Wes thu hal! I am a heathen. My family and tribe worshipped with me the Holy Ones of our Nordic/Germanic ancestors.
The God/desses stem from two great kindred’s: the Æsir (One of the two tribes of Gods, the other being the Vanir. This tribe is ruled over by Oðinn. In Gylfaginning 20 Hárr says "There are twelve Aesir whose nature is divine...The goddesses [Ásynjur] are no less sacred, nor are they less powerful." It is important to note here that there is no difference between Gods and Goddesses. The Goddesses are not inferior or less powerful because of their gender) and the Vanir (The Vanir are originally a group of wild nature and fertility gods and goddesses. They were considered to be the bringers of health, youth, fertility, luck and wealth, and masters of magic.
The Vanir live in Vanaheim, it is also said that due to their deep knowledge of the magical arts, that they also know the future. It is said that it was Freya who taught magic to the Aesir. The three most identifiable Vanir include Njord (the god of the sea), Frey (the god of fertility), and Freya (Goddess of love, beauty and war). Other less known Vanir include Nerthus who was the wife and sister of the God Njord, Fjolnir who was the son of Frey and the Giantess Gerd, Sveigder who married Vana, Vanlade who married a daughter of the giant Snir.
Other figures also have similar names and traits as Norse gods and it is possible they were also considered to be Vanir.) (Ases and Wans, or in Theodish custom Ésa and Wena). The differences between them have often been simplified by attributing war and thought to the Æsir and peace, nature, and fruitfulness to the Vanir. A close look at the god/desses will show that this is, in fact, an oversimplication: Freyr and Freyja both have strong battle-aspects, while Thor is among other things, very much a nature god. Indeed, most of the god/desses have some ties to earthly fruitfulness. Although it would be misleading to think of them as elemental deities, some associate the Vanir with earth and water, and the Æsir with fire and air—though even here there is a great deal of overlap.
Some of our main Gods and Goddesses are: Tiw (Týr), Woden (Óðinn), Frige (Frigg), Thunor (Þórr), Ing (Yngvi) Frea (Ingui Fréa), Freo (Freyja), Hel (Hella). The Aelfs (Álfar), the Ides, female guardian spirits (Dísir, Idises) and other helpful Wights (land sprits) are not Gods or Goddesses. We ask for the protection of the Gods and Goddesses against the unholy Wights who might seek to harm us and our world Middangeard. These are the Old English and the standard Nordic names for the Holy Ones. Other heathen brethren worship the same Holy Ones using the names of their ancestors' languages.
Many non-heathens feel our faith is all made up. Derived as it is from myths, old fictional sagas and therefore cannot be true. They could not be more wrong! Our Holy Lore rings true within, it is still the basis of a world view that still speaks to our souls, even now at the beginning of the 21st century. I feel even when we take to the stars and spread humankind throughout the galaxies. We will still recount our Holy Lore. It is important to know, from our religious lore, how things came to be, what the world really is, and what will happen to the world, including the our future wyrd.
Our universe had no beginning. It has always been here in some form or another. It will always exist in one form or another. No one made it and no one can destroy it. It only exists and changes over time into something else, but it is never destroyed.
The Holy Ones are the creative forces of nature that formed the worlds and all its many peoples. They struggle against the Eotens (Jötnar) who are destructive forces of nature in order to preserve the worlds. Thunor (Thor) is our God who keeps the Eotens (Etins) at bay; He prevents them from taking over our world, our Middangeard, Midgard (Miðgarðr). He is a friend to all humankind.
Our universe is a big tree. Its name is Eormensyll (Yggdrasil), the World Tree. This tree is made up of nine worlds. It holds up all the worlds in its branches and roots. Human beings were parts of this tree which broke off, floating to the shores of Middangeard (our world, the places inhabited by humans). Woden (Odin) and his brothers gave them life and other gifts. So we can truly say we are kin to trees and are made up of the stuff that holds the universe together.
The nine worlds and their inhabitants are:
(1) Nifolham: Nifleim
it is a land of ice and our lore does not give it any inhabitants.
(2) Esageard: Asgard, Ásgarðr
It is where our gods and goddesses live; it is a most Holy place, those who live honourable lives go to the hall of their god.
(3) Eotenham: Jötunheimr, Utgarðr
It is the home of the Eotens who are hostile to humans and are kept at bay by our god Thunor.
(4) Aelfham: Alfheim, Álfheimr
It is the home of the Aelfs who are our friends; they often play on Middangeard.
(5) Middangeard: Midgard, Miðgarðr
It is where we live, perform out deeds and leave our legacies.
(6) Muspell: Muspelheim
It is the home of the fire Eotens who will attack at the end of time and throw fire across the worlds.
(7) Hell: Helheim
It is the place of the worlds dead both human and non-human, awaiting rebirth.
(8) Sweartaelfham: Svartalfheim
It is the home of the sweartaelfs who make magickal objects and are the deities of technology.
(9) Wanaham: Vanaheim, Vanaheimr
It the home of the Wena deities who govern fertility and sexuality.
They are very close to humankind.
Modern Asatru strives to systemize evidence from the Norse texts, and may list the nine worlds as follows but keep in mind this is subject to opinion.
Three worlds above the earth, in heaven:
1. Ásgarðr
2. Álfheimr
3. Múspell (in south)
Three worlds on earth:
4. Vanaheimr
5. Miðgarðr
6. Jötunheimr
Three worlds below the earth, in underworld:
7. Niflheimr (in north)
8. Hel
9. Svartálfaheimr
The human being has many parts; we are very complex beings. In our tradition the body and soul has eleven parts:
(1) The lic (our body)
(2) The hyde (our smartness);
(3) The mynd (our memory);
(4) The willa (our will to do what we want);
(5) The aethem (breathe of life or life force);
(6) The hama (an energy that surrounds our lic);
(7) The orlaeg (personal wyrd or karma);
(8) The maegen (personal spiritual power);
(9) The faecce (our guardian spirit usually an animal);
(10) The mod (our self; our personal feeling of unity); and (11) the wod (passion, strong feelings).
Our lives are shaped by wyrd. Wyrd is the force of our past and current actions that form our future. Wyrd can be affected by our good and bad deeds. Good deeds helps build up a better wyrd for us and bad deeds create a debt that we must repay. This usually results to bad things happening to us (and even our loved ones) in this life or a future one.
Our wyrd is not just our own. Our wyrd affects our family and kin. And their wyrd affects each of us. All families have their own wyrds as do groups of families. Towns, counties, states and nations have their own wyrds that affect all. All of us are interconnected by many connections of wyrd. So bad deeds affect all as well as our good deeds. With this knowledge we know what we need to do to make a better world.
Our tradition gives us some guidelines to help us do good and honourable deeds.
These were called thews by our ancestors. We honour our ancestors by keeping their thews.
Twelve in number are these thews:
(1) Boldness (not to fear life and to take charge of one's wyrd)
(2) Steadfastness (this is to accept what life and wyrd throws at us)
(3) Troth (this is to be loyal to those we have kinship or oath ties)
(4) give-fullness (generosity)
(5) Guestliness (to always treat guests kindly)
(6) Sooth (to be truthful and honest)
(7) Wrake (sometimes it is necessary to defend one's self, family, nation and world against others who use force against them)
(8) Equality (to treat other equally as people)
(9) Friendship (to make friends with others outside of our families)
(10) Freedom (to stay free and prevent others from losing theirs)
(11) Wisdom (to always learn and to share what you learn with others)
(12) Busyship (to work for one's self, family, kin, nation, and world).
The Twelve Æþeling Þews
Bisignes – Industriousness.
Efnes - Equality, equal justice for all.
Ellen – Courage.
Geférscipe - Community mindness, putting the good of the community above one's self.
Giefu – Generosity.
Giestlíðness – Hospitality.
Metgung - Moderation or self control.
Selfdóm - The ability to be an individual, true to one's self.
Sóð - Truth, Honesty.
Stedefæstnes – Steadfastness.
Tréowð - Troth or loyalty.
Wísdóm – Wisdom.
Oath making and oath keeping are very important aspects of our faith. To make an oath is to promise to do a deed before the Holy Ones and witnesses (usually done at husel or symbel). This oath is subject to a veto by one's family and friends. They have a right to do so as one's oath can affect them negatively.
Thus they have an interest in your oath; your wyrd is not just your own. This also protect us from making a rash oath. Once an oath is made it must be carried out to the best of our abilities. Once accomplished then one needs to brag of one's deed at the next symbel.
This is to fully set the deed into wyrd as well as to inspire others to do good deeds. We honour our Holy Ones through the reciting of bedes (prayers), sharing food and mead at a husel, and through the act of Holy drinking at symbel.
Bedes are prayers to the Holy Ones and helpful Wights which are spoken out loud. These can be offered individually or as a part of a larger group's worship.
The Husel is a Holy feast usually held at set times during the year (though many also perform husel after being blessed unexpectedly). At husel we invite the Holy Ones to come and share, food and drink with our families and friends. It is a coming together of family and friends in Holy Communion with the Holy Ones and all good Wights. We invite to share our feast, with any who we feel close, regardless of sex, religion, race or sexual orientation. I deeply feel that the Holy Ones accept all who keep peace with them.
The Symbel is a Holy drinking rite. It uses alcoholic drink as the key to unlock the mysteries of our souls and to allow the Holy Ones to inspire us. Oaths and bragging are performed during symbel.
While we can honour and share with the Holy Ones at any time. It is traditional to do so at set times during the year, eight major Blots are celebrated in our calendar each year:
YULE (JOL, Géol) 20th December - January 1st DISTING (Disablot, Solmonath) 31st January OSTARA (Ostara, Eostre) 21st March MAY EVE (Valpurgis, Wælburges) 30th April MIDSUMMER (Midsumarblot, Litha) 21st June FREYFEST (Freysblot, Hlæfmæst, Freyfaxi) 31st July FALLFEAST (Haustblot, Háligmonaþ) 23rd September WINTER NIGHTS (Vetrnaetr, Winterfylleth) 31st October some dates will need to be checked according to what year it is. Yule, Ostara, Mid-summer and Fallfeast. All heathens need to celebrate at least these four Holy Tides.
The minor Tides are optional, though many also celebrate:
Thunorsblot, Ewemeoluc, Walburgis, Freysblot, Hlaefmaest, Winter Nights and Einjerhar Day.
Note: for those of us who follow a more Anglo-Saxon Heathery Winter Nights is considered an important time and several Blóts should be performed around this time a Disablót, alfarblót and it is normal to respect or celebrate the Celtic festival of Samhain even more so for those of you who have Celtic blood ancestors.
There are a number of lesser feasts or holy days that Heathens of modern time keep, as well as holding the traditional ones. Most of these are "Days of Remembrance" for great heroes and heroines of Germanic Heathenry.
January 9 - Remembrance for Raud the Strong (a Norwegian chieftain whom Olaf Tryggvason killed for refusing to convert. The end of a metal horn was put down Raud's throat; a poisonous snake was then put into the horn and the other end heated to drive it along...).
February 9 - Remembrance for Eyvind kinnrifi (whom Olaf Tryggvason tortured to death when he refused to convert, by putting a metal brazier filled with burning coals on his belly).
February 14 - Folk etymology has led to this day being called 'Feast of Vali' in modern Asatru. Actually, St. Valentine has no demonstrable associations with Vali, nor to the thinly disguised heathen Lupercalia rites which take place on this day. Nevertheless, many Heathens make blessing to this god at this time.
March 28 - Ragnar Lodbrok's day, when we celebrate this famous Viking's sack of Paris.
April 9 - Remembrance for Haakon Sigurdsson (Haakon the Great), one of the Jarls of Hladhir, a great defender of Heathenism in Norway during the brutal period of forced conversion to Christianity.
May 9 - Remembrance for Gudrod of Gudbrandsdal, whose tongue was cut out by the Norwegian king 'St. Olaf' (not to be confused with Olaf Tryggvason despite the similarity of names and methods. St. Olaf, otherwise known as 'Olaf the Fat' or 'Olaf the Big-Mouthed', was canonized for his efforts to convert Norway by fear, murder and torture). This Norwegian martyr spoke out against the tyranny of the Christian fanatic Tryggvason, and urged others to resist him. For this, the king had his tongue cut out.
June 9 - Remembrance for Sigurd the Dragonslayer (known in German versions of the story as Siegfried).
July 9 - Remembrance for Unn the Deep-Minded, a woman who was one of the great chieftains of the Icelandic settlement.
July 29 - death-date of Olaf the Fat.
August 9 - Remembrance for King Radbod of Frisia, who, standing at the baptismal font, changed his mind and refused conversion when told that his place in the Christian Heaven would mean his separation from the souls of his ancestors.
September 9 - Remembrance for Hermann the Cheruscan, embodiment of German freedom, who kept Germany from being over run by the Romans and suffering destruction of their culture and language such as was experienced by occupied Celtic Gaul.
October 9 - Leif Eriksson Day - Remembrance for Leif Eriksson and his sister Freydis Eriksdottir, leaders of the earliest known European settlement in America.
October 28 - Remembrance for Erik the Red.
November 9 - Remembrance for Queen Sigrid of Sweden. Wooed by Olaf Tryggvason, the relationship ended sharply when she told him that she had no intention of leaving the gods of her fathers and he slapped her across the face. She was the chief arranger of the alliance that brought him down.
November 11th - Feast of the Einherjar, in which the fallen heroes in Valhalla and in the halls of the other Gods and Goddesses are remembered.
November 27 - Feast of Ullr and Skadi, Weyland Smith's Day celebrating the greatest of Germanic craftsmen.
December 9 - Remembrance for Egill Skallagrimsson, great Viking Age poet, warrior and rune magician.
Some of us do more than sharing with the Holy Ones; some investigate the deeper mysteries. Runes are one such mystery. They are Woden's gift to humankind. Used rightly they can give us great insight into our wyrd. We should never use them as a form of entertainment for others.
There are even deeper magickal mysteries in our faith known by many but practiced by few. As these mysteries are not essential for all of us to master, we should give our support to those heathen who do dedicate themselves to their mastery.
For final thoughts in this summary of heathen faith, we shall speak of our own and the universes' final fate.
We believe there is not just one life but many. This has not been our first life nor will it be our last. Doing honourable deed, while avoiding dishonourable ones, is the way to Esageard. There one dwell's in the halls of the Holy Ones. Others who live just so-so lives go to Hel's hall. The Goddess Hel prepares halls for both the good and for the evil. Some do evil so wrong that they go to the Great Dragon, at the roots of existence, once there eaten by the wyrm and will have to start at the bottom of evolution again. Over all, after a certain period of time allocated by wyrd, one returns to Middangeard usually in one's family line or to those who they have developed close ties of wyrd over numerous rebirths.
And what of the universes ultimate wyrd? The World Tree may shake, it may suffer. All nine worlds upon it may even pass away, but the World Tree endures forever. Given time she sprouts new fruit, new worlds.
Meditations on the Anglo-Saxon Rune Poem
Feoh: wealth
Wealth should flow, constantly circulating to promote the common good. Sellers, buyers, investors, and the taxing authorities portion out between them the incomes of the folk. Money sitting idle can only cause harm.
Ur: the wild ox
One must grab life's challenges by its horn's; to ride the waves of one's wyrd. Before such a powerful one the world becomes one's domain.
Thorn: the thorn
Computers crash and planes fall out the skies. That is the nature of things and not always evil in intent. Even good people sometimes cause other good people harm. Believing it for good reasons.
Os: language
The worlds came into being thru the crashing sounds of fire and ice. Sound and the maker sounds the divine word is spoken. Wisdom and tradition give comfort to the folk in times of great change.
Rad: riding
When one sits in one's home everything looks so easy; talk is easier than action.
To walk in another's shoes and do better, that is the most difficult of all tasks.
The inner light which is never extinguished brightens the dark weary world.
This body is a great hall; the mind sits in the body's high seat. The call to faith a torch carrying procession.
Gyfu: the gift
The giver and the giftee form a circle of obligation. As these are the bonds which form true community. Tho one can give too much and receive back gifts one could do without.
Wyn: joy
It is bliss to reach the state of happiness: no suffering, no sorrows, and great joy. To have the necessities of life and to be able to help others. Even in a reversal of fortune one who is truly free can still find joy in this world and in other realms.
Haegl: hail
Even a good life has its days. As a hard rain good for the crops turns to a hail storm that flattens them. Even then the bad times don't last; even the thickest hail melts away.
Nyd: need
Need is the manifestation of desire; the bondage of will to the external object.
It can be oppressive but it can also be the key to liberation. In organizing with others bonds of oppression can be broken.
Is: ice
Ice driven back by fire; mists of crashing cosmic forces. It is the body of all things.
Ger: the year
The sky wolves have retreated; Sunna warms the land below. Ing and Freo have bestowed upon us a great bounty for all the folk.
Eoh: the yew
Symbol of the World Tree the yew is strong and holds many worlds within its branches. It offers much support to those who grow it.
Peorth: the hall
In the shelter of the world tree many great halls have been built. So that all peoples can go to be with their patron deity according to the rules of their faith. No one can be excluded from the protection of the Tree save those who exclude themselves by evil deeds.
Eolhx: a water plant that bites
Even a plant can cause harm if used without caution; danger lurks even in the safest place.
Sigel: the sun
Sunna is the goddess of hope. She points out the way and gives us the energy for life's work.
Tir: a star
Tyr is the way. He is the sky father who guides us thru life winding paths, never abandons us to darkness.
Beorc: the birch
Your green leaves bloom early giving us knowledge that Spring has come again.
Eh: the horse
Embodiedment of godly power thought the body of the horse people share its might.
Man: the human being
Be happy in life. Bring happiness to your friends and relations. Yet be aware that death is always waiting.
Lagu: the sea
The sea is the cauldron of chaos; creative matrix, playground of Ran, from which human beings came.
Ing: the god of fertility
He moves across the lands; visiting his farmer friends giving gifts of great bounty.
Ethel: native land
One should love the land they live upon, sharing in its rights and duties. In turn, the land will protect its friends if its friends respect it.
Daeg: the day
We shine in the light of the deities. Tho day is followed by night; life by death, we know that after night comes a new day. So death is followed by new life in whatever way that arises.
Ac: the oak
The daughter of the great tree she provides us and animals with food and shelter.
Aesc: the ash
Like the mighty ash may we have the power to withstand the attacks of our enemies
Yr: the bow
Getting on a jet I fly straight as an arrow to my destination.
Iar: a sea creature
The world serpent has us all in its grip; lord of eternity the cycle of birth and death.
Ear: the clay
Death is the end of all. Even the most powerful and wealthy people are seized in the end. Yet don’t despair, for life goes on and so do all which die come back to some form of life.
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