What is the meaning of Wōđanaz in Proto-Germanic folklore?
Wōđanaz means Lord of Frenzy and derives from PGmc wōđaz attached to the suffix -naz. Evidence points to a god strongly associated with ecstatic divination and wisdom.
Questions about Proto-Germanic folklore
Short answers, pulled from the story.
When did Pre-Germanic and Pre-Celtic languages remain in close contact according to John T. Koch?
John T. Koch argues that Pre-Germanic and Pre-Celtic languages remained in close contact from 1800 to between 1200 and 900 BCE. This connection likely dates back further due to long-distance metal trade with Scandinavia.
Who are the supernatural beings known as al(j)a-wihtiz in Germanic belief systems?
The word al(j)a-wihtiz compounds aljaz meaning other and wihtiz meaning thing creature. Dwarfs appear as supernatural beings in Old Norse Middle High German and Middle Dutch texts.
How does the term Haljō relate to the concept of Hell in Proto-Germanic culture?
Scholars identify Haljō as the concealed and a precursor to modern English Hell attested as an afterlife location throughout Germanic languages. It personifies as a female entity in Old Norse and Old English.
What is the origin of the festival name jehwlan translated as Yule?
A festival organized at the end of each year bears the name jehwlan translating to Yule. The term har(u)gaz means holy stone perhaps sacrificial mound possibly borrowed from a non-Indo-European source.