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an offering

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Odin altar ideas

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this is my favorite kind of offering to make

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Collected my first crop of mugwort this year!

I grew these babies from a seed and I know they'll definitely make great saining sticks/tea!

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Just a cup of coffee to stay awake. 

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Once in a while I'll get asked what kind of offerings I give Odin or ask what else can they offer to Him that's not a libation. So the list I'm about to post is purely UPG and is based off my personal experiences.

Acts:

• Read some poetry. If you favor a certain poet or piece share it with Him. Read it aloud in front of His altar or any place you honor Him. I've read Rumi and Poe for Him.

• Write a piece of poetry. If you want you can try your hand at writing a verse for or to Him. It doesn't have to be elaborate or Shakespearian but something from the heart. Sometimes simple is best.

• Read a book. You don't have read an entire novel but maybe take 30 minutes of the day to read or just read a chapter. Read any book you want it doesn't have to be something educational either. Read a fantasy or a sci-fi or even a romance. Read what you want to.

• Write something. If you like to write. Write a short story or write about something that means a lot to you. Write about current events or a cause that you advocate for. Write about your practice or experiences.

• Learn something new. You can try to learn a new skill. Maybe drawing or sculpting. Maybe cooking or baking. Maybe learn a new language or just learn something that you didn't know. Like a factoid about another country, history or culture. Who knows you might learn a new tibit of info about something you're interested in. There is a ton of info out there. (Just make sure your source is reliable.) Like Odin never stop being curious.

• Create a playlist. You can use whatever music service you have and create a devotional playlist for Him. Put songs that remind you of Him or songs that are literally about Him. I've had Odin specifically request certain songs. Songs that you think describe your relationship with Him. It's all up to you. (Sometimes Him 😅)

• Sing! In my personal experience Odin is fond of singing or being sung to...serenaded? If that's something you're comfortable with doing totally do it. If you already have a playlist dedicated pick a song and go!

• Practice self-care. Super tough one I'll be honest. Go over boundaries and see where they might need to be strengthend. Check in with yourself. How are feeling? Do you have to eat? Take any meds? Do you have any needs that you have to tend to? If you do use that time to fulfill those. Others can wait. (In my experience Odin usually gets on my case, alot over this.😅)

• Share your knowledge. Is there something you know a lot about? Then share it! Odds are you just might end up helping someone else who's looking for advice or tips. No matter what it might be whether it's considered useful or not it might help someone or even brighten their day.

• Visit a museum or art gallery. Museums are an awesome source if you're interested in history. There are different kinds of museums. There are science museums, rock and mineral museums. Some for world history or some on local history. Art galleries can also offer insight on what goes on in the human mind and can even give us a tiny visual glimpse of history.

• Support your local library. Libraries are great places to find all sorts of books and the best part it's free! Get a library card and you're good. If you're more of a digital peep they also rent out ebooks. They have all sorts of resources you can access.

• Visit a bookstore. If you're more the bookstore type then visit a bookstore. If you have some extra spending money and find something interesting it doesn't hurt to treat yourself. You can also visit a used bookstore. You're sure to find something interesting and unique.

• Travel. (If the opportunity arises and you are able.) Odin is a wanderer and travels all over meeting new people and learning things about them. When or if you get the opportunity to travel get to really know the place you go to. Talk to locals, learn about the area. You're sure to find that the place you are visiting holds all sorts of amazing secrets.

• Iisten to someone's story. Everyone has a story to tell. Listening to someone might make you see things from a different perspective or even change your opinion on something. You could even benefit from someone else's wisdom and advice.

• Try something new. Be a little adventurous and try something new, something you've never done. May it be a food, a store, event, beverage or even something intimate with your partner (granted that they're 100% ok with it. Consent is important.) Step out of your comfort zone.

• Practice or pick up divination. If you have runes, tarot, oracle cards make some time to practice or even learn. You can even learn how to do other types of divination.

Another devotional act I do is acknowledge His animal companions. The ravens Huginn and Muninn. The wolves Freki and Geri and His steed Sleipnir. And leave offerings for them along with Odin's.

For Huginn and Muninn

• Hard boiled eggs

• Small chunks of meat

• Chicken carcass

• Mixed veggies

•A Bowl of water

For Geri and Freki

• Raw meats

• Bones with some meat still on it

• Homemade treats (our pups share lol)

•A Bowl of water

For Sleipnir

• Carrots

• Apples

•A Bowl of water

Food offerings. All these are based in UPG. I am well aware of the stanza that states He dines on wine alone and gives the meat to His wolves. As I have said UPG and I haven't had Him tell me no. Odin isn't shy about letting you know what He likes and dislikes.

• Dark chocolate especially if there is a salty element to it.

• Baked items that use alcohol such as rum, coffee liqueur, whisky ect.

• Stews and soups (with side of bread)

• Fruits like apples, pears, plums, peaches and nectarines.

• Porridges and oatmeal

• Trail mix (actually this makes sense 😅)

• Fish

Other non food and libation offerings. Trinkets and other miscellaneous items.

• Stones and minerals. (I've given Bloodstones, Obsidian, Lapis, Clear quartz, a hag stone or "Odin stones", Onyx.)

• Black feathers

• Herbs. Especially those associated with the Nine Herbs Charm

• Incense (if you're able)

• Scented candles (if you're able)

• Tobacco

So this is some of the things I do and have done for and with Odin. Again all this is heavy UPG.

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instagram.com

chaipeau

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I saw a post for the Hellenic pantheon by @sarahsspirits and really liked it and had to make my own versions for the Norse pantheon.

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an offering

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Some thoughts on Odin

Last weekend i attended a presentation by a German/Norwegian professor who studies religions and especially norse paganism and folk tales and he said some interesting stuff about Odin:

He said that Odin is above all a god who's trying to fight against fate. He tries to gain as much knowledge as possible about the future and the fate of the gods. Also, many of his attributes are directly connected to the fate of the gods, a.k.a. Ragnarök:

his spear

his horse Sleipnir (the fastest and strongest horse, perfect for battle)

the ring Draupnir (golden rings were used by kings and lords to pay their mercenary soldiers, i.e. Odin can form the biggest army ever with his neverending supply of rings)

Valhalla with all the soldiers who will fight with him when Ragnarök comes

etc.

So he is not directly a god of war who enjoys battles (as some people think), but rather a god who is trying to prepare himself as best he can for the fight he knows will come. He's wandering the worlds in search of more knowledge, he learns the runes, magic, seiđr, he's putting together an army, and so on.

This description really resonated with me, because I worship Odin and I've never experienced him as someone who would find joy in battle as other gods specifically attributed to war do. He seems to me more like an old commander, someone who has seen and experienced everything there is to see and experience. Someone who is well prepared to fight if necessary, but only if necessary. Someone who would rather use his intellect and wisdom to avoid fighting all together.

Maybe that's also why many people who work with Odin say that he seems like a calm old grandpa who shares random wisdoms with anyone willing to hear them.

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Additional thoughts:

In Norse mythology, fate is the highest power and even the gods can do nothing to change or prevent it. This is also shown by Baldur's story. It's his fate to die and be in Hel, no matter how hard Odin or the other gods try (and this is a good thing, because this way he's one of the only ones who survive Ragnarök (since he doesn't participate in the fights)).

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~ Norse mythology - Odin

The All-father, God of war and death

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🐎 Subtle Odin Worship 🐺

Educate yourself on Norse runes and their meanings; if you can/want, make your own runes using subtle items, such as bottle caps or playing cards (write the runes on them)

Study for school; do homework

Be curious about the world around you; be willing to learn about it

Research and learn about random topics that interest you

Have a candle that reminds you of him (no altar needed)

Keep a picture of him in your wallet

Have a stuffed animal wolf, raven, or horse

Have imagery of spears, the world tree, or the Valknut around

Wear jewelry that reminds you of him

If you're disabled, be kind to your body and yourself; have patience with yourself

Take care of yourself physically

Educate yourself on Norse/Viking history; learn about world history in general

Think of outside the box solutions to problems

Keep a journal of self-written works, such as poetry or short stories

Try your hand at developing new skills; do things you've never done before

Improve and practice already learned skills

Engage in activities that stimulate your brain

Practice standing up for yourself; assert your personal boundaries

Make a list of your personal strengths and accomplishments; take pride in yourself

Support animal sanctuaries and refuges

Volunteer at a homeless shelter

Try to have a more nuanced perspective of the world and other people

Have an alcoholic drink, especially mead; if you can't do this, drink something you love; raise a glass to him

Eat a good, hardy meal, especially meats; eat three meals a day

Work on communication skills; practice healthy forms of communication

Practice mindfulness

Learn non-obvious forms of divination; cartomancy, pyromancy, shufflomancy, etc.

Read about Norse mythology, especially Odin's many adventures and experiences

Honor your ancestors; learn about your family history

Take time to yourself, even just to decompress; work hard but remember to rest

Write down your dreams; try to interpret them

Feed any local crows or ravens

Support veteran organizations

Be considerate towards veterans; don't light fireworks in neighborhoods, don't set off weapons near neighborhoods, don't ask about war stories unless prompted by the veteran, etc.

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May add more later! For the time being, this is my list of ways to discreetly worship Odin. Take care, everyone, and I hope this helps someone! 🩵

Link to my Subtle Worship Master list