathers were often referred to by the identical terms making their roles and relationships undistinguishable.

Thor and Sigurd the Dragon Slayer

In addition to Beowulf and Horus, Thor has strong parallels to Sigurd or Siegfried the dragon slayer. Consequently, Sigurd's father Sigmund compares to Frey. Sigurd was fostered by Regin, a name very similar to Rig, whose father was Hreidmar, a name similar to Heimdell. Sigmund also had a daughter named Aslaug. (See Figure 45) According to the Prose Edda, Aslaug was fostered by Heimir in Hlymdalir and many great families have come from her. By comparison, Heimir is likely Heimdell considering Heimdell was also Hymir (Heimir). Therefore, it is possible both Thor (Sigurd) and his sister Gersemi (Aslaug) inherited the name Bolthor or Herebeald.

Hermod is the son of Odin and brother to Balder. After Balder's death, Hermod is sent to Hel by Odin to ask for his brother's release. Although Hel does not release Balder, she does give Hermod Draupnir, the ring buried with Balder. This may signify Hel (Frya) gave Thor (Beowulf) to Hermod considering Thor was the true inheritor or lord of the ring after Balder. This could also be the reason why Beowulf went to live with Hrethel when Beowulf was seven years old. Because he was raised by his grandfather Hrethel (Odin) who was an enemy of Grendel (Frost Giants), it is likely Beowulf became an enemy to the frost giants as well.

According to Snorri in the Prose Edda, Thor was fostered in Thrace by a duke named Loricus. When Thor was ten years old, he received his father's arms. When Thor was twelve years old, he killed Loricus and Loricus' wife Lori or Glori. Thor then took possession of Thrace, also called Thrudheim. This story could be analogous to the Norse creation myth. When Augelmir (Ymir) was killed by Odin and his brothers, the rest of the Frost Giants which would have included Thrudgelmir, were massacred as well. The children of Thor include his sons Modi and Magni and a daughter named Thrud with his consort Sif. (See Figure 45) Comparably, two of the grandsons of Noah were Magog (Irish, Finns, and Slavs) and Madai (Iran and Medes), names very similar to Modi and Magni.

Freya and Hel

In traditional Norse mythology, Odin and his Valkyries sweep over battlefields claiming half of the slain warriors. These warriors are taken back to Valhalla, the dwelling place of the dead. When Odin is done choosing his warriors, Freya then claims the other half. The Beowulf epic offers evidence to suggest Freya is also the woman known as Hel. When describing the death of Grendel, the poem states:

The one doomed to die, without any joy, sought to hide in the fens, and laid down his life, the soul of a heathen to be taken by hell.

Grendel was also referred to as a "hell-demon". The Beowulf poem claims many of the Danes had previously been heathens. According to the text:

For a time they prayed in heathen temples, worshipping idols, and pleading with words for the Slayer of Souls to come to their aid in the nation's crisis. Such then was their custom, the hope of heathens; in their hearts they bore hell, they knew not the Creator, the Judge of all deeds - neither acknowledged the Lord, nor knew how to praise the Protector of Heaven, the Ruler of Glory.

While the only traditional parallel between Freya and Hel is they both claim half of the dead, there are additional parallels between Hel and Freya's Sumerian counterpart, Inanna, who embodies both their traits.

Inanna Comparison

In the composition Inanna's Descent to the Nether World, Inanna is presented as a corpse hanging on a hook. This is comparable to Hel who is described as half woman and half corpse. Also similar to Hel who was banished to the underworld by Odin, Inanna was appointed to the underworld by Enlil. While it is believed Inanna took the throne from her sister named Ereshkigal, Ereshkigal is a title meaning 'queen of the underworld', and many scholars believe Inanna and Ereshkigal are one and the same with the two different names representing the change in her position. This may also be true of Freya and Hel.

The etymology of Inanna's name is doubtful; however, it is thought to be Semitic in origin. It is believed to derive from nin-an-na meaning 'lady of heaven'. Similar to Freya, Inanna is identified as the original Holy Virgin by the Sumerians. She is equivalent to Isis in Egypt, Isthar and Astarte in Semitic, Aphrodite in Greek, and Venus in Rome. Inanna, like Freya, is also given the permanent status as "maiden". Similar to the Frisian folk-mothers, one of the duties of Inanna was to mediate in matters of differences in opinions. One of Inanna's main symbols is an eight-pointed star. This symbol could link Inanna to Frya because an eight-pointed star can be used to represent the positions of a six-spoke wheel when turning the wheel to accommodate some of the symbols is considered, as it was in Frya's alphabet.

Marriage Rites

Inanna's consort was Dumuzi, whose characteristics parallel Frey. The major theme of Inanna and Dumuzi's relationship included ceremonial marriage rites to ensure fertilization. The cult of Dumuzi celebrated two festivals yearly. One of these festivals centered on the death of Dumuzi when he was taken to the underworld by demons. The other festival centered on Dumuzi's marriage to Inanna. During this sacred marriage rite, the king would assume the identity of the god. The king then consummated the marriage with a priestess who was an incarnation of the goddess. This union assured all of nature would be fertilized and would reproduce the following year.

Freya, Inanna, and Enheduanna

Additional parallels between Inanna and Freya may be evident in the historical persona of Enheduanna. It is currently believed Sargon is Enheduanna's father, but this assumption comes from one inscription on a stone stating she is the "daughter of Sargon". When considering this relationship, it is important to remember the term 'father' was used as a name of respect and honor such as many currently call God their Father. Consequently, their relationship was probably not biological. While the name Enheduanna is translated as 'ornament of An', the morpheme du means 'to walk', 'to go', and 'to come' indicating Enheduanna was not native to Sargon's lands. Similar to Freya, Enheduanna's main agenda was to try to remedy the damages caused by land depletion.

Enheduanna was the first moon goddess of Ur setting precedent for the next five hundred years. The marriage of Enheduanna to the moon God Nanna was a union ensuring fertility and prosperity to the land. Enheduanna was seen as a virtual personification of Inanna, and her writings often switch from third to first person when Enheduanna is speaking of her.

Enheduanna had the same fate as Inanna when she is exiled from the temple by her brother-in-law during the reign of Naram-Suen. In her writings, Enheduanna claims she has been banished from her position and exiled to the Steppes by her brother-in-law Lugalanne who has rebelled against Sargon. Not only has Lugalanne made sexual advances toward Enheduanna, he has destroyed the temples and declared himself equal to the new high priestess. According to the Cursing of Agade (Akkad), Inanna leaves the city to return to her home, and her actions cause a revolt. This is similar to the Oera Linda where Frya goes to Flyland before the flood to give her children the sacred text. Her actions may have also caused a revolt considering their consequences included the sinking of Atland.

Many attributes pertaining to Freya apply to Inanna. In Nin-Me-Sara, Enheduanna writes how the great gods, the Anuna, were terrified of Inanna and could not withstand her devastating glance. Similar to Inanna, the Oera Linda Book describes Frya as having a glance powerful enough to make a lion lay at her feet, and an adder withhold its venom. In Nin-Me-Sara, Enheduanna also describes herself as being in a strange and hostile land which completely destroyed her. She asks the question, "And because of my fate-determining song – must I die?" In Norse myths, it was through lore Odin learned the children of Loki, including Hel, were going to destroy him, so he banned them all until they were destined to return at Ragnarok.

Odin and Enki

Odin shares many of the same qualities with Enki in the Sumerian tradition. Both are identified as gods of wisdom and magic, and both are known as all-fathers. Moreover, Odin had only one eye, and according to the Sumerian text Enki and the World Order, it is likely Enki had only one eye as well. Examples to support this theory include translations of lines such as, "After he had cast his eye from that spot" and, "Enki, who, lifting but a single eye, convulses the Kur". Similar to Odin who divided up the world, it was Enki who created the world order and was responsible for the appointments of the gods over specific areas. The sacred marriage rite is also associated with Enki and his consort Ninki or Ninhursaga.

Ninhursaga

Ninhursaga is revered as "the lady of the great mountains" and is referred to as the mother of the gods. Ninhursaga's attributes are similar to the Norse goddess Nerthus (Irtha), mother of Freya and consort to Njord (Heimdell). Ninhursaga is also known as Ninlil. As previously speculated Irtha was both consort to Heimdell and Odin in Norse mythology, Ninhursaga is consort to both Enlil and Enki in Sumerian mythology.

In Sumerian myths, Ninhursaga nourished the earthly kings with her milk, thus making them divine. This parallels the Norse creation myth where the milk of Audhumla, the primeval cow, fed Ymir, the first living creature. Many of the early goddesses were associated with cows including Inanna. Plato claimed the Egyptians revered a great mother goddess named Neith who was called Athene by the Greeks. In addition to the many similarities to Ninhursaga, Neith is also known as the "celestial cow".

As Ninki, Ninhursaga lived as Enki's consort on the Island of Dilmun. The vegetation on the island came from the union between Enki and Ninki. According to the myth, Enki became sexually interested in his daughters much to Ninki's outrage. Ninki then developed eight plants from the seeds of Enki's sperm making Enki sick when he ate them. Eventually, Ninki takes pity on Enki and heals him by placing him back in her womb to be born again. Comparable to Norse mythology, Odin had multiple consorts and children by several different women even though he seemed devoted to his wife Frigg. Moreover, it is possible Freya, Frigg's daughter and Odin's step-daughter, became one of Odin's consorts after the hostage exchange.

Enlil, Heimdell, and Loki

Sumerian myths do not mention a trickster but when comparing their pantheon to the Nordic myths, the one in the position of the trickster would be Enlil. Enlil is the leading god of the younger generation of Mesopotamian deities. It is believed he is Enki's older brother; although, this relationship between Enlil and Enki has been questioned by many. Some theories suggest Enlil and Enki were blood brothers, and others suggest they were different aspects of the same person. This corresponds to Norse legends where Loki was sometimes considered the foster brother to Odin.

Analogous to Loki, Enlil is a shape changer, and in the text Enlil and Nam-zid-tara he turns into a raven, a bird Norse mythology closely associates with Odin. As a young god, Enlil is banished from the home of the gods named Dilmun to Kur (the underworld) for raping Ninlil. Ninlil then follows Enlil to the underworld where she gives birth to Nanna-Suen, the moon god also called Sin. Enlil fathered three more underworld deities to serve as substitutes for Nanna-Suen before Enlil is allowed to return to Dilmun.

Since Nanna-Suen parallels Balder in the Norse traditions, and Enlil is comparable to Heimdell, it is possible Heimdell is Balder's biological father instead of Odin. The story of Nanna-Suen also parallels the Oera Linda Book where it claims Jessos Krishna was not raised in his homelands. In Norse mythology, Balder's consort is Nanna, a name very similar to Inanna. While many scholars believe Nanna was Balder's wife, considering the definition of consort, Nanna could have been Balder's sister instead.

Enlil also taught the gods about growing crops and irrigation. When there was talk of rebelling because of all the hard work associated with agriculture, Enlil went to Enki who suggested the Goddess Nintur create humans to do the work for the gods. Enki then organized the earth from a plan laid out by Enlil. This parallels Heimdell and Odin in the Norse tradition. Enlil becomes alarmed at the rising population growth and tries to control it by destroying the humans through plagues, draughts, and finally a flood which completely destroys Akkad (Agade).

The Cursing of Agade

The Cursing of Agade tells the story of the destruction of Agade. It comes from a source several hundred years after the fact. This, like other literature of the time, seemed to disappear suggesting some sort of major disaster happening historically. When Naram-Suen destroyed Enlil's temple, he found the treasure of Enlil described as the holy treasure chest of the gods. This act fully enrages Enlil, so like Loki who led the giants against the gods, Enlil brings the Gutians or unbridled people from the mountains to cause havoc to Naram-Suen, a self-proclaimed god. Naram-Suen's son Shar-Kali-Sharri tried to rebuild the temple before a flood completely destroyed the city.

Ragnarok

The Cursing of Agade has some remarkable parallels to the Norse Ragnarok or end of the world. While Norse myths maintain Hel, Jormungand, and Fenrir are all children of Loki, since Hel is a rotting corpse, Jormungand a serpent, and Fenrir a wolf, it is probably safe to assume Loki's children's relationship to each other is not biological.

In the Sumerian tradition, Enlil fathered three underworld deities before he could be released from the underworld. This parallels Loki who was banished to the underworld until Ragnarok. Since cities at the time were all founded on a certain deity, instead of a wolf, serpent, and half-dead corpse named Hel returning at Ragnarok, the myth is likely referring to three cities.

Cursing of Agade Parallels

In the Cursing of Agade, many of the gods and their cities rose up against and destroyed Agade to appease Enlil. The text identifies two, Kish and E-Kur. The meanings of the name Kish include 'snarling', 'bird catcher', and 'set a trap'. Since names were translated by meaning, Kish could be describing a wolf. Kish was likely the stronghold of the Vanir, so it is likely Frey was associated to the surname Olf, Elf, or Ulf as well.

The second city, E-Kur, is analogous to Hel considering Kur is the Sumerian word for the underworld. In the Cursing of Agade, E-Kur is demolished, "as if it was a huge ship". According to the Poetic Edda, at Ragnarok the dead of Hel return in a huge ship with Loki at the wheel.

When describing Agade, the composition states, "like a dying dragon, it dragged its head on the earth and they jointly deprived it of honour as in a battle". This description matches a serpent since serpents and dragons are interchangeable in Norse mythology. The name Agade is also very similar to Asgard (Troy), the stronghold of the Aesir.

The Cursing of Agade tells the story of how Enlil went back and forth between the gods and the Gutians, and in the end, he turned on the gods and destroyed everything. This directly parallels the Norse tradition where Loki went back and forth between the gods and the giants, and in the end, he sided with the giants and destroyed everything. According to the Sumerian lexicon, although Enlil, the father of all the gods, is translated as en meaning 'lord' and lil meaning 'wind', the morpheme lil can also mean a 'moron' or an 'idiot', words more closely aligned with a trickster.

In some North American oral traditions, the trickster is also the creator. In Sumerian mythology, Enlil is the creator of the world and responsible for the division of the different classes of people. In Norse mythology, Heimdell, under the name of Rig, created the world classes. Since many languages interchanged the r for the l, it is possible the names Rig and Loki are cognate.

Egyptian Parallels

Freya's Egyptian counterpart is Isis. Similar to Freya, Isis taught people how to cure illnesses, and she instituted the rite of marriage. Parallel to Frey and Freya, Isis is the wife and twin sister to Osiris. Comparable to Hel and Inanna, Isis is known as the goddess of the underworld who brought life to the dead.

The name Hel is prominent in Egypt as well. Horus dates from around 3000 B.C.E. Horus was identified as Hor, Heru, and Har, names all very similar to Hel when lallation is considered. Also similar to the name Hel, the name Heru translates as 'the distant one' or 'the one on high'. Some of his symbols were the falcon, bull, double crown, winged disk, and weapons. Pharaohs were his earthly embodiment, and kings would take his name.

Horus eventually absorbed the God RA and also Atum. Atum was revered as the "Great He-She" meaning the 'complete one'. Atum is the originator of Ennead or a collection of nine things. The Ennead included nine deities made up of Atum and his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. They were associated with Heliopolis, a name which could mean 'city of Hel'. Heliopolis was the main center of Hathor as well.

Hel and Hathor

Hathor is revered as the patron of the sky, sun, music, dance, and the arts. The characteristics of Hathor also combine the characteristics of Hel and Freya. In early times, Hathor was depicted as a woman in queenly garments wearing a sun disc and horns on her head. She was the mother goddess of the whole world, and her name could also be cognate to Hel. Hathor's priests were artisans, musicians, and dancers creating rituals described as works of art. Music and dance were a major part of the worship of Hathor, more so than any other deity in Egypt. Her symbols included lions, falcons, cobras, musical instruments, drums, pregnant women, and mirrors.

(Figure 46, Hathor)

Similar to Freya, Hathor (Het-Hert, Hetheru) is referred to as, "the great one with many names". She was originally a personification of the Milky Way. She has been absorbed into other goddesses, namely Isis. Hathor was worshipped in Semitic West Asia, Ethiopia, Somali, and Libya. She was the sky goddess and the lady of the stars. There are more children named after Hathor than anyone else. She was also known as the mistress of life. Moreover, like Hel, Hathor assisted the dead on their final journey.

Hathor's husband is Horus the Elder, and her son is Ihy, god of music and dancing. Hathor is the daughter of RA; however, later when Horus and RA merged as one, Hathor was revered as the wife and daughter of RA. Comparable to Freya, Hathor is a shape changer and can take the forms of a woman, cat, lion, goose, and malachite. Her form as a cow is most famous. Hathor predates the historical period, and the house of Horus was associated with the royal family. In the Gnostic text Thunder, Perfect Mind, the narrator states, "I am the one whose image is great in Egypt and the one who has no image among the barbarians". This description parallels Hathor and Hel as well.

White Buffalo Calf Maiden

After the deluge destroying much of Frya's and Finda's lands, the Frisians stated they needed to populate the empty lands. They also stated in order to maintain their salvation, they would need to sail "far and wide". By doing so, it is possible their travels brought them from Europe to North America. A Sioux tribe called the Lakota has a prophecy originating long ago where the sacred peace pipe was brought to their people by the woman the Lakota refer to as White Buffalo Calf Maiden. The Maiden came in a time after a great flood, and she brought not only the sacred pipe, but the basis of Lakota spiritual beliefs.

The Sun Dance

The White Buffalo Calf Maiden introduced several sacred ceremonies to the people including the Wiwanyag Wachipi or the Sun Dance. The Sun Dance is the most sacred of the Lakota spiritual practices because it demonstrates to the people sacrifice must be a genuine and operative virtue in the culture. Participants in the Sun Dance pierce their skin in two places, and skewers made of bone are inserted. A cord is attached and tied to a central pole. The participants pull the cords tighter as they dance, tearing the skewers through their flesh.

The Sun Dancers are giving of themselves and enduring the pain of having their skin pierced for the good of the people. During the ceremony, men and women abstain from eating food and drinking water. It is the hope of the Sun Dancer he or she will collapse and experience a vision. The Sun Dance reminds the people sacrifices are painful but necessary. Often the dancers participate because of personal reasons as well as for the community aspect of the ceremony.

In many ways the Sun Dance motif parallels Odin and Yggdrasil, the World Tree connecting the realms of heaven and hell in Norse mythology. According to the Elder Edda, the one-eyed, all-wise God Odin hung on the tree in order to acquire wisdom:

I know that I hung on a high wind tree for nine long nights; I had a spear wound - that was Odin's work - I struck myself. No one can tell about that tree, from what deep roots it rises. They brought me no bread, no horn to drink from, I gazed toward the ground. Crying aloud, I caught up runes; finally I fell.

White Buffalo Calf Maiden told the Lakota people they would remain the caretakers of the earth forever as long as they remembered to sing the songs and to perform the ceremonies. As the sacred woman was leaving, she told the people, "Toksha ake wacinyanktin ktelo" meaning 'I shall see you again'. Then, like Frya who was a shape shifter, the maiden turned into a buffalo.

According to several sources including Sitting Bull and Crazy Horse, this return will occur in the seventh generation which many believe is the current generation. This parallels Frya who returns after seven generations to give her children her text. The name Lakota, like the name Frya, means 'friend'. Interestingly, the Lakota word for 'mother' is Ina, a shortened version of the name Inanna, the Sumerian mother figure and equivalent to Frya.

The Fourth Race

While the Oera Linda Book and other early texts only talk about three races, the Gnostic text Origin of the World acknowledges four. This text describes how the Savior created many beings without kings, thus making them superior to others:

Consequently, four races exist. There are three that belong to the kings of the eighth heaven. But the fourth race is kingless and perfect, being the highest of all. For these shall enter the holy place of the father. And they will gain rest in repose and eternal, unspeakable glory and unending joy. Moreover, they are kings within the mortal domain, in that they are immortal. They will condemn the gods of chaos and their forces.

When the Europeans came to North America, they brought with them a white patriarchal power system where success depended upon the fall of the matriarchal power systems existing with many of the tribes of Indigenous people already living there. Since their initial contact with the fourth race, the Europeans have used a variety of techniques to destroy traditional native cultures and replace them with their own. Moreover, almost all the Indigenous people have been exiled from their original homelands. During the process of colonizing the tribes, the policies of the United States government towards the Native Americans have included extermination, subjugation, genocide, assimilation, and oppression.

In addition to being forced to adapt to the oppressor's way of life, many Indian children were forcibly taken away to boarding schools where they were separated from their families. These children were not allowed to speak their languages, the major carriers of cultures. Consequently, many traditional ways were forgotten. Many of these children were subjected to not only physical and sexual abuse, but psychological torment as well. In the name of "civilization" these children grew up in dangerous environments believing it was normal, and many problems emerged breaking down their families and kinship systems.

One of the biggest of these problems is alcohol, first introduced by the Europeans. Many people use alcohol as a way to control their internal anger; therefore, it serves as a medicine. As a result, alcohol has become a significant part of Native American lives, and for many, it is not separated from their former traditional or spiritual existence.

Regardless of the pressures and the hardships placed upon them to accept the white patriarchal power system, many people from the fourth race worldwide still hold to their traditional matriarchal values, beliefs, and ceremonies. Moreover, the resilience of some tribes such as the Lakota is apparent in their refusal to accept a very large award in compensation for their illegally seized lands, namely, the Black Hills. The Black Hills or Paha Sapa are sacred to many with Wind Cave being the womb of their creation. Although they are one of the poorest tribes in the United States, the Lakota refuse to sell their Mother.

Seven Generations

While the Oera Linda Book maintains Frya returned after seven generations to give the people her text, one generation is usually measured by about twenty years, so it is illogical Frya lived to be 140 years old. Consequently, it is logical one of Frya's descendants and carriers of the culture returned with the text. It is also possible seven generations began with Ymir, the first living creature or earth-mother, and ended with the Folk-Mother Fasta in 2193 B.C.E. (See Figure 47)

(Figure 47, Seven Generations)

According to the Oera Linda Book, Frya died in the disaster which concluded with the sinking of Atland. In traditional Norse mythology, survivors of Ragnarok included Odin's brother Honir who became the priest for the gods and Odin's sons Vidar and Vali. Thor's sons Modi and Magni survived as well. After Ragnarok, Balder is revived from the dead and reestablished. Since immortality is achieved through word-fame, this myth indicates Balder's name was also revived.

When Woman Became Man

Augelmir, Thrudgelmir, and Bergelmir are listed as being the names of males; however, the frost giants were a matriarchal society where the mother's name is passed on to the children instead of the father's. When the patriarchal societies replaced the matriarchal societies, the passing on of names changed as well. However, the generation experiencing the change would actually be excluded from the change because their current matriarchal surnames became their patriarchal surnames. For the Aesir, Buri was the first god and likely associated with the name Oth. According to the Prose Edda, Othin is a title given to the man with the most power. The Vanir were most likely associated with the name Olf. It is also possible Frey was known as Oth because the families joined at the time of the hostage exchange. Furthermore, Frey could have assumed the title as Freya's first consort.

Because of the similarities in names, it seems apparent the frost giants were originally associated with the matriarchal name Gelmir. Following the Hebrew story of Noah, after the flood Noah became the first patriarch comparable to Bergelmir. After landing on a mountain top, Noah makes an offering to God. In other words, Noah (Bergelmir) accepted the gods' rule and authority in order to survive. This likely included accepting alcohol as a way of life considering the story of Noah continues with Noah becoming a farmer and planting a vineyard. According to the Old Testament:

Then he drank of the wine and was drunk, and became uncovered in his tent. And Ham, the father of Canaan, saw the nakedness of his father, and told his two brothers outside. But Shem and Japheth took a garment, laid it on both their shoulders, and went backward and covered the nakedness of their father. Their faces were turned away, and they did not see their father's nakedness. (Genesis 9:21-23)

When Noah "awoke from his wine" and realized his youngest son had tried to expose him to his two brothers, Noah was angry and cursed Ham and Canaan. Noah then placed Canaan in servitude to Shem and Japheth. In return for his submission, God established his covenant with Noah and his descendants. God also established a rainbow in a cloud as a sign of the covenant promising never to destroy the people with a flood again.

Bergelmir became the father of all the frost giants, indicating his current matriarchal name would now be carried on as his patriarchal name. This name evolved from Bergelmir and Bolthor into Herebeald. Not only did the names change at this time, it is likely positions of power changed also. For example, Bergelmir became folk-father or "Folcwalda" of the people as well as the father of all the frost giants. The position of folk-mother would now belong to Bergelmir's wife. Since Bergelmir's (Bolthor) daughter Bestla married Bor, she would have assumed the surname Oth. Bestla's brother Heimdell would have had the surname Bolthor or Herebeald as would his wife Irtha and their children which included Frya.

Although it is probable Thor was Frya's child and taught in Heimdell's household, therefore, inheriting the name, according to the Prose Edda, when Thor was twelve he inherited his father's arms. Since Thor became an enemy to the frost giants and spent most of his younger years killing them, it is feasible Thor inherited his father's name along with his arms. Thus, it is likely the only way the name Herebeald survived was through the daughter identified as Gersemi or Hnoss (Treasure) and possibly Aslaug. It is also likely the name was associated with Fasta, the first folk-mother after the sinking of Atland. The word fast derives from Old Frisian festia and Old Norse fasta. The original meaning of fast meant 'hold firmly' and has evolved from 'firm control of oneself' to 'holding to observance' in the form of religious duty. It also comes from Gothic fastan meaning 'to keep' and 'to observe', words possibly describing the "Watchers" who were the guardians of the secrets of the universe.

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Chapter Six: Gnosticism

The traditions and beliefs of the Frisians' have many parallels to Gnosticism, a pre-Christian and early Christian religious and philosophical movement. At the heart of Gnosticism is a feminine being named Sophia meaning 'wisdom of God'. The story of Sophia includes the theme of an exile and return, and it parallels Norse traditions as well as the Oera Linda Book.

Similar to the folk-mothers, Gnosticism maintains evil comes from humanities ignorance about where they came from, and who they are. Moreover, both agree the Demiurge or the Magy are ruling by enslaving humanity through the development of social classes. Instead of salvation through religion and churches, the Gnostic beliefs include salvation coming from self-knowledge which leads to understanding ultimate, divine realities. Self-knowledge comes from a divine spark inside everyone waiting to be discovered.

In the Hebrew tradition as well as others, the world is flawed and humans are responsible for corrupting a perfect creation. While Gnostics agree creation is flawed, they disagree with who is responsible placing the blame on the creator instead. Significant sources including Jesus in the Gnostic text Gospel of Thomas indicate the flaw in creation is likely the production and consumption of alcohol.

After the death of the traditional Christ, there were alternative versions of who Jesus was and what his message was all about. There were different versions of who God was as well. In some Gnostic traditions, God is known as Monad meaning 'the one' and 'the absolute'. God is also portrayed as a dyad of masculine and feminine elements. Moreover, the Gnostics believed Jesus came to rectify the division between the Divine Mother and the Divine Father.

The Gnostic texts found at Nag Hammadi are full of sayings believed to be the words of Jesus himself and not the Church's interpretations. These texts are thought to be truer to what Jesus was actually teaching during his public ministry. The Jesus of the Gnostics was not a messiah but more of a social radical who rejected the business world in exchange for a simpler life.

Although many gospels and texts containing the words of Jesus existed, the early Church accepted only four because each identified an author believed to be an apostle. Another commonality between these texts is they were the only ones containing biological information about Jesus. Furthermore, even though the early Church was based on Peter, when the Gospel of Peter was discovered in 1886, the Church rejected it because the text conflicted with the beliefs the Church chose to promote. Two Gnostic themes which vary greatly from the Church are the crucifixion and the resurrection.

The Oera Linda also challenges beliefs about Jesus Christ and when he lived. The book dates a man named Jessos Krishna from around 2193 B.C.E. who taught and promoted the Frisian laws, ethics, and moral codes. After his death, the priests told lies about Jessos including miracles he did not perform. Other ancient texts and mythologies include a Jesus Christ proto-type dating much earlier than the Christian Jesus Christ as well. Moreover, the Oera Linda asserts descendants of Frya would rise up against the Magy, false priests, and princes in the current accepted time of Christ but would be murdered.

In the Time of Christ

Gnosticism was a philosophical movement flourishing the first couple centuries after Christ. While scholars are currently unsure of the origins of Gnosticism, there are strong parallels between the Gnostic texts and beliefs and Frya and the early Frisians' traditions and beliefs. In the Oera Linda Book, misconception of languages or the word led to the belief in a false god, and humanity under the rule of the Magy. In Gnosticism, Sophia or the logos (word) created a defective world being ruled by a false god. The name Sophia is Greek and comes from the Hebrew word chokmah meaning 'wisdom'. Sophia is a member of the divine hierarchy known as the Fullness or the Pleroma. The Pleroma is the center of divine life or a light above the world occupied by spiritual beings. At the head of the hierarchy is the true God or the Original Being. Christ, or the word, was also a divine messenger of the Fullness who came to lead humanity back to their origins and the primeval light.

Four Characteristics of Gnosticism

Four essential characteristics can be found in the Gnostic teachings. The first characteristic claims authentic truths and absolute knowledge about our existence is accessible to us. It also claims this knowledge takes a lifetime to acquire because it comes from experience. This characteristic challenges traditional Christianity because its implications include the absence of a church defining who and what the truth is. Moreover, it implies the truth is nature based which contradicts the Church's teachings of condemning nature. According to the Gospel of Thomas:

I am the light that is above everything, I am all; all came forth from me and all has returned to me. Split the wood and I am there. Lift up the stone and you will find me there.

Jesus is also implying knowledge of the divine is not found in outside sources but from an experience within. This is comparable to the Oera Linda Book claiming communication with Wralda is something occurring within through instincts, visions, and dreams.

In his study American Religion, Harold Bloom describes another characteristic of Gnosticism as a knowing of an uncreated self within the self. Moreover, knowledge of this self leads to freedom. The uncreated self has been called the divine seed and the pearl. Once the uncreated self has been discovered, men and women understand they are not flawed. While they are not God, they are still Godly. This concept is also explained in the Oera Linda Book:

We, Frya's children, exist through Wralda's life—in the beginning mean and base, but always advancing towards perfection without ever attaining the excellence of Wralda himself. Our spirit is not Wralda's spirit, it is merely a shadow of it. When Wralda created us, he lent us his wisdom, brains, organs, memory, and many other good qualities.

The Oera Linda Book also explains how the Magy or false gods are preventing humanity from knowing they are "Godly". According to the text:

Among Finda's people there are false teachers, who, by their over-inventiveness, have become so wicked that they make themselves and their adherents believe that they are the best part of Wralda, that their spirit is the best part of Wralda's spirit, and that Wralda can only think by the help of their brains.

That every creature is a part of Wralda's eternal being, that they have stolen from us; but their false reasoning and ungovernable pride have brought them on the road to ruin. If their spirit was Wralda's spirit, then Wralda would be very stupid, instead of being sensible and wise; for their spirit labours to create beautiful statues, which they afterwards worship. Finda's people are a wicked people, for although they presumptuously pretend among themselves that they are gods, they proclaim the unconsecrated false gods, and declare everywhere that these idols created the world and all that therein is—greedy idols, full of envy and anger, who desire to be served and honoured by the people, and who exact bloody sacrifices and rich offerings; but these presumptuous and false men, who call themselves God's servants and priests, receive and collect everything in the name of the idols that have no real existence, for their own benefit.

They do all this with an easy conscience, as they think themselves gods not answerable to any one. If there are some who discover their tricks and expose them, they hand them over to the executioners to be burnt for their calumnies, with solemn ceremonies in honour of the false gods; but really in order to save themselves.

The third characteristic of Gnosticism is how knowledge is acquired through visions and insights. Revelations were the nature of gnosis. Revelations were also crucial to the early Church as evident in the Book of Revelations included in the New Testament. Visions were important to the Frisian people as well, and they took "joy and pleasure" in the dreams of Wralda.

The fourth characteristic of Gnosticism is in direct contrast to orthodox theology and its patriarchal foundation. In many of the Nag Hammadi Gnostic texts, God is described as a dyad of masculine and feminine elements instead of all male. The Gnostics also believed Jesus came to rectify the separation between the Divine Mother and the Divine Father. According to the Gospel of Thomas:

"When you make the two one, and when you make the inner like the outer and the outer like the inner, and the upper like the lower, and when you make the male and female into a single one, so that the male is not male and the female not female, when you make eyes in place of an eye, a hand in place of a hand, a foot in place of a foot, and an image in place of an image, then you shall enter the kingdom."

The Oera Linda Book also supports the fourth characteristic because in the earliest references, Wralda represents both the feminine and the masculine. In later writings, Wralda is referenced in the masculine form only and is referred to as God.

The Exiled

A parallel to a strong feminine being such as Frya is heavily documented in the Gnostic texts as Sophia. The motif of an exile and a return are common to both Sophia and Hel, the name likely associated with the title Freya and the early folk-mothers. The theme of exile is well-known in many ancient texts including the Old Testament in the Hebrew Bible with the story of Adam and Eve. It is also well-known in modern times with illegal immigrations and deportations. The theme is apparent in the racism, sexism, and class separations existing all over the world today as well. According to Gnostic texts and the Oera Linda Book, Jesus (Jessos) was also an exile. In the Gospel of Thomas, Jesus claims, "Foxes have their dens and the birds have their nests, but the son of man has nowhere to lay his head and rest".

The Gnostics recognize this state as pre-existing humanity, originating in the cosmos during creation. Although Sophia is the youngest member of the Fullness dwelling above the seven heavens, she leaves the Pleroma and descends into the lower realms of chaos and alienation. In the darkness, Sophia's nature splits. The enlightened part returns to the Fullness while the lower part remains in darkness and isolation. Here, Sophia emanates powers becoming the elements creating the universe: earth, water, fire, and air.

The Demiurge

Sophia also creates the false god called the Demiurge or the Artificer of the world through a defect which came about during creation. Considering the role of agriculture in relations to creation stories and its consequences, it is very possible alcohol is that defect. Regardless of its harmful effects, alcohol is legal, accepted, and promoted. Yearly, alcohol is over a hundred billion dollar industry in the United States alone. Alcohol is also part of many religious ceremonies, and the early churches were responsible for its production. The production of alcohol was most likely responsible for the switch from farming communities raising enough food to sustain themselves to large scale agriculture resulting in land depletion and over-population as well. Agriculture was also responsible for the development of class-systems consisting of gods, land owners, and slaves. According to Jesus in the Gospel of Thomas, the original culprit in the defect may have been rotten or fermented fruit:

This heaven will pass away and that which is above it will pass away. The dead are not alive and the living will not die. In the days when you ate what is dead, you made it alive. When you come into the light, what will you do? On the day when you were one, you became two. But when you have become two, what will you do?

In the same gospel, Jesus claims anyone who can truly understand the sayings in the book, "will not taste death" also suggesting the defect is something ingested.

According to the Gnostic texts, the Demiurge has designed his kingdom with seven spheres and seven rulers of time who have enslaved the spirits of humanity through materialism. In addition to suggesting the defect in creation is linked to fermentation, the Gospel of Thomas addresses the issue of materialism and the all-father as the "all-feeder" described in the Oera Linda Book:

There was a rich man who had considerable wealth. He said, "I will use my money to sew and reap and plant and fill my warehouses with fruit so that I will lack nothing." Such were his intentions, but that night he died. Whoever has ears, let him hear.

The Demiurge or false creator does not want humanity to know who they really are, where they came from, and where they are going. It is also written in Thomas:

The Pharisees and the Scribes have received the keys of knowledge and have hidden them. They did not enter and they did not allow those who wanted to enter to do so. But you should be wise as serpents and innocent as doves.

In some texts, the Demiurge is known as Yaldabaoth, a name very similar to Wralda.

The Return

In her lower state, Sophia resides over the seven spheres in the eighth. The Demiurge is ignorant of Sophia and has forgotten there is anything above him. Although Sophia occasionally reminds the Demiurge there are higher powers than themselves, the Demiurge hides the information and continues to rule as god. The divine inhabitants of the Fullness or Pleroma wish for Sophia to return. In the text Pistis Sophia, the Pleroma sends Christ to bring Sophia back. In the Gnostic text Apocryphon of John, Sophia is described as the womb of everything and existing before all others. She is described as both mother and father and the first to come forth. While there are some variances in the stories, the theme remaining the same is how important Sophia's role is to the fate of the universe.

While the presence of Sophia was a large part of early traditions, with the persecution of those considered to be heretics during the third and fourth centuries, Sophia disappeared within the Western Church. However, Sophia is still recognized in Eastern Orthodox Christianity, Esoteric Christianity, and Christian Mysticism. Other groups who recognized Sophia include the Cabbalist, Rosicrucian, and the Freemasons.

The Origin of the World

There are many similarities between the story of Hel and Gnostic texts and traditions. One text in particular validates the proto-myth developing when many traditions are combined. This text is part of the Nag Hammadi collection appearing in two separate codices. It is untitled and currently being called the Origin of the World. This text describes how there was something before chaos mankind and the gods are unaware of. This family or bloodline is called the immortal beings. A likeness emanated from Pistis (Faith) and is called Sophia (Wisdom). Chaos is called by the name "darkness" and comes from a shadow. The shadow comes from a product existing since the beginning. The eternal realm (aeon) of truth is limitless light, but its outside is shadow. The shadow becomes jealous of the light. Since that day, jealousy became part of the chaos described as "limitless darkness" and "bottomless water".

Similar to the confusion in Norse mythology between Irtha, Frya, and the earth-mothers due to relationships and titles, there is confusion in this text between Pistis, Sophia, and Zoe where Pistis seems to be representing the first earth-mother, and Sophia represents Irtha. There are also many similarities between Frya and Zoe, Sophia's daughter. Complicating issues, sometimes Pistis was identified as being a separate being and the mother of Sophia, and other times Pistis was used as another name for Sophia. Likewise, Sophia's daughter Zoe was sometimes referred to as Sophia Zoe.

Yaldabaoth

Similar to the story of Noah, the Origin of the World describes how Pistis saw this defect or "spiritless thing" she created moving about in the depths of the waters. Pistis cried out to him, "Child pass through to here", equivalent to 'Yalda baoth'. Although Yaldabaoth heard Pistis's voice, he did not see her face and was ignorant of her existence. Yaldabaoth, or the prime parent, created three sons. The prime parent also created heavens for each of his offspring consisting of mansions, thrones, and temples.

The text also describes how Yaldabaoth's heaven and earth was destroyed, similar to "Voluspa" in the Poetic Edda where Bergelmir and his wife were the only survivors of a massacre killing the rest of the frost giants. It also has strong parallels to Sumerian myths where Enlil devised a plan to destroy the people who were threatening to rebel. According to the Gnostic version:

the heaven and his earth was destroyed by the troublemaker that was below them all. And the six heavens shook violently; for the forces of chaos knew who it was that had destroyed the heaven that was below them. And when Pistis knew about the breakage resulting from the disturbance, she sent forth her breath and bound him and cast him down into tartaros [place in the Underworld]. Since that day, the heaven, along with its earth, has consolidated itself through Sophia the daughter of Yaldabaoth, she who is below them all.

After the consolidation, the prime parent became insolent and believed himself to be god. Pistis reminded the prime parent there is an immortal man of light existing first who will expose the defect of the false god's creation. The son of Yaldabaoth, Sabaoth, first supported Sophia, so Sophia would teach Sabaoth about the immortal man and the light which condemned Yaldabaoth. Comparable to Norse traditions, Gullveig (Irtha) goes to the Aesir in order to teach the God Odin her wisdom.

Sabaoth then hated his father, mother, and sister, the thought of the prime parent. Because of the other gods' jealousy, they made a great war in the seventh heaven. Pistis Sophia sent seven archangels to Sabaoth and established kingdoms for him over everyone, "so that he might dwell above the twelve gods of chaos". Pistis also gave Sabaoth her daughter named Zoe meaning 'life' to teach Sabaoth about the things existing in the eighth heaven. In the Norse tradition, the descendants of Lif (life) and Lifthrasir (eager for life) will inhabit the earth after Ragnarok. Like her mother before her, as part of the hostage agreement between the Vanir and the Aesir, Freya joined the Aesir in order to teach the God Odin her wisdom.

Sabaoth built a mansion and created a throne along with a hierarchy of gods. His firstborn was called Israel meaning 'the man that sees God'. Sabaoth also created another being called Jesus Christ resembling the savior above in the eighth heaven. Jesus sits at the right of Sabaoth, and the virgin of the holy spirit sits on his left glorifying him. According to the text:

Now where he sits upon a throne of light [within a] great cloud that covers him. And there was no one with him in the cloud except Sophia [the daughter of] Pistis, instructing him about all things that exist in the eighth heaven, so that the likenesses of those things might be created, in order that his reign might endure until the consummation of the heavens of chaos and their forces.

Now Pistis Sophia set him apart from the darkness and summoned him to her right, and the prime parent she put at her left. Since that day, right has been called justice, and left called wickedness.

As pointed out earlier, the word Savior replaced Old English haelend meaning 'healing'. Heal comes from Old Frisian hela and Dutch helen meaning 'to make whole' indicating Helen or Hel is the name of the savior who resides in the eighth heaven. It was also pointed out how the name Herebeald is cognate to Bergelmir and Bolthor; however, it was later separated into two names, Hel and Balder. The name Hel (Here) comes from the left side and is associated with darkness and evil. Balder (beald) came from the right side representing light and goodness. He is also associated with the second coming and final justice.

The prime parent becomes envious of Sabaoth and all his glory. Consequently, he created seven forces who in turn, created seven forces each for a total of forty-nine demons. Zoe then created seven forces of good and innocent spirits, possibly paralleling the foundation of the folk-mothers and maidens. When the prime parent saw the likeness of Pistis, he was ashamed because he realized there was an immortal man before him. The prime parent was also afraid of being condemned by the other authorities because of his previous claim as god. Therefore, the prime parent asked the light to appear, and it did. But, only the prime parent and Pronoia (forethought) saw the light.

After pouring her light out upon the earth, Eros appeared from Pronoia's first blood, and Justice created Paradise containing the Tree of Life and the Tree of Knowledge. Various family trees sprung up in Paradise including the olive tree appearing out of the light in the first Adam. The authorities came to the Adam of Light, mocking him because he had believed he was god, and he had ruined the authorities' work. The Adam of Light suggested they make a man out of earth or "modelled man" according to their own bodies. According to the text:

No longer will he ruin our work; rather, we shall make those who are born out of light our servants for the duration of this eternal realm.

Adam and Eve in Paradise

When the authorities received the knowledge or gnosis to make man, Sophia Zoe laughed because she had made her own man first with the intention he would teach the "created man" or "modelled man" how to escape from his captors. The text goes on to explain how Sophia created the likeness of the mother known as the female instructor of life:

An androgynous human being was produced, whom the Greeks call Hermaphrodites; and whose mother the Hebrews call Eve of Life (Zoe), namely, the female instructor of life. Her offspring is the creature that is lord. Afterwards, the authorities called it "Beast", so that it might lead astray their modelled creatures. The interpretation of "the beast" is "the instructor". For it was found to be the wisest of all beings.

This passage indicates it is Frya's descendants who are the true lords. These descendants are likely the bloodline of the daughter known as "Treasure".

The text then explains how Eve is the first virgin and mother. The text also explains how the modelled forms of the authorities were manifested to Sabaoth and his Christ and were told to be lords over all creatures. But, when they became lords, it was they who were taken captive instead. This parallels the Oera Linda Book stating the priests and the kings did not deny Jessos, they simply falsified what he was teaching in order to take control themselves. The Oera Linda Book also warns against taking others captive claiming those who do so, become slaves themselves.

The prime parent and seven rulers also fashioned man resembling the man of the light who had previously appeared. They called him Adam meaning 'father' according to the name of the one that existed before him. But, Adam had no spirit and the prime parent abandoned him because the prime parent was afraid if Adam had a spirit, the true man would enter the modelled forms of Adam becoming their lord.

After forty days without a soul, Sophia Zoe sent her breath into Adam. Adam began to move upon the ground because he could not stand up. When the gods saw Adam, they gave him the day off to recuperate called the "Day of Rest". Once Adam could stand, they put him in Paradise. Sophia then sent Zoe, also called Eve, to teach Adam about the light. After Adam rose, the authorities became upset and sent seven archangels to see what was going on. When they saw Eve, they recognized her as the being in the light. They put Adam into a deep sleep, so they could instruct him as he slept, "to the effect that she came from his rib, in order that his wife may obey, and he may be lord over her".

In response to their actions, Eve laughed, put mist in the authorities' eyes, and secretly left her likeness (likely her daughter) with Adam. Then Eve entered the tree of knowledge (likely died) where she remains. At first, the authorities pursued Eve but fled from fear after they realized Eve had become a tree. When the authorities returned to Adam and saw the likeness of Eve, they were disturbed because they thought she was the true Eve. The authorities seized and raped her, defiling her in many foul ways.

The likeness of Eve became pregnant by the first ruler and gave birth to Abel. She also had additional offspring fathered by the other seven authorities according to the forethought of the prime parent who believed mixing seeds would bring justice and peace:

A prearranged plan came into effect regarding Eve, so that the modelled forms of the authorities might become enclosures of the light, whereupon it would condemn them through their modelled forms.

Although three children were born to Eve, all their progeny were ignorant. The rulers were concerned over Adam and Eve and were afraid he was the "true man" who would conquer them. Consequently, they told Adam and Eve they could not eat from the Tree of Knowledge. Eve rejected the rulers' command and listened to the instructor instead, who had taken the form of a snake. Eve ate the fruit and gave some to Adam. As soon as they ate the fruit, Adam and Eve became very aware of who and what the rulers who made them were, and they hated them.

Exiled from Paradise

The rulers also knew Adam and Eve broke their commandment. They entered Paradise, condemned Adam and Eve, and cursed their offspring. Since Adam had knowledge, the authorities tested him. When Adam named all the creatures, the authorities realized he knew about the darkness and the light. Consequently, they expelled Adam and Eve from Paradise, so Adam would not challenge their authority. They also surrounded the Tree of Life (Zoe) with fearful creatures to keep others away. When Sophia Zoe saw the rulers of darkness had cursed her counterparts, she came out of heaven with full power and cast the rulers out of their heavens into the sinful world below, to dwell as demons upon the earth until one thousand years has passed.

The text ends with a summary "regarding the immortal man" and claims a multitude of human beings came through the parentage of Adam. When the world became full, the rulers were masters over all of it, made possible because of humanities' ignorance. But the immortal ones knew about the deficiency of truth and were not aliens to knowledge. Consequently, when they appeared the authorities mixed their seeds with them in hopes of polluting their bloodline. This was not successful because the Savior created superior spirits, a kingless fourth race, who were not under the control of the gods.

The Consummation of the Age

The Origin of the World then describes how the Word was sent to proclaim the unknown. He was sent to make known what is hidden. But when this happened, it put the wisdom of the gods' to shame. Therefore, the gods were condemned, their lordship dissolved, and the gods lost their glory. In the Norse tradition, Hel was sent to the underworld because she had lore which could destroy the gods. At Ragnarok, the dead of Hel will return and everything will be destroyed. According to the Gnostic version:

Before the consummation of the age, the whole place will shake with great thundering. Then the rulers will be sad, [...] their death. The angels will mourn for their mankind, and the demons will weep over their seasons, and their mankind will wail and scream at their death. Then the age will begin, and they will be disturbed. The kings will be intoxicated with the fiery sword, and they will wage war against one another, so that the earth is intoxicated with bloodshed. And the seas will be disturbed by those wars. Then the sun will become dark, and the moon will cause its light to cease. The stars of the sky will cancel their circuits. And a great clap of thunder will come out of a great force that is above all the forces of chaos, where the firmament of the woman is situated. Having created the first product, she will put away the wise fire of intelligence and clothe herself with witless wrath. Then she will pursue the gods of chaos, whom she created along with the prime parent. She will cast them down into the abyss. They will be obliterated because of their wickedness. For they will come to be like volcanoes and consume one another until they perish at the hand of the prime parent. When he has destroyed them, he will turn against himself and destroy himself until he ceases to exist.

And their heavens will fall one upon the next and their forces will be consumed by fire. Their eternal realms, too, will be overturned. And his heaven will fall and break in two. His [...] will fall down upon the [...] support them; they will fall into the abyss, and the abyss will be overturned.

The light will [...] the darkness and obliterate it: it will be like something that has never been. And the product to which the darkness had been posterior will dissolve. And the deficiency will be plucked out by the root (and thrown) down into the darkness. And the light will withdraw up to its root. And the glory of the unbegotten will appear. And it will fill all the eternal realm.

Although the word is missing from the text, the light will likely "become" the darkness, thus obliterating it. In addition to Noah, the Prime Parent has many parallels to Heimdell, the creator of the world. At Ragnarok, Heimdell the god will come face to face with Loki the trickster, and they will destroy each other. As speculated earlier, this will likely happen because they are each other.

Creation of the Heavenly Bodies

The Origin of the World describes how Sophia created the cosmos, paralleling Frya creating the alphabet. According to the text:

Now when she wished, the Sophia who was in the lower heaven received authority from Pistis, and fashioned great luminous bodies and all the stars. And she put them in the sky to shine upon the earth and to render temporal signs and seasons and years and months and days and nights and movements and so forth. And in this way the entire region upon the sky was adorned.

Later in the text, it describes the day Sophia received the universe, "from the day that she made the sun and the moon, she put a seal upon her heaven, unto eternity". If this text is referencing Frya and the alphabet, it is possible the seal is the missing W.

The Sophia of Jesus Christ

The Sophia of Jesus Christ is another Gnostic text from the Nag Hammadi collection. This text claims after Jesus rose from the dead, his twelve disciples and seven women continued to follow him. When the followers had problems understanding the message of the Savior on issues such as the creation of the gods and the universe, he appeared to them in a spiritual form, likely meaning a dissociative state. Since the Oera Linda Book claims Jessos was rejected by his family and spent most of his adult life fleeing from the Magy, it is possible he suffered from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. The text contains thirteen questions to the Savior from his disciples.

When Philip asks the Savior about the reality of the universe, the Savior replies he is the only one who teaches the truth because he comes from the light. The Savior also describes the ultimate godhead:

Now he is eternal, having no birth; for everyone who has birth will perish. He is unbegotten, having no beginning; for everyone who has a beginning has an end. Since no one rules over him, he has no name; for whoever has a name is the creation of another. . . . He is called 'Father of the Universe'.

When Philip asked the Lord how the godhead appeared to the perfect ones, the Lord replied:

he is all mind. And he is thought and considering and reflecting and rationality and power. They all are equal powers. They are the sources of the totalities. And their whole race from first to last was in his foreknowledge, (that of) the infinite, unbegotten Father.

In this text, the Savior explains to Mary how things belonging to the Unbegotten Father that are invisible will be found in things that are visible. This text also refers to the Unbegotten Father as the "Beginningless Forefather". The Forefather appeared resembling himself, the Divine Self-Father. According to the text:

And his consort is the Great Sophia, who from the first was destined in him for union by Self-begotten Father, from Immortal Man, who appeared as first and divinity and kingdom, for the Father, who is called 'Man, Self-Father', revealed this. And he created a great aeon, whose name is 'Ogdoad', for his own majesty.

In Egyptian mythology, the Ogdoad is eight deities consisting of four sets of pairs. While each pair consists of one male and one female, it is the only distinction between the two. The couples represent the fundamental beginnings and continuation of existence. In Gnosticism, the Ogdoad is above the seven heavens in the realm of the fixed stars. This is the realm of the Great Mother where Sophia dwells.

Implications of Jessos Krishna

The Oera Linda Book dates Jessos Krishna over two thousand years earlier than what it currently believed to be the time of Christ. The book claims two thousand years after Krishna, at the time of the traditional Christ, Frisian descendants would try to spread the word; however, the descendants would be murdered. In other words, although there were people who spread the word about two thousand years ago, the word they were spreading was already two thousand years old. Additional support Jesus did not live two thousand years ago can be found in the writings of the early historians dating from two thousand years ago. While many texts were written at this time, not one of these texts contains any mention of Jesus or his disciples.

Proto-Christ

The Jessos Krishna found in the Oera Linda Book must have had a strong parallel to a proto-Christ figure sometime after the flood occurring in 2193 B.C.E. This Christ figure had to have been very well known since "his lore preceded him". The Sumerian Epic of Gilgamesh falls into this time frame, and according to the legend, Gilgamesh searches for a survivor of a flood. Gilgamesh's knowledge comes from knowing what came before the flood. The epic is also about the friendship between Gilgamesh and a man named Enkidu.

Gilgamesh and Enkidu

Gilgamesh lived in Uruk or Erech. Similar to Jessos Krishna and his Frisian friend, Gilgamesh and his friend Enkidu lived their lives together until their deaths. In the Sumerian versions, Gilgamesh is one of the elite and unruly. Enkidu is a slave to Gilgamesh, and Gilgamesh becomes human through Enkidu. In the Oera Linda Book, the Frisian friend is a slave who Krishna buys and sets free. The Frisian friend then teaches Krishna Frisian morals and customs of the common folk or humanizes him. This also parallels the story of how Siddhartha, although from an elite family, became like the Buddha after seeing the common people suffering.

Jesus Christ also had a friend who taught him named John the Baptist. If these stories are parallel to each other, it places John in the position of Enkidu in the Epic of Gilgamesh. Enkidu lived with animals, wore animal skins, and was made by the gods to teach Gilgamesh control. In Christianity, John was made by God to teach and prepare Jesus. According to the New Testament:

John came baptizing in the wilderness . . . clothed with camel's hair and with a leather belt. He ate locust and wild honey. . . . He was there in the wilderness . . . and the angels ministered to him. (Mark 1:4-13)

Eventually John was put in prison where he was killed because of Jesus, and Enkidu was killed and sent to the underworld because of Gilgamesh. Gilgamesh, like Jesus, descended to the underworld. In the Gilgamesh epic, it was a prostitute who administered to Enkidu instead of an angel. In Christian traditions, Magdalene had a dual identity as well, one being a prostitute, and the other as the most beloved disciple.

Krishna in Hindu Mythology

Parallels to Jesus can also be found in the mythologies of South and Central Asia with Krishna from approximately the 22nd century B.C.E. The name Krishna, like Hymir and Kari, means 'the dark one'. Krishna is the 8th Aviator of Vishnu, the preserver of the universe. According to Hindu mythology, Krishna was the son of a virgin. Krishna's birth occurred while his foster father was in his native city paying taxes to the king. The king tried to kill Krishna by ordering the slaughter of all males born on the same day as Krishna. Similar to Jesus, the nativity of Krishna was heralded by a star, and he was visited by three wise men bringing him gifts. Krishna was crucified, he descended into hell, and he raised the dead.

As there are varying stories about the death of Jesus, there are varying stories about the death of Krishna. Another story relates how shortly after a war causing much destruction, Krishna was sleeping under a tree in a forest. A hunter mistook Krishna for a deer. The hunter shot Krishna, hitting him in his one vulnerable spot, his left heel. Krishna then ascended into the sky in a beacon of light. Besides the obvious similarities to Christ, this story has similarities to Homer. It has similarities to the death of Balder in Norse mythology as well.

Nazarene and Essene

Since Nazareth was not in existence at the time of the birth of Christ, it is believed the reason Jesus was called a Nazarene was because of political affiliations. The word Nazarene derives from the Aramaic word Natzar meaning 'to guard' and 'to watch'. The Nazarenes were the guardians of the secrets of the universe and an enlightened science. Their guardianship extends back in time to the Sumerians. In their language, the gods themselves were the "watchers" and the overseers of the universe. This guardianship was passed to the Essene sect living in the Middle East. John the Baptist, cousin to Jesus, was part of the Essene and a member of an exclusive Nazarene sect. According to the Oera Linda Book, the folk-mothers were called the "watchers" and the possible origin of these groups.

The Early Gnostics

One of the earliest Gnostic prophets was a man named Simon Magus. Some scholars believe Simon was a disciple of John the Baptist who may have presided over a school of prophets. It is also likely Jesus was another student. According to Simon, a first thought which he calls Ennoia is destined to become the Mother of All. Simon describes Ennoia as the primordial partner of God and the soul of the world. Though a sequence of reincarnations including Helen of Troy, Ennoia journeys through time until the Supreme God sends an embodiment of himself to save her.

Because of the strong presence of the feminine, the Gnostics were a direct threat to the early mainstream Christians who forbid women in the hierarchy of the Church. One group of people who were considered heretics because they carried on the Gnostic beliefs was the Cathars who had a close connection to the Knights Templar. Although the Templars were a Catholic organization, a secret Gnostic group existed within the order. Saint Paul was also associated with Gnosticism. He spoke of hidden mysteries and secret wisdom belonging to the powerful and elite. In Corinthians, Paul describes how Christ is the power and the Sophia of God.

Marcion and Valentinus

Marcion, an early Church bishop, questioned the traditional records of Christianity. Consequently, he formulated a radical document, was excommunicated from the Roman Church, and founded the Marcionites. Marcion believed there were two gods, and Jesus came to save the people from the God of the Old Testament. Marcion supported his beliefs by comparing the two Testaments and noting they have very little in common and are at odds with each other. For example, Jesus touched and cured a leper in the New Testament while the Old Testament God proclaims lepers as unclean and untouchable. Marcion's document puts emphasis on humanity's alienation from their realm of birth, and their genealogical identification with god.

Valentinus was also important to the early Gnostics; he was the founder of one of the largest schools of Gnosticism. Valentinus was born in Egypt around A.D. 100, and then he moved to Rome founding his school around A.D. 140 after being rejected as a candidate for the Bishop of Rome. Valentinus was a follower of Theudas who was a follower of the Apostle Paul. Valentinus maintained Saint Paul taught Theudas his secret knowledge who in turn, taught Valentinus.

The Gospels of Christ

By the end of the third century, there were over twenty gospels and sixty letters and texts contributed to the apostles. With people like Marcion questioning these texts, the early Church deemed it necessary to decide which were authentic, and which were heretical. It was the decision of the Church to claim Matthew, John, Mark, and Luke because each gospel identified the author as who was believed to be an apostle.

The four texts found acceptable by the Church put the power of the Church in the hands of a few - all men. Moreover, the Church justified the oppression of women. The printing of all other texts concerning the teachings of Christ ceased, and those already in print were destroyed. Although some texts were re-discovered in 1897 including the Gospel of Thomas, the Gospel of Mary Magdalene, and the Gospel of Philip, the Church rejected them because parts were deemed heretical and unacceptable. All three of these texts places Magdalene in a much higher position than what the Church has given her.

Mary Magdalene

Currently the power in the Church belongs to men and excludes women. While the Church claims this decision was made because it most closely resembles the ministry of Christ and his twelve male disciples, the gospels of Thomas, Mary Magdalene, and Philip place Magdalene as a major disciple and the one most loved by Christ. Some scholars believe these texts also suggest Magdalene and Jesus had a sexual relationship as well as spiritual. This undoubtedly goes against the teachings of the Church because it challenges the power and authority of their popes who have descended from their first Church Father, Peter. More importantly, if Magdalene and Jesus had children, their bloodline would be the true inheritors of the Church. In the Oera Linda Book, maagden was a title used to describe maidens belonging to a citadel:

There are women who allow themselves to be called ladies, although they know that that only belongs to the wives of princes. They also let their daughters be called maagden, although they know that no young girls are so called unless they belong to a citadel.

Consequently, it is possible Magdalene was actually a maiden, most likely Freya. Several of the Gnostic text state Jesus kissed Magdalene often, but it does not state where he kissed her. While some interpret this to mean on the lips, it can also mean on the hand or the cheek, something more appropriate if Jesus and Magdalene were half-siblings as other sources suggest. In Norse traditions, Balder was the father of Forsite, and Freya was the mother of a daughter known as Treasure and possibly Thor; however, evidence also suggests inheritance was based on knowledge of the runes as well as blood.

Gospel of Peter

Even though the Church considers Peter to be their first pope, when the Gospel of Peter was discovered buried in a grave with a monk in Upper Egypt in 1886, its contents were also rejected by the Church. The Church rejected this text because it claims Jesus did not die and his suffering and death on the cross are deceptions. The Oera Linda Book validates Peter. According to the manuscript, Krishna had to flee the priests, but he traveled twelve years before he died. After his death, his friends preserved his teachings. The book also describes how instead of denying Christ, the priests simply falsified who and what Krishna was teaching in order to gain power and prosperity themselves.

The Crucifixion

While Odin suffered and sacrificed by hanging on the cross in order to obtain enlightenment, he did not die either. Moreover, it was Gullveig who was sacrificed by being stabbed and burned three times. Gullveig, like Jesus, rose from the dead, and according to the Poetic Edda, still lives. Because of Gullveig, the Aesir and Vanir started the first war which will end with Ragnarok. In addition to having many parallels to Irtha, Gullveig is sometimes associated with Freya and possibly Hel. Hel was sent to the underworld by Odin, and since contact with her came from raising her, it might be safe to assume she was dead, especially since half of her body was a rotting corpse. Moreover, Hel (Freya) was not accounted for at Ragnarok.

Inanna, Hel's counterpart in Sumerian myths, was also condemned to death in the underworld where she was hung on a wall. The Egyptian counterpart of Hel, Isis, followed her consort Osiris to the underworld which could mean she died as well. If Jesus was teaching the history and morals of Frya's people, it would be easy to see how the stories of his family could have merged with his own story to form both the basis of Norse mythology and the basis of Christianity. It would also be easy to see how Odin (Balder's father) hanging himself in order to gain enlightenment, and Hel (Balder's half-sister) or possibly Gullveig (Balder's mother) being sacrificed by hanging and burning became merged with Jesus being sacrificed by hanging on the cross.

The Resurrection

Just as there are major differences in the ideology between the Gnostics and mainstream Christianity about the crucifixion of Christ, there are major differences about the resurrection of Christ. In Gnostic traditions, resurrection meant gnosis or a true awakening. In this state, we understand where we have been, and where we are going. It is also necessary to come to this understanding or rise before we die. In the "Sayings of Har", Odin explains how he obtained the runes and runic power by hanging on a cross. Similar to the Gnostic's belief of resurrection, Odin rose first and fell afterwards.

Salvation

While belief in the Savior does not guarantee salvation in the Gnostic traditions, help from the Savior and other divine messengers of the Light is essential in working towards and obtaining gnosis. In addition to help from others, salvation requires effort from those seeking liberation. Attachments to earthly or material things keep much of mankind in a state of slavery to the lower gods or Demiurge. The Gnostics believe if efforts to free the soul are not made during one's life, the soul or divine spark returns and is re-embodied in the physical world at one's death.

The salvation sought is not from sin as in the Christian traditions, but from ignorance. Jesus Christ or the Logos of the True God came to teach in order to release mankind from this ignorance. Christ also established mysteries or sacraments in order to perform the work needed for salvation. Moreover, it is essential one remembers his or her true nature and connection to the God of transcendence often referred to as the Unknown Father. Thus, revelation from above is required for salvation, and the spark inside everyone needs to be lit by an outside source of knowledge. This is followed by individual effort from the one seeking salvation.

Since death does not free us from the bondage of the Demiurge, in some traditions Sophia and Jesus wait at the entrance of the Pleroma or Fullness ready to assist mankind in reuniting with the Fullness. The Gnostics also believe in time, everyone will achieve gnosis and be reunited with their higher self, also called the "Angelic Twin". According to the Oera Linda Book, this will be achieved within one thousand years after the return of the light of Frya and Jessos.

First Thought of the Light

The Trimorphic Protennoia meaning 'the first thought which is in three forms' is a Nag Hammadi text written in first person. The narrator claims to be the Mother and the Father and speaks of the underworld, rebirth, and the second coming. According to the text:

I am Protennoia, the Thought that dwells in the Light. I am the movement that dwells in the All, she in whom the All takes its stand, the first-born among those who came to be, she who exists before the All. . . . I descended to the midst of the underworld, and I shone down upon the darkness. . . . I am a single one, since I am undefiled. I am the Mother of the Voice, speaking in many ways, completing the All. It is in me that knowledge dwells, the knowledge of [things] everlasting. It is I who speak within every creature, and I was known by the All. . . .

Now I have come the second time in the likeness of a female, and have spoken with them. And I shall tell them of the coming end of the Aeon and teach them of the beginning of the Aeon to come, the one without change, the one in which our appearance will be changed. . . . I am androgynous. I am the Mother (and) I am Father . . . I am the Womb that gives shape to the All by giving birth to the Light that shines in splendor. . . . And I am inviting you into the exalted, perfect Light. . . . and you will become gloriously glorious, the way you first were when you were.

~~~~~

Chapter Seven: Proto-Indo-European, Old Frisian, and the Oera Linda Alphabet

Dr. Ottema and other past and modern day language experts are in conflict over their conclusions regarding the language used in the Oera Linda Book. Upon examination, it is evident the alphabet used in the oldest sections of the Oera Linda is almost identical to the language currently believed to be the Proto-Indo-European (PIE) language. When comparing the sounds of both the consonants and the vowels, PIE and Frya's alphabet are nearly indistinguishable. Phonologically and morphologically, PIE and the oldest writings in the Oera Linda Book are similar as well. Furthermore, there are some possible word cognates between the Sumerian language and the language found in the Oera Linda, as would be expected if Mesopotamia is Finda's land, and PIE is the language of Frya's people. One of the most interesting parallels between the two cultures is the Sumerian word for freedom, possibly meaning 'the return of a bright mother'.

Proto-Indo-European (PIE)

Scholars are currently uncertain about who developed the alphabet. The Oera Linda Book claims Frya formatted the symbols in 2193 B.C.E. indicating the form of Old Frisian found in the oldest sections of the Oera Linda Book unknown until the book's discovery, is actually what is called the Proto-Indo-European (PIE) language. (See Figure 48)

(Figure 48, Language Descendants)

It is currently believed PIE began to diverge between 4500 - 2500 B.C.E. The date is debated, but by the third millennium, the Indo-Europeans were expanding. As the Indo-European groups moved and settled into different parts of the world, they uprooted and often destroyed the indigenous people already living there. Once established, these groups set up caste systems with themselves at the top. In Italy, they became the Romans. Some became the Slavs in Central Europe, and some became the Philistines in the Near East.

The Oera Linda flood in 2193 B.C.E. displaced many groups of people. After the flood, most of Frya's people were killed or taken as slaves by Finda's people. The survivors who were not taken as slaves were pushed farther and farther north by Finda's people encroaching upon their lands. If the oldest Frisian language found in the Oera Linda Book is PIE, it would place the Anglo-Frisian language as a direct descendant of PIE instead of from the Germanic languages where it is currently placed. (See Figure 48)

The separation of PIE into Anglo-Frisian could have occurred at the time of the split between Frey and Freya after the hostage exchange. The Frisians consider Freya to be their mother, and the name Frisian derives from Freya. Anglo comes from the Angles who were part of the Federation of the Ingaevones whose ancestor was Yngvi. Yngvi derives from Old English Ingwine which is derived from Ing or Frey.

Sound Shifts

A German linguist by the name of August Schleicher was the first to attempt to reconstruct the PIE language in the 1860's. His work was continued by others until 25 consonants and 10 vowels became the model for this language. Because it was easier to explain the changing of two languages instead of a major change affecting almost all other languages, scholars have hypothesized Sanskrit and Latin preserved the original pronunciations of PIE.

In the first sound shift identified as Grimm's Law, three changes occurred over an unknown period of time. One of these changes took place when the Indo-European bh, dh, and gh eventually became b, d, and g respectively. Although it is believed by many linguists this change happened first, this is disputed by the Oera Linda Book claiming other languages put h's where they were not suppose to be. Another change occurring was, except when preceded by s, the Indo-European voiceless stops p, t, and k became the voiceless fricatives f, th, x and h in initial position. The final change came about when Indo-European voiced stops b, d, and g became respectively, the voiceless stops p, t, and k.

Satem and Centum

The Indo-European languages are classified into satem languages and centum languages. This classification is based upon the development of the Indo-European palatal k. In Indo-European, the palatal k was a distinct phoneme from the velar k. In the satem languages, the two k sounds remained separate phonemes, and the palatal k became a sibilant. In the other Indo-European languages, the two k sounds became a single phoneme either remaining a k, or like in the Germanic group, shifting to h. The centum languages tend to be spoken in the West while the satem languages are spoken in the East.

One of the most important distinctions found in the Oera Linda is the word for 'century'. Because of the division between the centum languages such as Greek and German and the satem languages such as Balto-Salvic and Indo-Iranian, it would be expected the word in the Oera Linda Book for century would belong to the centum group and look something like centum or century. But this is not the case. Instead, the word for century found in the Oera Linda is setma placing it with the satem group. Like PIE, the alphabet used in the Oera Linda Book has two separate sounds for the k.

Phonology

In the study of languages, phonology is the term given to the study of sound structures. Currently, it is accepted PIE had the following sounds for consonants: p, t, k, kw; b, d, g, gw; bh, dh, gh, gwh; s; m, n; r; l; y and w. The vowels of PIE include both long and short: a, e, i, o, u, and schwa. The nasals and liquids: m, n, r, and l, could be syllabic or nonsyllabic. The exact pronunciation of each sound is unknown, and it is possible there were additional sounds. The Old Frisian language also contains the short and long vowels: a, e, i, o, u, and the diphthongs: iu, ei, and au. These vowels parallel the vowels used in the Oera Linda Book.

The consonants of Old Frisian parallel the PIE consonants including the liquids: l, m, n, r; the Spirants: v, w, s, z, j, h; the Labials: b, p, f; the Dentals: d, t, th; and the Gutturals: g, c, and k. The q was equivalent to the kw and the x to the ks. The consonants of Frya's alphabet include: b, p, t, th, d, f, v, r, n, nj, m, l, g, k, s, c, ks, w and gs. This would make the consonants between Old Frisian and the consonants used in the Oera Linda the same as the h is also present but listed with the vowels, and the gs and the z are probably the same sound. Although the symbols for the gs and the w were not present in Frya's alphabet copied from the citadel wall, the symbols were used in the text.

The consonants used in Frya's alphabet are identical to PIE with the exception of the voiced aspirated stops: bh, dh, gh, and gwh, which are not present in the Oera Linda Book as would be expected if the oldest form of Old Frisian is PIE because they were developments after the split. The vowels of Frya's alphabet are identical to PIE with the exception Frya's alphabet contained an additional sound for u. In the Oera Linda, the schwa was written as a wedge, sometimes not used in English.

Morphology

Another area studied by linguists when comparing languages is morphology or the structure of words. Scientists currently believe the PIE culture did not use prefixes with their words. This corresponds to the oldest writings in the Oera Linda Book. Evidence also shows PIE was originally an object-verb word order, rather than verb-object. This matches the Oera Linda as well because the book is written in an object-verb word order in the oldest sections of the book, but then a verb-object order replaces it in the later writings as reflected in Adela's text written in 557 B.C.E.

The Old Frisian language had three genders: masculine, feminine, and neuter. Most nouns ending in e (irthe) were feminine, and most nouns ending in a and u were masculine. These include sunu, 'son'; frana, 'judge'; greva, 'earl'; and hera, 'lord'. However, this does not parallel the Oera Linda which uses the a to reflect the collective feminine as seen in such words as Irtha, 'earth'; horsa, 'horse'; Frya, 'lady' and Wralda, 'the first one' or 'the elder'. In PIE, like in the Oera Linda, the collective feminine was also the a. Interestingly, by simply removing the alpha from a written language, the feminine becomes the masculine as in Freya (Frya) and Frey.

PIE Relationships

PIE did not have a word for husband or wife; yet, it did have a word for widow, widhewa. Many Indo-European languages use the same PIE verb wedh meaning 'to lead (home)' when expressing the act of becoming married from the groom's point of view. This indicates when two people got married, the woman went to live in her husband's house. Early marriages also involved exchanging women between opposing groups. In the Norse tradition, Freya went to live with Odin to stop a war in a hostage exchange agreement between the Aesir and the Vanir.

In PIE cultures there is a special kinship relationship between a sister's brother and her son. The role of the uncle is as important as, or even more important than, the role of the father. This parallels the Norse myths where Odin learned the secrets of the runes from his mother's brother.

The accepted PIE theory places the king at the highest level of authority, but this has been recently challenged. The word raj in the earliest Vedic texts was not the masculine noun meaning 'king', but a feminine noun indicating 'strength' and 'power'. If the word raj does not mean 'king', there is no evidence of the first leaders being masculine. It also suggests kings may have been a later political development. This parallels the Oera Linda Book which places the highest level of authority with the feminine as well.

Word Cognates

The Hebrew Bible states at one time everyone used the same language. Consequently, some evidence should still exist linking the PIE language and the language of the Sumerians. While it is currently believed Sumerian is a language isolate and not related to any other language, Frya based her language on the six-spoke wheel with the alpha, which is wedged shaped, as the first written symbol. This symbol is analogous to the symbol used for the basis of the Sumerian written language, also the wedge.

In phonetics, lallation is the replacement of the l for the r in speech due to the difficulty of pronouncing the r sound. This is the final sound acquired when learning languages because it is the hardest sound to make. There are several words of similarity between PIE and Sumerian which only differ in the l and the r. For example, the Sumerian word for the underworld, Kur, is very similar to Kel, the root of Hel. The Sumerian word bar meaning 'to shine' and 'to be bright' is equivalent to Bal (Balder) in Norse which means 'the bright one'. The name Bal was also given to the top deity in the Canaanite tribes where it meant 'lord'. Moreover, the Sumerian noun hal means 'secret', 'divination expert', 'portion', and 'share', and the verb hal means 'to divide, to deal out', and 'distribute'.

In addition to the sacred, there are parallel words between the two cultures pertaining to agriculture. According to the Oera Linda Book, the word for 'field' is gars-sedum. In Sumerian, the root for 'field' was agar, and se was the root for 'barley' or 'grain'. Another commonality is the Sumerian word for freedom, ama-ar-gi. The root ama means 'mother', and the root ar means 'to shine' and 'bright'. Moreover, the Sumerian root gi means to 'return' or 'comeback'.

~~~~~

Conclusion: The Apocalypse

The Oera Linda Book describes the leadership of the ancient Frisian folk-mothers whose influence at one time covered all of Europe before a war and an apocalyptic disaster began their demise. Although their leadership was eventually conquered and lost, the mothers predicted a time of enlightenment when their teachings will be remembered, and humanity will move into a new age. In the new era, parts of the past will merge with the present creating a new understanding of reality. The mothers also predicted this time would be one of freedom when mankind would be released from the slavery of a false god created by a conspiracy between the institutions of church and state. Instead, the people would remember the elder or oldest one who wants nothing more from humanity than to share and be wise.

Apocalypse Theories

The apocalypse is a very old and popular theme. Currently, millions of people throughout the world believe an apocalypse will occur in the time of a rise to power by the Anti-Christ. It is believed this Anti-Christ will appear as a Savior to unite and save the earth. In times when the world is looking for a leader for global peace, this Savior will make his claim to fame as God. It is also believed this will be the time of the second coming, and the return of Jesus Christ who will defeat the Anti-Christ in a showdown of the Word. According to Christian traditions, at the last moment with the sounding of the last trumpet, the Messiah will appear on a cloud surrounded by his heavenly angels. It is also believed with his appearance, the dead will rise from their graves.

While the Apocalypse is a common religious and mythical theme, the Norse version is unique because of its belief a succession of events will lead to the loss of the gods. These events were predestined and unavoidable. The Norse fought bravely while they were alive hoping to be inducted into Valhalla, so they could fight in the final battle at the end of the world. This fate was inescapable, and the only question was one of time.

Northern European mythology also states this final battle known as Ragnorak, meaning 'doom of the divine powers', will mark the end of times when the gods are destroyed in a great battle along with Fenrir, the wolf, and Jormungand, the world serpent. It was for this reason the Norse were known for their heroes. In the Viking world, word-fame was everything because it was the only way immortality was achieved. The return of a feminine is also recorded in traditional Norse mythology where it claims, "a maid will walk after the gods are destroyed".

Currently there are two different theories on what the apocalypse will be. One theory believes in the destruction and the end of the world while the other theory includes a renewal and a birth of consciousness. Many traditional cultures including the Mayan believed periods of time would be repeated through a series of world ages, and what was lost would return. While the two theories are opposite of each other, it is possible both are true. According to the Oera Linda Book, the destruction and end of the civilized world occurred in 2193 B.C.E. The Oera Linda also claims there will be a re-awakening in the future somewhere around A.D. 2000. In ancient Greece, the word apocalypse meant 'uncovering' and to 'reveal hidden knowledge'.

Dr. Jensma's Hoax Theory

In a letter read to the Frisian society in 1871, Dr. Ottema concluded with remarks regarding the language used in the Oera Linda transcript. Dr. Ottema claimed those who took a superficial view of the manuscript doubted its antiquity because the language was so similar to present Frisian and Dutch. He concluded the changes in the language used in the manuscript between the various writers corresponded to the language changes occurring naturally. Dr. Ottema also concluded the Oera Linda Book could not be a forgery.

Although Dr. Ottema validated the language in the book, modern linguistic analysis has formed the hypothesis the book is a hoax. Dr. Goffe Jensma was awarded his PhD in 2004 for his research on the Oera Linda Book. Jensma, a Historian and Professor of the Frisian Language and Literature at the Faculty of Arts at the University of Groningen, based his thesis De gemaskerde god (The Masked God) on literary-historical research into the book.

The focus of Jensma's work was on the authors of the Oera Linda because it is likely there were only a few scholars in the Netherlands who knew enough about ancient Fries to write the book. In his research, Jensma concluded a Protestant preacher and poet by the name of Francois Haverschmidt was the main author of the book. Jensma claims Cornelis Over de Linden and Eelco Verwijs, the original translator, assisted Haverschimidt. Jensma described the Oera Linda as a combination of opposites. Jensma states it is, "a bizarre mix of clumsiness and scholarship, ignorance and consideration, illiteracy and professional skill. This quality logically implies that the Oera Linda Book, has to be considered as an ironic hoax rather than an unequivocal forgery".

Thunder, Perfect Mind

Jensma's description of combining opposites parallels the Gnostic text Thunder, Perfect Mind. The following excerpts are taken from it:

I was sent forth from the power . . .

For I am the first and the last. . . .

I am the wife and the virgin. . . .

I am she whose wedding is great,

And I have not taken a husband. . . .

I am the one who is disgraced and the great one.

Give heed to my poverty and my wealth.

Do not be arrogant to me when I am cast out upon the earth,

And you will find me in those that are to come. . . .

For I am the wisdom of the Greeks

And the knowledge of the barbarians. . . .

I am the one who has been hated everywhere

And who has been loved everywhere.

I am the one whom they call life

And you have called Death. . . .

I am peace, and war has come because of me. . . .

I am the judgment and the acquittal.

I, I am sinless, and the root of sin derives from me. . . .

I prepare the bread and my mind within.

I am the knowledge of my name. . . .

I am the hearing that is attainable to everything;

I am the speech that cannot be grasped.

I am the name of the sound

And the sound of the name.

I am the sign of the letter

And the designation of the division.

The poem Thunder, Perfect Mind was part of the Nag Hammadi collection found in 1945, seventy-three years after the Oera Linda Book surfaced. It dates from before A.D. 350, hundreds of years before the alleged fraud or hoax date of the Oera Linda, and it is the only one known to exist. The poem is written in Greek and consists of three separate styles: Hebrew wisdom texts, Isis aretalogies, and Platonic dialog. As a result, scholars have had a hard time trying to figure out which tradition it comes from.

Not only does this poem support the theory the symbols of the alphabet were based upon a wheel, it foretells of a return of a feminine using words generally associated with Christ in a time of judgment. Considering the time period of Thunder, Perfect Mind, it would have been impossible for Haverschmidt, Cornelis Over de Linden, or Eelco Verwijs to have known about it. It also provides significant evidence to disprove the theory the Oera Linda Book is a fraud or a hoax.

In the Oera Linda, Frya spoke through thunder:

Wise Frya! When she had seen her children reach the seventh generation, she summoned them all to Flyland, and there gave them her Tex, saying, "Let this be your guide, and it can never go ill with you."

Exalted Frya! When she had thus spoken the earth shook like the sea of Wralda. The ground of Flyland sank beneath her feet, the air was dimmed by tears, and when they looked for their mother she was already risen to her watching star; then at length thunder burst from the clouds, and the lightning wrote upon the firmament "Watch!"

This passage indicates Wralda and the "Watchers" are associated with lightning. The first symbol of Wralda's name, the W, was not included in Frya's alphabet. One possible explanation why it was not included is the W was silent, and the symbols were based upon the formation of their natural sounds according to point and manner of articulation. Furthermore, the symbol of the W cannot even be made using the wheel because its outer lines are straight. However, because the symbols of the alphabet have dual meanings and are also based on the cosmos, the W still needs to be accounted for in the sky.

The Invisible W

Since lightning is what wrote on the sky, it is likely the W is the symbol for a lightning bolt. (See Figure 49)

(Figure 49, Lightning Bolt)

It may not have been included in the original alphabet because as well as being silent, it is something seldom visible. Furthermore, in the illustration of Frya's letters, the symbols are not all aligned to the left because the first position in the top row is blank. (See Figure 3) This could indicate the symbol is actually present even though it cannot be seen. In the Book of the Egyptians, the father is described as:

the light of everything, he who came forth from the silence, while he rests in the silence, he whose name is in an invisible symbol.

It is also probable the ancients believed the flash of radiation beginning the expansion of the universe or the big bang came from a lightning bolt. Since it is likely the language found in the Oera Linda is the Proto-Indo-European (PIE) language, it would mean the word lightning translates as hel or helen since the Oera Linda Book claims hell meant 'bright' and 'above others' instead of evolving from kel meaning 'to conceal'. Furthermore, in German hell means 'bright' and 'light'. While it is currently believed the word bolt comes from PIE bheld meaning 'to strike', if the oldest form of Old Frisian found in the Oera Linda is PIE, bolt is the older form of the word because the t evolved into the d, and the bh was a later development. Therefore, it is likely helenbolt is the original word for a 'lightning bolt'. It is also likely the name Helenbolt is an earlier version of the name Herebeald and the original or authentic name of Wralda. Furthermore, it is possible Helenbolt is the "real name" referred to in the Gospel of Truth:

It is he alone who engendered it for himself as a name in the beginning before he had created the Aeons, that the name of the Father should be over their heads as a lord – that is, the real name, which is secure by his authority and by his perfect power. . . .

Above all, then, it is fitting for us to think this point over: What is the name? It is the real name. It is, indeed, the name which came from the Father, for it is he who owns the name. He did not, you see, get the name on loan, as in the case of others because of the form in which each one of them is going to be created. This, then, is the authoritative name. There is no one else to whom he has given it. But it remained unnamed, unuttered, till the moment when he, who is perfect, pronounced it himself; and it was he alone who was able to pronounce his name and to see it.

The name Helenbolt also rectifies the division between Hel and Balder. The anti-Christ and the Christ, face to face in the final battle - destroying each other because they are each other.

~~~~~

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List of Figures

1. Oera Linda Book Contributors

2. Friesland and the West Frisian Islands

3. The Oera Linda Book Alphabet

4. Oera Linda Book Timeline

5. Thor and Mjolnir

6. The Vanir

7. Gefion Fountain in Copenhagen, Denmark

8. Odin

9. Fertile Crescent

10. The Aesir and Sargon's Dynasty

11. Middle East

12. The World Tree

13. The Norse Gods and Giants

14. The Alpha

15. Oera Linda B & P

16. Oera Linda N, NG, & M

17. Oera Linda L

18. A's and H

19. The O's

20. The Numbers

21. The Runes

22. Egyptian Measurements

23. The Separation

24. The Seasons

25. Oera Linda Seasons

26. Day, Night, and Morning

27. The Moon Phases

28. The Oera Linda Moon Symbols

29. The Zodiac

30. Oera Linda Zodiac

31. Circumpolar Constellations

32. Oera Linda Circumpolar Constellations

33. Wralda

34. Super Massive Black Hole

35. Structure of the Milky Way

36. Eye of RA

37. The Milky Way

38. Coiled Snake

39. Frost Giants' Family Tree

40. Evolution of Names

41. Statue of Heimdell in Stockholm, Sweden

42. The Danes or Scyldings

43. The Geats

44. The Swedes

45. Descendants of Rig

46. Hathor

47. Seven Generations

48. Language Descendants

49. Lightning Bolt

~~~~~

About The Author

Further research into my family validated the Helenbolts were descendants of the Frisians. Many Frisian people assimilated into the Dutch, English, and Germanic people. According to one genealogy source, the name Helenbolt has evolved into Helmholt, a very common Frisian name. The earliest German record of the Helenbolt name is found dated 1532 in Muhlhausen for Ludwig, son of Stepan Helmbold. A record from the Pfalz Bayern in 1698 shows the birth of Johannes Matthaeus Helmbold, tying the Helenbolts to the Palatinate. Many variations of spellings are also found. For example, baptismal records from the Brandenburg area in 1742 shows the spellings Helmbold, Helenbolt, and Helmboldt used by the same family.

The Palatinate

The first records in America places the Helenbolts in the Mohawk Valley in New York with the people who came from the Palatinate. However, the Helenbolts were not included on any of the early Palatinate shipping records. The Palatinate was the Rhine Basin now recognized as the German State of Rhineland-Pfalz. The Palatinate was divided into two areas. The Lower Palatinate was called the Rhenish lands and was located on both sides of the Middle Rhine River between its main and Necker tributaries. The Upper Palatinate was located in Northern Bavaria on both sides of the Naab River. While many of the Palatines were Germans, there were also French Huguenots and Calvinistic refugees from Holland living in the area. The term Palatine in English and early colonial history meant 'a lord' or 'proprietor'. The word Palatine comes from palatinus meaning 'of the palace'.

Historically, the fertile lands of the Palatinate were fought over often. Since the Palatinate borders on the South in France and in the West on Saarland and Luxembourg, it became an asylum for refugees. As a result, the Palatinate became the battlefield for the Protestants and the Roman Catholics. After thirty years of enduring wars and religious prosecution, the land was destitute. Then in 1710, an extra hard and long freeze destroyed all the fruit trees and vines the Palatines depended upon for subsistence. The previous two years' harvests had also been poor for the vinedressers, and what little excess wine they had froze as well. Without any crops, the people of the Palatinate were facing starvation.

At this time, the Protestant Queen Anne who received the crown of England in 1702, made an offer to the Palatines to come to America as indentured servants to manufacture naval stores for Great Britain. The Queen's navy greatly depended on an abundant supply of tar, pitch, turpentine, and hemp; all previously found in America. The Palatines would also serve as buffers against French invasions upon English settlements.

In America

Unfortunately, earlier reports were wrong, and the trees on the lands assigned to the Palatines were not capable of producing the supplies the Queen needed. When Queen Anne tired of supporting the people and getting nothing in return, she cut off supplies leaving the Palatines to fend on their own. During the winter of 1712 - 1713, the Palatines were boiling grass and eating the leaves of trees trying to survive. Nearby Iroquois Indians came upon the settlers and gave them food and clothing. When spring came, an Indian scout led the Palatines to the Schoharie Valley where they were given a piece of land. A few years later, due to conflict over ownership of the land, many of the Palatines returned to the Mohawk Valley.

Historical records show Helenbolts fighting in militia groups in both the French and Indian War, and the Revolutionary War. The Helenbolts had been living in the Mohawk Valley before the wars, but all the combats and battles in the area devastated the land. Where the Helenbolt family was during this time, and how they fared is not known; although, they did return in 1790 along with other families trying to rebuild what had been lost. Sometime after 1815, part of the family moved northwest into Canada and settled in Haldimand and Hamilton townships in the old Newcastle District, what is now Northumberland County, Ontario. Then around 1850, the family moved to Wisconsin, and then to Minnesota before eventually ending up in Nebraska and South Dakota. With the help of others such as Christine Spencer who has done amazing research into the Helenbolt name and ancestors, I have been able to trace my maiden name and direct family line back seven generations to a man named Philip in New York.

In Moville

I was born in South Dakota and raised in Nebraska. After getting married and having children, I moved to Moville, Iowa. Thirty years later, I am still here but not sure why. It seems all my life I have had this feeling I just want to go home. The problem is I have never understood where home is. I only know it has never been where I am at.

The Woodbury County Fair is held in Moville, usually the first week in August. Although I generally walk the dogs at the fairgrounds, during this time, we go to the park instead. Last week was the fair, so yesterday was the first day we could resume our normal routine. As soon as we arrived at the entrance to the grounds, Bentley, my daughter's border collie, darted right after a rabbit in an evergreen bush. My German shepherd, Maggie, sprinted off to the left seemingly upset other animals had been relieving themselves in what she considers her own personal paradise. They were both out of control, running in circles and getting caught up in their leashes, obviously anxious over the recent intrusion of cows, sheep, and horses.

It took me some time to untangle and settle the dogs down enough to continue our walk up and down the paved pathways and through the grass of the old town which brings back memories of my childhood. My mother used to teach at a little country school almost identical to the one in the old town across from the livery stable. I can remember going with her once and getting to sit with the "big kids". It was Easter time and we colored eggs. The little white church just east of the school reminds me of the one in Naper, Nebraska, I attended until I was five before moving thirty miles south to Stuart. Even the old jail house west of the church reminded me of the night when I was fifteen and had to sit in one like it with my friends trying to convince the local police officer not to call our parents to tell them we got caught drinking at the cemetery again.

Although we usually walk through old town twice, yesterday we had to cut it short because Maggie decided to try to eat a bee buzzing around in some clover. The bee was not happy about the encroachment. Nor did it seem to like the idea of becoming a dog snack. Consequently, the bee was still swarming around my head as we made our way past the Beef Barn to the water pump. I was relieved when it diverted its attention to the large green trash can that had not been emptied yet. As I continued down the pathway passing the building housing the "Kid's Zone", I noticed the sign just above the big white door said "Herbold Hall".

Returning from the fair grounds, I walked down Main Street passing by the post office before turning left on 2nd Street. As we rounded the corner, I saw the name "Linden" etched in the window of the local chiropractor's office. After arriving home, I fed the dogs and sat down on the couch. I turned on the TV, and a few minutes later, I heard a newscaster mention Humboldt, Iowa, a small town about a hundred miles from Moville. I smiled as I realized I probably don't know where to go because I am already there.

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