A Modern Curse Pole (Social Action)
(Circa September 2023)
Modern Problems; Modern Solutions
Content Warning: Mention of potentially triggering topics in article
In today's day and age we are faced with an overwhelming amount of issues, whether it be the fall of the capitalist economy, unjust laws to further enslave or control the peoples of the world, or even the biggest threat to paganism as a whole right now the fascist agenda. Too often it happens that a peaceful and happy event built on celebrating all walks of life and the people that accompany them are interrupted, hurt, or fear mongered into canceling or never making the event happen again. Who brings the hatred to these events that are bringing harm to none? Fascists, bigots, anti-semetic, wrongly educated christians* and the far right. How do we protect ourselves from these groups?
Especially here in the U.S. where free speech is so prevalent even when it comes to hate speech and a skewed justice system. For my personal answer to this question I looked into the past, specifically the Old Norse past and found what I feel to be an esoteric answer to how we can protect ourselves. In my research I came across what is called a Niðstang Pole.
The Niðstang Pole is a curse pole constructed by mounting a mare's head upon a wooden pole and then carving the curse one uttered into the pole with Runes and directing it at the target. Why use a Niðstang Pole? Often referred to as a “Scorn Pole '' it was a way of publicly humiliating and making a spectacle of the target. The purpose of the mare's head also served two purposes. One was to frighten not only the target, but the land spirits and guides away from the home; the second was to insult the target by saying they are as dense as a farm animal. The Niðstang Pole has shown to be quite popular even in modern times with the most recent public showing of raising one in 2020 when it was erected at the statue of Jón Sigurðsson in Austurvelli and it pointed towards the Alþingi building. It was raised because the people claimed that Alþingi oppressed the working classes that consisted primarily of women and those less fortunate. It was for this reason the people took matters into their own hands and raised their Niðstang Pole. Another example was when improvised Niðstang Poles called Vindgapi made with dried cod heads were used during the April 4, 2016 demonstration against Icelandic Prime Minister Sigmundur Davíð Gunnlaugsson. There is one example however that is the most well known use and that is within the tale of Egil’s Saga which was written approximately around 1200 a.d..
He took a hazel pole in his hand and went to the edge of a rock facing inland. Then he took a horse’s head and put it on the end of the pole. Afterwards he made an invocation, saying, “Here I set up this níðstöng and turn its níð upon King Eirik and Queen Gunnhild” – then turned the horse’s head to face land – “and I turn its níð upon the landvættir that inhabit this land, sending them all astray so that none of them will find its resting-place by chance or design until they have driven King Eirik and Gunnhild from this land.” Then he thrust the pole into a cleft in the rock and left it to stand there. He turned the head towards the land and carved the whole invocation in runes on the pole. After that, Egil went to his ship. They hoisted the sail and put it out to sea. The wind began to get up and a strong, favorable wind came.
So we have three potent examples from the Germanic tradition as well as current Icelandic culture and the reasons why they erected them and the purpose behind them, but what were the results? In Egils Saga the outcome was as Egil willed through its raising, and the Land Vættir drove King Eirik and Queen Gunnhild away from Norway. With the demonstration in 2020 it did very much highlight a need to steer wage negotiations for nurses to a better outcome. In our third example of the raising against the Icelandic Prime Minister he was forced to resign over criminal issues and received a no confidence vote. So we can see that whilst it may be directly tied or indirectly tied to the Niðstang Pole the curse brings results and this is a big reason I have decided to make my version of one.
For my version I set forth with the mission of making an impenetrable shield for the wielder, and an inescapable weapon against the target. The targets are those who are the fascists, bigots, abusers, tormenters, rapists, pedophiles, in short all the scum of this world. My Niðstang will cause them targeted pain and suffering according to the targets own crimes against humanity. I will not speak to the types of results that may occur, except for the fact that it will depend entirely on the person who meets the gaze of the Niðstang. If they choose to venture and become a decent human and try to change then the results will lessen. If the opposite happens, well then the opposite happens. When a target meets the Niðstang and is guilty of the targeted aspects the gaze will never leave them and the image will be seared into their memory.
As for the wielder I have layered multiple protections within the Pole to keep the bearer safe from the Niðstang as well as any repercussions or attacks from the targets met. I did however include a trapdoor that if the wielder is one of the targeted audiences they would be met solely with the full force of the Niðstang and it would be rendered useless against anyone else but that person. How exactly does the Pole stay energized or charged before using? The simple answer is, it doesn't. It lays dormant until activated by the wielder's invocation of intent and placement. It feeds off the targets, continuously drawing upon their energy and wrongdoings.
How and where do you place it? What medium can it be used with? I've designed it to be as versatile as possible, whether it's used as a sticker at pride rallies, or as an invisible invocation on a business letter head. Make flyers, make social media posts, and use it in whatever medium you can that doesn't require you to try and redraw or remake the image. How do you use it? Once you have decided to use this Niðstang Pole print off the image in your desired choice, for this example we’ll use a sticker. Once the sticker is printed, decide where you're going to place it. Once you have found your ideal location, peel off the backing and set your intent, i.e. “May this Niðstang reach all who deserves and may it bring forth the justice required, so mote it be.” After finishing the invocation, place it in/on your location and give thanks to the energies and deities you may work with, and leave it.
I made the decision to construct this Niðstang for the protection and safety of those marginalized, and to show the bigots of the world we are not done fighting against them and we won't give up the fight. Let this be a beacon for the allies, for the scared, for those still persecuted due to race, or who they love. Let this image bring peace and courage to those who feel without when seen in our environments. In turn let this be the thing that keeps the wicked up at night, the last thing they see when they close their eyes, the eternal damnation of their own deeds never giving them quarter or peace.
Sources and Credits: https://theroadtohel.wordpress.com/2014/06/04/2180/ https://www.mbl.is/frettir/innlent/2020/04/03/nidstong_reist_gegn_althingi/ https://open.spotify.com/episode/3RWQCQ212VIt8L0ZZAdhtT?si=Qg51ocVxRAGCyKjf0AfL7g%0A Scudder, Bernard (trans.) (2000) [1997]. Örnólfur Thorsson (ed.). Egil's Saga. pp. 3–184. *by wrongly educated Christians I am referring to those who do not follow the teachings of Christ and in turn practice bigotry and hatred. I am not referring to all Christians with this statement.