#31 days of heathenry

[bygonemoderngods]

31 Days of Heathenry: Days 3 and 4

31 Days of Heathenry: Days 3 and 4

Yesterday, I had internet issues and wasn’t able to post the day’s quote. So I’m going to double up today. It’s currently hot as Muspelheim outside, so I’m just going to jump right into today’s question.

Have you attended any sort of Heathen gathering? Why or why not?

In meatspace? No. There doesn’t seem to be a lot of heathens along Lake Michigan, it seems. There’s also the fact that I’m…

[crazy-write]

31 Days of Heathenry: Day 1

31 Days of Heathenry: Day 1

I said I was going to do this and goddamnit, I’m going to stick to it. In 2018, I did a similar challenge called A Month for Loki and it was a really enlightening experience. I’ll probably revisit that challenge in a few years, but this July, I wanted to try something different.

The blog that originally posted the questions has long since been abandoned but I did find a reblog here. Anyways,…

[veado-bela]

31 Days of Heathenry- 03 and 04

I’m not on here enough, so the “31″ will turn into two months, at this rate. Catch up. 03) Have you attended any sort of Heathen gathering? Why or why not? (And if “yes”, write a little about it. If “no”, what would you like to attend/what would you be looking for in a gathering if you were able?) No. Yes. I’ve been to several pagan festivals with plenty of heathens in attendance, but never to any specifically heathen-related event. I’d love to go out to PA to meet up with those in Distelfink Sippschaft for Yuul or Allelieweziel. I also have a good working relationship with Robert, and he’s mentioned attending a Trothmoot, but I can’t afford the travel expenses.

04) Do you tend any altars? Care to share anything about them? Define “altar”. If you’re talking about a table or shelf where you have a bunch of statues or representations of divine entities... you know... a shrine. I have a couple of these scattered through my house. Small things that you wouldn’t even notice or be able to attribute to any religious practice. So I suppose I’m more a shrine person, as opposed to an altar person. Typically, these will be areas where there might be a small amount of flowers, a candle, offerings, small sheaves of wheat. You’ll also see several random bowls of water or elderberries scattered. None of those have a set position, and are rather mutable in location. As far as a working altar. Since 90% my of my actual practice is for holistic reasons, the closest altar I have is in my kitchen, where my herbs are stored. This is needs to be rearranged as I’m running out of space and they’ve completely filled the lazysusan, two large cabinets, and a good amount of counter space. Though the idea that I have too many herbs for proper storage isn’t necessarily a BAD thing. lol. I DO set up specific altar for the esbots, with enough prep time before Yuul to refrain from breaking the verbot on starting new projects. The only obvious bit of religious practice is my butzemann’s home, as it’s rather hard to hide what appears to be a ragdoll covered in runes. I suppose this year’s will tell me where he’s going to want to live, and I’ll make sure there’s enough room so he'll eat his meals in comfort and can stretch out if he desires. Cozy, clean, hospitable. I know there’s many people’s emphasis on having a set altar in the home, but I don’t feel the need, really. I don’t consider areas designed for offerings to be an altar, and if I do any actual work, it’s outside. Always. If I want something THAT bad enough, my ass can go bundle up in neg weather to go do it. Heathenry isn’t supposed to be comfortable.

[thorraborinn]

Why do you think some Heathens are so obsessed with trying to claim certain deities are "just Christian creations"? I know sometimes I'll see people claiming Baldr's just a "Jesus Insert" (which as someone who honors him, I find frustrating) and now it seems like people are trying to say Loki and Hel are in a similar boat. Why do they even care?

This one’s a little bit complicated because I do think that it’s worthwhile to try to trace the genealogies of certain ideas and customs, but I also agree it’s often done in a way that isn’t productive and is more like an argumentative weapon to shut others down than to learn more. It’s not just deities either, it even influences interpretation of poetry, e.g. certain interpretations of stanzas from Hávamál (including 127) have been rejected because they “sound too Christian to be right.”

This has always been a big part of Norse and Germanic studies. For example, Sophus Bugge was an extremely important 19th-century philologist and did a lot of really important work for Norse and Germanic studies, including deciphering the Elder Futhark. But he also thought that the Eddas were basically all just derived from Christianity. This wasn’t widely accepted as a whole, but on a case-by-case basis his arguments were always available for revisitation. But aside from Bugge this is always a concern when reading Norse myths written hundreds of years after conversion. A very good paper applying this type of criticism to a single poem is “Vǫluspá and the feast of Easter” by John McKinnell. As this paper itself points out, there were undoubtedly many instances of heathens taking things from Christians that in no way diminished heathenry or the heathenness of the ideas they were incorporated into.

It should of course also be noted that Christian society isn’t the only source of influence on Norse and Germanic peoples -- there is no such thing as a “pure” culture and Norse people seem to have been interested in learning from everyone and everything they could. We can be sure of influences from the Sámi; various Celtic-speaking peoples; Rome both Christian and non-Christian; likely Greece in the very distant Germanic past; Baltic peoples; Slavic peoples; Muslims (at least in material culture); West and Central Asian peoples; including some who probably conquered and occupied parts of Scandinavia at one point; etc, etc. And yet, Christianity in particular is the attribution with the greatest power to invalidate -- people couldn’t try to eject Skaði from heathenry by making a claim that she’s a loan-deity from some other circumpolar culture, for instance.

The other day I mentioned the book American Heathens by Jennifer Snook. She actually has an entire chapter in it on heathens distinguishing themselves on one hand from Christians, and Wiccans on the other. She writes (28) “I have come to believe that this not-Christian identity is central to what it feels like to be Pagan and is taken for granted by members of both communities [Wiccan/”neopagan” and heathen] as part and parcel of affiliation.”She continues (31):

At the same time, they also actively reject behaviors associated with other Neopagan religious groups, particularly Wicca, whose ways are seen as hedonistic and undisciplined. Their disassociation and differentiation between their own group and other groups (both mainstream and alternative) is a method by which they create an “us” and construct “them” as the other. A critical dimension of collective identity formation involves the establishment of boundaries as groups come to distinguish between themselves and outsiders.

Since Snook’s book is an anthropological observation of American heathenry she isn’t talking about what it should be or something like that, just what she saw while doing fieldwork. But she draws attention to the “paradox of sorts in Heathens’ disaffection with both mainstream and other forms of Neopagan religion and the embrace of a rather moralistic religious worldview that echoes that of traditional Christianity” (30; i.e., she observed that most heathens in the US are socially conservative, heavily overlapping with “traditional Christian values”). I talked a bit in this post about the modern heathen social economy of “authenticity.” The accusation of Christian (or Wiccan) influence operates in such an environment as a way of recasting the imposition of a theological orthodoxy in heathen terms

I *think* I remember Rune Hjarnø Rasmussen referring to this conceptually as “the defining other” or something like that (and I hope I’m not mischaracterizing something he said), building your own identity in a state of contingency with another identity. To be clear, let me repeat that there’s no such thing as a “pure” anything; heathenry is always going to be embedded in a web of relations with other traditions (as will particular heathenries with other heathenries) and that’s good, but allowing just one to define us by negation is completely counterproductive. I’ve argued before that inclusive varieties of heathenry struggle with folkish heathenry being its “defining other,” i.e. inclusive hand all their own autonomy over to the folkists (e.g. nonracist heathens calling themselves “universalist” when that’s not only literally untrue but was coined by folkists specifically to invalidate people who disagree with them (there are some actually universalist inclusive heathens but they are far less common); defining óðal to mean something like ‘family’ in an attempt to “reclaim” it without considering the historical role of óðal in moving away from egalitarian common ownership to feudalism; fighting to “reclaim” only those symbols that are associated with Naziism and failing to develop its own symbolic culture; etc).

But I do also think there’s another dimension to it as well. Though I pointed out that influences from other, non-Christian cultures (especially other pagan cultures), are not met with the same level of criticism, they also aren’t neutral. Despite the incoherence of the idea of “purity” or “originality,” some heathens persist in pursuing a “Proto-Germanic religion,” sometimes by proxy. I criticized that in this post. I don’t think this is just endemic to heathenry, I actually think it’s a feature of modern Western epistemology generally, and its presence and even intensification within heathenry demonstrates that modern heathenry is a recuperation of pre-Christian culture by post-enlightenment liberal modernity and not an autonomous, self-determined movement; a problem without a clear solution even when it’s identified. That’s a big topic that I’m still developing my position on but this post is where I went the deepest into my thoughts on this. Note especially the part about the K’iche’ Maya people being required by the Guatemalan state to appeal to the same epistemology that heathens subject each other to (but note also the differences between our position and that of the K’iche’ Maya -- I have no patience for “decolonize heathenry” bullshit that frames white descendants of Germanic people as victims of colonization). Because this trend within heathenry is very closely tied to linguistic reconstruction and to Proto-Indo-European studies, a god might be rejected as “late” because they don’t fit into a reconstructed PIE position, like how heathens will say “well actually Týr, and not Óðinn, is the father-king of the gods because he is the Indo-European sky-father.”

So I guess by way of some kind of conclusion, I think the reason this happens so often is that there are a lot of different potential reasons for it, and it’s fruitful to consider what the person making the diagnosis of “Christian influence” is trying to accomplish. I think that in the most blatant and pointless examples of it, it has to do with the extremely online recon “authenticity economy” where tearing others down is a technique for maintaining one’s own reputation (and habitually rejecting everything is also an easy way to be seen as a shrewd and critical authority), and my discussion of epistemology and all that is probably giving them too much credit most of the time. All of this makes it harder to engage in actual source criticism where legitimate discussion of Christian influence separate from inherent value-judgments about it, as well as in discussion of how we modern people relate both to our pre-Christian predecessors and to the temporal distance between us and them.

Oh, one last thing. With Loki and Hel (and Fenrisúlfr, and various jötnar) in particular, recognition of them as divinities is strongly associated within modern heathen discursive spaces with LGBTQ/GNC people. In (most) non-folkish heathen spaces, heathens can’t openly reject people for their gender or sexuality without facing repercussions anymore, and they certainly can’t accuse gay or trans heathens of Christian influence, but they can try to invalidate them by proxy by trying to invalidate the things within heathenry that they associate with them. Like I mentioned in the post about Loki and Hel, people who worship other gods who have weak or no evidence for cult worship in pre-Christian times are not subjected to the same level of scrutiny.

I have a theoretical framework for explaining modern heathenry, that describes heathenry not as a religious movement but as a participatory worldbuilding project, with some of the loudest voices being those who are upset that others don’t want to enact their personal aethetics. Cases like this are why I think an description like that is effective.

[waxedbones]

31 days of Witchcraft

3: What kind of witch are you?

well its hard to describe really. How does one often describe themselves as people? it becomes difficult. But here is a list of the commonly known “types” I fall into. 

Heathenry/Norse Polytheistic

Hedge witchery

Necromancy/Death magic

Divination

Tea magic

Elemental ( I honor the elements on my altar) 

Spirit work ( animal and human spirits specifically )

Lunar magic 

Nocturnal Witch 

Solitary ( for the most part) 

Autumn and winter witch 

Dabble in kitchen and green witchery 

Literary witchcraft 

[donveinot]

Journeys in Paganistan (Part 1)

Image by Rafael Javier from Pixabay Editor’s Note: Occult themes abound in children’s literature, on television shows, and in the movies. The entertainment industry has made a handsome profit in selling the supernatural. But as this article by Carl Teichrib demonstrates, there is a reality beyond books and TV screens – a spiritual worldview that honors creation over the Creator. Is a new Pagan age dawning? It appears so. The conference room quickly filled. Already the first day of workshops had wrapped up, and a strange combination of giddy anticipation and serious intentionality was in the air. Greetings and hugs were shared; old friends reconnected, and newcomers were welcomed with nods and smiles. People were visibly excited, for the next hour would be the event’s official opening, a highly charged movement to set the tone for the weekend convention. The room was devoid of chairs, and so the crowd gathered three-and-four deep along the edges, clapping and moving to the sound of inviting rhythms. The center area, however, remained free of attendees, yet it held a focal point: a draped table with seven pillar-candles, a vase, and a large bowl. When things finally settled down, it was explained that what we beheld in the middle was a well, and we were all encouraged to add water to it as we felt lead. This gathering, we were told, was a sacred grove – we were the trees, mystically connected through branches and root. A witch stepped forward, and wand-in-hand she walked around the well, casting a magic circle. Same Yet Different In a hotel conference building in a Minneapolis suburb, amongst the public patrons lodging in this same establishment, a unique gathering took place from March 22-24, 2019. It was the ninth annual Paganicon, a convergence of Witches and Wiccans, Druids, Heathens, Satanists and Luciferians – an eclectic representation of the modern Pagan revival. On Friday morning, before the event began, I asked at the sign-in desk how many were expected; approximately 800 were registered. This was not my first time at Paganicon, the regional conference for the homeland of Paganistan, the affectionate name given by local Pagans for the Twin Cities metro-region. In 2017 I attended for research purposes (see chapter 7 in my book, Game of Gods), and now, two years later, returned to keep current with what was happening in the growing Pagan community. Of special interest was the broad acceptance of Satanism. But hold on, you might be thinking, Satanism and Paganism – isn’t this one and the same? Yes and no. Yes, in that Christians recognize there is, ultimately, no Biblical difference. The ruler of this world (John 12:31), also known as the deceiver, “that serpent of old, called the Devil and Satan” (Revelation 12:9), is the one who tempted in the beginning (Genesis 3:1-5). As the father of lies (John 8:44) who transforms himself into an “angel of light” (2 Corinthians 11:14), Satan is the originator of the first deception, that the creation – Adam and Eve – can be on par with the Creator (Genesis 3:5). This ruse is expanded in the book of Romans, that when we exchange the truth of God for the lie, “we worship and serve the creature rather than the Creator” (Romans 1:25). Granting nature a status of Divinity is the heartbeat of Paganism. Indeed, if I’ve heard one thing from the Pagan community, it is this; we are a religion of nature. Such is the core of Oneness – that God, Man and Nature are essentially the same, which is the opposite of the Biblical worldview – that God is creator, and everything else the creation. No, in that within the Pagan world there are differences in teachings, rituals, and understandings of deities and supernatural entities. For example, when comparing Gardnerian Wicca with Asatru Heathenry, one finds profound distinctions within beliefs and practices. Both are religious movements within the context of neo-Paganism, yet have teachings unique to their own paths. Likewise with Satanism. Interestingly, the Apostle Paul inferred structures and divisions within the supernatural realm, “Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand” (Ephesians 6:11-13). Powers and principalities… this thought struck me as I watched the opening ritual unfold, listening as deities and goddesses were invoked. Listening and Learning As a Christian researcher my primary task is to listen and observe, take notes, and consider how a particular movement is shaping and/or reflecting our times. This includes trying to understand its challenges and issues, and how it views itself in relationship to society – points of contact, and visions of tomorrow. This is what I do when attending any research function, be it an interfaith forum like the Parliament of the World’s Religions, a world government meeting, a transhumanist conference, or a culture-transforming event like Burning Man. During my three days at Paganicon I attended twelve workshops, lectures, and group discussions. Here are some of titles and notes of interest, Blasphemy as a Healing Tool: A Satanist from the Twin Cities opened this talk with a confession; she had no Bibles with her. As it was explained, she normally starts her presentations by tearing up a Holy Bible, standing on its shredded pages, and inviting others to come forth and do likewise. Bibles had been ordered for this workshop but they hadn’t arrived, and she wasn’t able to check into her hotel room yet, so she couldn’t take a copy from there. Her Bible destroying routine wouldn’t be happening. Acts of blasphemy, she elaborated, are more than just a personal slap to the Christian faith; it is her service to the community. Have you been wounded by a church? Do you despise Christianity? Her answer for personal healing is expressions of apostasy and blasphemy. For example, if a formally identified Christian wanted to sever ties to a church, she would draft an official letter of apostasy on his or her behalf. Overt acts of blasphemy were encouraged in conjunction with the notice. What hit me was this: no one has a monopoly on hurting others or being hurt, Christians included – a sad reminder of humanity’s fallen nature – but in hearing her acts of blasphemy, it began to sound less purposeful, and more petulant. Here’s a sober question. Certainly you felt uneasy about shredding Bibles, but did it bother you when I mentioned individuals leaving the Christian faith? This workshop reinforced something I would hear more than once; that many who formerly identified as Christians now follow Pagan paths. For example, during a Saturday panel the question was raised as to which religious affiliations people held before joining the ranks of neo-Pagans: Methodists, Baptists, Lutherans, Catholics, Presbyterians, Pentecostals, Orthodox, and Missionary. Heads around the room nodded in affirmation. In fact, it was acknowledged that a relatively new movement was being born, Christo-paganism – an intentional cross-pollination of Christian teachings with Pagan practices and beliefs. But a form of this has already been happening. Today many churches extol God’s goodness, preach a message of peace, and bend to the world in advancing deep-green causes. In the United Church of Canada hymnal, More Voices, there’s a song to the Greek Goddess of Earth, O Beautiful Gaia. In the Mennonite Central Committee’s publication, Earth Trek, there’s an appeal – bold in the original – that reads: “This week, make an offering to the Earth, in the form of a prayer or some other gift.” Is this not paganism? It certainly fits Romans 1:25, “serving the creature rather than the Creator.” Is this not a form of blasphemy in its own rite? Discernment for Magickal Folks: This was an intriguing presentation, wrestling with the question: how is spiritual discernment exercised? For Christians, we turn to Deuteronomy 18 with its warning not to engage in occult practices, and we look to 1 John 4:1-6 with its testing of the spirits against the Gnostic message. Other examples include how Jesus Christ handled demonic situations, the authority of God used by the Apostles in similar settings, and the Early Church’s reliance on the power of the Holy Spirit. In other words, there is a robust Biblical framework we draw from – including the assurance that our soul is secure, that nothing can separate us from the love of God (Romans 8:31-39). For the Pagan world, which does have spiritual manifestations – invited possessions, entity visitations, and unusual experiences – the question of discernment hangs in the air. It boils down to personal evaluation, we were told, and to aid in this process a worksheet with sample questions was handed out, “Who am I interacting with? Specific Goddex, spirit, my own subconscious, the dead? Who did I perform magic for?... What did I feel/see… what did I want?... Where was I physically… mentally/spiritually? Where did I perform the magic, and for what reason?” It was noted that Pagans are prone to a lack of discernment, as the quest for spiritual experiences often outweighs cautionary factors. There is an addictive quality too, it was said, with a reminder that supernatural encounters can be manipulative. We were warned that if the “inner voice changes” it may be an outside entity probing inward. Furthermore, if negative experiences are causing fear and anxiety, then participants were encouraged to seek counseling and therapy. Hotline telephone numbers for suicide prevention and mental health were printed on our worksheets.(Part 2 next week)Ω

Carl Teichrib is a researcher, writer, and lecturer focusing on the paradigm shift sweeping the Western world, including the challenges and opportunities faced by Christians. Over the years he has attended a range of internationally significant political, religious, and social events in his quest to understand the historical and contemporary forces of transformation – including the Parliament of the Worlds Religions, Burning Man, and the United Nations Millennium Forum. Since the mid-1990s, Carl’s research has been utilized by numerous authors, media hosts and documentary producers, pastors, professors and students, and interested lay people. From 2007 until the end of 2015, he edited a monthly web-based magazine, Forcing Change, documenting and detailing the worldview revolution underway – points of pressure, forces of change.

Available Online He frequently speaks to church groups, in conference settings, and occasionally teaches a modular course on Secular/Pagan Trends at Millar College of the Bible. Carl’s book, Game of Gods: The Temple of Man in the Age of Re-Enchantment, was released in October 2018. You can find him online at: Game of Gods: The Temple of Man in the Age of Re-Enchantment © 2020, Midwest Christian Outreach, Inc All rights reserved. Excerpts and links may be used if full and clear credit is given with specific direction to the original content. Read the full article

[nemethcch]

[i] December 1-24 – Advent: (Christian) Expectant waiting and preparation for the celebration of the Nativity of Jesus at Christmas as well as the return of Jesus at the second coming. Preparation for the commemoration of the birth of Jesus. [ii] Central Ohio's favorite family holiday tradition went from a few strands of lights and a few trays of cookies to millions of LED lights, animated musical light shows, Santa, reindeer and other holiday festivities that can only be found here at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium. This year's event offers more holiday fun than ever before. https://www.experiencecolumbus.com/event/wildlights/52764/ [iii] Twinkling luminaries greet visitors who are ready to kick off the holiday on the historic, brick streets of German Village. Enjoy the magic of the holidays and visit shops, businesses and restaurants open late with holiday treats, discounts and special offers. https://germanvillage.com/villagelights/ [iv] First Tuesday Tea is an informal forum that allows seniors (ages 55 and older) to engage in dialogue about art, music, literary interests, as well as social and current issues.https://www.experiencecolumbus.com/event/first-tuesday-tea/65586/ [v] Saint Nicholas Day (Christian): Observed in Western Christian countries and Romania. Feast day of Saint Nicholas. Christian festival with regard to his reputation as a bringer of gifts. In Ukraine, children wait for St. Nicholas to come and put a present under their pillows provided that the children were good during the year. In the US, children leave their shoes in the foyer on St. Nicholas Eve hoping St. Nicholas will place coins in the soles. [vi] Start your holiday season with the great annual Columbus tradition of Holiday Pops. This weekend, the Columbus Symphony Orchestra and Chorus fill the Ohio Theatre with some of the season’s most-loved holiday songs and carols. With four concerts offered, there is a time for everyone to enjoy the performance. https://www.experiencecolumbus.com/event/columbus-symphony-holiday-pops/65782/ [vii] The holiday version of Gallery Hop includes a cosmopolitan display of sights, sounds, food and drink. [viii] A celebration of giving featuring local and national musical acts, seasonal ales from hometown breweries and favorite dishes from Columbus food trucks. https://www.experiencecolumbus.com/event/winterfest-2019/65796/ [ix] This delightful program from the New York International Children’s Film Festival celebrates Spanish-language and Latino-themed stories from around the globe. https://www.experiencecolumbus.com/event/viva-kids-mix!/65516/ [x] December 9- Immaculate Conception of Mary (Catholic Christian): Conception of the Virgin Mary free from original sin by virtue of the merits of her son Jesus Christ. The Catholic church celebrates the Feast of the Immaculate Conception on December 8, it is a holy day or obligation or patronal feast in many Catholic countries. [xi] December 12 - Feast day – Our Lady of Guadalupe (Catholic Christian): The Mexican Catholic community celebrates this day and commemorates the appearance of Mary to the Mexican peasant Juan Diego in 1531. The night before the Feast Day, the Mexican community gathers at St. Michael’s for a vigil and recite prayers and recount the story of the appearance of Mary to Juan Diego. [xii] https://www.experiencecolumbus.com/event/franklinton-fridays/60206/ [xiii] Join Oyo Dance Company as we celebrate the many holidays that different cultures and faith traditions celebrate during the winter months. Come by yourself or bring the whole family for dancing, singing, and music. Enjoy hot cocoa and cookies during this holiday experience!h ttps://www.experiencecolumbus.com/event/oyo-dance-company%3a-one-

light/65767/

[xiv] December 16-24 - Posadas Navideñas (Hispanic Christian): Celebrated in Latin America, Mexico, Guatemala, Cuba, and Hispanics in the US. Has been a tradition in Mexico for over 400 years. Hispanic countdown/celebration till Christmas. [xv] December 22-30 – Hanukkah: (Jewish) Holiday commemorating the rededication of the Second Temple in Jerusalem at the time of the Maccabean revolt against the Seleucid Empire. Also known as the Festival of Lights. [xvi] December 22– January 2 - Yule (Pagan/Christian): Festival observed by the historical Germanic peoples that was connected to the celebration Wild Hunt. Later underwent Christianized reformulation resulting in the term Christmastide. Today Yule is used as a synonym for Christmas. Yule log, Yule singing, and others stem from pagan Yule. The event is celebrated in Heathenry and other forms of Modern Paganism. [xvii] The Hip Hop Nutcracker is a re-mixed and re-imagined contemporary dance spectacle that transforms E.T.A. Hoffmann’s beloved story from traditional 19th century Germany to the vibrant, diverse sights and sounds of contemporary New York City. https://www.experiencecolumbus.com/event/the-hip-hop-nutcracker/63960/ [xviii] December 24 - Christmas Eve (Christian): Evening or entire day before Christmas Day. Festival commemorating the birth of Jesus Christ. Both days are considered one of the most culturally significant celebrations in Christendom and Western society. [xix] December 25 - Christmas (Christian): Annual Festival commemorating the birth of Jesus Christ.

[xx] December 26 - Zarathosht Diso- Death of Prophet Zarathushtra (Zoroastrian): Remembrance in the Zoroastrian religion and a commemoration of the death anniversary of the prophet Zoroaster. An occasion of remembrance of lectures and discussions held on the life and works of the prophet. [xxi] December 26 - St. Stephen’s Day (Christian): Christian saint’s day to commemorate St. Stephen. [xxii] December 28 - Holy Innocents (Christian): Also called Childermas, Christian feast in remembrance of the massacre of young children in Bethlehem by King Herod the Great in his attempt to kill the infant Jesus. [xxiii] December 31 - Watch Night (Christian): Also called Freedom’s Eve. Christian religious service held on New Year’s Eve and associated with a celebration and remembrance of the Emancipation Proclamation. [xxiv] A spectacular New Year’s Eve celebration in downtown Columbus with fireworks, live entertainment, activities and fun for all ages!http://firstnightcolumbus.com/event-info/ [xxv] Axis presents Salvation New Year’s Eve 2019 with THREE superstar guests – ring in the new year with hostess Virginia West and RuPaul Drag Race stars Latrice Royale and Manila Luzon! https://www.experiencecolumbus.com/event/salvation-nye-with-latrilla/65746/

[thewiccanwitchling]

105 Witchy Questions Answered

Disclaimer: I haven’t been tagged. I found this list here, so, thank you @prettyalice13. Having this in mind, I won’t tag anyone neither. And I love doing this sort of thing, and reading too. Tag me, I would love to read this about you.

1. Are you solitary or in a coven? Solitary. 2. Do you consider yourself Wiccan, Pagan, witch, or other? At this very moment ‘wiccan witchling’. Chose to follow and learn both paths, but many others too (my answer didn’t help I know) like Paganism, Hellenism, Heathenry and so on. 3. What is your zodiac sign? I’m very proud to be a Sagittarius. 4. Do you have a Patron God/dess? No that I know. The idea warms my heart, but I have recent studying this subject and saw that isn’t that easy or simple. 5. Do you work with a Pantheon? So much yes. I don’t know if it will show another question like that, but my beliefs involves Greek, Norse, Egyptian, Hindu, Armenian, Celtic and oh my, many others. I grew polytheistic and is part of what I am. I grew loving the Gods and Goddesses. 6. Do you use tarot, palmistry, or 
any other kind of divination? Tarot, Runes, Shufflemancy. I want to learn and practice Pendulum and just learn some others like lychnomancy, scrying, etc. 7. What are some of your favorite herbs to use in your practice? (if any) I have a little and loved herbs shelf that I’m learning their properties, but I love to have in hand cinnamon. 8. How would you define your craft? As a “baby witch” or “witchling” I’m in a place where everything is beautiful to learn yet. I’m too curious and wiling to learn. I want to Heal and Protect, but it do not exclude my strong will to learn about Demonology or Death Witchcraft or even Spirit Work (or even Conjuring). 9. Do you curse? If not, do you accept others who do? Not yet. Or not thought that was necessary at this moment. Each witch or baby witch own his/her own path. If they thinks it’s necessary, so I think they have (or even ought) to. As I said in the previous question, every ramification of Witchcraft is beautiful and valid. And the one thing I will do is learn about other kinds of craft too.

10. How long have you been practicing? Less than a year. (Literally newborn) 11. Do you currently or have you ever had any familiars? I’m very unware of spirit work of any type. I have a kind of anxiety about this subject, so at this moment I say ‘no’ because of it.    12. Do you believe in Karma or
 Reincarnation? Both. Karma is very powerful. 13. Do you have a magical name? Actually, don’t know. I like to use “Sonata” in some situation, rather than my name, but I’m studying this better. 14. Are you “out of the broom closet”? Nope. I’m still a ‘secret witchling’.  15. What was the last spell you performed? Actually I do not remember. Just remember one I’m studying to write, it’s an anti-anxiety and protection from the Gods. 16. Would you consider yourself knowledgeable? Yes, but I want to be more. 17. Do you write your own spells? Yes. To be honest, few, once I’m in the learning process, so... 18. Do you have a book of shadows?
If so, how is it written and/or set up? I’ve started with a Grimoire that isn’t finished yet, but I started a BoS too and a “witchy journal” (a notebook that I’m not whereas neither BoS or Grimoire). I treat them like a planner. 19. Do you worship nature? Yes, how I can. I live in city and green areas here are VERY rare.   20. What is your favorite gemstone? This is a hard question. So many... Love when they are very shiny! 21. Do you use feathers, claws, fur, pelt, skeletons/bones, or any other animal body part for magical work? For now, feathers dropped from my Calopsita/Cockatiel. 22. Do you have an altar? Yes and no. My images and some witchy stuff are in a shelf in my room, discreet. 23. What is your preferred element? Fire to study and Water to relax. 24. Do you consider yourself an Alchemist? Oh! I would love consider myself with this title some day. I would be so proud of myself! One day... One day. 25. Are you any other type of magical practitioner besides a witch? ...Hm... No? 26. What got you interested in witchcraft? To find my place. To find mental and spiritual healing and balance. I’ve always loved the Gods and witchcraft but I never thought I could be able to be part of it, just because I’ve never considered myself capable for such wisdom. 27. Have you ever performed a spell or ritual with the company of anyone who was not a witch? No. The only thing I usually make is talk about it with a friend that isn’t a witch and with my mom. She isn’t a witch too, but I consider her one. 28. Have you ever used ouija? No and I do not know If I would some day. I personally want to have one, but use... As I said, at this moment, my fear and anxiety gives me a invisible wall to this subject. 29. Do you consider yourself a psychic? Yes, at least a little for some experiences. 30. Do you have a spirit guide? If so, what is it? As Patron Deities, I don’t know. 31. What is something you wish someone had told you when you first started? Actually, this is something that no one told me, but I knew already: This isn’t easy. And I would love to say this for someone who has a step back about Witchcraft: it’s not what you see in the movies or television is more personal and intense and... Beautiful. 32. Do you celebrate the Sabbats? If so which one is your favorite? Sort of... Sometimes I forget them. But I do love each one. 33. Would you ever teach witchcraft to your children? If someday I can call myself a Witch or Alchemist or Herbalist or Spirit Worker, I would love to teach my children or someone willing to learn. 34. Do you meditate? Rarely. But I consider a meditation when I sit to listen my fav music or showers. 35. What is your favorite season? My heart loves with Autumn and Winter. 36. What is your favorite type of magick to preform? Related to Healing; Protection; Luck; Prosperity.  37. How do you incorporate your spirituality into your daily life? These tips that we cross here too helps a lot to incorporate this, daily. Like some little incantation when I’m going to shower, or got a crystal with me when I’m going to pay videogames, sometime I enchant the controller to give that boost in my matches online of Call Of Duty or Battlefield.   38. What is your favorite witchy movie? The Covenant, Immortals, Wrath Of Titans 2. The first one is a group of witches that are the last descendents of Salem and they discover a fifth member that was supposed dead. In another moment I will do a witchy movies list as I did already with my musics. The second one is about the king Hyperion search and having in his power the Epirus’s Bow, which is capable of releasing the Titans to realm of Man. The catch? Zeus, Athena, Poseidon and Apollo came down to help the mankind. The last one is about Hades and Ares releasing Chronos. Zeus had all His power drained to His father awake. Why I consider the last two witchy? ‘Cause my love for the Theoi is so strong in my heart. That the most strong connection and offering from me to Them is watching those movies (and of course, considering good enough for Them). And personally WoT 2 and Immortals are a strong view of how I see Them. Physical and mainly: personality. (and I cry very much watching these two movies). The first one is one of my views of modern Witchcraft. (and the cast is so handsome) Wrath Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T3LuuxhQV0A Immortals Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pE3yR8bZ1pY The Covenant Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IGv1T4CiwKg

39. What is your favorite witchy book, both fiction and non-fiction. Why? The Book Of Moon Magick by D.J. Conway it was my first witchy book ever, have it for years. Fictional, I can’t think of any right now (besides Harry Potter and I do not like it anymore, so I’m not counting it here). Because all my witchy-little-library that I have in my room are all non-fic. 40. What is the first spell you ever preformed? Successful or not. Charm Of Happiness. For me is very successful. 41. What’s the craziest witchcraft-related thing that’s happened to you? If you believe or not, was and is about my Tarot decks and readings. I was the kind of person of “tarot anxiety”, I had so much afraid to even think about it. Then I learned, practice and the results, still amazes me. Even when I do readings for clients, sometimes is so accurate that hurts. And some recurrent dreams I have about me as witch and with my Beloved Deities. 42. What is your favourite type of candle to use? White or blue. 43. What is your favorite witchy tool? My crystals, decks and runes. 44. Do you or have you ever made your own witchy tools? Not yet, but I have planned working on Witches Runes. 45. Have you ever worked with any magical creatures such as the fae or spirits? No. But In my house we already had some cute situations with Gnomes. 46. Do you practice color magic? Always. Color and numbers are daily basis. 47. Do you or have you ever had a witchy teacher or mentor of any kind? No. I learnt all of I know, by myself.

48. What is your preferred way of shopping for witchcraft supplies? Unfortunately, just online. In my ‘hood is very, VERY rare a witchy shop. And the religious stores that I have by, don’t of course, work with Wicca or my type of Witchcraft. So everything I have and search is gathering from some different places. 49. Do you believe in predestination or fate? I used to believe in those subjects more. Still do, but... Not with that strong feeling anymore. 50. What do you do to reconnect when you are feeling out of touch with your practice? Movies and Music gives me that witchy boost. 51. Have you ever had any supernatural experiences? Yes. I’m a little sensitive with dreams. Already dreamt of crashes that already happened, premonitions and empathy. 52. What is your biggest witchy pet peeve? I do not know. I... feel REALLY annoyed when someone come to me (in most of the cases non witch or hellenic related) to tell crap about Zeus, Odin, Loki, Ares or Hades. Once I got very irritated when the person talked crappy things about Athena. But “witchy pet peeve” I can’t tell anything that comes to mind yet. 53. Do you like incense? If so what’s your favorite scent? No, mostly because I can’t use. I have chronic allergies, and incenses and most of aromatic stuff triggers my allergies. 54. Do you keep a dream journal of any kind? No, because my stress and anxiety disturbs my sleep. And can occur that when I wake in the morning, those problems can happen and destroys my days. 55. What has been your biggest witchcraft disaster? None, yet. 56. What has been your biggest witchcraft success? Being part of aaaall of this. I tell this with my heart. 57. What in your practice do you do that you may feel silly or embarrassed about? Verbal conversations! 58. Do you believe that you can be an atheist, Christian, Muslim or some other faith and still be a witch too? Actually, yes. I grew up in a catholic school, but in my religion classes, I’ve always studied about many other faiths and religions. So, for my, this World has place for many Faiths, Religions and Beliefs. In other words: This planet has place for everybody. 59. Do you ever feel insecure, unsure or even scared of spell work? Yes. So much yes. 60. Do you ever hold yourself to a standard in your witchcraft that you feel you may never obtain? Frustration in it. Like... always stuck in the basics, or not feel that feeling of capable of pro witch. It’s silly what I’m writing, but it’s what I feel. 61. What is something witch related that you want right now? I miss my grimoire at the moment. My will is to write in it for hours. 62. What is your rune of choice? I really can’t pick one. For me, one complements the others. 63. What is your tarot card of choice? The Hermit! Sometimes The Fool. 64. Do you use essential oils? If so what is your favorite? The same situation about the Incense question. 65. Have you ever taken any kind of witchcraft or pagan courses? Not yet. 66. Do you wear pagan jewelry in public? Yes. People just look, some get curious in their eyes. Some tell nothing, like the day I went to a book store and the seller was wearing a Yggdrasil choker. 67. Have you ever been discriminated against because of your faith or being a witch? As a secret one, directly no. But I’ve always loved this path and my best friend once told something about Wicca that disappointed me. Edit: just remembered something that hurted me awhile ago, I did even deleted the post, I’m not here to argue. I posted about a dream that I had both with Loki and Hermes, and I had a response from a tumblr user. I did not lost my time to it, ‘cause were a White Supremacy/homophobic piece of sh*t replaying as a absurd the fact that I “mixed” Hellenic with Norse. He even said that I wouldn’t be serious with my dreams/words. 68. Do you read or subscribe to any pagan magazines? Not yet too. 69. Do you think it’s important to know the history of paganism and witchcraft? Surely. It automatic envolves history. The same when you choose polytheism. 70. What are your favorite things about being a witch? Sorry, but everything. The Craft is a beautiful path. I love to see others conjuring, others with spirit work, others practicing Demon/Goetia/Death work, Deity Work, Green, Shadow, Black, Witch, Pink, Grey, Voodoo, Hoodoo, Ecletic and which tag or how you call yourself in Witchcraft. I admire you and I want to learn from you, and for me what you do is beautiful. 71. What are your least favorite things about being a witch? The hate. The prejudice. The phobia. It breaks my heart with such disrespect. With the spreading hate. It’s 20-fucking-17 and looks like the hate spreads more and more in the World. 72. Do you listen to any pagan music? If so who is your favorite singer/band? Actually no. Certainly I heard some pagan singers and groups but not to being fav (If you consider Kerli as one... Some of her music are actually very proper to witchcraft and she is a “white witch”) 73. Do you celebrate the Esbbats? If so, how? Same of the Sabbats question... Forgetful witchling. 74. Do you ever work skyclad? No. 75. Do you think witchcraft has improved your life? If so, how? Mentally, spiritual and to improve my knowledge. My Witchcraft if for me, ‘cause I found my place, you know? I can search, talk, worship without judgment. without someone telling and hurting my feelings using the words: “the old gods are dead”. No, They are in my heart. Always were and always will be, with or without being my patrons, or phone or spouse. It’s the more intense feelings I have and is where my heart warms and beats fast. 76. Where do you draw inspiration from for your practice? Could be silly, but from my love to it. The inspiration comes from my emotions and heart, to real. 77. Do you believe in ‘fantasy’ creatures? (Unicorns, fairies, elves, gnomes, ghosts, etc) Sure. Strong yes here too. 78. What’s your favorite sigil/symbol? Pentagram, Vegvisir and  Ægishjalmr. 79. Do you use blood magick in your practice? Why or why not? No, I do not use fluids in my practices. At this moment, I prefer not too. Maybe ‘cause I think that kind of ingredients are very powerful. Even hair or names I do not use yet. 80. Could you ever be in a relationship with someone who doesn’t support your practice? No. I’m single and I prefer that way, for many years now. In friendship I hadn’t that problem yet. At least with someone who knew. 81. In what area or subject would you most like your craft to grow? Alchemy, Herbalism and Study of Deities, I really would love to be better in these three subjects. 82. What’s your favorite candle scent? Do you use it in your practice? The same about allergies here. But, even with, I do use scented candles. Most of times I lit to make a test with its scent. If my nose aproves, so ok. My nose and me likes chamomile, pomegranate, passion fruit, cinnamon and clove.  83. Do you have a pre-ritual ritual? (I.e. Something you do before rituals to prepare yourself for them). If so what is it? Sort of yes and no. I do love to use proper music when I’m doing Witchcraft-related things. (like now, answering these questions).   84. What real life witch most inspires your practice? Now, I can’t remember any names, seriously. 85. What is your favorite method of communicating with deity? No spirit/deity work yet. 86. How do you like to organize all your witchy items and ingredients? As a secret, I do have my shelf that I mentioned earlier, with images of saints and deities plus herbs. Besides that I have three medium to little boxes with my witchy tools and stuff. Everytime I use anything, I clean or dispose and keep back to its boxes. 87. Do you have any witches in your family that you know of? “Hereditary” No. But as I said earlier too, I consider my mom, one.  88. How have you created your path? What is unique about it? I started my path with love. I fell in love with Witchcraft since I was a child, but I used to read about, movies, music, nothing besides and never had any crystal or incorporated anything. Fun fact: When I was young, I bought a pointed crystal. Years later I passed it on, I didn’t liked it anymore. A month or less, I made a haul from a witchy store and they gave me as a gift a pendulum. The same crystal, type, everything that I had in that time. Today I know one thing: that crystal I had was a pendulum and looks like the universe got it back to me. 89. Do you feel you have any natural gifts or affinities (premonitions, hearing spirits, etc.) that led you toward the craft? If so what are they? Yes. I consider myself and already had some situations that prove me that I’m not alone, that supernatural exists and all this kind of “things”. Intuitions, emotions and some premonitions from my dreams. Sometimes I can know what people can tell me before I talk to them, I already dreamt about disasters that happened, and one of the most powerful situations was the healing of a family’s friend. He was in a wheelchair, we didn’t know it, and weeks passed and we didn’t saw him anymore. One night I dreamt that him was visiting us like he used to, walking, healed. The day after that dream, he knocked in our home, as I mentioned, healed. -One morning, I was in my bed, watching TV. I wasn’t making any movement. Suddenly, I feel like someone was sitting by my side, then it left. -In other situation, me and my mom went to get a pizza that we have ordered and when we got out of the condo hall, both of us saw a man (or sort of) in black standing outside. Was so strong the felling that me and my mom we moved like... We gave excuse to him to pass, like if he was entering the hall and we going out. -In other news, I passed in front of the Church Of Saint Jude here in São Paulo, and I saw something white, medium size and four-legged descend the stairs of its Chapel. “fun fact”: there was nobody using those stairs, and in that moment was so... clear, that I stood in shock for some minutes. 90. Do you believe you can initiate yourself or do you have to be initiated by another witch or coven? Being a witchling in a place there is no other witches or coven or anything in the middle, I have two options: not initiate myself, or initiate myself when I learn and feel prepared. 91. When you first started out in your path what was the first thing or things you bought? Clear crystal + amethyst and another pentagram necklace (since I was little I already had a silver pentacle that my mother gave me).

92. What is the most spiritual or magickal place you’ve been? When I went to Cancun, Mexico, many years ago and met Guadualupe personally. Her statue was there that time, so splendorous. Since that time, She is one of the Beloveds that are in my heart.

93. What’s one piece of advice you’d give someone who is searching for their matron and patron deities? Study. Learn. Patron deities is stil spirit work and you can’t play with it, you have to know what you are doing. It’s a serious subject even if you feel (like me) disappointed to know that in the moment you do not have one. And learning, you’ll understand how it works. The same advice goes to godspouse and godphone. 94. What techniques do you use to 'get in the zone’ for meditation? Music (mostly instrumental), No Talking ASMR and ambient sounds.   95. Did visualization come easily to you or did you have to practice at it? I have to practice it. For some reasons I get distracted easily, even with bad thoughts. 96. Do you prefer day or night? Why? Day. Is when I have more energy, boost and spoons. 97. What do you think is the best time and place to do spell work? Whenever you feel confortable and necessary. 98. How did you feel when you cast your first circle? Did you stumble or did it go smoothly? I didn’t yet. I’m having a hard time to do visualization. 99. Do you believe witchcraft gets easier with time and practice? Yes and no. With time, you become more aware of what you’re doing. But the same time, you will have to know what you are doing. Witchcraft is study, learning, wisdom and knowledge. 100. Do you believe in many gods or one God with many faces? Both visions. Seriously.   101. Do you eat meat, eggs and dairy? Yes and I’m addicted to eggs. 102. What is your favorite color and why? At the moment is Purple and mainly Maroon/Burgundy/Dark Red. Purple is a set of coincidences, my vision is highlighting so much this color in the past months now. And the other option always was my fav color, it’s a color that I feel, simple as that. 103. What is the one question you get asked most by non-practitioners or non-pagans? How do you usually respond? I didn’t had this experience yet. with the few people I talk about, just listen to me. 104. Which of your five senses would you say is your strongest? I think it’s Vision. But I do not know how to explain it, really.   105. What is a pagan or witchcraft rule that you preach but don’t practice? Some situations, like all time concentration for divination or cleansing. Having the will, I do the way it is, regarding the situation. Took me two days to answer this and I fricking loved it. Hope I could show you a little of what I am. I just a baby witch, but I’m eager to learn and to help with what I know. Congrats and thank you if you made until here.

[tea-rabbits]

31 Days of Heathenism (#6)

If heathenism gave you a code to live by, what would that look like?

I’m going to focus only on a few individual values I hold which I feel are heavily supported by norse-myths. 

I value doing what must be done, doing what we are called to do, doing what is right.  I think of that often as “Duty”

Truth is important.   One must keep their word.  Be deliberate in your words and promises, and then take all steps necessary to uphold those words.

Family is central to our lives.  Family of choice or blood - it doesn’t matter.  The bonds of family must be tended and held sacred.  They are what sustain us.  And caring for family is always a part of our Duty.

Be Strong.  Be strong in all of it’s forms: stand up for what is right; ask for help when you need; sacrifice for others; strengthen your body and will; move forward after tragedy...

Clearly, there are many other values I hold dear, but these four are the ones I connect most completely with heathenry.  Many other belief’s of mine do not feel as “purely heathen.”  I also realize the things that feel ‘most heathen’ combine to make a rather typical ideal-masculine figure.  I will not deny that my vies on heathenry are still evolving.

[diealtengotter]

31 Days of Heathenry?

Would you guys have any interest in seeing me do a “31 Days of Heathenry”-type challenge? I may take the “official” one and adapt it a bit, possibly knock off a few questions and do a “28 Days” in February. Is that something people would like to see on this blog? Feedback is welcome. :)

[bygonemoderngods]

31 Days of Heathenry: Day 27

31 Days of Heathenry: Day 27

intro goes here

Do you do any divination?

I do, in fact. I both do tarot and rune casting.

I started off pretty early in my path learning tarot. My first deck was the Steampunk Tarot. Decks have different personalities, I’ve found, and my Steampunk deck only likes me. As in, if I do a reading for someone else using that deck, it doesn’t make much sense. It’s also one of those decks that…

[3eyedcoyote]

31 Days of Craft; Day 22

Are you a closeted witch, if so, how do you conceal your craft?

I'm not closeted, but I'm not super open about it, either. For things I wanna keep secret though, there's a number of concealment and invisibility charms and such one could do, but I've never had an issue with being noticed.

I was also very fortunate in that my parents didn't really care about what sort of spirituality I felt called to, my father's more agnostic and my mother has said she believes in "gods" rather than there just being "one" so she found my interests in paganism and heathenry interesting.

[veado-bela]

31 Days of Heathenry- 05

Still playing catch up. 05) Do you give offerings? Care to share anything about them? Alternatively (or in addition), what value do you see in offerings? What is their purpose? I give offerings to the land wrights, to the house wrights, to the gods, every time I pray, and through my actions. I do not ask the gods for anything. I do not ask the gods for anything, not even protection or favor. So my offerings to them are purely out of devotion and reverence. Most of my offering are simply a dedication to make my actions and words worthy of claiming myself as a heathen. Honoring my oaths to them. I give sacrifices to the gods. Not just offerings. And I think there’s a major difference. Last spring, I needed major direction. I was lost, and all year I prayed for change. Change and clarity. Change and wisdom. Change and strength. Change and guidance. So I burned half my herbs in hopes of even the slightest blessing from Holle (Freya). Half your herbs, no biggie. Incorrect. I burned about $2,500 worth of plant matter. And as an herbalist and financially insecure person, this WAS a major sacrifice. I’m still playing catch up on replenishing my stock. A few months later, I started getting asked to help organize events. I started shedding myself of toxic people. I ended my relationship with my ex-spouse. I traveled across the country to join other radical activists. I went places all around me, that would have given me anxiety. I started to harden, and think clearer, and believe in my abilities. And while I still struggle with the obvious ups and downs of bipolar and the manifestations that come with it, I can now push those issues to the side, collect myself, and get shit done.  As far as legit offerings- give those to the wrights, my ancestors and spirits. I use alcohol, honey, wheatcakes and oatcakes, homegrown food and clipping from my garden, meat, whatever feels appropriate. Land wright offerings are left in my garden. House wright, spirit, and ancestor offerings are left both outside and inside. Usually in my room and the kitchen. I’ll also leave little hexerei symbols around for their favor, and remove them as necessary. A couple times a week, I’ll set up a dinner plate for my ancestors, and leave it for them. When I pray, I leave elderberries soaked in wine and burn some mugwort. I’ll mix the ashes in and leave the bowl in my garden when I’m done praying. But as with the gods, most of my offering to the wrights and ancestors are simply a dedication shown through actions, doing them justice and displaying behavior that would make them proud. I see you. I feel you. Here is a piece of me, in honor of your memory, your existence, or your favor. Here is my acknowledgement. Here is my gift. 

[mirron91]

31 Days of Heathenism

01) When did you become a heathen? Tell us about that time. (Alternatively, what flavor of faith do you practice? i.e. Asatru, Norse polytheist, vague interest in heathenism, etc.) What drew you to Heathenry?

Well, as far as my particular brand of faith goes, I’m a polytheist broadly. I worship Norse deities, though I worship others as well.

As for how I got into it... well, that’s a harder thing to answer. I can say that Pantheacon this year was a big thing for Norse related stuff, so I can talk about that some. Friday of Pantheacon I went to an Odin-focused event, Saturday I went to a Rune event, and then Sunday... there was a Seidr event and a Freya/Frey event. It was a really nice time overall... oh, and I spent time in the Heathen Hospitality Hall. It definitely pushed the Norse deities a bit more firmly into my life. :)

[tea-rabbits]

31 Days of Heathenism (#1)

the list is here

When did you become a heathen? Tell us about that time... What drew you to Heathenry?

The short answer is I became pagan when I was in high school, and identified specifically as heathen during college.  The more complete answer is below.

It is, perhaps, easiest for me to begin with when I began pagan - as heathenism is something I came to identify with afterwards, and was a much smaller step.  Even now, I am quite comfortable to exist simply within the large pagan umbrella; I tend to use ‘heathen’ or ‘norse pagan’ as a specifier.  

I have long been interested in religion and spiritual questions.  My mothers have always encouraged this.  They were quick to provide me books, talk about different answers different faiths offer, and when they could not answer my questions they found a church that would accept our queer family and took me there to ask questions and explore.  

During middle school I tried very hard to be Christian.  I went through a confirmation class during my 8th grade year, but at the end I chose not to confirm.  It was during that time that I realized how much I see divinity in nature, and became troubled by my inability to connect with the Christian god.  It was also in my 8th grade year that I first heard the word Wicca (spoken in passing by a classmate).  Curiosity, plus a standard google search, set me on my path.

Yet, it was not until the my junior year of high school that I began to identify as pagan - and only around 18 or 19 did I began to feel certain and confident in my faith.  Around that time, I began to honor Tyr and explore nordic runes.  It took another two years for me to begin to honor the Wolf as well.  Runes took on an increasingly prominent role in my practice, and I began to identify as heathen around the age of 20 or 21.  

(if this brings forward questions, please don’t hesitate to ask or message)

[bygonemoderngods]

31 Days of Heathenry: Day 26

31 Days of Heathenry: Day 26

I hope you’re enjoying whatever you’re doing this weekend, dear reader. Here in Wisconsin, it’s hot as Surtr’s armpit and I’m just waiting for Thor to start another project. While I’m waiting, let’s take a look at today’s prompt, which is:

Make something with your own hands today. Report back.

This prompt coincided with the exercise for the chapter I read this week in Trickster and…