My Religion For Pagans And Heathens

1.  Common assumptions by non-Heathen Pagans

1.1  The Goddess

I'm a polytheist (sometimes called hard polytheist). This means I believe in separate beings that are not part of one deity, so terminology based on that is hard for me to connect to spiritually. However, I do fine with the idea of "Mother Nature" and "Earth Goddess" and terms like that since we have an Earth Goddess. For those who follow The Goddess, I see your Goddess as a separate deity than my own, and respect her just as I would any other non-Norse deity.

1.2  Witch

I do not identify as a witch. I am involved in my own faith's magic, and some in our faith use the term "witch," but I've never felt a connection to the word. If you feel a connection with the term, then I'll be happy to call you a witch. I have some witch friends. A few people have called me a witch and it feels weird to me. Still, though, I realize I do fit some people's definition of a witch, especially since I am involved in magic.

1.3  Spells

I don't use this term and don't do a lot of what people consider spells. If I'm to do prayer/magic, I have my own ways that usually involve my appropriate Gods and visualizations. Some might consider these spells, but my visualizations are not like what most think of when they think of spells. I generally refer to these visualizations as my own form of magic, and the most common kind of visualization as my "energy boulders." It works really really well for me. I will also do things with runes, but I often think of this as rune-work. Feel free to call what I do a spell if that's the kind of term you normally use for such things. Just know I am picky about what I do and don't assume I'd feel comfortable doing most spells.

1.4  Imbolc/Beltaine/Samhain...

Those are Celtic holidays. While we have holidays that sometimes align with eclectic and Wiccan holidays on themes, they are not the same and don't involve the same Gods or myths, and may have different traditions. Still, though, nature themes during these days will be similar. First signs of spring in February; Flowers and fertility around May; Ancestors and darkening days in October, etc. So, there is some common ground!

1.5  "The Moon, she..."

Our moon God, Mani, is male. It has always been awkward for me to see the moon as female, but feel free to refer to it as you feel comfortable.

1.6  "The Sun, he..."

Our Sun God, Sunna (aka Sól), is female. It's weird to me when people refer to the sun as a male, but feel free to refer to it as you feel comfortable.

1.7  Pentacles

While I find them beautiful, they aren't a symbol for my faith. I do like them, though, and on my Yule tree have an ornament that's a star in wreath. Usually, though, they aren't a part of my decorating or spiritual practice.

1.8  "Join us for ritual!"

Most likely, "no thanks." I'm picky about my involvement in another religion's service (whether a Pagan ritual or a church service). If it happens to be a religion/tradition I gain extra inspiration from, I'll go but sit off to the side and not participate. If you get to know me, you'll know what outside my faith inspires me.

1.9  "Are you going to __insert Pagan event___?"

Unless they have something specific to Ásatrú there, then most likely "no." Nothing against other forms of Paganism, but the more common forms of Paganism aren't what I practice. I may feel inspiration from other faiths/spiritualities here and there, but I only practice Asatru.

1.10  The Elements

While I find element-related things pretty and enjoy them as part of nature and find nature itself spiritual, I feel no spiritual connection to the elements as anything more than that.

1.11  Ritual Tools

I don't use an atheme or wand. I never felt a connection to those. My tools are more Heathen-related like runes. I don't wear any special ritual wear, though I do have a dress that feels spiritual to me that I tend to wear for spiritual events.

2.  For Heathens

2.1  Folkish or Universalist?

Neither. I don't believe it's our place to say who is or isn't called by the Gods. If the Gods are Folkish, then they are. If they are Universalist, then they are. We may not kneel to the Gods, but they do have authority in the nine worlds. I welcome anyone called by the Gods no matter color of skin or known ancestry.

2.2  Descended from Odin?

I don't believe in physical descent, but definitely one of the spirit. I see the myth of Ask and Embla one of him creating our souls. So, I see him as the father of my soul. I do believe I'm drawn to the faith because my soul knows its father and the rest of its family. As far as why others are drawn to the faith, that is their business.

2.3  Pagan vs. Heathen

I generally use the term 'Heathen', though Heathens are a form of Pagan. We may be different than the more common eclectic forms of Paganism, but we are still Pagan. I enjoy hanging out with all types of Pagans. I may not feel a connection to the same things as them (such as tarot, astrology, etc.) but there are still plenty of similarities. I do not participate in "Wiccatru" but one doesn't have to hate other forms of Paganism or avoid other Pagans in order to remain faithful to Asatru. In the same way I hang out with other Pagans, I also hang out with people of other faiths, too. If you alienate yourself from other Pagans, they will never come to understand our faith and the misconceptions will continue. Pagans are often understanding and respectful when they learn the differences between more common Pagan faiths and Asatru. I know many feel the "all Gods and Goddesses as one Deity" view is disrespectful to our Gods, but I believe our Gods can take care of themselves and if they feel disrespected, they will handle it how they feel best. I feel it's more disrespectful to our Gods to try to speak for them when one hasn't been given specific permission to and hasn't directly been told that it's disrespectful.

2.4  Deity possession.

I believe in deity possession. Most complete descriptions of seidhr that I've seen include possession. I've yet to find anyone who's experienced in seidhr deny this. I've experienced talking to Odin through this way. There are references in lore (I do not feel like looking them up) that could easily be interpreted as deity possession. Also, remember lore was written down by Christians and they would have been uncomfortable with this. And whether or not it's historical, I don't believe the Gods to be never-changing. I could see them taking up new practices or dropping old practices if it were to help the greater family. And yes, communicating with followers as directly as possible when so much has been lost would be helpful, imo.

2.5  Blood and Runes

I'm not scared to use blood with the runes. I usually don't, but that's not out of fear. It's because I usually have no need to. I know what I'm doing and don't need "warnings" from people.

2.6  Ergi

I follow the theory that this is a Christian concept. In lore it was not in as much use in earlier writings and gained more frequent use in later writings. They have dug up graves of men buried as women with female tools and women buried with female tools. They didn't realize this at first since they didn't have the methods to tell gender from bone sampling until recently. I'll try to find my source on this and add it to here eventually.

2.7  Ancestors and Political Views

I do not believe it's right to look to our ancestors for our appropriate views on political issues. Many forget that they "exposed babies" which is the equivalent to abandoning a baby in a dumpster. I seriously doubt most Heathens who look to our ancestors for political guidance would agree that abandoning a baby is ethical. Therefore, it's best to think for yourself and understand what is important in this day and age. This is a new time with new problems and new solutions. Shouldn't we adapt rather than remaining rigid? My own personal experiences with Odin he had pushed me to further develop my own system of ethics based on my own logic and experience and refuses to tell me what he feels is "right" or "wrong."

3.  For Both Heathens and Pagans

3.1  Heathen/Pagan name

Orcasong is not a Pagan name. I came up with it when I was Christian and it has just been the name associated with my internet presence. I consider it my screenname. Halldís is my SCA name, though it does have a spiritual feel to it for me. Sometimes I get the urge to take it on as a Heathen name when I miss having a spiritual nickname. Other times I'm just fine not having a Heathen name. I figure if it's meant to be, it'll stick, and if not, it won't. For a non-Pagan who might be reading this, a "Pagan name" or "Heathen name" is a spiritual nickname - a name to be used in a spiritual setting. It started out when Paganism was not accepted and people could lose their job or kids if others found out their religion. Some areas of the country are still like this, but most places are just fine.