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[studies-in-heathenry]

I find that so much of Heathenry comes from participation with the immediate, physical world around me; from being part of the landscape of nature.

I went for a walk today and found a spot with a nice view. The flat landscape opened up the world and the sky before me, and I just sat there and looked/listened to what the phenomena I experienced told me about themselves.

The wind shares things from miles away. She keeps no secrets. My guess is that it's a big factor in how this region talks to itself.

The weather front along the distant mountains seemed restless, like a restless old man. My guess is because of the oncoming snow. Maybe he's the one brewing it.

The mountains themselves remain intentionally enigmatic. I've seen them move plenty of times (owed to the changing of the light and other atmospheric conditions, if you want to be technical about it) but they seem to speak rarely. I get the sense they don't open up to people just for showing interest.

I learned that on most days, the clouds let sunlight shape their bodies from the inside, even as the wind shapes them from the outside. I want to try this practice myself sometime.

Even the cold had something to share with me. I learned that by not resisting the sensation of cold, you can fully accept feeling the heat from your core.

Here's where I'm going with this: Our spiritual beliefs exist in the context of how we view the world. And how we view the world is based on what is used to shape our understanding of the world.

For the Norse people, their views of the world weren't shaped just by ideas and feelings like the way ours are today; their views were first and foremost shaped by the world itself, by what the world (not books or people) said about the world.

(And naturally, the world says something different in different places, because it's different in different places.)

So for me, the heart of Heathenry is about understanding the world the way the world shows me, and to let that understanding shape me.

Now that I know the wind speaks, I'm curious to listen to what she's saying.

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Family Recipe

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Hail Skadi!

When asked what to keep in mind when hanging out with friends, She tells me it’s the journey not the destination. Be present in the now.

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Altar for Skaði in honor of this region’s first snow storm. I’m offering her some freshly fallen snow ❄️

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Prayer of Thanks to Njørð

[[written by a member of the Godsring and shared with permission]]

O Guiding God of Wind and Sea, of Work and Travel, of the Web that holds the World together. We offer You our deepest Thanks, and pray that You accept our Offerings, in the Spirit in which they are meant.

We thank You for guiding the Gods into a new Era of Peace. We thank You for guiding our Ancestors on countless Ocean Journeys. We thank You for providing the People with the Bounty of the Seas. We thank You for providing us with an Example of Steadfastness and Hard Work.

Hail Njørð, King of the Wanes!

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"Nobody can prove or disprove claims of the nonmaterial world using a method that evaluates claims about the material world. Archaeologists can prove only that a religious claim about the material world cannot be taken at face value. Some might think this means that the religion is false; but it might also mean that a religion’s claim about the material world, even if unsubstantiated by science, holds deeper truths. From such a perspective, science encourages one to look deeper into religious beliefs, to find a significance that goes beyond issues of mere space and time."

Kelly, R. L., & Thomas, D. H. (2016). Archaeology (7th ed.). Cengage Learning.

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Is it normal to not be satisfied in Norse Paganism? Like I do offerings and such but I feel disconnected from the gods and the religion?

Maybe it’s because I’m comparing it to Christianity too much, but there’s no thing of just praying to a god for the sake of it, to talk, there always has to be a practical purpose. And with offerings it just feels transactional to me, like I’m buying a service. I feel like I settled for it because it was the closest thing I could find to what I wanted in a religion, but I’m not really getting what I want out of it.

Should I just be content anyhow?

No, of course not! You don't have to settle for dissatisfied, especially not with something as important as your religion/spirituality.

Fortunately, Norse Paganism/Heathenry is so much more than just this strange, transactional dynamic.

Unfortunately, information about "what Heathenry is" is still very inaccessible to anyone outside of Northern Europe. If you're from the Americas like I am, my guess is that you're running into the same issue I ran into when I initially came to Heathenry: The realization that there's very little depth to the things people say are what you do to be Heathen.

The missing piece here is the cultural worldview.

Heathenry actually has no centralized orthodoxy or orthopraxy. There's no doctrines you need to follow, codes of morality you need to adopt, or practices you need to observe. There is no distinction between the sacred or profane, no dualism, no concept of blasphemy, and no concept of sin.

The notion that we need to treat the gods like lords tonserve or paragons to emulate is actually foreign to Heathenry. This mentality has its roots in ancient Roman culture, rather than originating with the Norse people.

Instead, the Norse gods are viewed more like celebrities—that is, celebrated and cherished figures. They're local spirits, folk heroes, and ancestors who organically grew popular and widespread because people liked their energy and their folklore.

Ultimately, kind of relationship you have with deities is between you and them. As in, this is something that grows organically out of your interactions with them. The relationships are built the same as ever.

To illustrate my point: I would hardly call my relationships with the gods "practical." I ask them all kinds of obnoxious questions. I ask them to teach me magic and how/why it works. I ask them to share the secrets of the universe. But most of the time, all I want is to hang out with them.

I'm more like Loki's playmate than I am his devout worshipper. We do bits, we "yes, and—," we egg each other on. I give him offerings, not because I feel like I need to, but because "sharing food with the people important to you" is a love language. He has a dedicated shrine, yes, but that's because I want him to have that space in my life.

I say all this to demonstrate that at the heart of Heathenry is the human condition. The Norse gods don't pretend otherwise.

Ask yourself what kind of relationship you would like with your deities, and approach them with that. And if you don't know? Let it flow naturally in your exchanges with them. Either way, allow yourself to have what it is you need out of your spirituality. It's yours, after all.

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The promised altar pictures! While it mostly centers Njordr, he isn’t the only one I approach/give offerings here. I think of it as my general place to go to connect with deities/spirits and I just happen to connect with Njordr more often so he gets the fun stuff.

Questions about altars are welcome!

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“Heathen Scholarship”: “It’s unclear if Loki was ever worshiped. He has no place-names, no historical symbolism, and no ancient artifacts we can closely tie to him. It’s truly a mystery. We may never know how we Heathens should regard Loki. So unknown and mysterious.”

My ass with a keyboard and wifi: “Yo European Heathens! What’s y’all’s opinions on working with Loki?”

Norway: “Loki’s popular here, especially amongst LGBTQ+!”

Sweden: “Same for us.”

Germany: “Some hail him some don’t. It’s a matter of personal preference.”

Iceland: “Loki’s a favorite of ours.”

Denmark: “We love him.”

What a red flag it is that Heathen authors don’t cite modern-day Europe, amiright?

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butch frigg has many Carabiners for her Keys. you agree.

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I’ve been mostly inactive due to school and work but it’s now the fall which means I am much more connected with my spirituality (don’t ask me why it’s just a thing).

So I’m going to be posting a bit more from now on including some passages/lines I found interesting/relevant from books I’ve read lately and probably some recipes because it feels appropriate for the season. And I’ll also finally share the altar pic I suggested I’d share before I promptly got swept up in starting a new job.

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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.

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Hey, i was wondering whether there are any Norse gods that i could pray to and give offerings to in order to attract financial wealth and good professional opportunities? I'm kind of struggling right now and could use a helping hand. Thanks :)

The two Norse gods that came to my mind first were Njordr and Freyr. In Gylfaginning, Snorri says about Njordr- "He is so prosperous and abounding in wealth, that he may give them great plenty of lands or of gear; and him shall men invoke for such things." (23) and in Skáldskaparmál, one of Njordr's kennings is "God of Wealth-Bestowal" (6). Similarly, Freyr is given the kenning of "God of Wealth-Gifts" and both Njordr and Freyr are said to have blessed an individual named Grjótbjörn with "goods and gear" (7).

They aren't the only Norse gods you could ask (none of them are limited to one association or aspect of themselves) but hopefully, this information helps.

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In the gentle depths where waves caress,

Where sea meets land in a tender embrace,

I sing a hymn to Njörd, the God of Seas,

Whose presence fills the hearts with grace.

Njörd, oh harbinger of calm and tides,

Your tranquil spirit guides the ocean's sway,

With every ebb and flow, you softly guide,

Bringing solace and peace along the way.

Upon your vessel, the waves dance and play,

As you navigate through realms of azure blue,

Your steady hand steers ships on their pathway,

Ensuring safe passage for the seafarers true.

In mighty gales, when tempests fiercely roar,

You calm the storm, protecting those in need,

Your soothing voice whispers upon the shore,

Granting solace and comfort with utmost heed.

The bounty of the seas, a gift you share,

Abundant harvests brought forth by your hand,

From depths unknown, you nurture life with care,

Blessing all who dwell upon the golden sand.

Oh Njörd, benevolent guardian of the coast,

Your presence is felt in the salt-kissed air,

We offer our gratitude, a grateful host,

For your blessings and guidance beyond compare.

As gentle waves upon the shore doth break,

We honor you, oh deity of the sea,

May your essence forever dwell and wake,

A beacon of tranquility eternally.

So let us raise our voices in devotion,

To Njörd, the God of seas and calming might,

With reverence, we offer our emotion,

And bask in your grace, like stars in the night.

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Prayer for Freysblót

Old Norse

Heill Freyr! Heill Njörðr! “Folkmýgi lát flæja, Freyr ok Njörðr, af jörðum, leiðisk lofða stríði, landóss, þanns ve grandarr”

-Egill Skallrímsson, loose verse 21

Nú haustr skal koma, eptir sumarit goða regns ok sólar. Þökka fyrir auðr Jarðar. Í dag blæt ek brauð þér ok lát rísa Jörðin gegnum eldar til framtíð betri

English

Hail Freyr! Hail Njörðr!

“Freyr and Njörðr, let the people-oppressor flee from his lands; may the land-áss [Þórr] come to loath the tormentor of men, the one who damages sancutaries”

-Egill Skallrímsson, loose verse 21

Now autumn shall come, after the good summer of rain and sun. Thanks for [the] riches of [the] Earth This day I sacrifice to you bread and let the Earth rise beyond fires to a better future

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One thing I’ve noticed recently is that I sometimes associate Njordr with lighthouses. I think it might be because the coast near where I live is filled with them but I also think there might be something to the concept of having something that guides you that reminds me of my experiences with him.

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Can’t speak for all but in the christian fundie community i was raised in, a fair few believed that aliens/UAP are just demons trying to cause doubt and such.

When you think about it, the implications of UAP and the existence of advanced non-human species bodes really badly for Christian paradigms. It would destroy their entire narrative.