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Author Topic: What Does the Daily Worship of a Heathen Look Like?  (Read 3306 times)

Ulfsdottir

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What Does the Daily Worship of a Heathen Look Like?
« on: January 24, 2016, 01:57:17 pm »
Hello everyone. I tried to search through the searchbar to see if anything similar came up, but I couldn't find anything. Then again- I've never been the best with forum searches and I am new here, so please forgive me if I over looked something.

I'm extremely new to Heathenry. I considered myself a Wiccan for a short period of time and worked with the Runes and Norse deities, then someone in my Coven showed me Heathenism. I've never looked back on Wicca since. I realized it just wasn't for me. Reading about Asatru and Heathenry clicked something inside of me that I never have felt before. I am Germanic heritage, so it's particularly appealing to me.

My question is, what does Heathen or Asatru daily worship look like? Right now, I'm also Kemetic Orthodox, and I have been for years now. In KO, we have a daily Senut ritual where you tend shrine and give offerings to the Gods. It's become quite the discipline for me.

I know Asatru has blots and sumbel, but I was just wondering if there was any rituals/prayers/offerings/etc done on a daily basis to honor the Gods, similar to what I mentioned above with Kemetism. What does your daily worship look like?

Thank you in advance for any help with this, and sorry for such a beginner question, lol. I'm reading through the Eddas right now and loving it. I'm also quite the history nerd, so I love the cultural and historical aspect of it all too.

Hail Aesir!
Give Praise to the day at evening, To a woman on her pyre, To a weapon which is tried, To a maid at wed lock, To ice when \'tis crossed, To ale that is drunk. - Hávamál 81

Also known by my Kemetic Orthodoxy name Gezemyinepu (Gez)- "Anointed by Anubis"

Divined a daughter of Anpu and Wepwawet; Beloved of Sekhmet and Hethert.

RecycledBenedict

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Re: What Does the Daily Worship of a Heathen Look Like?
« Reply #1 on: January 24, 2016, 03:53:55 pm »
Quote from: Ulfsdottir;185730
My question is, what does Heathen or Asatru daily worship look like? (...) What does your daily worship look like?


I am not Heathen myself, but, as a Swede and a historian of religion, I have noticed a few things pertaining to old Norse religion.

The Icelandic source material describe some things about the public celebration of Winter Blót, Victory Blót and Elves' Blót, and the private celebration of Eleves' Blót, less so about the drinking celebration in late July.

About daily worship in private, the sources are very scant. A few observations:

The seat of honour in Scandinavian Iron Age buildings was surrounded by two poles of religious significance. Something could possibly be performed by these daily, if you put two poles around the seat of the dad in your family.

The seat of honour of the family father and the seat of honour of the most important guest originally faced each other, with a fire in the middle between them. This structure was abolished at the Christianization process in Norway, leading to another internal architecture. This arrangement indicates that the fire illuminating and warming the hall probably had a religious significance (otherwise it wouldn't have been important to abolish it), perhaps thought to be an embodiment of a fire goddess or fire god. By placing a source of flame between two seats facing each other, a miniature reconstruction of the same arrangement could be done today.

Sun and Moon probably had a more important part in Norse worship, on a private and household level, than what is preserved in the Icelandic material (which is more concerned with public events). Folklore from the 19th century retain a custom of hailing the New Moon with silver in your pockets (but that is monthly, not daily, of course).

The tomte (farm wight) and land wights were probably important in private and household worship, so were probably the apotropaic rites against skogsra (forest-spirit), näcken (river-spirit) and the trolls.

Juniperberry

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Re: What Does the Daily Worship of a Heathen Look Like?
« Reply #2 on: January 26, 2016, 12:58:28 am »
Quote from: Ulfsdottir;185730
Hello everyone. I tried to search through the searchbar to see if anything similar came up, but I couldn't find anything. Then again- I've never been the best with forum searches and I am new here, so please forgive me if I over looked something.

I'm extremely new to Heathenry. I considered myself a Wiccan for a short period of time and worked with the Runes and Norse deities, then someone in my Coven showed me Heathenism. I've never looked back on Wicca since. I realized it just wasn't for me. Reading about Asatru and Heathenry clicked something inside of me that I never have felt before. I am Germanic heritage, so it's particularly appealing to me.

My question is, what does Heathen or Asatru daily worship look like? Right now, I'm also Kemetic Orthodox, and I have been for years now. In KO, we have a daily Senut ritual where you tend shrine and give offerings to the Gods. It's become quite the discipline for me.

I know Asatru has blots and sumbel, but I was just wondering if there was any rituals/prayers/offerings/etc done on a daily basis to honor the Gods, similar to what I mentioned above with Kemetism. What does your daily worship look like?

Thank you in advance for any help with this, and sorry for such a beginner question, lol. I'm reading through the Eddas right now and loving it. I'm also quite the history nerd, so I love the cultural and historical aspect of it all too.

Hail Aesir!


It's not easy to define in a single post, really.

Heathenry is about relationships. Always. Everything from the gods, the jotuns, mankind, the animals, the earth, the cosmos... it's about the constant, dynamic relationship between it all and trying to maintain harmony. That balanced, reciprocal relationship is defined and upheld through tradition, gifting, praise, and hospitality. It isn't formal, but personal. It's about traditions that create a bond. It's giving gratitude and deserving gratitude.


Practical ideas:

Leave drink and food out at night for any travelling deities.

In the morning have a cup of coffee set aside at the table.

Water the earth for the landwights, either in general or where they live.


It's late and that's all the energy I have for now. If you have other questions ask away, and remember we also have the Heathen and Asatru SIG!
The pace of progress in artificial intelligence (I’m not referring to narrow AI) is incredibly fast. [...] The risk of something seriously dangerous happening is in the five year timeframe. 10 years at most.--Elon Musk

I am in the camp that is concerned about super intelligence," [Bill] Gates wrote. "First the machines will do a lot of jobs for us and not be super intelligent. That should be positive if we manage it well. A few decades after that though the intelligence is strong enough to be a concern. I agree with Elon Musk and some others on this and don\'t understand why some people are not concerned."

Jainarayan

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Re: What Does the Daily Worship of a Heathen Look Like?
« Reply #3 on: January 26, 2016, 12:17:57 pm »
Quote from: Ulfsdottir;185730
My question is, what does Heathen or Asatru daily worship look like? Right now, I'm also Kemetic Orthodox, and I have been for years now. In KO, we have a daily Senut ritual where you tend shrine and give offerings to the Gods. It's become quite the discipline for me.

I know Asatru has blots and sumbel, but I was just wondering if there was any rituals/prayers/offerings/etc done on a daily basis to honor the Gods, similar to what I mentioned above with Kemetism. What does your daily worship look like?

 
It can be anything you want it to be, as elaborate or as simple as you want. Mine for the most part consists of some prayers at my shrine in the morning as I'm putting on my hammer pendant. Occasionally at night I light candles and incense and say some prayers and hails to the gods, particularly Thorr, who is my fulltrui ("fully trusted").

I occasionally do something a little more elaborate which consists of the candle and incense lighting, prayers and invocations for the gods, ancestors and wights to come join me in a libation offering. Usually that is beer or mead (or juice because I am taking post-surgery meds).

Do not listen to Heathens or Ásatrúar who tell you "you're doing it wrong. Sveinbjörn Beinteinsson was the first "high priest" of the Icelandic Ásatrú Fellowship.


Ulfsdottir

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Re: What Does the Daily Worship of a Heathen Look Like?
« Reply #4 on: January 26, 2016, 11:06:16 pm »
Quote from: Thorbjorn;185780
It can be anything you want it to be, as elaborate or as simple as you want. Mine for the most part consists of some prayers at my shrine in the morning as I'm putting on my hammer pendant. Occasionally at night I light candles and incense and say some prayers and hails to the gods, particularly Thorr, who is my fulltrui ("fully trusted").

 
Well met! Thank you for your responses, everyone; it's really helping me to get a better understanding into the culture and practices within Asatru itself.

All your replies are very helpful to me, I'll begin to incorporate these into my daily life. I like the fact that the way you live life is worship in and of itself, very interesting and thought-provoking.

Also really like the idea of praying as you put on your hammer; seems very fitting! I got my own hammer just now, so I think I'll take that page in your book. Seems like a very good time for worship and quiet prayer.

Again, thank you everyone! I really think I'll enjoy my time here as I explore more about this new path for me.
Give Praise to the day at evening, To a woman on her pyre, To a weapon which is tried, To a maid at wed lock, To ice when \'tis crossed, To ale that is drunk. - Hávamál 81

Also known by my Kemetic Orthodoxy name Gezemyinepu (Gez)- "Anointed by Anubis"

Divined a daughter of Anpu and Wepwawet; Beloved of Sekhmet and Hethert.

Ulfsdottir

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Re: What Does the Daily Worship of a Heathen Look Like?
« Reply #5 on: January 29, 2016, 01:20:24 am »
Quote from: Thorbjorn;185780
It can be anything you want it to be, as elaborate or as simple as you want. Mine for the most part consists of some prayers at my shrine in the morning as I'm putting on my hammer pendant.

 
Hello again, I have another question if you or anyone else can answer it for me!

I've just received my own hammer pendant, and I'd like to do a sort of dedication ritual for it to dedicate it to the Gods. Do you know of anything like that? I've read about making the Hammer Sign over things to be blessed before dedicating them to the Gods. What do you think?

Would really just love it to be dedicated to its intended purpose. :)
Give Praise to the day at evening, To a woman on her pyre, To a weapon which is tried, To a maid at wed lock, To ice when \'tis crossed, To ale that is drunk. - Hávamál 81

Also known by my Kemetic Orthodoxy name Gezemyinepu (Gez)- "Anointed by Anubis"

Divined a daughter of Anpu and Wepwawet; Beloved of Sekhmet and Hethert.

Holdasown

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Re: What Does the Daily Worship of a Heathen Look Like?
« Reply #6 on: January 29, 2016, 07:35:38 am »
Quote from: Ulfsdottir;185730
Hello everyone. I tried to search through the searchbar to see if anything similar came up, but I couldn't find anything. Then again- I've never been the best with forum searches and I am new here, so please forgive me if I over looked something.

I'm extremely new to Heathenry. I considered myself a Wiccan for a short period of time and worked with the Runes and Norse deities, then someone in my Coven showed me Heathenism. I've never looked back on Wicca since. I realized it just wasn't for me. Reading about Asatru and Heathenry clicked something inside of me that I never have felt before. I am Germanic heritage, so it's particularly appealing to me.

My question is, what does Heathen or Asatru daily worship look like? Right now, I'm also Kemetic Orthodox, and I have been for years now. In KO, we have a daily Senut ritual where you tend shrine and give offerings to the Gods. It's become quite the discipline for me.

I know Asatru has blots and sumbel, but I was just wondering if there was any rituals/prayers/offerings/etc done on a daily basis to honor the Gods, similar to what I mentioned above with Kemetism. What does your daily worship look like?

Thank you in advance for any help with this, and sorry for such a beginner question, lol. I'm reading through the Eddas right now and loving it. I'm also quite the history nerd, so I love the cultural and historical aspect of it all too.

Hail Aesir!

 
I usually dedicate whatever cleaning I do in the day the Holle. I put food on the ancestor altar, even if it's just a portion of mine and try to get my vaetter offering made daily. I have also given drinks like coffee, tea and booze just cause I felt like I should for various deities with no real formal ceremony.

Jainarayan

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Re: What Does the Daily Worship of a Heathen Look Like?
« Reply #7 on: January 29, 2016, 09:56:02 am »
Quote from: Ulfsdottir;185920
Hello again, I have another question if you or anyone else can answer it for me!

I've just received my own hammer pendant, and I'd like to do a sort of dedication ritual for it to dedicate it to the Gods. Do you know of anything like that? I've read about making the Hammer Sign over things to be blessed before dedicating them to the Gods. What do you think?

Would really just love it to be dedicated to its intended purpose. :)

 
It's not necessary at all from a "theological" standpoint, but it's a nice gesture and some people like to do it anyway. You could make the hammer sign over it and say "may Thórr bless this, may I be worthy to wear it, and may I wear it with pride; may I always be faithful to the Æsir and Vanir". The words and ritual, if any, is completely up to you. I never did anything like that. Every morning, however, when I put on the hammer, I say prayers and ask for protection from the gods and the hammer.

I would not "offer" it to Thórr or the gods, here's why... anything offered to the gods must be rendered unusable by humans after it's offered. It must be destroyed: broken, burned, buried, submerged in a body of water. That's why we somehow ditch food and drink offerings. It's sort of like offering a plate to guests then eating from their plate. I pour liquids either down the drain or onto the ground, food goes into the garbage or out to the animals. This is diametrically opposite Hindu practice of offering food and drink to the gods, waiting for them to bless it, then consuming it as prasad. In fact, in that case it's actually rude to not partake.

So, destroying the hammer would kind of defeat the purpose of dedicating the hammer. But asking for a blessing is fine. Btw, to say "[may] Thórr bless [this]" in Old Norse is "Thórr vigi", vigi pronounced sort of like vih-hih ('g' between vowels is like a soft 'h').

I'm really sorry for my wordiness here, I get more than a little carried away and pedantic. :o

Jainarayan

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Re: What Does the Daily Worship of a Heathen Look Like?
« Reply #8 on: January 29, 2016, 10:04:22 am »
Quote from: Holdasown;185930
I usually dedicate whatever cleaning I do in the day the Holle. I put food on the ancestor altar, even if it's just a portion of mine and try to get my vaetter offering made daily. I have also given drinks like coffee, tea and booze just cause I felt like I should for various deities with no real formal ceremony.

 
Very good points!

I also leave coffee in the morning for my ancestors (they were mostly Italian and Sicilian and loved their black coffee), or a pastry; some whole milk (reduced fat milk is thought of as "cheap"), juice or alcohol for the husvaettir (a drunk house spirit is a happy house spirit ;)); last night for Thorsday I lit candles and incense, put some baked ham (I'm fresh out of wild boar) and Yuengling Black & Tan on the altar for the Big Guy, and said some prayers. Simple is good.  :)

Ulfsdottir

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Re: What Does the Daily Worship of a Heathen Look Like?
« Reply #9 on: January 29, 2016, 02:30:28 pm »
Quote from: Thorbjorn;185940
It's not necessary at all from a "theological" standpoint, but it's a nice gesture and some people like to do it anyway.

 
Thanks for that info, I did not know that about 'offering', I guess I'll be more careful about what I choose to offer in the future! ;) I like the small guidance you offered though, especially how to say it in Norse! I will definitely do a nice little dedication to it. I feel it'll get me closer to the Gods, as I haven't really done anything yet to truly dedicate myself to them. I also know about how important oaths are, and to offer some kind of punishment if you're t break it, so I'll be careful about adding that when I dedicate myself. :)

And thanks to the both of you for the food ideas! I've read about doing that before, but I haven't actually put it into practice yet. I think it'd be a good idea to start to do so, get into a sort of daily practice of it so that it becomes habit. Thanks for your help, I really appreciate it! :D:
Give Praise to the day at evening, To a woman on her pyre, To a weapon which is tried, To a maid at wed lock, To ice when \'tis crossed, To ale that is drunk. - Hávamál 81

Also known by my Kemetic Orthodoxy name Gezemyinepu (Gez)- "Anointed by Anubis"

Divined a daughter of Anpu and Wepwawet; Beloved of Sekhmet and Hethert.

Jainarayan

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Re: What Does the Daily Worship of a Heathen Look Like?
« Reply #10 on: January 29, 2016, 03:28:43 pm »
Quote from: Ulfsdottir;185952
Thanks for that info, ...

And thanks to the both of you for the food ideas! I've read about doing that before, but I haven't actually put it into practice yet. I think it'd be a good idea to start to do so, get into a sort of daily practice of it so that it becomes habit. Thanks for your help, I really appreciate it! :D:

 
You're very welcome.  :)

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