Oh also, before I forget, since you asked the question of "How do you worship?"
My answer may no doubt offend some people here, but I believe very much that the Swine Blot is one of the most beautiful rituals that can be performed. For the record, I am not Theodish, nor am I anti-Theodish per se. Since I live in an apartment and don't have the know-how to butcher an animal, Blotting a swine or other livestock to the Gods is pretty much out of the question right now, though if I got invited to a Kindred's swine Blot that would be a truly awesome experience. The deal with the swine Blot is it is taking the best livestock you have to give, and sharing it with the Gods and Their gathered folk.
I'm of the not-so-humble-opinion that if there is no blood, it cannot rightly be called a Blot. Therefore if I'm using alcohol/cider for ritual I prefer to use the term "faining", which is related to the Old High German word "fagende", meaning "celebration". I realize this is a very unpopular statement and I'm not deliberately trying to offend anyone on this community because I know that offerings require a bit of money and effort, and I'm not trying to say giving mead or cider is unacceptable. It certainly is acceptable. I'm just one of those purists who looks at Blot as literally being a cognate for "blood". In the recorded history, the sprinkling was done with blood, not with mead. Again, I know this sounds very purist and I don't mean to offend, but you asked a question about how I worship and I'm being honest. Since I don't have the space or the know-how to sacrifice livestock, I try to use the word "faining" as a distinction. Other people can use the word Blot if that's what feels right to them, of course.
As a substitute for the livestock sacrifice, I've found it to be wonderful to cook a good meal and share part of that with the Gods, esp. Ing who appreciates good food made with loving intentions. I've found cooking to be a devotional practice in and of itself, and sharing the meal with the Gods is very sacred to me because it requires effort to cook the food, and is part of our food, which we have for our needs, not giving too much or too little. :)
Thanks. I guess you could say I've heard by now one too many people say "OH TEH POOR LITTLE AMINALS" and it's food. I wouldn't eat an animal I consider to be a pet, which includes rabbit, but there is something very holy about the nature of a livestock Blot. I have never personally attended one but I've read up on it and I've been able to clearly visualize what would accurately take place. In its place I usually offer the Gods food and drink.
I live in a somewhat suburban area, and I don't have the means or privacy necessary to blot. What I will leave as a substitute is often part of a meal and/or some alcohol that I enjoy. I take pride in being able to cook meals "from scratch" and generally offer things like homemade bread as a component of the meals offered. I'm also more Vanir-oriented, but I'm heavily animistic in focus; it just fits into my understanding of what we have and what "speaks" to me better.
Exactly, I live in a suburban area, and wouldn't even know how to properly butcher an animal. I do think cooking is a sacred practice in and of itself and the Gods appreciate the time and thought put into a good meal.
And I'm also very animistic in focus but I don't talk about it much on forums, it's good to see another Vanir-oriented person who is :)
I understand about the not talking about it much on forums. There are a lot of people from reconstructionist and non-recon "pagan" groups that really are not comfortable with the idea of animism as a focus; I'm lucky enough to be marrying one whose Shinto beliefs and practices mesh well enough with my beliefs and practices. :)
My answer may no doubt offend some people here, but I believe very much that the Swine Blot is one of the most beautiful rituals that can be performed. For the record, I am not Theodish, nor am I anti-Theodish per se. Since I live in an apartment and don't have the know-how to butcher an animal, Blotting a swine or other livestock to the Gods is pretty much out of the question right now, though if I got invited to a Kindred's swine Blot that would be a truly awesome experience. The deal with the swine Blot is it is taking the best livestock you have to give, and sharing it with the Gods and Their gathered folk.
I'm of the not-so-humble-opinion that if there is no blood, it cannot rightly be called a Blot. Therefore if I'm using alcohol/cider for ritual I prefer to use the term "faining", which is related to the Old High German word "fagende", meaning "celebration". I realize this is a very unpopular statement and I'm not deliberately trying to offend anyone on this community because I know that offerings require a bit of money and effort, and I'm not trying to say giving mead or cider is unacceptable. It certainly is acceptable. I'm just one of those purists who looks at Blot as literally being a cognate for "blood". In the recorded history, the sprinkling was done with blood, not with mead. Again, I know this sounds very purist and I don't mean to offend, but you asked a question about how I worship and I'm being honest. Since I don't have the space or the know-how to sacrifice livestock, I try to use the word "faining" as a distinction. Other people can use the word Blot if that's what feels right to them, of course.
As a substitute for the livestock sacrifice, I've found it to be wonderful to cook a good meal and share part of that with the Gods, esp. Ing who appreciates good food made with loving intentions. I've found cooking to be a devotional practice in and of itself, and sharing the meal with the Gods is very sacred to me because it requires effort to cook the food, and is part of our food, which we have for our needs, not giving too much or too little. :)
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And I'm also very animistic in focus but I don't talk about it much on forums, it's good to see another Vanir-oriented person who is :)
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Your userinfo sounds interesting. Friend?
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