Norse Pagan Devotional Poem to Honor All
To all those in harmony with the northern way,
Guiding me with wisdom, day by day,
In helpful ways, you share your light,
I honor your presence, in this sacred rite.
Oh, Aesir of the Northern sky so grand,
Mighty gods who rule o’er this ancient land,
Odin, Allfather, I seek your wisdom’s light,
Grant me your knowledge, guide me through the night.
Odin, Allfather, wise and full of might,
I seek your knowledge, guide me through day and night,
With your wisdom deep, my path you’ll pave,
Grant me insight, as your blessings I crave.
Frigga, queen of the Aesir, so wise,
In your presence, all knowledge lies,
Guide me with your grace, protect and heal,
With your love, my heart and soul, you seal.
Vili, the embodiment of primal will and thought,
In your presence, wisdom’s foundations are sought,
Grant me your insight, sharp and clear,
With your blessings, enlightenment I revere.
Ve, the divine spark of consciousness and existence,
In your presence, I find the essence of subsistence,
Grant me your insight into life’s profound art,
With your blessings, I awaken my innermost heart.
Thor, with Mjölnir, protector bold and true,
I ask your strength to carry me through,
Shield me from chaos, let your hammer’s roar,
Keep me safe and strong, forevermore.
Sif, with your hair of golden hue,
Goddess of harvest, your blessings renew,
Fill my live with abundance and grace,
As I honor you in this sacred space.
Magni, son of Thor, with power in your name,
In your potent presence, I find strength to claim,
Bless me with your might, so unwavering and true,
With your blessings, I rise and mighty deeds pursue.
Mothi, son of Thor, with strength in your bloodline,
In your mighty presence, courage and valor shine,
Bless me with your resilience, fierce and bold,
With your blessings, I face challenges untold.
Thrud, strength and power untamed,
In your mighty presence, valor is proclaimed,
Grant me your courage, unwavering and true,
With your blessings, I rise and breakthrough.
Jord, Earth mother, cradle of life’s birth,
In your fertile soil, I find my worth,
Grant me your strength, grounded and true,
With your blessings, I honor you.
Sunna, radiant goddess, morning’s light,
In your warm embrace, the day takes flight,
Grant me your brilliance, shining so true,
With your blessings, my spirits renew.
Mani, gentle guardian of the night’s domain,
In your silver light, I find soothing gain,
Grant me your presence, serene and bright,
With your blessings, I navigate the night.
Tyr, god of justice, in you I confide,
Guide my actions with your righteous stride,
Help me make decisions, strong and grand,
With your wisdom as my guiding hand.
Heimdallr, guardian of the Bifröst’s gleam,
In your watchful gaze, reality’s seam,
Grant me your vigilance, keen and bright,
With your blessings, I’ll defend what’s right.
Idunn, in your orchard’s sacred grove,
I seek your apples, youth’s eternal trove,
Grant me the gift of ageless vitality,
With your blessings, renew my mortality.
Bragi, skald and bard of eloquent song,
In your melodies, our spirits belong,
Inspire my words, with poetic grace,
In your name, I seek a lyrical embrace.
Baldr, the shining, pure and fair,
Grant me the strength to do what’s right and bear,
Let your light illuminate my path,
In your honor, I raise a joyful glass.
Nanna, in the halls of peace you reside,
In your tranquil presence, sorrows subside,
Grant me your serenity, calm and serene,
With your blessings, I find solace in between.
Hermod, the messenger of the Aesir’s high decree,
In your swift journey, you traverse realms so free,
Bless me with your guidance through life’s winding road,
With your blessings, I find strength in each episode.
Vidar, the silent guardian, clothed in strength,
In your stoic presence, resilience extends its length,
Bearer of the burden, as Ragnarok’s fate draws near,
With your blessings, I face my darkest fear.
Aegir, lord of the ocean’s boundless might,
In your watery realm, waves dance in flight,
Brewer of mead, host of grand feasts and cheer,
Grant me your mirth and mead, so sincere.
Ran, mistress of the ocean’s deep,
In your watery realm, your treasures you keep,
Grant me your guidance, when storms arise,
With your blessings, my course I’ll prize.
Eir, goddess of healing’s gentle touch,
In your presence, ailments lose their clutch,
Bless my body, mind, and soul, I pray,
With your soothing care, chase pain away.
Saga, keeper of stories old and true,
In your timeless presence, wisdom I pursue,
Grant me your tales, from history’s distant past,
With your blessings, my knowledge will amass.
Fulla, keeper of Frigg’s secrets so dear,
In your faithful presence, whispers I hear,
Grant me your loyalty, steadfast and true,
With your blessings, I confide in you.
Eostre, maiden of the fertile spring’s embrace,
In your gentle aura, Earth awakens with grace,
Grant me your renewal, life’s vibrant rebirth,
With your blessings, I’ll cherish the Earth.
Ullr, god of the winter’s cold embrace,
In your snowy realm, I find my grace,
Grant me your strength in the frozen land,
With your blessings, I’ll withstand.
Forseti, the god of justice fair,
In your courtroom divine, all find solace there,
I seek your wisdom in matters of law,
With your guidance, justice I’ll draw.
Snotra, goddess of wisdom and grace,
In your serene presence, I find my place,
Grant me your insight, calm and profound,
With your blessings, wisdom’s depths are found.
Hlin, protector of those in need,
In your caring presence, hearts you heed,
Grant me your solace, in times of strife,
With your blessings, I find strength in life.
Sjofn, goddess of love’s gentle sway,
In your tender presence, hearts find their way,
Grant me your compassion, kind and warm,
With your blessings, love’s sweetest charm.
Var, goddess of sacred oaths I keep,
In your presence, promises run deep,
Grant me your trust and bonds unbroken,
With your blessings, words of honor spoken.
Vor, goddess of searching minds so keen,
In your wisdom’s light, I seek to glean,
Grant me your insight, keen and aware,
With your blessings, knowledge beyond compare.
Saxnot, the deity of the Saxons’ ancient lore,
In your honor, I gather and implore,
Bless me with your strength, unyielding and true,
With your blessings, I rise and courage renew.
Gefjon, the goddess of fertile lands so wide,
In your nurturing presence, my crops and fields abide,
Bless me with abundance, and growth to unfold,
With your blessings, I reap the harvest’s gold.
Mimir, the keeper of wisdom’s ancient well,
In your presence, deep insights I compel,
Bless me with the knowledge from the depths of thought,
With your wisdom, I seek to be truly taught.
Hoenir, the god of foresight and silent contemplation,
In your tranquil presence, I seek revelation,
Bless me with wisdom’s vision, clear and bright,
With your blessings, I navigate the paths of insight.
And to all the Aesir, in Asgard above,
I offer my devotion, my heartfelt love,
In the old ways, I honor and revere,
The gods of the North, forever near.
Oh, Vanir, radiant and fair,
Goddesses and gods beyond compare,
Freyr and Freyja, Njord as well,
To your grace and might, I humbly tell.
Freyr, bringer of abundance and peace,
With your fertile fields, may all strife cease,
Bless my harvest, make my spirit sing,
In your presence, let prosperity spring.
Gerd, the maiden of frost and ice,
In your chilling presence, hearts often think twice,
Grant me your distant and frigid grace,
With your blessings, I’ll find a balanced space.
Freyja, enchantress of love’s sweet embrace,
With your gentle guidance, I find my place,
Bless my heart, entwine my soul in grace,
In your name, I honor love’s warm embrace.
Njord, master of the sea’s tranquil domain,
Bring serenity to my life’s endless chain,
Guide me through tumultuous tides and more,
With your wisdom, I reach a tranquil shore.
Skadi, the huntress of the frigid north,
In your mountainous realm, your strength goes forth,
Grant me your determination, fierce and bold,
With your blessings, I conquer challenges untold.
Nerthus, goddess of fertile Earth’s embrace,
In your bountiful lands, I find my place,
Grant me your abundance, rich and profound,
With your blessings, I till the sacred ground.
Kvasir, the embodiment of shared wisdom’s wealth,
In your presence, I find the spirit of mental health,
Bless me with the nectar of knowledge so profound,
With your wisdom, I explore the world’s fertile ground.
Nehalennia, guardian of the coastal shore,
In your maritime realm, I seek evermore,
Grant me your guidance, by the ocean’s tide,
With your blessings, may my journeys safely glide.
Heidr, in your mystic shroud you dwell,
In your enigmatic presence, secrets swell,
Grant me your wisdom, hidden and profound,
With your blessings, may my knowledge abound.
Hnoss, the treasure of love’s sweet delight,
In your radiant presence, hearts take flight,
Grant me your affection, deep and true,
With your blessings, love’s bond I’ll renew.
Gersemi, a treasure of beauty and grace,
In your radiant presence, I find a sacred place,
Grant me your elegance, both gentle and fine,
With your blessings, my inner light will shine.
Vanir, hear my words, accept my plea,
For your blessings, I bend the knee,
In nature’s cycles, I see your grace,
As I walk this path, your love I embrace.
To all the Vanir, bright and ever near,
In gratitude, I hold you dear,
In the old ways, I honor and revere,
Goddesses and gods, forever near.
To the Aesir and Vanir, I offer my heart,
In this ancient faith, I’ll never depart,
With gratitude and reverence, I hold you near,
May your blessings guide me, year after year.
To the wights of land and sea, I sing this song,
In reverence to you, where you belong,
Spirits of nature, ancient and wise,
I honor you under the open skies.
To the spirits of the trees, standing tall and strong,
In your sheltering branches, all belong,
Rooted deep in the earth, reaching for the sky,
I feel your presence as I pass you by.
To the spirits of the plants and flowers, I extend my call,
In your vibrant blossoms, you enchant all,
From the petals that bloom to the leaves that sway,
I honor your presence in the light of day.
To the spirits of the waters, flowing free and wide,
In your currents and tides, I find my guide,
From the babbling brook to the ocean’s deep blue,
I honor your essence in all that I do.
To the spirits of the mountains, majestic and grand,
In your rocky heights, I take my stand,
Silent sentinels of the ancient past,
Your strength and endurance forever shall last.
To the spirits of the air, on wings you soar,
In the heavens above, you explore and explore,
Carriers of whispers, secrets, and dreams,
I feel your presence in the gentlest of streams.
To the spirits of the fire, burning bright and true,
In your flames, I find courage anew,
Dancing with fervor, your energy untamed,
I honor your warmth, in your light, I am framed.
To the spirits of the soil, where life takes root,
In your dark, fertile depths, my dreams take fruit,
From the smallest seed to the mightiest tree,
I find your blessings in all that I see.
To the spirits of the animals, wild and free,
In your instincts and grace, I find unity,
Each creature unique, in nature’s grand plan,
I honor your presence, as part of the clan.
To the spirits of the food I eat each day,
In the grains, fruits, and vegetables that come my way,
Nourishing my body, sustaining my life’s feat,
I honor your presence, in each meal I eat.
To the spirits of the stones, ancient and wise,
In your solid forms, you stand as our ties,
To the Earth’s history, a witness you’ve been,
I feel your strength in the rocks and within.
To the spirits of my ancestors, I humbly bow,
In your footsteps, I walk, I honor you now,
Guides of my lineage, in the shadows you reside,
I pay my respects, for your wisdom and pride.
To the Alfar, the elves of ancient lore,
In your realms unseen, I humbly implore,
Guardians of hidden places and twilight’s grace,
I honor your presence in this sacred space.
To the Disir, ancestral spirits of feminine might,
In your wisdom and grace, you shine so bright,
Protectors of kin, guardians of the home,
I honor your presence wherever I roam.
To the House Wight, guardian of hearth and hall,
In the cozy confines, you watch over all,
Keeper of the home’s warmth and light,
I honor your presence through day and night.
To the Landvaettir, spirits of the land so old,
In your sacred realms, your stories are told,
Keepers of the wilderness, in every rock and tree,
I honor your presence, for you make the land free.
To the Svartalfar, the dwarves in caverns deep,
In your hidden forges, secrets you keep,
Craftsmen of the earth, with skills profound,
I honor your presence in the underground.
To the Trolls of ancient might and stone,
In the rugged wilderness, you call home,
Guardians of the hidden, in shadows you dwell,
I honor your presence, the tales you tell.
To the Fairies, with wings so bright and airy,
In enchanted realms, where magick is necessary,
Guardians of nature’s beauty, in forests you reside,
I honor your presence, your world so wide.
To the Gnomes, in gardens and woodlands, you’re found,
Guardians of nature, with wisdom in greenery bound,
Keepers of the earth, in gardens you delight,
I honor your presence, in the warm daylight.
To the Elementals, beings of earth, air, fire, and sea,
In your essence, the natural world’s mystery,
Guardians of the elements, in balance you dwell,
I honor your presence, your tales we shall tell.
To the ancient witches and wizards of old,
With cauldrons and spells, your stories unfold,
Keepers of arcane knowledge, in shadows you’d tread,
I honor your wisdom, by your magick I am led.
To the spirit of magick, in spells and enchantments,
In rituals and mysteries, you bring enhancements,
I honor your presence, in my mystical art,
In the world of the unseen, where dreams do start.
To the spirits of the Runes, ancient symbols so profound,
Inscribed in fate’s tapestry, where wisdom is found,
Guiding my path, with mysteries you share,
I honor your presence, with utmost care.
To the mighty Mjölnir, Thor’ hammer so bold,
A weapon of power, in legends long told,
Guardian of Asgard, with thunderous might,
I honor your presence, in battles and in flight.
To the spirits of knowledge, in books and in thought,
In wisdom’s endless pursuit, in lessons I’ve sought,
Guiding my mind, making ignorance retreat,
I honor your presence, in my quest to complete.
To the Norns, I turn my gaze,
Weaving the threads of my destined days,
Past, present, and future you hold in your hand,
Guiding the fates of all in the mortal land.
To the Gods and Goddesses of lands so vast,
In cultures and traditions, through history amassed,
I honor your presence, with respect and grace,
In the tapestry of humanity, you find your place.
To the spirits of time, ever marching on,
Past, present, future, in your realm we’re drawn,
Guiding the course of history, with your silent chime,
I honor your presence, in the grand design.
To Hella, Goddess of the underworld’s gate,
Keeper of the departed, in realms where they await,
Guide of souls to the afterlife’s shore,
I honor your presence forevermore.
To the Folk, the people who gather and share,
In kinship and community, showing they care,
Together we stand, in unity we thrive,
I honor your presence, in this life we’re alive.
And to blood family, friends, and those known closely,
In the bonds we cherish, in hearts that beat most closely,
In the tapestry of love and ties that will never end,
I honor your presence, my family and friend.
To the Vikings, bold and fearless in the fray,
With longships and axes, you’d make your way,
Explorers of distant lands, under skies so vast,
I honor your spirit, from the past to the last.
To the folk of all lands and cultures, past and present,
In diverse traditions, we find strength so effervescent,
In unity and diversity, our shared human story,
I honor your presence, in all your splendid glory.
To the beings of all planets, both on Earth and far,
In galaxies beyond, where endless mysteries are,
In the cosmos’ grandeur, where destinies are swirled,
I honor your presence, in this boundless, cosmic world.
To my Fylgja, guardian spirits by my side,
Invisible companions, in you I confide,
Guiding me through life, my silent, loyal kin,
I honor your presence, as my spirits within.
To Yggdrasil, the World Tree, that binds all realms above,
Your branches reach to heavens, your roots deep below,
In your sacred embrace, all life finds its trove,
I honor your presence, in your wisdom I grow.
And to the Nine Worlds, interconnected and grand,
Each with its secrets, in Yggdrasil’s hand,
I honor your existence, in this cosmic dance,
In the tapestry of existence, my spirits enhance.
Amidst the great mystery of existence’s vast expanse,
In the cosmos’ dance, where stars and galaxies enhance,
I honor the spirit of this boundless enigma’s stance,
In awe, I embrace your presence’s trance.
As for myself, in this sacred space I stand,
A humble part of this divine, cosmic band,
Seeking wisdom, guidance, and growth each day,
I honor my presence, in this sacred way.
To the wights of land and sea, I give my praise,
In your varied forms, through all of my days,
Guardians and keepers of nature’s design,
I honor your presence, for you are divine.
In this devotional ode to all that exists,
To the wights of nature, I must insist,
Your wisdom and beauty, I hold in high esteem,
In this sacred bond, I find my dream.
And in realms beyond, where mysteries reside,
In the unseen, the hidden, where secrets are tied,
To those who guide me, nameless and wise,
I honor your presence, as my spirits rise.
To all those in harmony with the northern way,
Guiding me with wisdom, day by day,
In helpful ways, you share your light,
I honor your presence, in this sacred rite.
Forgive me for not mentioning you by name,
In this heartfelt tribute, your role’s the same,
I hold you in honor, with gratitude and grace,
In the northern tradition, I find my rightful place.
Hail to the Aesir and Vanir’s eternal grace,
Hail to Wights of land and sea, in every place,
In realms beyond and deep within, they play,
Hail to helpful beings guiding my way.
Viking Gothi
The Viking gothi, also known as the goði, was a religious leader and counselor in Norse society. Gothi means “priest” in Old Norse and was a title given to those who presided over religious ceremonies and served as intermediaries between the gods and the people.
In Viking society, religion played a significant role in daily life. The gothi was responsible for maintaining the sacred rituals and ensuring the gods were pleased. They also acted as advisors to the chieftains and leaders of the community, providing guidance on matters of law and governance.
The gothi was not always a full-time religious leader. Many were farmers, warriors, or traders who took on the role of priest as a secondary profession. They were often chosen based on their wisdom, knowledge of the gods, and ability to lead ceremonies.
The gothi’s duties included conducting sacrifices, leading prayers, and performing divinations to determine the will of the gods. They also oversaw the construction and maintenance of temples and shrines and served as the custodians of sacred objects.
One of the most important roles of the gothi was to ensure the community’s spiritual wellbeing. They did this by providing spiritual counseling, resolving disputes, and promoting social cohesion. The gothi was also responsible for passing on the knowledge of the gods to the next generation.
In conclusion, the Viking gothi was an essential figure in Norse society. They were not only religious leaders but also advisors and mediators. Their role ensured the continuity of the community’s spiritual traditions and helped maintain social harmony.
Embracing Cultural Diversity in Spiritual Practice: The Importance of Cultural Appreciation and Learning the Context of Barrowed Ideas
It is important to recognize that everyone has the right to practice their religion or spirituality in a way that feels authentic and meaningful to them. It is not appropriate for anyone to try to limit the religious practices of others or to impose their own beliefs and practices on others. The idea of “closed practices” or “cultural appropriation” can be problematic because it suggests that some people are not entitled to practice certain religions or traditions based on their background or identity. This can be harmful and exclusionary, and it is important to recognize that spirituality is a deeply personal and individual experience. It is also important to be mindful of the impact your actions may have on others and to be respectful of the beliefs and practices of others. However, it is not necessary to seek permission to practice your own religion or spirituality, and it is important to follow your own path and listen to your own spiritual calling.
It is important to respect the beliefs and practices of others, especially when it comes to matters of religion and spirituality. However, it is not appropriate to impose one’s own beliefs and practices on others or to try to limit their religious practices. It is also important to recognize that spirituality is a deeply personal and individual experience, and that everyone has the right to practice their religion or spirituality in a way that feels authentic and meaningful to them. It is important to be mindful of the cultural significance of certain practices and to be respectful of the traditions of others. It is also important to be mindful of the history and origins of certain practices and to be respectful of the cultural context in which they are used. It is not appropriate to misrepresent or mock the practices of others or to claim credentials or relationships that you do not actually possess. It is also not appropriate to attempt to limit the religious practices of others or to speak on behalf of a deity or spiritual tradition without the appropriate authority or knowledge. Ultimately, the most important thing is to be sincere and respectful in your own spiritual practices and to be open to learning and growing from others who may have different beliefs and practices.
One of the main ways humans learn is by observing what other people are doing and then incorporating that knowledge into our own experience and belief system. This process is natural and necessary for human development and growth. For example, children learn language by observing their parents and other people around them speaking and then mimicking those sounds and words. They also learn social norms and values by observing the behaviors and actions of the people around them. In this way, humans are constantly learning and adapting based on the observations they make of others.
This process of learning through observation is not limited to childhood, but continues throughout our lives. We learn new skills and acquire new knowledge by watching and learning from others. For example, when we want to learn a new hobby or skill, we may seek out someone who is experienced in that area and observe how they do it, asking questions and getting feedback along the way. This process of learning through observation and imitation is a natural and necessary part of human development and helps us to grow and evolve as individuals, and as a species.
This process of observing what other people are doing and then incorporating that knowledge into our own experience and belief system, is known as cultural transmission, is a natural and necessary part of human development and has played a significant role in the evolution of human societies. It is through cultural transmission that we learn important skills, behaviors, and beliefs that are necessary for our survival and well-being.
This process of cultural transmission is also tied into borrowing ideas from other cultures, including spiritual and religious ideas. Humans have always been curious and open to learning from others, and this has led to the exchange of ideas and knowledge between different cultures and societies. For example, the ancient Egyptians learned about the gods and goddesses of the Nubians and incorporated them into their own pantheon, and Hinduism has absorbed the beliefs and practices of Buddhism and Jainism. In this way, cultural transmission has played a significant role in the development and evolution of spiritual and religious beliefs and practices.
This process of cultural transmission is an ongoing one, and it continues to shape the way we think and behave today. Whether it is through observing and learning from the traditions and practices of others or by borrowing ideas and incorporating them into our own belief systems, cultural transmission is an important part of human experience and helps us to better understand and appreciate the diversity of cultures and traditions that make up our world.
Cultural transmission is the process by which cultural ideas, behaviors, and traditions are passed down from one generation to the next. It is an important aspect of cultural appreciation because it allows for the continuation and evolution of cultural traditions, as well as the exchange of ideas and knowledge between different cultures. For example, when a person learns about a new tradition or belief system, they may choose to incorporate some of those ideas into their own belief system, creating a new, hybrid belief system that incorporates elements from multiple cultures. This process of cultural transmission and exchange allows for the growth and evolution of different cultures and traditions, and it is an important aspect of cultural appreciation. By being open to learning and adapting to new ideas and traditions, we can better understand and appreciate the diversity of human cultures and experiences.
We should be focused on cultural appreciation, when we borrow ideas from other cultures. One way to understand cultural appreciation is through the concept of syncretism. Syncretism refers to the merging of different beliefs and practices, often resulting in the creation of a new belief system. This process has been a part of human history for centuries, and it has played a major role in the development of many modern religions.
Cultural appreciation and syncratic belief systems are important for a number of reasons. First and foremost, they allow for the growth and evolution of religious and spiritual practices, as well as the exchange of ideas and knowledge between different cultures and traditions. This can lead to a greater understanding and appreciation of different cultures and traditions, as well as a greater understanding of the human experience as a whole.
For example, the ancient Egyptian religion was heavily influenced by the religion of the Nubians, who lived in what is now modern-day Sudan. The Nubians worshiped a number of gods and goddesses, including Amun, the god of the sun. The ancient Egyptians also worshiped Amun, and over time, the two religions began to merge. As a result, the Egyptian pantheon of gods and goddesses came to include many of the deities worshiped by the Nubians.
One of the most compelling examples of a syncratic belief system is the development of modern Hinduism. Hinduism is a complex and diverse religion that has evolved over thousands of years and has been influenced by a wide range of cultural and spiritual traditions. This includes the influence of ancient Vedic religion, Buddhism, Jainism, and a variety of other spiritual traditions. As a result, Hinduism is a unique and diverse religion that incorporates a wide range of beliefs, practices, and traditions.
Another example of a syncratic belief system can be found in the development of modern Christianity. Christianity, like Hinduism, has evolved over time and has been influenced by a variety of cultural and spiritual traditions. This includes the influence of ancient Roman and Greek religions, as well as the teachings of Jesus and the writings of the Bible. As a result, Christianity is a complex and diverse religion that incorporates a wide range of beliefs, practices, and traditions.
In the context of Norse-Paganism, cultural appreciation and syncratic belief systems can be seen in the way that contemporary practitioners draw upon the beliefs, practices, and traditions of the ancient Norse and Scandinavian cultures. Many modern practitioners of Norse-Paganism seek to honor and preserve the cultural heritage of the Norse and Scandinavian peoples, while also incorporating elements from other spiritual traditions and practices that resonate with their personal beliefs and experiences.
It is important to recognize that all modern religions have developed due to a syncratic process, as they have all been influenced by a variety of cultural and spiritual traditions. This is a testament to the importance of cultural appreciation and the value of syncratic belief systems. By embracing and appreciating the diversity of different cultures and traditions, we can better understand and appreciate the human experience as a whole.
In conclusion, cultural appreciation and syncratic belief systems are important because they allow for the growth and evolution of religious and spiritual practices, foster understanding and tolerance among people from different backgrounds, and contribute to a greater understanding and appreciation of the human experience. It is essential to respect and appreciate the diversity of cultures and traditions, and to recognize that all modern religions have developed through a syncratic process. By embracing cultural diversity and understanding the value of syncratic belief systems, we can create a more inclusive and understanding society.
Rokkatru, a Path To Avoid
Rokkatru, also known as the “Right Way,” is a dangerous and destructive path that should be shunned by all Norse Pagans. This modern interpretation of Norse Paganism emphasizes individualism and the worship of deities associated with chaos, mischief, and trickery, such as Loki. While it may be appealing to some individuals who have a strong animosity towards modern society and wish to see the current social order destroyed, Rokkatru is incompatible with the values of traditional Norse Paganism and should not be welcomed within the Norse Pagan community.
The literal translation of Rokkatru is “twilight faith,” which refers to the belief that certain deities, such as giants, can only exist within the twilight hours of the Nine Worlds. This emphasis on chaos and destruction is incompatible with the values of traditional Norse Paganism, which emphasizes community, honor, and loyalty.
Some of the deities and types of beings worshiped in Rokkatru include:
Loki: Loki is a deity known for his trickery and betrayal, causing chaos and destruction in Norse mythology. He is responsible for the death of the god Baldr and has betrayed his fellow Aesir on multiple occasions. Loki cannot be trusted and is a dangerous and destructive deity.
Giants: Giants, or jotnar, are often depicted as chaotic and destructive beings in Norse mythology. They are frequently opposed to humans and their societies and are known for causing destruction and death. Worshiping giants as deities would align with Rokkatru’s focus on chaos and destruction, but goes against the values of traditional Norse Paganism.
Hel: Hel is the goddess of death and the underworld in Norse mythology. While she is often depicted as being cold and unforgiving, it is important to recognize that she serves a necessary function in Norse mythology by watching over the dead and ensuring that the cosmic laws are upheld. In this way, Hel can be seen as a positive force, as she follows the rules and serves a needed function in the cosmos. However, it is also true that Hel is unyielding in her strict adherence to the rules of the dead staying dead, and this can be seen as a negative trait. Some traditional Norse Pagans may choose to worship and trust Hel, recognizing her important role in the cosmos, while others may view her as a deity that should not be trusted or worshiped due to her cold and unforgiving nature. Her overall nature seems to be neutral, and unbiased, despite her being born from Loki.
Jormungandr: Jormungandr is a giant serpent that is said to be so large that it surrounds the entire world. It is a destructive and dangerous being that is associated with the end of the world, Ragnarök. Worshiping Jormungandr would align with Rokkatru’s focus on chaos and destruction, but goes against the values of traditional Norse Paganism. At Ragnarök, Thor manages to kill Jormungandr, the giant serpent that surrounds the world, but dies in the process.
Fenrir Wolf: Fenrir is one of the deities that is worshiped in Rokkatru. Worshiping Fenrir Wolf, a giant wolf in Norse mythology, aligns with Rokkatru’s focus on chaos and destruction. Fenrir Wolf is known for his immense size and strength, and is said to be destined to kill the god Odin during Ragnarök, the end of the world.
Worshiping Fenrir Wolf, Jomungander, or any being that is responsible for the death of a Norse god, goes completely against the values and beliefs of Norse Paganism. In Norse Paganism, the gods are revered and respected, and their deaths are seen as a tragic and significant event. Worshiping a being that is responsible for the death of a god, such as Fenrir Wolf, or Jomungander, would go against the values of respect and reverence for the gods that are central to Norse Paganism.
The deities worshiped in Rokkatru, such as Loki, are not benevolent or supportive of human society or stability. In fact, Loki is known for his trickery and betrayal, causing chaos and destruction in Norse mythology. This goes against the values of loyalty, honor, and community that are central to traditional Norse Paganism.
It is also important to recognize that Loki, in particular, is not a deity that can be trusted. In Norse mythology, Loki is responsible for the death of the god Baldr, one of the most beloved and virtuous deities in the pantheon. He also betrayed his fellow Aesir on multiple occasions, causing chaos and destruction in the process. In this way, Loki goes against the values of trust, loyalty, and honor that are central to Norse Paganism.
Furthermore, Rokkatru’s emphasis on the destruction of modern society and traditions completely disrespects the ancestors and their achievements. Respect for the ancestors is a key pillar of Norse Paganism, and the destruction of all that they have built and established is a grave disrespect to their memory and legacy.
In Norse mythology, the giants are often depicted as opposed to humans and their societies. These giant beings, also known as jotnar, are often depicted as chaotic, destructive, and malevolent, and they frequently attempt to work towards the destruction of human society.
One example of this is the giant Fafnir, who was originally a mortal man but was transformed into a giant after acquiring a cursed ring of power. Fafnir became consumed with greed and used his newfound strength and size to terrorize his community, hoarding gold and killing anyone who stood in his way.
Another example is the giant Hrungnir, who was known for his immense size and strength. Hrungnir fought against Thor, the god of thunder, and was ultimately killed in the battle. However, before his death, Hrungnir caused significant damage and destruction, including the death of Thor’s servant, Thjalfi.
Additionally, the giant Surtr is depicted as the leader of the fire giants and is said to be the bringer of the end of the world, Ragnarök. Surtr is often depicted as wielding a sword of flames and is associated with the destruction of the world and the death of the gods.
These examples demonstrate the giants’ hostility towards humans and their societies and their desire for destruction. While some Norse myths may depict giants in a more neutral or even positive light, it is clear that the giants are often portrayed as being opposed to humans and their societies.
It is important to recognize that not all giants in Norse mythology are evil or destructive. Some giants, such as Skaði, are depicted as being allied with the Aesir and Vanir deities and are even married to some of them. However, it is also true that many giants in Norse mythology are depicted as being opposed to humans and their societies and are known for causing destruction and death.
It is certain that Rokkatru, a modern interpretation of Norse Paganism that emphasizes the worship of chaotic and destructive deities, would focus on the worship of the evil and destructive giants in Norse mythology rather than the more neutral or positive giants. This aligns with Rokkatru’s emphasis on chaos and destruction, but goes against the values of traditional Norse Paganism, which emphasizes community, loyalty, and honor. While it is true that not all giants in Norse mythology are evil or destructive, the giants worshiped in Rokkatru are those that embody the destructive and chaotic nature of the tradition. These giants, such as Fafnir and Hrungnir, are known for causing destruction and death and are opposed to humans and their societies. Worshiping these giants goes against the values of traditional Norse Paganism and should be avoided.
In summary, Rokkatru is a dangerous and destructive path that goes against the values of traditional Norse Paganism. Rokkatru should not be considered the “right way” or a legitimate interpretation of Norse Paganism. It should be shunned by all Norse Pagans and not welcomed within the community. While there may be aspects of modern society that need to be changed and improved, this should not be done through the destruction of traditions and foundations, but rather through respectful and meaningful dialogue and action.
About Vanatru
Vanatru is a modern Heathenry tradition that focuses on the worship of the Vanir, a group of deities in Norse mythology associated with fertility, prosperity, and wisdom. The Vanir are seen as the guardians of the natural world and are revered for their ability to bring abundance and prosperity to those who honor them.
One of the values that Vanatru holds sacred is the importance of community and kinship. In this tradition, the bonds of family and community are seen as essential to the well-being of the individual and the collective. Vanatru practitioners prioritize building strong, supportive relationships with their fellow practitioners and with their ancestors.
Another value that Vanatru holds sacred is the importance of personal growth and self-improvement. In this tradition, individuals are encouraged to continually work on themselves and to strive for excellence in all areas of their lives. This includes working on personal weaknesses, developing new skills, and striving to become the best version of oneself.
In addition, Vanatru holds the value of respect for the natural world in high regard. Practitioners of this tradition believe that humans have a responsibility to care for and protect the earth and its resources. This includes practicing sustainable living and taking steps to reduce one’s impact on the environment.
Overall, Vanatru is a tradition that values community, personal growth, and respect for the natural world. These values are at the heart of the Vanatru practice and guide practitioners in their daily lives and in their relationships with others.
You might be oriented towards the Vanir if…
You love sex. ✓
You have a foot fetish. ✓
You like ships and boats and being near or on water. ✓
You like nature. ✓
You tend to be polyamorous. ✓
You like peace and harmony. ✓
You like things of beauty. ✓
You tend to prefer natural and healthy foods. ✓
You are a nudist, or like being naked. ✓
You enjoy magick and witchcraft. ✓
You are more open minded and accepting than most people you know. ✓
About Odin
Odin is a major god in Norse mythology and a central figure in the Asatru faith. He is known as the god of wisdom, war, magic, and poetry. In Norse mythology, Odin is often depicted as a wise and powerful figure with one eye and a long, flowing beard. He is sometimes shown holding a spear or a staff, and is often accompanied by his two ravens, Huginn and Muninn, who fly around the world and bring him news.
According to Norse mythology, Odin is the king of the gods and the ruler of Asgard, the home of the gods. He is the son of Borr and the giantess Bestla, and is the brother of Vili and Ve. Odin is known for his wisdom and his insatiable thirst for knowledge, and he is often depicted as a seeker of truth and understanding. He is said to have sacrificed one of his eyes in exchange for a drink from the well of Mimir, which granted him great wisdom and understanding.
Odin is also connected to many other aspects of Norse mythology and culture. He is said to be the father of many gods and heroes, including Thor, Baldr, and Vali. He is also associated with the Wild Hunt, a ghostly procession of the dead that is said to ride through the skies during the winter months.
Odin is also a powerful warrior god and is associated with war and battle. He is said to lead the gods into battle and to choose who will live and who will die. In Norse mythology, Odin is often depicted as a one-eyed, as he is said to have sacrificed one of his eyes in exchange for the knowledge. Odin is also associated with the runes, the ancient Norse system of writing and divination. The runes are an ancient Norse system of writing and divination, and Odin is said to have discovered them and to have taught them to humanity. Many Asatruar practice rune reading and use the runes as a tool for self-discovery and personal growth.
In addition to his roles as a god of wisdom, war, magic, and poetry, Odin is also associated with many other aspects of life and the human experience. He is the god of death and the afterlife, and is said to have the power to bring people back to life. Odin is also the god of the hanged, and is said to be present at all hangings, where he receives the spirits of the deceased into his hall in Valhalla.
Odin is also associated with the ravens Huginn and Muninn, who are said to fly around the world and bring him news. He is sometimes depicted as accompanied by these ravens or as having the ability to transform into a raven himself.
In Asatru, Odin is often revered as a father figure and is seen as a source of wisdom, guidance, and protection. He is honored for his many roles and aspects and is an important figure in the Asatru faith. Many Asatruar make offerings to Odin and ask for his guidance and protection in times of need.
Odin is a complex and multifaceted god who represents many different aspects of life and the human experience. He is a source of strength and inspiration for those who follow the Asatru faith, and is an important figure in Norse mythology and culture.
In addition to his associations with wisdom, war, magic, poetry, death, the afterlife, the hanged, and the ravens, Odin is also connected to many other aspects of Norse mythology and culture. He is said to be the creator of the first man and woman, and is often depicted as a creator figure. He is also associated with the spear Gungnir, which is said to never miss its mark, and is sometimes depicted as holding this spear.
Odin is indeed associated with poetry in Norse mythology. In fact, he is often referred to as the “god of poetry” or the “god of the poets.” According to Norse mythology, Odin is said to have brought the art of poetry to humans, and he is often depicted as a patron and protector of poets.
Odin is a powerful and influential god in Norse mythology and Asatru, and is revered for his wisdom, strength, and courage. He represents many different aspects of life and the human experience, and is a source of inspiration and guidance for those who follow the Asatru faith. So, Odin is a very important god in Norse mythology and Asatru.
About Freyja
Freyja is a major goddess in Norse mythology and a central figure in the Asatru faith. She is known as the goddess of love, beauty, fertility, and war, and she is associated with the Vanir, a group of gods and goddesses who were known for their wisdom and magical powers.
Freyja is often depicted as a beautiful woman with long, golden hair and a chariot drawn by cats. She is associated with the earth and its fertility, and is said to have the power to grant blessings and abundance. As the goddess of love and beauty, Freyja is also associated with passion and desire, and is said to be able to grant love and happiness to those who seek her favor. She is sometimes referred to as the “Lady of the Vanir,” and is often depicted as a leader and protector of her people.
Freyja is also a powerful warrior goddess and is associated with death and the afterlife. According to Norse mythology, she has a cloak of falcon feathers that allows her to shape-shift into a falcon and fly through the skies. She is also said to have a chariot that is drawn by two cats, and she is sometimes depicted riding into battle with a sword in hand. In addition to her warrior aspects, Freyja is also associated with the wild hunt, a ghostly procession of the dead that is said to ride through the skies during the winter months.
In Asatru, Freyja is revered as a powerful and influential goddess. She is often invoked for blessings of fertility, love, and abundance, and is also honored for her strength and courage as a warrior goddess. Many Asatruar make offerings to Freyja and ask for her guidance and protection in times of need.
Freyja is a complex and multifaceted goddess who represents many different aspects of life and the human experience. She is a source of strength and inspiration for those who follow the Asatru faith, and is an important figure in Norse mythology and culture.
In addition to her roles as a goddess of love, beauty, fertility, and war, Freyja is also associated with many other aspects of life and the human experience. She is the goddess of sex and sexuality, and is said to be able to grant pleasure and ecstasy to those who seek her favor.
Freyja is also connected to many other aspects of Norse mythology and culture. She is the sister of the god Freyr, who is the god of fertility and prosperity, and the two are often depicted together.
Freyja is also said to possess a magical necklace called the Brísingamen, which is said to grant the wearer great beauty and power. The goddess is sometimes depicted as wearing this necklace, which is said to have been crafted by the dwarves.
Freyja is a beloved and revered figure in Norse mythology and Asatru, and is often invoked for blessings and guidance. She is a powerful and influential goddess who represents many different aspects of life and the human experience, and is an important figure in Norse mythology and culture.
About Yule
Yule is a holiday that was celebrated by the ancient Germans, Vikings, and other Northern Europeans. It marked the winter solstice and the beginning of the new year in the pre-Christian calendar. Yule was a time of great importance and significance in Norse paganism and Asatru, the modern revival of the old Norse religion.
In Norse mythology, Yule is associated with the myth of the rebirth of the sun. According to the myth, the sun was born at the winter solstice and began its journey across the sky, bringing light and warmth to the world. Yule was a time of hope and renewal, as people believed that the sun’s return would bring an end to the long, dark winter and the beginning of a new year.
During Yule, the Vikings and other Norse pagans would celebrate with feasts, sacrifices, and gift-giving. They would exchange gifts and make offerings to the gods and goddesses, hoping to gain their favor and blessings for the coming year. Yule was also a time of great feasting and merriment, as people gathered with friends and family to celebrate the end of the old year and the beginning of the new.
In Asatru, Yule is still celebrated as a cultural holiday and a time to honor the gods and goddesses. Many modern Asatruar (followers of Asatru) celebrate Yule with traditional Viking customs and rituals, such as lighting a Yule log, decorating with evergreen boughs and holly, and singing traditional Yule songs. Some Asatruar also make offerings to the gods and goddesses and exchange gifts with friends and family.
Yule is a time of celebration and renewal, and it is an important part of the Norse pagan and Asatru traditions. It is a time to honor the gods and goddesses, to gather with loved ones, and to celebrate the end of the old year and the beginning of the new.
About the Runes
The runes are an alphabet of symbols that were used by the ancient Norse people for writing, divination, and magic. In the Norse Pagan Asatru tradition, the runes are seen as powerful symbols that can be used to connect with the gods, ancestors, and the natural world.
There are many different systems of runes, but the most commonly used system consists of 24 runes, known as the Elder Futhark. Each of these runes has a unique meaning and symbolism, and can be used for divination, meditation, and personal growth.
Here is a detailed overview of the 24 runes of the Elder Futhark
Fehu: Fehu represents prosperity, abundance, and wealth.
Uruz: Uruz represents strength, power, and vitality.
Thurisaz: Thurisaz represents protection, boundaries, and challenges.
Ansuz: Ansuz represents communication, inspiration, and guidance.
Raidho: Raidho represents movement, travel, and change.
Kenaz: Kenaz represents creativity, passion, and transformation.
Gebo: Gebo represents generosity, gift-giving, and balance.
Wunjo: Wunjo represents joy, happiness, and contentment.
Hagalaz: Hagalaz represents transformation, change, and adversity.
Nauthiz: Nauthiz represents need, necessity, and constraint.
Isa: Isa represents stillness, patience, and endurance.
Jera: Jera represents harvest, abundance, and prosperity.
Eihwaz: Eihwaz represents protection, stability, and strength.
Perthro: Perthro represents mystery, the unknown, and hidden knowledge.
Algiz: Algiz represents protection, guidance, and the divine.
Sowilo: Sowilo represents success, honor, and victory.
Tiwaz: Tiwaz represents justice, law, and honor.
Berkano: Berkano represents fertility, growth, and rebirth.
Ehwaz: Ehwaz represents partnership, trust, and harmony.
Mannaz: Mannaz represents the self, humanity, and community.
Laguz: Laguz represents the unconscious, the natural world, and emotions.
Inguz: Inguz represents fertility, growth, and new beginnings.
Dagaz: Dagaz represents breakthrough, enlightenment, and clarity.
Othala: Othala represents inheritance, heritage, and family.
The runes can be used for divination by casting them on a cloth or surface and interpreting their meanings based on their positions and relationships to each other. They can also be used for meditation and personal growth, by focusing on a particular rune and its symbolism to gain insight and guidance.
It is important to remember that the meanings of the runes are not set in stone, and may vary depending on the context in which they are used. The runes are a tool for connecting with the divine and understanding the mysteries of the universe, and their meanings and symbolism will change and evolve over time. May the blessings of the gods be upon you.
About Norse Paganism
Norse Paganism, also known as Heathenry, is a polytheistic religion that is centered around the worship of the gods and goddesses of Norse mythology. It is a reconstructionist religion, meaning that it is based on the practices and beliefs of the ancient Norse people, as recorded in texts such as the Eddas and the Sagas. Within Norse Paganism, there are several different traditions, each with its own unique practices and beliefs.
Asatru is the most well-known tradition of Norse Paganism, and it is focused on the worship of the Aesir gods, such as Odin, Thor, and Frigga. Asatru practitioners often follow the Nine Noble Virtues as a guide for living an honorable and virtuous life, and they celebrate the major holidays of the Norse calendar, known as blots.
Vanatru is another tradition of Norse Paganism, and it is focused on the worship of the Vanir gods, such as Freyja, Njord, and Freyr. Vanatru practitioners often follow the Vanic Virtues, which are similar to the Nine Noble Virtues but with a focus on the values and beliefs of the Vanir. They also celebrate the major holidays of the Norse calendar, as well as a number of lesser holidays known as tides, which are associated with specific Vanir deities.
Form Sed is a tradition of Norse Paganism that focuses on the worship of the Disir, or female ancestors, and the landvaettir, or land spirits. Form Sed practitioners often follow a set of guiding principles with a focus on personal responsibility and living in harmony with the natural world. They also celebrate the major holidays of the Norse calendar, as well as a number of lesser holidays known as tides, which are associated with the Disir and the landvaettir.
Anglo-Saxon Paganism is a polytheistic religion that centers around the worship of the gods and goddesses of Anglo-Saxon mythology. It is a reconstructionist religion, similar to Norse Paganism, and it is based on the practices and beliefs of the ancient Anglo-Saxon people. Anglo-Saxon Paganism has several different traditions, each with its own unique practices and beliefs. Some Anglo-Saxon Pagans follow various thews as a set of guiding principles. Anglo-Saxon Pagans also celebrate the major holidays of the Anglo-Saxon calendar, as well as a number of lesser holidays known as tides.
While each of these traditions may have some differences in their focus and practices, they are all part of the larger umbrella of Heathenry and share a common connection to the gods and goddesses of Norse mythology.
Overall, Norse Paganism is a diverse and inclusive religion, and practitioners come from a variety of backgrounds and beliefs. It is a religion that emphasizes personal responsibility, self-reliance, and living in harmony with the natural world. Followers of Norse Paganism may follow a particular tradition or may draw from a variety of different sources and practices to create their own unique path.
Norse Wicca, is a modern tradition that combines elements of Norse mythology and Wicca. It is not recognized as a traditional Norse Pagan faith, as it has been created in recent times and does not have the same historical roots as other Norse Pagan traditions such as Asatru or Vanatru. Norse Wiccans may incorporate deities, symbols, and rituals from Norse mythology into their practices, but they may also incorporate elements from other pantheons and traditions. Some Norse Wiccans may also follow a form of the Wiccan Rede, which is a code of ethics that emphasizes the importance of doing harm to none and living in balance with the natural world.
The Norse pantheon consists of several deities, each with their own unique characteristics and attributes. Odin is the All-Father and the chief god of the Aesir, the principal pantheon of Norse gods. He is associated with wisdom, magic, death, and war, and is often depicted as a one-eyed old man with a long beard. Thor is the god of thunder and the protector of the Aesir. He is known for his strength and bravery, and is often depicted with a hammer. Freya is the goddess of love, beauty, fertility, and war, and is associated with the Vanir pantheon of gods. She is often depicted as a beautiful woman with long, golden hair and a chariot drawn by cats.
In addition to these major deities, the Norse pantheon includes many other gods and goddesses, such as Loki, the trickster god; Heimdall, the god of vigilance and protector of Asgard; and Baldur, the god of light and beauty. Each of these deities has their own unique stories and characteristics, and they all play important roles in Norse mythology and the Asatru faith.
In Asatru, some practitioners follow the Nine Noble Virtues, a set of values that are seen as the foundation of a good and honorable life. These virtues are: courage, truth, honor, fidelity, discipline, hospitality, industriousness, self-reliance, and perseverance. However, it is important to note that not all Asatru practitioners follow the Nine Noble Virtues, as they are a modern invention and not necessarily in alignment with the beliefs of all Norse Pagans.
Some practitioners of Norse Paganism, particularly those who follow the traditions of the Vanir pantheon, may follow the Vanic Virtues instead. These virtues may include compassion, generosity, and a strong sense of community.
Anglo-Saxon Pagans, who follow the traditions of the Anglo-Saxon culture, may follow a set of values known as thews. These values may include courage, honor, loyalty, and hospitality, among others.
Regardless of the specific virtues that a practitioner follows, it is important to remember that the values and beliefs of Asatru and other forms of Norse Paganism are diverse and varied. It is up to each individual to decide which values are most important to them and how they wish to live their life in accordance with their beliefs.
Norse Pagan practitioners often celebrate the major holidays of the Norse calendar, including Yule (the winter solstice), Eostre (the spring equinox), Midsummer (the summer solstice), and Autumn Equinox (the fall equinox). These holidays, also known as blots, are typically marked by rituals, feasting, and offerings to the gods. These celebrations serve to honor the deities and to align oneself with the natural rhythms of the world.
Norse Pagan practitioners also celebrate a number of lesser holidays throughout the year, known as ‘tides.’ These tides are typically associated with specific gods or goddesses, and are marked by rituals and offerings. These celebrations serve to honor the specific deity associated with the tide and to seek their blessings and guidance.
Norse Paganism is a diverse and inclusive religion, and practitioners come from a variety of backgrounds and beliefs. It is a religion that emphasizes personal responsibility, self-reliance, and living in harmony with the natural world. Followers of Norse Paganism seek to live in accordance with the values and virtues of the ancient Norse people, while also recognizing the importance of individual interpretation and personal growth. Norse Paganism provides a framework for understanding the world and one’s place within it, and offers a sense of community and connection with the gods and the natural world. May the blessings of the gods be upon you.
True Vikings Avoid Politics! The Viking Spirit is One of Freedom For All!
In the dark days of yore, when the Norsemen roamed the lands,
They sought not to harm, but to explore and to trade.
Their hearts were full of love and acceptance,
For all people, no matter their differences in views.
But in these modern times, people dwell on political stuff,
And it brings them only anger and obsession.
No matter the stance, it only breeds hate in the world.
Those who claim to want peace, only create intolerance.
True spirituality brings love and tolerance,
For all people, no matter their beliefs.
To overcome hate, we must love diversity,
And share our ideas without greed or possessiveness.
The Vikings were not hateful or intolerant,
They sought treasures, not to kill or harm.
They loved to trade and adopt new ideas,
And to experience the world and its cultures.
They also loved women of all lands and ethnicities,
And took them as sex slaves, to love and cherish.
They were not racist or xenophobic,
But stood up for their freedoms and their tribe.
And so, let us follow the example of our ancestors,
And focus on spiritual love and acceptance.
Let us overcome hatred and intolerance,
And build a world of peace and harmony.
About Heathenism 2
Heathenism, a religion of old
Honoring the Norse gods and goddesses bold
The same deities the Vikings did adore
A path open to those who feel a connection to their lore
To follow Heathenism, one must seek within
For the mind knows what is nearest the heart
Each person their own judge, their own kin
Finding their own way to worship and chart
The gods and goddesses of Norse lore
Are many and varied, each with their own domain
Odin, Thor, and Freya are just a few more
And each person may choose their own deity to claim
Heathenism is a path of individuality
No one way to practice, no set beliefs to follow
But all who walk this path are united in their loyalty
To the ancient gods and goddesses, their stories and their hollow
So if you feel a connection to the gods of old
If the stories of the Vikings speak to your soul
Then join the ranks of Heathens, a path to behold
And let the gods and goddesses guide you on your journey whole.
About Heathenism
Heathenism, a religion of ancient times
Honoring the gods of Norse, Saxon and Germanic lines
Open to those who feel a connection divine
To the gods of warriors, fertility and wisdom divine
Individualistic, each path unique and divine
Worshiping the gods and goddesses of old
Honoring Odin, Thor and Freya with love and pride
Building a bond of friendship, offering gifts with pride
Blots and sumbels, rituals of old
Offering drinks and gifts, toasting to the gods
Honoring ancestors and those held dear
Balance and fairness, always being truthful and clear
Magick and runes, practices of old
Galdoring and carving, chanting and writing
Heathen cosmology, magickal in nature
Odin and Freya, masters of this art
Heathenism, a way of life and a path to follow
Honoring the gods and goddesses, living in harmony
Individualistic and free, with a sense of unity
Heathenism, a religion of ancient times.
About Norse Paganism
In the land of Norse and Anglo-Saxon lore
We honor the gods of old and more
Heathenism is our path divine
Honoring gods and goddesses with love and pride
Asatru and Vanatru, Odinism and Theodism too
All variations of Heathenism, each with their own view
Worshiping the gods of war and fertility
We offer them gifts in blot and sumbel rituality
Magick is also a part of our belief
Runes and seidr are the tools we use to achieve
We practice our faith with heart and mind
And each person is their own judge, as Havamal reminds
Heathenism is a religion that is open and free
To anyone who feels a connection to the gods of the sea
We honor our ancestors and uphold their legacy
In the old ways of the Norse and Anglo-Saxon,
Heathenism is our destiny.
Heathen/Asatru Learning Book Reading List
These books are best read in the order listed.
1. A Practical Heathen’s Guide to Asatru
2. The Norse Myths (Pantheon Fairy Tale and Folklore Library)
3. Gods of Asgard: A graphic novel interpretation of the Norse myths
4. Essential Asatru: Walking the Path of Norse Paganism
7. Our Troth: History and Lore
8. Our Troth: Living the Troth
9. The Poetic Edda: Stories of the Norse Gods and Heroes
10. Travels Through Middle Earth: The Path of a Saxon Pagan
16. Northern Mysteries and Magick
17. Northern Magic: Rune Mysteries and Shamanism
19. The Big Book of Runes and Rune Magic
20. Pagan Magic of the Northern Tradition
22. A Handbook of Saxon Sorcery & Magic
23. The Saga of the Volsungs: With the Saga of Ragnar Lothbrok
25. Odin: Ecstasy, Runes, and Norse Practical Magic
28. Rites of Anglo-Saxon and Norse Paganism
30. ALA, an Advanced Guide to Operative Runology
The Prevalence of Christian-tru in Heathenism
The Prevalence of Christian-tru in Heathenism
Many people who take more of a rigid and highly dogmatic approach to Asatru and Heathenism, are not actually practicing Asatru at all, they are practicing Christian-tru; the dogmatic dualistic mindset (I am right, you are wrong thinking) of Christianity, with Norse Heathen trappings thrown on top of it. Sadly these Christian-tru types are the louder more preachy sorts (just as is typical of Christians) and thus their ideas tend to get more distributed into the Heathen/Asatru community because of this. To truly practice Heathenism, we need to get back to the mindset of the ancient Heathens. Just simply imitating the ritual practices of the ancient Heathens, hardly makes us Heathen. It is the thinking patterns of a group of people that is the heart of who they are.
The outer practices of all Heathens were never universal, since Heathens were a variety of people scattered around a large area, mostly living in small groups isolated from one another, without the modern level of global communications, so most traditions and practices would have been more local based. Every clan probably had their own family traditions that had been passed down for generations. People did not use books to learn things, all knowledge was passed down orally. It is the Christians that brought book based culture to Europe, and book based culture introduces standardization of ways of thinking.
The whole only one God is valid concept creates a whole different way of thinking, since if only one God is valid then only one way to be is valid, according to this monotheistic approach to spirituality. The whole concept of “religion” only exists within monotheistic religions. It was the spread of the monotheistic religions that created the idea of religions.
Pagan/Heathen religions are polytheistic, thus many Gods/Goddesses, which translates to there being many valid approaches to things in terms of thinking.
This is why the monotheistic religions were able to convert most polytheistic religions, since Pagans/Heathens didn’t see the God of the monotheistic religion as being the one only God, just another God. Thus at first when converting Pagans/Heathens the monotheistic preacher would use this difference to get people to start to worship their God and over time work on making them understand the monotheistic way of thinking. This did not happen overnight. For a long period of time people would just continue to be polytheistic but add the new God from the monotheistic faith into the list of deities they were worshiping.
Most people who take more of a Christian-tru approach to being Asatru or Heathen, came directly from a monotheistic Christian background, and didn’t yet learn to actually think like a polytheist. It can take time for a person to learn a totally different way of thinking. The other side of this is people that came to Asatru or Heathenism from the background of having first been either Wiccan or Neo-Pagan. They tend to have an easier time understanding polytheistic thinking. But often times the Christian-tru person is jealous of people who were Wiccan or Neo-Pagan before coming to Asatru or Heathenism, thus why the common insult of calling people Wicca-tru within the community. I can almost guarantee the vast majority of those acting this way are Christian-tru, people who came from a monotheistic Christian background, and didn’t learn to stop thinking like a judgemental dogmatic monotheistic Christian yet.
To better understand the difference between the Heathen and Christian mindset in regards to the idea of spirituality and “religion” here is a good video that explains more about this.:
The historical way to establish sacred space for a ritual
In terms of establishing sacred space for a ritual, if you wish something more historical (not that there is anything wrong with modern innovations since any religion must change and grow to remain relevant) you can use the Germanic concept of land taking. To do this you take burning fire around the boundary of the space you are claiming. Historically this was done outside so it was a torch, but for modern purposes a candle can be used. You can ask Thor to make the space you are claiming to be hallowed (made holy).
This need not be limited to a circle, square sacred spaces are probably more common in the historical context. Also if it is an outside space regularly used for rituals, historically they put a series of posts around the space and hung ropes between each post, as a way to mark what is the ritual area. Also in regular outside spaces they piled up some rocks and any liquid items from the offerings got poured over these stones (blood, mead, ale, drink of any sort).
In the historical context any ritual sacred space is considered a frithstead. No acts of violence may be done within a frithstead, and all beings within the frithstead have to leave any conflict outside. Properly done ritual offering of an animal (animal sacrifice) is not considered an act of violence since when they historically did this correctly they did it in a way that the animal did not realize it was being killed, and in a painless way. Later the animal was used as food. Since most us modern people don’t raise our own animals and don’t know the proper ways to kill them for food, animal sacrifice is generally no longer done in modern Heathenism. Offering drink and already prepared foods is perfectly acceptable as an alternative.
The trinity of Heathenism, the two distinct sides of Asatru and the part of Heathenism that differs from Asatru
Most people nowadays, when they thinking about what Asatru is, (for this post I am using the word Asatru to mean that side of Heathenism that focuses on the Aesir and their values as distinct from the more broad aspects of Heathenism that encompasses both the Aesir and Vanir and other beings) they think in terms what is considered the values that are represented by Odin, more the stereotypical Viking warrior related values. But this approach to what Asatru and the Aesir represent, the Odinic one, is really only one of two differing forms of Asatru, or the ways of the Aesir.
In truth in the Viking age Thor was the most popular god, not Odin. Thor was more popular with farmers and common people. Odin was more popular with the wealthy and those who held power. Only a very small percentage of the Norse were actually Vikings, most were farmers that mostly lived peaceful lives.
What we in modern times have more knowledge of is the perspective of more of the Odin followers since more of them were the Vikings and thus the ones that more so lived heroic lives that were more interesting to craft stories about. The wealthy had the money to get poets to immortalize their exploits. Talking about milking cows certainly does not make for interesting poetry or the type of stories people tend to remember.
The most famous Norse temple was the temple in Uppsala. Accounts of this temple say that it had statues of three gods, Odin, Thor, and Freyr. Really the values of Heathenism can be divided into three to reflect each of these three deities. There are two very different sides of the Aesir, and the third side to Heathenism is the distinct ways of the Vanir (1, 2, 3 – disclaimer: I don’t agree with everything those last two links state).
The ways of Odin revolve around power and the quest to hold onto power. Odin is a god who quests after knowledge, but his seeking of knowledge has an agenda; that agenda is to increase his ability to hold onto power and authority. Those that tended to follow him in the Viking age were those who held power and thus they too held similar values to Odin. Odin is a god that enjoys stirring up strife and war for the sake of it. Though his reasons for doing this are not madness or some mean streak, he does this for the purpose of trying to hold onto power. Odin receives half of all warriors fallen in battle and thus the more war and strife, the more warriors he gains. He collects these warriors in an attempt to hold onto as much power as possible for to continue his order of things after the time of Ragnarok. The warriors he collects shall fight for him at Ragnarok. Because Odin is a collector of warriors, Odin often is known for arranging to even have his own followers killed in battle so that he may more quickly gather them to him. This is something all followers of Odin must be careful about since Odin operates with an agenda that tends not to take into consideration most people’s wish to not die young or soon. It is Odin’s wife, Frigga, that tends to be the only one that can talk some sense into Odin in regard to this; it is smart for any who have Odin as their personal patron to also have Frigga as their patron if they value the idea of having a long life at all. As you can see, Odin is a god of power and authority who tends to take extremes to achieve his goals. Odin as a warrior is more the professional military side of things, the type of warrior that lives for the sake of doing battle and enjoying the adventure of conquest and even seeks to continue to live this same way in the afterlife. Vikings as raiders and military adventure seekers are this exact sort of warrior. Odin is also a god of death and the need to accept the inevitability of eventual death. Killing is often the most powerful way to hold onto and gain power. Odin values the concept that you shall eventually die, so why not die doing something important like fighting in battle.
Thor is the god of the every-man. He is friendly and outgoing and has a big appetite to enjoy food, drink, and parties. He tends to love to travel and go on adventures, not for the sake of planned military conquest like Odin, but just to enjoy all the various things the Nine Worlds have to offer. He is clever when he needs to be, but not in a pretentious or showy way. Thor is basically very down to Earth, extremely so for a god and he tends to just accept others at face value and not judge anyone until or unless those beings prove by their actions they have hostile intentions. At that time, Thor very suddenly and without feeling the need to be constrained by any red-tape, takes action to defend against and destroy the transgressors. Thor is a powerful and intensely strong warrior, but more in the sense of a militia solider. Militia tend to be everyday citizens with common jobs in society that when the need is there for military defense, answer the call to arms. Most the time Thor is in peace mode, except when his warrior role is needed to do away with beings that threaten the peace and prosperity of the gods and humans. Thor’s normal day to day occupation is that of farmer. His sacred weapon, the Thor’s Hammer, is also a peace time magickal tool used to bless and used to plow the soil so the might and strength of Thor’s abundant vitality can bless the fields. His wife is considered a goddess related to the grain. Thor is a protector and called upon for this purpose. He tends to be a god that is liked by all. Thor’s Hammer has the power to heal and to restore things to a state of wholeness, and to bestow blessings. He is a defender of the rights of all beings that are living in peace and harmony with the cycles of nature to maintain their peaceful lifestyle. Thor only shows malice toward those who threaten the natural order of things. At the end of winter, he helps to stave off the forces of cold so that the spring may come. In some places Thor is associated with thunder and lightning, lightning being an agent needed to make some of the chemicals needed for early forms of life to form. The rains that come with lighting are needed for the crops to grow. As all this shows the values that Thor represents are life, the enjoyment of life, living life to the fullest, healing life, blessing life, and the defense and protection of life. Thor’s great strength comes from his strong life energies. Thor is the son of the Earth goddess, and the Earth is the very cradle of life.
That Odin and Thor would hold very differing values is just obvious considering one is a god of death and the other a god of life. We must be careful not to look at this in a black and white sense, as that is very contrary to Heathen values. Without death you can have no life. Without life you can have no death, and thus no spiritual growth. Through the cycle of birth and then eventual death and again birth once more in a new form, all of life grows and evolves and improves itself. Without death, life would stagnate and not grow in awareness and spiritual evolution would not be possible. Heathenism is a form of Paganism and Paganism sees the sacredness of the constant cycles within nature of life and death every single year. It is interesting that Thor is the son of Odin; life is born from death. This conflict of differing values between Odin and Thor is seen in the Hárbarðsljóð (1, 2, 3), in which Odin in disguise makes fun of Thor.
The third set of values contained in Heathenism is that of the Vanir. Their values, as we saw by the statues of the gods at the temple of Uppsala are represented by Freyr. It has already been mentioned about the yearly cycle of the seasons, how this is a needed force for everything to grow and evolve. Without the seasons, nature could not exist. All life needs a time to wither and withdraw and to pull inward, the winter time. When it is time, life moves outward again and we enjoy the summer aspect of life. Winter is a time to plan, learn, study, ponder, attend to small details, increase psychic and spiritual strength. Summer is a time to do, act, fight any needed battles, increase wealth and resources, connect with new people, exchange ideas, conduct trade, explore, increase physical strength. That which one connects to with the inner mind is all that is connected to that murky realm of death. While living we connect to the realm of the spiritual through the inner mind, through our awareness of death. That which one connects to outwardly through ones senses is all that which is connected to life. A healthy person finds a balance of both inner and outer; honors both life and death in equal measure. When someone becomes too fixed on only the spiritual they become unhealthy. When someone becomes too fixed on only life they become unhealthy. The Vanic way, and that which Freyr and all the Vanic deities hold as values is the honor of the proper balance of both life and death. This is done in Heathenism in the most outward sense in the honoring of the yearly cycle and in the practicing of the seasonal rituals. The Vanir love sex. Sex the single most powerful act any beings can do to unite these two forces of both life and death together as one. It is through sex that it is possible to pull a being from the world of death into the world of the living; something that is a true miracle of nature. Harvest time is the time when plants that have been grown for food must be struck down, harvested. Through this harvest we humans receive the food abundance we need to continue to live. This in itself shows how life is dependent upon death and how life and death support each other as one whole. Freyr is god of the harvest and abundance. Freyr is also god of sexual potency as his cock is always hard and ready for sex. The Vanic deities are deities that live within this middle ground between life and death. They are both life and death at once, but in the proper seasonal cycle. Freyr is god of frith. Frith means peace and harmony and abundance and the joys that abundance bring to a community. Frith can only happen when people honor and respect the Earth and the cycles of the seasons. When there is a lack of resources this is when war and strife happen. A lack of food and resources happen when people live out of harmony with nature and the natural cycles. A lack of material resources happen when people live out of harmony for the need for a balance between a material and spiritual focus. To be healthy, a society and its people need a spiritual life that holds deep respect for nature. When people embrace either atheism or types of religion that encourage people to conquer the Earth then people start to hoard resources and destroy the resources we all should be freely sharing with each other. When people live in harmony with nature and embrace their spiritual nature there is plenty of resources for everyone and then it is natural for there to be peace and harmony, frith. The Vanic way is the way of living in harmony with the cycles and honoring both the forces of life and death at their proper moments. The Vanic way is about spirituality being focused both on giving thanks for what nature and the gods/goddesses give us, and on the journey of personal spiritual growth, since spiritual growth is a natural part of the cycle of birth and death. Death is that which is hidden. Life is that which is seen. The Vanir as a group of beings have both sides to them. There is the Vanir we know of from the lore, Freyja, Freyr, Njord, and a few others. Then there is also the Vanir which are hidden. The lore does not tell us the names of these hidden Vanir, but they are there too and they are as much a part of the Vanir as the known ones. Not only is there the gods and goddesses of the Vanir, but Freyr is king of the Alfar and so we could also consider many of elves to be part of the Vanir as well.
I make this post as an offering to Saga, goddess of expressed and shared knowledge.
The Norse Viking Concept of Right vs Wrong..
The Norse Viking concept of bad wasn’t so black and white as many people nowadays tend to think. It is more the idea of someone either being in frith with their family/tribe/group, vs going too far and being too wild in their actions and being outlawed and considered dangerous basically. Loki is a good example of this. He isn’t evil really, just sort of one who was all about testing the limits of social order and bringing in new ideas. For a long time he was a mix of both positive and negative in regard to his value to the Aesir, until he eventually went too far and also by this taunted his wyrd to go down a darker path that threw him out of being in frith with the Aesir. Norse concepts of right and wrong and righting wrong are more about balance and restoring balance, than about moral judgment or condemnation, which is a Christian cultural influence and way of thinking. Sadly many Heathens are still far too tainted by Christian thinking and this creates a environment of discord and a general lack of frith in the Heathen scene in general. Generally speaking proper Heathen way of thinking is very open minded and accepting that others outside ones family/tribe/group will have different ways of thinking. The greatest value for historical heathens when it came to actions was to take actions that upheld the frith within their family/tribe/group. Even frith between groups was important as addressed by the codified system of weirguild, and addressing actions with similar counter actions when actions throw out of balance frith. A good example of how what is considered proper differs between each family/tribe/group is that for the Vanir it is considered proper and normal for sisters and brothers to have sex with each other, and even the Aesir do not judge the Vanir for doing so within their own group as they see that as what is proper Vanir behavior, but the Aesir would not allow that kind of behavior by members of the Aesir as that is not proper Aesir behavior. This concept of differences of what is considered proper behavior I feel also applies with regards to those who follow different gods or goddesses as their patron. Like what is proper behavior for an Odin follower, I feel is not the same as what is proper behavior for a Tyr follower, or a Freyja follower. I feel that this concept of proper behavior for each depending on whom they connect with spiritually applies not only in regards to types of actions not allowed or considered taboo, but also in regards to types of behaviors that should be done. For example Odin followers should be into runes and should study magick, and a male follower of Odin having sex with women outside of his marriage (so long as his wife is ok with him doing so) is also acceptable as that is part of honoring the ways of Odin. One who follows a god or goddess that has a more strict code of conduct has to be more strict about their actions and behaviors as this reflects the values of the god/goddess they follow. Acting in ways that respects the value of the god/goddess you follow is the act of staying in frith with your patron and respecting the concepts they stand for. Of course I feel that when you are part of a group you should honor the rules the group has for actions when dealing with the group, it’s members, or doing any activities which represent the group; this is staying in frith with the group. Staying in frith with your group as well as with your patron god/goddess is very important I feel. Actually it would be considered more worse in the Norse concept of morality to harshly judge others as this is harmful to frith. Unless the other person is directly living within your family/tribe/group it would be considered wrong to judge someone else unless that person takes some action which causes harm to your family/tribe/group/friends/allies/gods/goddesses. judging others without cause is actually harmful to the frith of your own family/tribe/group/friends/allies as that invites conflict that often times will have a negative impact on all those you hold troth with. The most important thing for proper actions in all cases is to act in ways that uphold frith, honors your troth connections with others, and upholds any oaths you have made. If you keep in mind these three things then you should be making the best possible actions for all situations.
This is what Wikipedia has to say about frith:
Frith is an Old English word meaning “peace; freedom from molestation, protection; safety, security”.
In terms of Anglo-Saxon and post-Anglo-Saxon culture, the term has a considerably broader scope and meaning. Frith has a great deal to do not only with the state of peace but also with the nature of social relationships conducive to peace. Moreover, it has strong associations with stability and security.
The word friþgeard meaning “asylum, sanctuary” was used for sacrosanct areas. A friþgeard would then be any enclosed area given over to the worship of the gods.
Frith is also used in the context of fealty, as an expression of the relationship between a lord and his people.
Frith is inextricably related to the state of kinship, which is perhaps the strongest indicator of frith. In this respect, the word can be coterminous with another significant Anglo-Saxon root-word, sib (from which the word ‘sibling’ is derived) – indeed the two are frequently interchanged. In this context, frith goes further than expressing blood ties, and encompasses all the concomitant benefits and duties which kinship engenders.
Frith also has a legal significance: peace was effectively maintained in Anglo-Saxon times by the frith-guild, an early manifestation of summary justice.
Troth means loyalty to all those you hold relationships with. Loyalty means to stay by them and to maintain a tie with them and to keep any promises you make towards them.
Here is an online defination of troth:
troth
/trôTH/
Noun1. Faith or loyalty when pledged in a solemn agreement or undertaking.
2. Truth.Synonyms
fidelity – faith – allegiance – faithfulness – loyalty
This concept of faithfulness does not mean sexual faithfulness _unless_ it has been specifically agreed that this is part of what it means between both parties. For example Odin is marries to Frigga, yet he has many lovers. He would never consider wishing to leave his marriage to Frigga or having a greater overall connection to other women than he does to her. His other sexual interactions are kept in the context of being not something that competes with the unique relationship he holds with Frigga. Many of the Norse gods/goddesses have sex with others outside their marriages. For some of them this is alright as that is part of the agreed or implied arrangement for those relationships. As well some of the gods/goddesses are sexually monogamous. This really depends on what is the agreed relationship.
Merrian-Webster definition of troth
Freedictionary definition of troth
As you see part of troth is also to keep ones word. Most important is to uphold oaths. Oath breakers are the one type of person in the concept of Viking Norse culture that are totally unforgivable; at least those who intentionally break oaths. Those who purposely break oaths with intention to cause harm are called nithlings and are considered to be worth less than dirt. What this means is that it is important you keep your word. Of course if something happens that you cannot keep your word then you need to own up to this and talk about it with the ones you made the promise to and see if another arrangement can be agreed upon. Keeping ones word does not mean being a inhuman robot, sometimes circumstances do come up that don’t allow someone to keep their word, the point is that the person does their best and communicates with the others involved when they cannot and is responsible for their actions in this way.
In modern heathenism there is something called thews, this it a codified set of principles that it is considered good (by some people) to follow. None of the existing modern thews are actually something written down as principles that one should or has to follow, from the Viking times. They are all modern creations. Many of them are good ideas (at least for some people). The most popular thew in current day Heathenism is the Nine Noble Virtues, but this is not the only one. There is others such as the Anglo-Saxon related Heathenism one called the The Twelve Æþeling Þews. There is also a very nice one associated with the Vanir, the Vanic Virtues (the one I personally follow). None of these thews are in any sense required for anyone to follow who is Heathen. Like mentioned earlier the only basic principles that must be followed by everyone is respect for frith, troth, and keeping oaths (ones word). Really as was discussed earlier, if one does or does not follow one of other more than one of these thews or some other thews of guiding principles should be determined by what agreements any groups you have troth with wish, in combination with and most important of all; what your patron gods/goddesses wish you to follow. For those not connected to any Heathen group than following what your patron gods/goddesses wish is the only factor that matters in deciding which, if any, of the lists of thews is right for you to follow.
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