Also called Terra Mater (Tacitus), Mother Earth.
Their story
Tacitus wrote in about 98 CE that seven tribes of the north worshipped Nerthus, Mother Earth, who was believed to visit the peoples. In a grove on an island stood her covered wagon, which only her priest could touch. When he sensed her presence, the wagon was drawn about by cows, and there were days of rejoicing when no one went to war and all weapons were put away. Afterwards the wagon, cloth and goddess herself were washed in a secret lake by slaves who were then drowned.
Best times to give to them
- spring
- when making peace
- at a lake or in woodland
What they like being given
- a day of laying down tools and quarrels
- flowers left in woodland
- milk or oat milk
- grain
How to honour them
- Keep a day of peace in her honour, setting aside arguments and sharp tools.
- Visit a lake or grove and simply sit and listen.
How they can help you
- peace
- reverence for the earth
- fertility and growth
Symbols
- a covered wagon drawn by cows
- a sacred grove
- a lake
- a veiled image
Known only from Tacitus; her name is the grammatical ancestor of Njörðr's, and the link between them is debated.
Sources
- Tacitus, Germania 40
- Simek, Dictionary of Northern Mythology
More Norse goddesses
- Frigg Queen of Asgard, keeper of the hearth
- Sif The golden-haired, wife of Thor
- Freyja The Lady, mistress of seiðr and love
- Iðunn Keeper of the apples of youth
- Hel Keeper of the realm of the dead
- Eir The best of physicians
- Sága Keeper of stories, who drinks with Odin
- Gefjon The giving one, ploughwoman of Zealand