The Fylgja, Part 2: Modern Experiences
What is a fylgja? A fylgja can be one of two things: the animal shape a person’s spirit takes when he or she journeys, or a semi-autonomous human-shaped entity who is attached to a...
Category: Modern Heathenry
The Fylgja, Part 1: Fylgjur in the Lore
The concept of a fylgja can be a hard one for modern minds to really grasp. An entity that has its own district shape and personality and yet is inextricably woven into an individual or family’s soul? To get a better idea, let’s take a look at some of the ancient stories in the Lore as well as some modern examples that touch on something remarkably similar to this Old Norse concept.
Guidelines for Public Ritual: How to Be a Good Guest, How to Be A Good Host
As a Heathen, I view public ritual through the lens of hospitality. Knowing how to act in the most respectful way in any situation was (and is) the key to avoiding many unnecessary disagreements in communities, especially our community.
How to Make an Offering
As a follow-up to our“Offerings for the Gods” article series (Offerings for the Aesir, Vanir, and Jotnar), several of our readers have asked how to make these offerings. There’s no one right way to make offerings, though some ways are more efficient. Here are some of the most common ways of making offerings for the Gods. The key thing to remember with all offerings is to make them with intent and respect.
Heathen Gods of Healing And Renewal
Spring, for me, is a time of healing. The land comes to life once again, and I am revived as well. Like the land, I go into a hibernation–emotional, spiritual, and sometimes even physical–in the winter.
A Simple Blót for Freyr (and others)
As we are in the middle of the spring holidays and are getting ready for summer, it seemed a great time to finally sit down and write a simple ritual for Freyr. Freyr is often honored at many holidays, such as Frexfaxi, Winternights, and Yule, but for me, His presence is most obvious in the Spring.
Why Heathenry is Awesome: A Detailed List
Every Heathen’s reasons for choosing Heathenry are different. Personally, I have a ton of reasons for choosing a Heathen path. That’s why my column at Patheos used to be called “Happily Heathen”, after all!
My Vision for Heathenry
The recent discussions around definition and limitations in Heathenry got me thinking about my own version of Heathenry. Last fall I wrote about why I love Heathenry and what is the heart of Heathenry. So, let me wrap it up and tell you a bit about what my Heathenry is.
The Skirnismal: How (And Why) Freyr Won Gerd
As a polytheist, I’ve found that they are many challenges involved with being a woman dedicated to Freyr. One of my biggest issues with Him, and one of the reasons it took me so long to come back to Him, was the myth of how He won his jotun wife, Gerda. It’s a fascinating story told in the form of an old-fashioned narrative ballad (unlike most of the surviving tales), and at first glance it doesn’t really portray Him in a very positive light.
A Heathen’s Journey to Devotional Polytheism
Heathens have a wide variety of spiritual experiences. Some Heathens have little or no direct experiences with the Gods, while others develop devotional relationships with one or more Heathen deities.
