The Goddess Hel

Or better,how is made one?

I mentioned this elsewhere, but I will mention it here as well:

In regards to the Helkappe.

I have seen one or two helkappe: which is essentially a mask (though sometimes in the form of a helmet or cap) that is said to make the wearer invisible when crossing into Helheim.(It is not unlike other magickal Norse helmets: Grimhelm, Hildgrim and Hade's Helm of Invisibility in Greek tradition). The general idea behind it is that it would provide safer travel through Helheim, and allow the shaman or pathwalker to journey more. However.. Some would say it is unwise to use it as it could be seen as deceitful. Personally, I've never put much thought into it. Hel is known as a Goddess to whom "all is seen", so I would find no use for it, as it would do you no good if you were traveling through her lands.

I have, however, known of some who use the halkappe in a mask form when doing a ritual, but in those cases it is made to be more symbolic of Hel (her appearance) and does not serve the same purpose.

Hel, is a very interesting Norse Goddess. I find her very intriging.

I've always been interested in Hel. Her image has intrigued me since I was a child. Has anyone here actually encountered her personally? I would love to hear personal experiences.

I've done some really in-depth work with her, though it's always been strange for me. Whenever I work with her, I get certain feelings that are a bit offsetting. I'll shoot you a mail with some of that. I believe Vanitys has experience with her as well.

This thread has been moved to Heathenism from Misc Topics.

Over the years of being a proud heathen i have told my young cousin's story's that hel will be waiting to eat them if they became a Christian. And for some reason i feel bad about doing this to every young child in my family. But i do respect the goddess of the underworld

I think it's a little.. Disrespectful. To say the least.

I most certainly wouldn't think Hela would eat anyone for not being Heathen as it goes against what is known of her.

I also read that when vikings sailed, they would be weary of where the ship head was pointed as it was believed to scare away the spirits of the land. When in enemy territory, they would take the head of the ship off and carry it into the lands so the local wights would not interfere with their battles. I don't know much historical stock should be put into this, as I've not seen longships with detachable heads, but that could just be me.

It just made me curious what other uses masks, busts, and helms had within Heathenry.

From what I know, they didn't like intimidating posts on their ships because it was thought that it upset the landvaettir when strangers sailed into their land with the carved heads of their ships facing the land directly. I think it's because that arrangement is very similar to a nidstang, which has the carved head at the top and channels negative energy in the direction it's pointed. I've seen that cited many times, so I don't think it's just you, Eis.

As for the other part of what you wrote, there's actually a surprising amount of helms and other items found throughout the eddas, sagas, etc. There were a lot of magic rings and such too.