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[eikvaettir]

Freya and Njord are such patient deities when it comes to my self care and hygiene. I reached out to them for the first time in months and there was more care and gentleness in their reminder that they are here for me then anything else I've ever experienced.

[eikvaettir]

Runes have been made into far-right symbols. Othila, Algiz, and Sowilo have been especially twisted, but the evil of Hitler and his ideological spawn have touched all of them.

It makes me sad.

It makes me sad that some runes are banned in places like Germany. It makes me even sadder that it was correct to ban them.

It makes me sad that some people feel afraid when they see runes. It makes me even sadder that that fear is justified.

However, all is not lost.

Runes are still fundamentally good. They may have to be hidden for the time being because of how they’ve been abused, but they can still be used for good.

All is not lost.

Othila, Algiz, Sowilo, and all the other runes are still good. They continue to be used for evil, but that does not make them evil. Runes will never be lost to evil unless we let them be.

All is not lost.

As long as Odin is the all-father, all is not lost.

As long as Thor is the protector of all humanity, all is not lost.

As long as Heimdall stands guard, all is not lost.

As long as Freyja bears the feathered cloak, all is not lost.

As long as we stand against fascism, all is not lost.

[eikvaettir]

List of interesting ressources pertaining to norse paganism, scandinavian folklore and history, and nordic religions in general

These are sources I have personally used in the context of my research, and which I've enjoyed and found useful. Please don’t mind if I missed this or that ressource, as for this post, I focused solely on my own preferences when it comes to research. I may add on to this list via reblog if other interesting sources come to my mind after this has been posted. Good luck on your research! And as always, my question box is open if you have any questions pertaining to my experiences and thoughts on paganism.

Mythology

The Viking Spirit: An Introduction to Norse Mythology and Religion

Dictionnary of Northern Mythology

The Prose and Poetic Eddas (online)

Grottasöngr: The Song of Grotti (online)

The Poetic Edda: Stories of the Norse Gods and Heroes

The Wanderer's Hávamál

The Song of Beowulf

Rauðúlfs Þáttr

The Penguin Book of Norse Myths: Gods of the Vikings (Kevin Crossley-Holland's are my favorite retellings)

Myths of the Norsemen From the Eddas and the Sagas (online) A source that's as old as the world, but still very complete and an interesting read.

The Elder Eddas of Saemung Sigfusson

Pocket Hávamál

Myths of the Pagan North: Gods of the Norsemen

Lore of the Vanir: A Brief Overview of the Vanir Gods

Anglo-Saxon and Norse Poems

Gods of the Ancient Northmen

Gods of the Ancient Northmen (online)

Two Icelandic Stories: Hreiðars Þáttr and Orms Þáttr

Two Icelandic Stories: Hreiðars Þáttr and Orms Þáttr (online)

Sagas

Two Sagas of Mythical Heroes: Hervor and Heidrek & Hrólf Kraki and His Champions (compiling the Hervarar saga ok Heiðreks and the Hrólfs saga kraka)

Icelandic Saga Database (website)

The Saga of the Jómsvíkings

The Heimskringla or the Chronicle of the Kings of Norway (online)

Stories and Ballads of the Far Past: Icelandic and Faroese

Heimskringla: History of the Kings of Norway

The Saga of the Volsungs: With the Saga of Ragnar Lothbrok

The Saga of the Volsungs (online) Interesting analysis, but this is another pretty old source.

The Story of the Volsungs (online) Morris and Magnusson translation

The Vinland Sagas

Hákon the Good's Saga (online)

History of religious practices

The Viking Way: Magic and Mind in Late Iron Age Scandinavia

Nordic Religions in the Viking Age

Agricola and Germania Tacitus' account of religion in nordic countries

Myths and Symbols in Pagan Europe: Early Scandinavian and Celtic Religions

Tacitus on Germany (online)

Scandinavia and the Viking Age

Viking Age Iceland

Landnámabók: Book of the Settlement of Iceland (online)

The Age of the Vikings

Gesta Danorum: The Danish History (Books I-IX)

The Sea Wolves: a History of the Vikings

The Viking World

Guta Lag: The Law of the Gotlanders (online)

The Pre-Christian Religions of the North This is a four-volume series I haven't read yet, but that I wish to acquire soon! It's the next research read I have planned.

Old Norse Folklore: Tradition, Innovation, and Performance in Medieval Scandinavia

Children of Ash and Elm: A History of the Vikings

The Penguin Historical Atlas of the Vikings by John Haywood

Landnámabók: Viking Settlers and Their Customs in Iceland

Nordic Tales: Folktales from Norway, Sweden, Finland, Iceland and Denmark For a little literary break from all the serious research! The stories are told in a way that can sometimes get repetitive, but it makes it easier to notice recurring patterns and themes within Scandinavian oral tradition.

Old Norse-Icelandic Literature: A Short Introduction

Saga Form, Oral Prehistory, and the Icelandic Social Context

An Early Meal: A Viking Age Cookbook and Culinary Oddyssey

Runes & Old Norse language

Uppland region runestones and their translations

Viking Language 1: Learn Old Norse, Runes, and Icelandic Sagas and Viking Language 2: The Old Norse Reader

Catalogue of the Manks Crosses with Runic Inscriptions

Old Norse - Old Icelandic: Concise Introduction to the Language of the Sagas

A Companion to Old Norse-Icelandic Literature and Culture

Nordic Runes: Understanding, Casting, and Interpreting the Ancient Viking Oracle 

YouTube channels

Ocean Keltoi

Arith Härger

Old Halfdan

Jackson Crawford

Wolf the Red

Sigurboði Grétarsson

Grimfrost

(Reminder! The channel "The Wisdom of Odin", aka Jacob Toddson, is a known supporter of pseudo scientific theories and of the AFA, a folkist and white-supremacist organization, and he's been known to hold cult-like, dangerous rituals, as well as to use his UPG as truth and to ask for his followers to provide money for his building some kind of "real life viking hall", as supposedly asked to him by Óðinn himself. A source to avoid. But more on that here.)

Websites

The Troth

Northern Tradition Paganism

Norse Mythology for Smart People

Voluspa.org

Icelandic Saga Database

Skaldic Project

Life in Norway This is more of a tourist's ressources, but I find they publish loads of fascinating articles pertaining to Norway's history and its traditions.

[eikvaettir]

[eikvaettir]

Thank you.

[eikvaettir]

I don't think I post enough, I only scroll for a few minutes a day. I barely understand how this app even works.

But it's disconnected from all my other socials. And it's a platform where I can talk to others about my religion comfortably, or at least read others experiences which help me of my own spiritual journey.

I just recently moved to Oregon maybe 6 months ago, it doesn't feel that long cus I've been homeless for 4 of those 6 months. But being on my own and being given the ability to form my opinions and look into my feelings and try to understand Ive been slowly coming to the realization that I'm trans. And this'll be the first time I really come out about it. Even if it's not to anyone around me IRL. It helps, you know?

Over the next couple of days there will be some changes to the account. Same content, but a little more "me" I guess.

[eikvaettir]

I don’t “feel” the Gods

and that’s okay, for me at least

I’m not someone who has great perception of the divine. Probably because I’m a Doubter first and foremost but I’m also very early into my spiritual journey. Feeling the gods is like a skill that needs to be honed first, through practice and trial and error.

Sometimes they reach me in very strong ways, like my dreams. I personally believe dreams fuels my connection to the divine the most. And sometimes I have to reach out thru meditation. I don’t always get an answer, but being heard is enough.

[eikvaettir]

[eikvaettir]

Sorry about this but what is an OC? Or at least in this context. My first thought it "original character" like when I'm writing a story with my own characters. Do you mean it in a sense of, the Oc is something you think you are imagining but then turns out to be a deity or is there something else I'm not understanding or don't know about?

Thanks!

"Zan must be able to talk to deities because he believes in them super hard."

I've actually never had faith a single day in my entire life.

[eikvaettir]

[eikvaettir]

are you aware of the tabletop rpg called vaesen? it's really cool and I thought you might find it neat :)

In dark forests, beyond the mountains, by black lakes in hidden groves. At your doorstep. In the shadows, something stirs. Strange beings. Twisted creatures, lurking at the edge of vision. Watching. Waiting. Unseen by most, but not by you. You see them for what they really are. Vaesen. Welcome to the Mythic North – northern Europe of the nineteenth century, but not as we know it today. A land where the myths are real. A cold reach covered by vast forests, its few cities lonely beacons of industry and enlightenment – a new civilization dawning. But in the countryside, the old ways still hold sway. There, people know what lurks in the dark. They know to fear it. Vaesen – Nordic Horror Roleplaying is based on the work of Swedish illustrator and author Johan Egerkrans, Vaesen presents a dark Gothic setting steeped in Nordic folklore and old myths of Scandinavia. The game mechanics use an adapted version of the award-winning Year Zero Engine.

Oh man that looks so cool!

[eikvaettir]

My music tastes have changed so vividly since I started becoming a Norse polytheist, I've also been more open to new music and the like. I wonder if it's Bragi trying to reach out to me or subtly show me signs he's around.

Yet I don't even know how to approach him or interact with him in a meaningful way to form that relationship.

Hel, I don't know why I haven't sooner with how much I've been writing recently.

[eikvaettir]

I've been working for a few years now, and I swear each job I work I hate more than the last. Even if it's easier or pays more.

I hate the "rat race" and I'm terrified of getting stuck in it.

I want to start new hobbies or even try to start a small business, if it's making/selling things or even content creation like YouTube or streaming but I'm so tired/stressed from working that I barely have any energy to commit to these things to make it worth enough to actually turn it into a business or something to live off of.

[eikvaettir]

I cannot for the life of me find the post I wanted to use but @skaldish has made several posts I found really interesting and even inspiring about the oral traditions of Norse heathenry and Animism. Talking about how alot of Norse myths (at least in European countries) could be local legend or even children's stories from mothers to their kids.

I don't know much and I'm still learning, but I think a lot of it comes down to time. Of course, if I came out with a myth today it wouldnt mean anything. But if I came up with a new myth involving Munin and Hugin to my kids so they would feed the local ravens and teach them to be kind to animals. Those kids would hold onto those memories. And they'd tell Their friends. And then all of them have kids and tell them those myths.

Then, I think that myth would have meaning. Along with the inherit spirits of the ravens, and the area/land itself that comes with animism.

Of course, this is a pretty bad example, but Norse belief didn't stop several thousand years ago, it still goes on, and evolves.

I still do think it's bad to just come up with and say "Odin did this..YESTERDAY" especially with any negative context. But I think new myths should be a thing :)

(sorry for the grammatical nightmare I'm running on no sleep)

I think it’s great for people to write their own myths, and it’s an idea that’s sure to help you connect with your deities. However, if you post these stories for them to be seen by fellow pagans, I think it’s quite unkind to villainize a deity, or multiple deities from the pantheon. Especially if you are aware that the people who will read the myth might worship these deities. Let us all be respectful and kind to each other as pagans, even with those whose beliefs differ from ours.

[eikvaettir]

With Njord being literally the kindest deity I've had the chance to interact with and easily being one of my favorites. I don't think there could've been a better time for me to find out that the costs to buy and maintain a sailboat is surprisingly cheap and learning to operate one is even easier.

[eikvaettir]

Hi! It's me again, My question today actually relates to communicating with the gods. I talk to Njord daily, and talk to Freyr and Tyr sometimes as well. But I can't tell when they are responding back to me, or even if they are at all.

I know they exist, Njord actually responded in the world around me when I prayed to him on multiple occasions.

But I see others talking about having conversations with their gods and I feel like I'm missing out.

I do have fears like spiritual psychosis, where I trick myself into hallucinating the fact they are talking to me. But I'm also afraid of things like malicious spirits pretending to be those Gods.

I know I can cleanse my area and do things to protect myself but I do not understand what ways I can establish a connection through my protections.

I've been reading books and doing my best to understand but some books can range from it just happens to literally killing animals you've hunted to protect yourself while you talk to them.

And I wanted to know if there was something I was missing, or just hear your thoughts on it.

Thanks again!

Hi there!

I’ll start by saying that if you’re interested in my personal thoughts, I’ve actually written a post on this first topic before! Feel free to read it!

As you will see, my opinion on this matter is thus: pagans on social media do sometimes mention "talking" with deities, as if having a conversation with a human being. However, this is often a way to simplify more complex means of communication. For example, having prayed to a deity and later receiving a sign which seems to come from them can be seen a sort of "conversation" with the deity. In other cases, people will receive answers from their deities using divination methods such as tarot, rune-casting, pendulums, etc... It's also possible for some to somehow hear answers from their deities through a deep state of meditation, or through powerful spiritual experiences. Long story short, these "conversations" that people post on social media are generally a way to convey the spiritual exchange which happens when you pray, or ask a question, and you receive a sign, or blessing in return, with time. Unless of course, the poster has some sort of "clairsense" which allows them to hear clear answers. If it can be of some comfort however, I myself do not possess any kind of clairsense, and I haven't met a lot of people who do. The pagan friends whom I know have a clairsense will often tell me that the answers they get isn't nearly as clear as some internet content creators make it out to be. These answers will often be short, like simple words and muffled sentences.

But believe me, I understand why you would feel like you're missing out. I had been pagan for about four to years when I first became active in pagan circles on tumblr, and it took even longer for me to truly get involved with them (posting, commenting, discussing...). When I finally did so, I thought to myself "Am I supposed to be capable of communicating so easily with my deities? How is it that everyone else seems to find such ease in receiving answers from theirs?" And with time, I came to realize that just like me, most (if not all) pagans did not hold actual, two-sided conversations with deities. The reported conversations you see being spread online are oftentimes played up for clarity purpose, and the pagan spiritual life does consist mainly of praying to yourself, and having faith that there is someone on the other end, listening. A deity's answer can take the shape of signs, unexpected blessings and the like. As a wise friend of mine once said, "The skies don't open up for me the moment I put my hands together; that doesn't happen for anyone". In any case, there are lots of ways for you to connect with your deities— ways that don't require for you to be involved in your spirituality at all times and to master deep meditations techniques! Taking in the sight of a landscape, appreciating the beauty of a rainy night and breathing in the sea wind are moments where you may feel a deity, or deities' presence. But more on that later!

Now, I’m actually not much of a believer in the whole “spirit pretending to be your deities” concept. Of course, the belief in these sorts of instances is entirely up to each one of us individually. In my case, I have had long conversations about it with pagan friends, both online and in real life, and all seemed to think this concept being spread as much as it is on social media was an exaggeration that could easily frighten new pagans. This has never happened to anyone I'm acquainted with, at least not that I know of. For this reason, perhaps I'm not the best person to give my opinion on the topic, much less on how to protect yourself from such an occurence. If you're interested in a longer, more elaborate reflection on the matter, however, one of my friends has written this amazing post concerning the discernment of trauma (or negative personal experiences/thoughts) and the idea of spirits somehow impersonating deities.

I truly hope this has cleared up a few things for you, though I'm sorry I couldn't get into as much detail for your second question as for your first. My practice looks a lot like yours, as I mostly talk to my deities and give offerings, without receiving immediate answers. The answers I do get can take many forms, and sometimes I tell myself: "Alright. I believe that this or that sign comes from this or that deity. I can't know for sure, but believing that it does is enough". And oftentimes, I will feel a deep connection with a deity simply through devotional actions, or as I am making offerings and toasting in their honor. These are unexpected times when I somehow know that the Gods are watching over me, despite them not coming down from the heavens in a halo of light to sit and talk with me like flesh and blood human beings!

I'm flattered that you came to me with these questions, and I hope I have answered them well. May you have a fulfilling and joyful spiritual journey on this path!

[eikvaettir]

If you’re a new pagan/polytheist,

there’s something I absolutely need you to know as someone who’s been practicing for about 7 years and who has only recently become involved in the online community. As you start your journey, you might come across a particular type of speech that’s going around a lot. You may read stuff like “please get your deities’ approval before doing [that]”, “talk it out with your deities before doing [this]”, or “make sure to know your deities’ boundaries!”

If you are, like myself, someone who’s got neither the time nor the right tools to invest themselves in divination or the development of a clairsense, you may at that point ask yourself “how the heck am I supposed to understand my deities THAT clearly?!”, and that’s a very legitimate question, in my humble opinion. I’ve noticed loads of influencial pagans write posts like they assumed their entire following had a clairsense. This type of post makes it look like it’s natural for a pagan to hold two-sided, actual conversations with their Gods like they would a flesh and blood human being, and that it’s part of the “normal” pagan experience. However that’s not the case: not everyone can perceive their deities or receive their messages easily, and not everyone has the financial means to dedicate themselves to their spirituality full time. And that’s okay. Your Gods won’t get mad if you’re unsure what they want from you. They know your individual circumstances and they see your devotion either way. When it comes to polytheism, there’s no wrong way to believe. Belief happens in your mind and faith happens in your heart. As long as you love and respect your deities, they won’t turn their backs to you. Even if you don’t get their explicit approval for something, even if you don’t hear their voices or see their faces, even if you don’t buy fancy statues of them or hangout with them like they’re your human bff. Paganism is faith at its very core, that’s all there is to it. Your simple belief is what makes you pagan.