As I dive ever deeper into the Heathen community's schizophrenic mind I am seeing a few things I would like to comment on.

There are those who call out to the Gods for pretty much anything, looking for the 'correct' god to call upon for certain situations; and then there are those that prefer to spend most of their time talking to the dead, or the ( Read more... )

Let's start with an essay about the difference between Seidhr vs. Spae.  It's an important distinction, and it is a firm foundation on which to build the rest of the essays.

Little is, honestly, known about either seidhr or Spae and in fact there is even a debate as to the pronunciation of the words themselves.  I personally say si-th, but I have ( Read more... )

Have you ever come home to feel as sense of relief and welcoming when you walk in the door?  That is your Housewight welcoming you back.  He is happy to see you and even the worst days can be forgotten when held lovingly in the arms of your Housewight.  But be wary, if angered the exact opposite reaction can occur, eventually driving you out of the ( Read more... )

This is the Knob on top of my seidhr staff. The staff is 6' tall and although historically inaccurate is one of my most prized tools. Starting from the bottom left corner the charms on the staff are as follows: Ram's Head, Seer's Bindrune, Triple Ancestor's Heads, Thor Dolmon, Silver Horse Charm, Lizard Charm, Protective WheelShield, Thor's Hammer ( Read more... )

THE SHRINES 
The room itself is the ‘center’ of the house; it has a HUGE glass window in the east side, great for morning rituals. I plan on creating stained glass like items for each of the squares to give it a bit more color, currently it has curtains and a large cornice on the top made of wood. 
Picture 1: 
This picture shows our (technically 3) ( Read more... )

As published in Oak Leaves ( Read more... )

Walspurgis and May Day are two days in the same holiday. Walspurgis begins on the night of April 31st and is also called May-eve. May Day is the first day of May and is a continuation of Walspurgis.

Historically there are a few known facts surrounding this holiday. It was a day when witches were supposed to feast at sacred places in the Hartz ( Read more... )

In my opinion, wisdom is the accumulation of street smarts, common sense, and book smarts. Street smarts, or social intelligence, is the ability to get along with other human beings. It also includes the ability to get out of rough situations with as little damage to you and yours as possible. Common Sense is the ability to problem-solve every day ( Read more... )

Historically, there are few sagas that mention this day, only Flateyjarbók had any mention in it, and that was debatable at best. So most Heathens assume that this Holiday is a more recent creation and do not celebrate it. Some Heathens like any reason to blot to the Gods and this is as good a reason as any.

To me, Thorrablot is the end of the Wild ( Read more... )

Winternights corresponds, roughly, to the Celtic Samhain, or the secular Halloween. It is usually celebrated on the first full moon after the Autumnal Equinox. This festival is also known as the ‘Last Sheaf Festival’. It is a time when we bring in the last of the harvest before the land is returned to the wild spirits of the land and winter. ( Read more... )