Norse religious worship was a folk religion practiced by Norse pagans in Scandinavia during pre-Christian times. The main purpose of Norse religion was the survival and regeneration of society, making it decentralized. The Vikings believed in the Norse gods and sacrificed to them for their goodwill. Norse rituals included blóts, sumbels, and seiðr, which aimed to ensure favor from the divine for prosperity, success in warfare, and fertility.
People would pray to the goddesses Frigg and Freyja, and sing ritual galdr-songs to protect the mother and child. The Vikings were both Christian and believed in the Nordic gods, sometimes at the same time. They sacrificed to the gods and had cult sites. Sacrificial rituals ranged from great festivals in magnate’s halls to offerings of weapons, jewelry, and tools in lakes.
The Viking chief cremation ceremony involved sex and sacrifice, and the Blood Eagle was agruesome execution method. The two main religious ceremonies were Blot (sacred BBQ meal) and Sumble (sacred drinking party). Blood sacrifice was a central part of many Viking rituals, from established yearly celebrations to pre-battle rallying.
The Vikings’ beliefs and rituals were vital to their everyday life, with little evidence remaining to suggest how they would have looked other than what can be gleaned from burials and carved objects.
📹 My Daily Practices as a Norse Pagan
– I believe in a more unified spiritual world. One not built on hate or division, but of understanding and respect. That is why my …
What is the ritual for Odin?
Odin worship was a significant aspect of Norse society, involving religious rituals such as chanting runes and reciting prayers and hymns to bring worshipers closer to the god and enhance their chances of receiving his blessings and guidance. One such ritual was the recitation of the “Hávamál”, an Old Norse poem collection, which was believed to endow worshipers with Odin’s wisdom and knowledge. Odin was also revered as a god of magic, often associated with the practice of seidr, a potent and dangerous form of magic that involved manipulating nature’s forces.
Seidr workers, who were believed to enter a trance-like state and commune with the spirits of the dead, performed seidr. Odin’s worship was central to Norse society, reflecting their beliefs and values, embodying wisdom, war, death, and magic. His story of sacrifice and role in creation showcases the Norse love of knowledge, bravery, and the power of the human spirit.
Did Vikings have tattoos?
Tattooing, a practice that existed in Northern Europe before the Viking age, is likely to have been practiced in Germanic and Slavic societies that the Vikings encountered. Viking tattoo inks would have been made from natural dyes, such as ash, charcoal, kohl, and plant fibers, which could have been mixed to create dark pigments in various shades. The dark blue dye, made from wood ash, is likely the most likely color. Hand-tapping or hand-poking techniques, used in indigenous cultures, involve puncturing the skin before applying pigment.
This method, which sounds painful, could have been adapted into tattoo ink. Historians generally agree that Vikings likely used body and face paint in various aspects of daily life. Archaeologists have unearthed animal hair brushes and sponges believed to have been used to apply body art, and may have even discovered 1000-year-old Viking face paint in the grave of a 10th-century Danish seeress. Despite the mystery surrounding Viking tattoos, evidence from other contemporary societies suggests that Vikings likely used body and face paint in various aspects of their daily lives.
Do Norse pagans do rituals?
Norse religious worship, a traditional religious ritual practiced by Norse pagans in Scandinavia during pre-Christian times, was a folk religion with the main purpose of societal survival and regeneration. The faith was decentralized and tied to the village and family, with leaders managing the faith on behalf of society. Pre-Christian Scandinavians had no word for religion in a modern sense, but the closest counterpart was the word siðr, meaning custom.
Christianity was referred to as nýr siðr during the conversion period, while paganism was called forn siðr (ancient custom). The center of gravity of pre-Christian religion lay in religious practice, sacred acts, rituals, and worship of the gods.
Norse religion was not homogeneous but was a conglomerate of related customs and beliefs. Sacrifice (blót) played a significant role in most of the rituals known today, with communal feasting on the meat of sacrificed animals and consumption of beer or mead playing a large role in calendar feasts. The purpose of these sacrifices was to ensure fertility and growth, but sudden crises or transitions like births, weddings, and burials could also be the reason.
It is unclear to what extent known myths correspond to the religious beliefs of Scandinavians in pre-Christian times, and Christian texts on the subject are marked by misunderstandings and negative bias. Some archaeological evidence has been discovered, but this is hard to interpret in isolation from written material.
What did the Vikings practice?
The Vikings’ belief in Norse gods was crucial for everyday life and warriors’ battles. They sacrificed to these gods for their goodwill, with large religious sacrifices held at magnates’ residences. Christianity became a potent force during the Viking period, with by the 800s, a significant portion of the population being Christian. The first churches appeared, and kings and magnates erected buildings in honor of the new god. However, some Vikings did not completely abandon Odin, Thor, and other gods in favor of Christ.
What are the rituals of Odin?
Odin worship was a significant aspect of Norse society, involving religious rituals such as chanting runes and reciting prayers and hymns to bring worshipers closer to the god and enhance their chances of receiving his blessings and guidance. One such ritual was the recitation of the “Hávamál”, an Old Norse poem collection, which was believed to endow worshipers with Odin’s wisdom and knowledge. Odin was also revered as a god of magic, often associated with the practice of seidr, a potent and dangerous form of magic that involved manipulating nature’s forces.
Seidr workers, who were believed to enter a trance-like state and commune with the spirits of the dead, performed seidr. Odin’s worship was central to Norse society, reflecting their beliefs and values, embodying wisdom, war, death, and magic. His story of sacrifice and role in creation showcases the Norse love of knowledge, bravery, and the power of the human spirit.
What traditions did the Vikings have?
Vikings were not only known for raiding and pillaging but also for burying the dead in boats. They believed that valiant warriors entered the realm of Valhalla after an honorable demise. Norway’s Viking heritage is a fascinating and pivotal period in human history, with helmets, beards, and pints of mead. The Vikings of Norway were known for their unique way of life, which included wearing helmets, beards, and pints of mead. Learning more about the Vikings of Norway can help make your visit to the country an adventure. Discovering the Vikings of Norway can help make your trip to the country a fully-fledged adventure.
What were the Vikings mourning rituals?
The funeral rituals in Viking culture involved dressing the body in new clothes, holding a ceremony with songs, chants, food, and alcohol, and burying or burning tributes and gifts, such as weapons, jewelry, and slaves. One Viking site in Flakstad, Norway, found multiple bodies, some decapitated, indicating they were likely slaves who had been sacrificed to spend eternity with their former masters. Women were often considered sex slaves in Viking culture, making it plausible that they would be sacrificed with their masters.
A report by Middle Ages-traveler Ahmad ibn Fadlan describes a sacrificial female slave who was forced to drink heavily, raped by village men, strangled with a rope, stabbed by the village matriarch, and placed in a boat with her master and set on fire. By submitting your information, you agree to receive emails from HISTORY and A+E Networks, which you can opt out at any time.
What were Viking spiritual practices?
Norse religious rituals included feasts and sacrifices, which were held on both special occasions and regular occasions. These feasts were held at the beginning of winter for the growth of crops, mid-winter for the planting of spring crops, and in the spring for victory and success in raids and expeditions. The entire community participated in these festivals, eating and drinking together, and sacrificial animals were killed and eaten. Ale was drunk in honor of the gods and departed kinsmen and ancestors.
Other community activities, such as games and contests, were likely part of the festivities. In the 11th century, King Óláf of Norway learned that farmers in the Trondheim district held great feasts at the beginning of winter, where toasts were made to the Æsir, cattle and horses were slaughtered, and their blood was used to redden idols.
What did the Vikings worship?
Scandinavian paganism was influenced by various gods, with Odin being the most prominent in Sweden and Denmark, Thor being widely worshipped in Norway, Tyr in Denmark, and Frey in Sweden. Uppsala, a significant center of Scandinavian paganism, was surrounded by burial mounds of ancient kings and their horses, dogs, servants, and weapons. The vernal equinox was the largest festival, where nine male animals were sacrificed, with human corpses hanging in a sacred grove next to the temple.
What were some Viking rituals?
Norse rituals, including blóts, sumbels, and seiðr, were deeply connected to their beliefs in gods and the afterlife. These ceremonies aimed to secure favor from the divine for prosperity, success in warfare, and fertility. They included sacrifices, feasts, and ceremonies designed to ensure prosperity, honor the deceased, and maintain balance between the living and the dead. These rituals were deeply intertwined with their beliefs.
Did Vikings do rituals?
The blót, a great sacrifice, was a significant ritual practiced on small farms, with larger ceremonies held at the residences of magnates. The local magnate served as a “Gode” or pagan priest, displaying his wealth and power by providing food and drink to the community. However, with the introduction of Christianity, religious power was transferred to the Church, and the blót feasts lost their significance. Hakon the Good’s Saga, written by Icelander Snorri Sturluson in the 1200s, provides a comprehensive description of a blót sacrifice in the North.
📹 What is Norse Paganism? | An Introduction into Northern Spirituality
– I believe in a more unified spiritual world. One not built on hate or division, but of understanding and respect. That is why my …
About seven or eight years ago I worked in an office. It was frankly hell. But there was a fish tank. It was so beautiful. Some times I had to wait hours for my ride home. So I’d talk to the fish, I gave them names. It was so peaceful. None if my co workers understood it. But to me they were nature and my friends. I think about fish alot. I hope they are doing well
When you mention about spending time outside in nature and having a dedicated outside space… it just made me smile thinking about a tree in my yard. When I moved into my husband’s family home I was drawn to the tree. Turns out it’s a fruit bearing tree that the family has connected with every birth in the family for generations. I sit under there and ground myself often. It helps to imagine our roots intertwining… my ancestors with my husband’s.
My Ancestors were Norse, I’m not Pagan but I have a Deep Respect for it. No matter What a Person’s Faith is, it’s Extremely Important to stay Connected. No matter what God or god’s Truly Exist, May You be Welcomed with Open Arms into that Majestic Kingdom of the After Life. I found this article very Interesting and Spiritually Inspiring .
I am not Pagan, but Christian, and I’ve got to say your articles are like a breath of fresh air amid all this chaos lately. I can’t stand how political Christianity has become. And a man who strives to live by his word, very awesome, considering all the bs we’ve suffered through the last four years. Keep up the good work!
This really called to me and it brought tears to my eyes. It says a lot when you grow up feeling disconnected from the religion you were born into and you want to feel at home somewhere so you seek and do research for years but nothing ever truly feels right or for sure. This actually makes sense to me. It feels right and it feels for sure. I know it’s all coming full circle for me now. Thank you so much for sharing this personal article with all of us. It’s very much needed and appreciated.
I am in 100% agreement with the fact that we need nature. I have been in my spirituality, which is Pegan-based for many years, but it wasn’t until we moved from an apartment to the country. I didn’t even care about the place or residence that we were staying as much as I cared about the trees surrounding us, the nature that is undisturbed the mother completely excelled and sealed my faith… I love to forage and just look up at all the trees, the squirrels, the deer it’s amazing and it’s such a blessing that so many people never get to see. my own little refuge.
More often then not, my offerings are in fact time. I often sit at Loki’s shrine, light some incense, and his candle, then just tell him about what’s going on throughout the day, or how the week has been progressing. The energy changes completely, and I can feel his presence there. The difference is night and day. My most recent physical offering to him however was a cluster of potted succulent cactuses. It was a clever way to make an offering of life. He seemed to appreciate the idea. Now on top of having something that will supply a constent flow of energy to his shrine, this plant can also flurish, and grow as our journey continues.
I started my Pagan journey 18months ago. I grow plants, flowers and herbs in my garden and have an indoor altar currently decorated for Ostara. I’ve had some magical times, usually unexpected, but the majority of the time it’s quite mundane, especially in winter. You inspired me to make more special moments. And tomorrow, even if it’s raining, I shall take my coffee outside to my garden 🌛🌝🌜
While I certainly appreciate the “big moments” that happened for me, it’s been the small observances of little events, the minutiae of ordinary life that has surprised me the most. I believe that the Abrahamic “dead world” belief system may in fact be what has most “tuned out” of the sacredness of even the most ordinary of experiences. Definitely a perspective shifting faith.
This article was in my recommendations today. It’s so cool to see authentic content by a man who follows a pagan path. Most “witchy” people on the internet are female and there are also a lot of “Insta-witches” whose posts are mainly about aesthetics. So it’s refreshing to see the pagan path represented by various types of people. Keep it up 👌🏼😃
In the morning I put on my necklace in front of the mirror and I say “for the gods, the goddesses, and ancestors.” and with each saying I beat my chest. At the end of the day I stand, often barefoot by the tree in my back yard, and do the same and look into the stars. This time I will include the whites, the land gods. And in the middle, I will sometimes stop on a hike and do the same again…
We are followers of Sanatana Dharma (aka Hinduism) my husband is from India but my ancestors were all western European so mostly Celtic and Norse. I incorporate aspects of my ancestors gods into my spiritual practice. Vedantic spirituality has given me a blueprint for how to worship my own ancestral gods. And I love that our daughter can grow up learning about and loving both parts of her heritage.
I don’t have many objects yet, I gather them slowly. My son, who doesn’t know I’m pagan (not an issue, my daughter is a wiccan and we’re all fine with that), gifted me a raven skull bracelet. I put it on every morning and take it off every night as a symbol for the ravens of Odin and to gather my thoughts and memory. My Mjolnir I always keep in the smoke of fires during rituals so they become of part of it and I carry them with me. I started doing that Midsummer last year and as I was front row during a Heilung concert the smoke from the closing smudge is also in it.
Slavic Pagan here with warm greetings! Very beautiful article, I love the message and I’m always impressed with people that can put some words together in such a way. Few times in this article I felt like it was a poem. Sometimes you can meditate and imagine the roots and such to ground yourself and feel connected to nature, universe and other people – sure it works, but nothing works as well as being barefoot on the ground. I loved since I was a little girl, way before becoming a Pagan. I don’t have daily practices that are consistent for me. Most of the times I do nothing, to be honest. It’s hard for me to build consistent habits, but it doesn’t change how I feel and that I believe that my Gods are still perusal over me.
It’s amazing observance for me that no matter how all of us Norse Pagans think we are solitary and individualistic, at the end of the day – we’re like tentacles on a single octopus – we’re all so similar and do almost same things in our daily practices and on our Path, that it’s extraordinary! I am really glad I ran into your article and got to see, yet again, that suma sumarum we’re all almost the same and we perceive our Path in a strikingly similar way.
As a pagan farmer, I honestly love that you bring up the connection to nature. As you have said in past articles, your relationship with the Gods does change, sometimes they are silent, etc. but nature is consistent. Your relationship with nature is going to change slightly, but it will be consistent in the way that nature is always around us. Thank you, your articles are extremely helpful in helping me reconnect with my path after a much too long break.
Perseverance. One of the nine virtues of our faith. Persevere when it seems boring and uneventful. When odin spoke to me it was the realest and most eventful time in my life and to all my brothers who walk the path, your time will come. When the Gods speak to you in those eventful moments your mind will flood with knowledge and new thoughts.
Thank you very much for this article, the part about your mjolnr really helped me. I’ve been wearing a oak ohgram for a year now without much thought to it. Only recently have I started to get into paganism and your remarks on mjolnr have opened my eyes of how i am connected to my druidic ancestors, spirits, nature and so much more. 🙂
Thanks Jacob!! I have a super hectic schedule so I needed to reminder to pause a few minutes a day and connect with myself and all of creation. During my hour long commute, I try to take toke to listen to articles or podcasts or even music that I personally tie with my journey. I find it helps me get into my headspace for the day and remember my responsibility in my calling as a Norse pagan to myself, my family, the folk, the gods and all of creation. Skol!
This has been so insightful! I’ve never considered myself a religious person, but I’m definitely spiritual. Hearing all of your observations made me realize that what I do in my yoga practice, with breath work, mantras, mala meditations, and my physical practice bring mindfulness to my day and actions. Wearing my mala reminds me of my dedication to self-improvement and my relations with others. I’ve been interested in finding other paths to explore, and this was so insightful and informative! Thanks so much for sharing.
Also; tree tips. I have 2 of those and they grow SO fast in my house, I have one that I’ve had for years and my ceilings are around 8 or 9 feet tall and my tree grew so tall that its now curving downward. I got a new little friend for it too about 4 or 5 months ago and it’s already doubled in size, I honestly don’t even do anything special. 1) your cat is chewing on the leaves which is killing them, so putting the plant where the cat cant reach or spraying something like lemony water on the leaves will help make the cat stop chewing on them. 2) those trees LOVE sunlight, so put them in direct sunlight, the sunniest window in your home. 3) I usually only water both of mine 1x a week, water until the soil is saturated with do dry spots but not mucky and muddy with puddles, if the soil is very dry slowly water it, it will eventually get used to this cycle. 4) plants surprisingly love regularity, especially indoor plants. Make sure your watering your plants around the same day and time every week. 5) repot when needed. Tree roots can be as long as the tree is tall, your tree looks good in that pot but I suggest repotting it soon if new growth occurs. 6) if you are watering the plant weekly but the soil is still wet, repot. This could be a side effect of root rot. Over all just listen to your plants, read the signs they are giving you, google leaf color meanings, withered browning and crunchy? More water. Yellow and floppy? Too much water/root rot. You’ve choosen a great starter plant, that type is hard to kill, golden pothos is also a good begginer plant that requires very little/indirect sunlight! I hope this helps or you found it informitive! Blessed be! <3
It’s been such a journey for me, for my entire life I have wondered what is out there, yet no religion spoke to me. Yet, ever since I was 13/14 I felt incredibly attracted to paganism, especially the Norse Gods. Last year I finally started practicing paganism after a major experience that helped me cross the line and made me truely believe that it’s real. Or at least, real to me. A lot of things started to fall into place for me. Your articles help me even more with understanding it, thank you so much ❤️
i find myself very fortunate as a follower of the asatru faith im always around nature being in washington state ive found a deeper connection with my faith and the gods of old ive seen odins ravens many times in my area but i just admire the beauty of his ravens as i walk in the woods i find every trail or a new place to explore its a rewarding experience even riding my motorcycle thors rain never stops me to enjoy what is in front of me the beauty of what we call life is out there and the gods are always there in a way no matter how small it is you appreciate the experience and i remember a time where it was friday which is freys day and she gave me her blessing i was one with nature as a warrior and i was a sharp as her blade i honored her with my victory over my peers i will never forget that day and how thankful i am and for the gods i will never betray.
I have two necklaces I haven’t taken off in a long time now (I recently did cuz of some personal stuff but it wasn’t for very long). Before they didn’t mean much to me, they weren’t really sacred. But I decided one day to keep them on, didn’t matter what the circumstances were. I’ve given them meaning through this, I have a little shark necklace and an amethyst that sits right in front of where my heart is. You can take things that seem like nothing and make them to be one of, if not your most sacred of objects. It’s not the initial meaning that may matter sometimes, most of the time, what meaning you give something is far more valuable.
Thank you so much for your articles. perusal this kinda made me cry a little bit because.. it makes me feel like I can do this, and that I’m not alone, and I’m not crazy. Coming from a place where christianity surrounds me in the people I live with being different almost makes me feel ashamed but I’m slowly becoming prouder and more confident to be pagan. To be my natural self.
I just found your website and I am loving it so far. As a Norse pagan I take the time I spend each morning putting on my makeup for the day as a way to connect with Freya. I keep a card of her likeness in my bathroom by my mirror and often take time to reflect and be grateful. I love the idea of a adornment you put on every morning. I may incorporate this into my daily practice! 🙂
There is so much beauty in the simple things. Thank you for reminding me of that! I have an outdoor altar and two indoors, and every morning I go into my wild garden, accompanied by my cats and dogs, with my drinking horn or a special cup full of clear, fresh water. I stand barefoot (yes, even in snow) for a moment, saying good morning to all beings around me, and to my favorite goddess and god. I pour half of the water down on the earth, mostly near my favorite willow tree, and sing a salute, a blessing for the day of peace and joy. Then I drink the other half of the water, visualizing health and love of the elements and the gods entering my body. Then I go back to my kitchen and make coffee. Takes only 5-10 minutes every morning, but its a wonderful way to start the day.
These articles have helped alot as ive finally found my calling. Ive been lost for a while, and after a while i realized there was more to life than work and sleep. For a long time ive known i wanted a practice or craft to pour myself into, but i never quite found anything that worked, because i tried to force it. Finding norse paganism, as i looked around myself, realising all the norse history right outside my doorstep, and nature breathing around me and inside me i realised i dont need to force anything. its here already, and all i need to do it take it in. Thank you for these articles! It gives so much more meaning to life outside the trap of money
I have to say, this is in my top 10 favorite Wisdom of Odin articles, even 2 years later! Also really been missing the gathering articles Jacob. Wish the Fellowship of Northern Traditions had an active YouTube website so we Heathens, who can’t make it to these wonderful events, or who are new to the faith would still be able to experience the gatherings. When perusal, it really feels like you are right there, participating! Hope your travels are going well and you’re staying safe Jacob. May the Old Gods always be with you!
Jacob, I want to thank you for this article. I know this year has been hard on everyone, some days are more difficult for me than others. I’m a Norse Hedgewitch, and I have clinical depression and on disability. I don’t work and normally spend a fair amount of time at home, this year not being able to go visit with friends or barely see anyone has been taking it’s toll. Today was an especially bad one, so when I sat down to do a bit of article perusal as I do before bed, this one popped up. I normally just stick to ones with the sound of rain falling, but I watched this. I am feeling much better about things in general, thinking of ways to incorporate more of my beliefs into my day. Thank you again, and may the gods keep you safe
I have been raised as a Christian for 15 years now, and in my religious journey, I have reflected on other cultures and beliefs also on the old norse Gods I find myself drifting between places I don’t know what God’s are real or not. I have experienced the supernatural in the Christian faith and yet the some of the philosophy of other beliefs sound just the same as the Christian faith which leaves me hanging. I don’t know what God to believe in because all the Gods seem the same in some parts anyway. Sorry for the lots of words I just spouted
Part of my weekly practice includes having a drink with/making and offering to the deities I work with on their appropriate day. While I am not always able to spend the time I would like, it does give me a moment to reflect on them, to think through questions I have for them, or even just talk to them.
Yes. When you stop expecting the explosive moments, or the deep meaningful experiences to happen, these things do start to happen. Maybe by cutting back on expectation, we make ourselves more observant of the opportunities for meaningful experience and communication with the gods, and then these things start making an impression upon us.
I don’t know if this would be nice for everyone but with all that’s going on in the world today I went outside to my safe space in nature and wanted to connect. I’m only 17 so I can’t share things like Mead or alcohol but I took my favorite drink( that I’m so addicted to) death wish coffee and I took it to my shrine for Odin. I just sat there and share my coffee with him and now I feel much more at peace. I think it’s important to stop every now and then and just share something you love and share your time with the gods or even just nature.
One most important daily practice eye have is to bless everything that eye eat & drink. This only takes a few moments but feels so powerful to give gratitude to The Earth & The Gods for providing me with whatever is in front of me. I’m also able to replenish my meal with my own energy instead of the energy of others from wherever it came from or any processing it went through!
Yes, I try to take time for the little moments and my daily practice is more of a practice in mindset. I first always also make coffee (a quad espresso for my husband, a double for me and a double for ancestral offering) I light a candle at my ancestral altar and swap the offering from yesterday with a fresh cup, and just say good morning. Time permitting I’ll just sit quietly with them and think of them with me, maybe speak of anything on my mind, if applicable. (Ancestral veneration is what I got started with so it’s still very prominent in my practice) Then I get ready for my day, after I walk my dogs I go to my outdoor altar, pour the ancestral offerings from yesterday on the roots and give gratitude to the ancestors I’d never known, but were still each integral to my own existence. Then I recite a modified sigdrifumal that includes hail to vanir, jotun, alf and svartalfs and land wights and vaettir. I give any final thanks or words then grab my purse and head to work.
What a wonderful article! Thank you so much! A personal practice I have that might help others is pretty easy, but most significant. When I put my shoes on, I remind myself that one of the shoelaces represent light, mind and masculine power. The other one is darkness, instinct and femenine power. As I tie them, I make myself conscious about having both inside of me and I take responsability for feeling their dance throughout the day, while knowing that I get to decide consciously how to take their moves and how to let them be part of my live. Hope it helps someone, thank you again for all you do. Blessed be, all of you!
I’m no pagan, I consider myself very christian but I’ve always been open for new ideas, dunno if that’s wrong or not but it’s fascinating and neat to hear from people who would be considered different, here in our world I’d like to consider us all, everyone here in the comments or even just life, a sort of family to meet and compare ideas, and no matter where you or I end up, I would consider It a blessing to meet and share ideas or conversation, whatever awaits us I am glad to have spent my time here
Wow! This article really made me feel something. Recently I have visited some beautiful natural places and have felt a connection. This faith seems truly beautiful and self reflective. This is only my 2nd article I have watched but, I don’t know how to describe it I feel this almost pull like feeling. Anyway thank you for making this I will keep perusal.
Today for the first time in I don’t remember how long after perusal this article I decided to have my coffee outside for 10 minutes and watch the sky, even though it was very grey and windy I focused on the one bright area in the sky for about 10 minutes. It was a great feeling and later after going to the store and coming back I realized I have to go back to store again but this time as I came back home someone took out a small dresser outside that wasn’t there the first time, I was just looking how I can buy a nice smaller dresser for my 3 year old daughter as times been rough, when I checked it, it was in good condition and I took it, even though I cannot yet call myself a Norse Pegan, I have been intrigued by the Norse mythology since I was a kid and the first thought I had was the gods have gifted me this, I have forgotten to buy something so I can later find this dresser next to my home, I thanked Odin and the Yule goat for this gift for me and my daughter which was very needed! Sorry for the long post, it was just a great thing to happen.
Hi i just found your website and i am very happy about it. I don’t think ive seen any norse pagans on youtube before. I love listening to other peoples spiritual journeys, and the norse gods. I have never labeled myself as a pagan even though i live that kind of lifestyle. Anyway i do believe that Oden is the allfather, and the norse gods have always been close to heart. One of my spirit animals is the raven, i often see ravens wherever i go and i always get the feeling of safety and peace whenever i see them, like Oden has sent out Hugin and Munin to watch over me and bring me messeges etc. It’s great to find other likeminded people out there, i will keep on perusal your articles, greetings from the north of Sweden. Hail Oden, skål!
Hot cup of tea, feed the birds in the bird houses, make my bed, clean my alters, maybe even switch things around, read at least a chapter in a book, sit outside and draw or write what ever comes to mind, and the rest of the day I do smaller things as I go. Maybe even adding fresh herbs to my dinner that I’ve been growing if it’s ready. Or giving fruit that no one will eat back to nature. Many things others can do to connect. Loved this article so much to show its also the small things that count.
super simple, but i like to take some time at the end of my day, and tell the gods about what happened, thanking them for the good and the opportunities for growth. then i say goodnight, and go to sleep. once i wake up, i spend some time looking out my window and saying good morning. its super simple, but i love it
I have recently heard the call of the Gods. Your articles have helped me find the starting point the ends in the Great Hall. I ordered a few of the books you recommend. Please keep these coming…I have feeling there will be great resurgence of the Heathen nations. Your presence on YouTube will help guide those of us who have hear songs of the old Gods, and want to dine in their halls.
Great article and I have a very similar routine as far as wearing jewelry an anointing with oils in the morning. I make coffee and them water the plants and flowers outside. I usually will observe the birds and lizards that live outside of my dwelling and it gives me a time to appreciate what I am a part of. I also enjoy caring for the various plants in my home and it brings me joy to witness them thrive and flourish. Various devotional altars also exist in my home that I am tending to daily on some level. Always mindful of the Gods…Mighty Hails to all!
I’m a Christian, but, I really love to listen to the Norse mythology, I find it very interesting. as for me getting out into nature, I live in a small town that just keeps adding buildings to it, so, I just sit on my porch and watch the strays wander about. I also ordered my own oath ring, simply because of the way you word everything and of the history behind it. It just made sense to wear one. But I will still be a Christian and I will still believe how I do, that’s not going to change no way soon. I hope you understand.
This is good advice. I also would like to share an idea. Something I like to do several times a week. I live close to nature so its a bit easier for me…I take my dog for a walk 5 times a week. I have a special tree i visit. It is in the center of a mound that is on top of a hill all by itself. It has good energy. I walk off the road, up the hill, and get to that tree. I call it the Tiwaz tree. Its where I go regularly to speak with Tyr. When i’m there I clean up the area a bit. I sometimes offer veggies to the animals and the spirits. I get down on my knees in the dirt and feel the wind, and earth. Not everyone will have a place like that as close as I do, but look around for something similar. Sometimes it isn’t as hard to find as one might imagine. It always centers me when I’ve had a rough day.
I have before had an owl fly by my side while I was riding my pushbike. The craziest and yet one of the most amazing and intimate moments of my life. Also been guided in many dreams by a raven. My arm ring never comes off. Neither does my moljnir. I’ve been grounding for years, am also a full naturist. I love my heritage and call to Odin daily. Great article my man.
For me, I struggle with chronic fatigue issues so I don’t have a ton of energy to do the things I used to. But, when I would, I would usually find time (if I wake up early enough) to make some coffee and breakfast to share with the gods and catch up on life. If the weather is good and I have way more energy, I would walk a few miles to my local park to shoot some hoops and look for acorns as my way to honor Thor. Those are usually the best days I have, even though they’re super rare now. Just being out there and hearing the creek or the corvid in the distance, it’s so surreal and otherworldly.
Man, this is the second article I’ve watched of yours, and it once again hits so deeply. I feel that connection I’ve been seeking grow. I look back at the things I’ve seen in my past and realize they are signs. This very morning I asked the AllFather for guidance and not even an hour later I received an answer. I feel like I’m more complete now than I ever have been. Thank you Brother.
I spend a lot of time “staring” at Nature. Morning coffee and Star gazing being the 2 mains moments. I try using fallen wood for any work before I even think of knocking down a tree and when it must be done, nothing is wasted and I try to find new uses to materials. I picked up bow hunting lately and my bow and arrows have become one of my symbols. With my morning coffee, I walk outside barefooted and feed the birds while listening to Nature arising from the night with all the fresh smell. I then move on to the garden to observe progress in our food. Thank you for sharing
Thank you so much for your articles. I was called a while back toward Norse paganism but turned away from it bc I felt I had no connection to it. It wasn’t until this past spring after ancestry diving that I realized I had a connection and was blown away and now I’m digging in deeper and love this connection 🙏🏽 Tysm again.
Excellent article mate. I couldn’t agree more that one of the most important practices we can do is to take time out of our day to connect with the natural world. To sit in nature, spend some time contemplating the myths and stories of our faith or even connecting with our pets. It reminds us that life is so much more than just our self.
I open all the windows even if it’s dead of winter to hear nature, cleanse the air in my apartment, and to meditate to. I do this a few times a week until my apartment gets too cold. When it’s raining I especially do this. It’s my favorite weather. I love the smell of loose incense. So getting out to a park and gathering some fallen pine branches, resin and such helps bring the smell inside.
I’m so glad I found your website, you do such a great job at explaining things and I connect with you a lot. I’ve been down a dark mental path and I’ve gone astray from my faith but I found your website and it’s helping me get back on track, just a few articles and it makes me feel better and reminds me of my faith and why I started to follow this path. I never could connect with Christianity and I’ve been raised with it but never in my life have I ever felt “comfortable” with it. I don’t think I’ll ever tell my parents or family about it however. Being a Norse Pagan just makes me feel happy and free. I’m going to continue perusal your articles to help set me on a more solid path. Thank you so much.
Beautiful article! Every morning after i have taken a shower i kneel and first put on my ring that has Odin’s face on it and greet Odin to honour him, then i put on my mjollnir and greet Thor to honour him aswell. This is a special moment to me and a great way to start the day imo. Also i have a bonsai tree that i managed to keep alive for a few years now but never thought of it the way you just described your thoughts on having a plant or tree in the house. Just beautiful:)
May our Gods be with you, Brother. I carry my amulet of the Fenrir Wolf and his brother Jormungandr every day, with my Odins ravens ordinated on my oath ring. I made a oath or rather a promise to my grilfriend to wait for her after her cancer operation. which she… did’t make it alive out off… She told me a few days before the operation, what ever happens we would be together in this life or the afterlife.. That promise I carry with me each day and is the only thing keeping me going… My woman fought with everything she had. It’s been 2 months now. Kind regards from the north, Scandinavia in the Kingdom of Denmark. 🇩🇰
I’ve claimed to be a Norseman for two years. Due to trauma I abandoned Christianity and decided to look for other religions. The Norse is the first one I found, and I admit I probably should have done more exploring. However, I felt drawn to it. I deal with depression and suicidal thoughts and I do pray to Cratos (greek god of strength and power) to get me through it. I also pray to Eir for mercy and healing. I know they are both with me because I am still here and I am thriving. I may experience set backs but I persevere. I celebrated my first Yule last year. Yes, I know christmas is essentially the same thing practice wise, but I looked at it like it without the Christian goggles and acknowledged it was for Odin. I’ve just learned about the 12 nights of Yule and have notes. I am taking this far more seriously. I feel this in my soul and I am determined to learn all that I can. This year may not be the best for us physically, mentally or spiritually, but we have our Gods and Goddesses to help us. And we have each other. Thank you for making this article and allowing me to learn a little more.
Every Thursday I make a point to take care of myself. I work quite a bit and i make sure i drink plenty, eat well, shower well, groom. I also wear grey to represent storm clouds. If i work that day I wear my (Yes Marvel) Thor facemask as I work in an environment that isn’t jewelry friendly but it’s a nice nod until i can get home from work and dedicate that time to self care and wear my Mjolnir. I make it a point to enjoy storms as wind/rain/snow have a huge connection for me.
I’m relatively new to being a Norse Pagan, but something I’ve made a point to do is once a week, usually on Sunday because that’s the only day of the week I have off every week (my work schedule rotates,) I’ll hike up to the top of the small mountain (only about 300m above sea level) near my house, and I’ll sit and read from the Havamal or the Poetic Edda. If it’s pouring rain and I don’t want to damage the books then I’ll drive to the top, go for a walk in the weather, and then sit in my car and read a few passages. But it helps get me in touch with the world, and learn more about the Gods and how they fit into and influence my life.
I’ve been on a personal faith seeking journey since 2014, when I was in a college class for World Religions, and realized I needed to leave my Lutheran home nest and explore whatever the world had to teach me. So I opened myself up to explore any and all faiths that I come across, even mythologies. Whatever I come across, I have a thirst to learn more of. As of late, I’ve found myself being more earth elemental connected than anything else. I also find myself leaning towards Buddhism, Taoism, wicka and Nordic paganism. This was certainly enlightening and I’d love to learn more!
Mine is wake up at 5:00, coffee, walk 7 miles, workout after the walk and then sauna. Once that is complete, I can then start my day. I like that you intentionally put mjolnir on every morning. I normally just keep mine on 24/7. I might start trying your method to allow myself to put forth effort in recognizing what it represents daily vs passively wearing it all the time.
First time I grounded it didn’t hit me till later that I felt more at peace than I had ever before, and felt more like playing with my kids than anything else that day. So it was a win for the entire family. My wife also feels disconnected and uneasy unless she’s grounded relatively recently. Amazing what feeling the earth does to your senses.
I am new to the faith, perusal these articles helps me connect to the gods. I am beginning viewing things in a different light that I haven’t before. I can feel the veil lifting and feel like I’m seeing for the first time. My daily routine is to open the shades, light incense in my altar and pray as my nectar of the gods- coffee brews. Thank you so much for making these articles abs sharing your personal saga with all.
I want to say. I came from your other article about the five things you wish you had known. It opened my eyes to something. I had this dream. It was exactly the same dream 3 nights in a row. I was in an ambush while on a deployment at night. I was in charge and panic set in when I saw the numbers of enemies. Next thing I know a raven flew over my head and called to me. I watched it as it flew under this leafless tree and landed on Odins shoulder while he was holding his shield. Le locked at me and said, “you know exactly what to do.” That moment I took charge of my troops and we demolished the enemy and survived the ambush. Immediately after I was following this beautiful women that was guiding me and dancing through the forest. But it wasn’t like I was following her as a person. I was short and fast. I realized I was seeing freja dancing through the forest. I was seeing her and following her through the view of one of Odins wolves. Then the dream would end when we reached this great mansion. This dream happens exactly the same 3 nights back to back. I even woke up in the middle of it one night and went to the bathroom. Then I came back to bed and resumed the dream like I never left. Since then I’ve seen a raven from Odin at least once every two weeks. I know it was more than just coincidence because of the times they came and the things they told me to do. I’ve been Norse pagan 7 months now. It is amazing to be watched and guided by Odin and freja.
Some interesting steps, I am just beginning my journey (Although as I think back maybe I was doing much of this connective type actions all along). I left the City life a few years ago, buying a small honey farm (7+ acres) in Northern British Columbia which has allowed me to become reconnected with nature in a way I have wished for in a long time. My Day eventually gets started with “Coffee” which I get to after tending to the Chickens and ducks, looking after the needs of my 3 dogs, with these first responsibilities I am outside in Nature, breathing in the morning air, thinking all I am thankful/grateful for. Listening to nature’s ever changing sights and sounds. I will borrow some of your Routines as well, as they will help ground me and provided more connectiveness to the Old ways. While not an everyday occurrence, it does happen more days than not when the Ravens fly over me and how it affects my inner feeling, same this time of year when around the fire at night I listen to the Coyotes Yipping, Yelling and Howling (occasionally I join in.). Thank you for making these articles, they are very helpful for someone new to Pagan ways like myself. Slainte Mhath
i found this article pretty late but i really like how you add the small things, ive see a lot of articles over the years going into my own practice and everyone ive seen (so far) has these really complex routines and ways of practicing, its nice to know that even doing the smallest things do a lot. Ive been doing the same thing as you and thinking that wasnt enough, i overthink things a lot to not over step my boundaries, i go with norse traditions but im alaska native. but growing up in alaska has a lot of benefits. every day i get to go outside and im in nature, theres not a big city with concrete for miles. I love waking up and seeing the trees and mountains, and i love going out and snowmaching on them just as much. it makes me feel really connected. but when i went down states i didnt have that so i brought my own travel altar and i went on lots of walks, cleaned up memorials of people i never even heard of. the little things really do a lot
This article makes me think about service as an act of worship. It might not be feasible for me to keep an outdoor alter since I live in NYC, but I could go out in nature and pick up trash, or volunteer to help with cleanup, or help at a community garden, etc. All those things help connect you with nature and the gods, as well as the people in your community.
I have always been interested/felt a calling to the Norse Gods. Yesterday, I built a temporary alter to odin (until I can find a more appropriate spot) I offered some mead I have made from scratch and aged for 3 years in bottle, Warmth of a nice fire, and a sturdy blade. I hand made an odin totem and cleaned around this altar and sat and listened to the fall wind and the birds. There has been a family of ravens in the trees outside my home and the come back around this time every year. The only thing is I didn’t feel odin, I called to him asking for him to lend an ear and drink with me. I have been a Christian my whole life but have finally decided to take this leap and connect with my ancestors and the gods they worshipped. My question is what should I do to get Odin’s attention? How do I start making a connection with him?
for whatever practice one may have one of the first needs is to discover your passions and through discovering and following your passions it is easier to find ways to turn some elements of your passions into regular offerings of yourself which are usually preferred as you can evolve your own regular communion and connection on a deep level.
Hey there! I would love to talk to you sometime! I am a yogi who absolutely loves exploring the spirituality of other cultures! Nature and a connection to creation is just as important in my faith as yours! I am so glad to see people like you spreading a deep reverence for our Mother Earth:) Thank you for helping to bring to the masses a faith that makes us a part of everything, rather than seperate!
As an infantryman I feel a tremendous connection to the Gods while gripping my rifle and training to protect, by staying true to the warrior ethos and living the army values, it fuels me to press on and keep pushing no matter how much my bones and muscles ache I’m not going to stop until it kills me. I only hope the Valkyries find me worthy and I can join my ancestors in the 540 halls.
I’m not a Norse Pagan but even though I’m a God fearing Christian I try to do Stadhagaldr rune yoga every day at 12:00 and incorporate rune formulas of my own creation into it. This has helped me a lot in my everyday life. A lot of people tend to forget that Christian faith does incorporate a lot of Pagan practices.
Hi ! Thank you very much for this article. I’m not necessary a Norse Pagan, but a Pagan nonetheless. But I’ve started my journey very recently, this year actually, and one of my biggest worry was “how do I practice everyday without it being grand rituals”. Because I see all of this Pagan seemingly having so much to do, so much connection with their practices and deities, it feels like it’s a lot. But I don’t actually have a lot of time, for now. And when I asked one of my friend, a Celtic Pagan about this, he didn’t really helped me much. He told me to go with what I feel is good, but as someone with a lot of anxiety and who tends to overthink things, it doesn’t help. So thank you a lot for this. I will probably be perusal this multiple times and think about how I can do this myself !
I live in an area in which getting in touch with nature is difficult during winter (frigid temperatures) so I collect various plants and at the end of my day I’ll grab a drink (usually tea) grab a book and my snake and just wrap my snake around me and then just read for about 15-20 minutes before putting her away (she gets adventurous around that long of being out) I feel more comfortable holding my pet rather than going and freezing my ass off Please don’t harm yourself trying to connect with nature! Nature does not just mean plants, it means a whole ecosystem! You got a dog? Cool! Cuddle or play with them, got fish? Just watch them swim! There’s more ways to connect to nature than going outside if temperatures (or air quality) are dangerous
I truly appreciate this article im 20 and have started my journey into norse paganism granted i started with little knowledge of my gods and how to really drive my devotion and bond to my faith this is actually very helpful and greatly appreciated, i didnt know that carrying sacred objects was a form of fellowship I did it out of wanting to feel connected by carrying my nordic compass with me
Love this! Also a Norse Pagan, hello brother. Living in an apartment is difficult to grow a small garden (my last plant died from a heat wave 🙁 but will try again soon) but I’ve grown to open my windows/curtains the moment I wake up to let in the light and banish whatever harmful energy has been lifted from me during sleep and have water before turning my attention to my cats to feed them. Truly meant to find this <3
I was born into being a christian and have recently become a norse pagan I always felt out of place. When I turned 16 the stories of the norse gods filled my school computer and my phone didnt think much of it because I am really into history. After I listened to every story I could find I still felt drawn to it the idea of the norse gods and the vikings. I became conflicted between my beliefs. But what fully convinced me no matter how insignificant this seems I saw two crows in the morning and had a thunderstorm all evening. I felt as if it were a calling. I am still new but I have never been in better shape and have never been happier.
If anyone reading this is a Christian, I’m not disrespecting your religion! It’s a beautiful religion but Im just sharing how I personally feel. Okay so I’ve grown up in a Christian household but for some reason, I’ve never connected with it at all, I felt I was dedicating my life into something that made me feel empty, I recently discovered that my dads grandparents were Norse pagans, and so I read into it, and everything about paganism made me almost cry, I have never wanted to put my faith into something more, and so I’m starting my journey today, I want to fully commit to this faith, I definitely need some guidance, but I’m very happy I have been blessed to discover such faith, and I feel my soul has started to find the right path it’s been longing to find. If anyone has any tips or just information or facts on paganism I’d love to know!!! Other than that I hope the gods protect you, and you have happiness and success throughout your life, blessed be.
Nice! When I first clicked I was afraid I was going to get some woowoo stuff. Your thought process brings a lot of comfort and (distant) companionship. I’m not sure if you truly understand how important what you are doing is (not just the practices, but the teaching; normalizing). So if no one else tells you, Thank you!
Thank you for confirming my Pathway. I’ve collected many meaningful items in my lifetime. Enen set up a small memorial,it means much to myself. Since viewing a few of your vids, the Gods have contacted me, setting me further along my Path. As with you, I must connect with Nature every day. And it reciporcates wholeheartedly. Remain Blessed. Thank you Jacob for you time and effort.
I am still in the beginning stages on becoming a Norse Pagan, but already I feel a stronger connection with the old Gods than I ever had in a Christian church. My entire family is Christian (my stepfather is the kind of religious that makes everyone else appear un-religious, and my brother is going on a mission’s trip to Costa Rica in order to find a deeper connection with his faith. Although my brother and I do have a good bond nonetheless.) Being connected with nature and the Gods has really transformed me so far and I want to delve deeper into this faith. Thank you for the lessons, and may Odin and Thor watch over you. On a side note, I’ve been looking into other nature-based and spiritual religions as well to help me delve deeper into these connections in a better attempt to understand the world around me and the cultures which share the world. These include the Dreamtime from Australia’s Aborigines, the spirits of the Ainu (And Shinto) from Japan, and the teachings of the Navajo in the American Southwest.
i do not consider myself a norse pagan but a celt (since i was born and raised in southern austria which was the Noricum/Hallstatt culture back then, consider googling it) but part of my weekly ritual is that i go to our barrows where our ancestors used to burry their dead. It is somewhat deep in the forest (unfortunately they are looted by archaeologists) but you really can feel the energy and the connection with the dead. I kinda live this “lifestyle” since 20 years or so and i highly recommend everyone to get in touch with their pagan/heathen/celtic roots.
I’m rather new, but I have a little pow-wow of sorts with the gods each morning. I sit and eat my breakfast with them, share of my plate and my cup of tea with them. The food bits are thrown outside before bed every night. This is also the time I take pills, tend to my beard with beard oil and such, and do a daily tarot draw. It’s nice to have a moment to reflect on the day before and dreams I may have had.
I usually start the same way, grab a coffee, head to my car, and get to work. But I also take a moment while driving to reflect on the gods, to admire the nature I drive by. Sometimes I play a little Norse music, or I carry an item that’s sacred to me. But it’s my personal way of knowing the gods, and knowing my ancestors are near.
I wake up, hit bathroom, get coffee going, and my daily devotional ritual happens(takes roughly 15 minutes) and then I face the madness of my day. I also observe New and Full moons and the 8 Sabbats of modern day Neo-Paganism. I speak German in ritual as the language helps me connect to the God’s of my ancestors
So, my favorite part of this was how you described putting on the hammer. The time and effort it took to don this sacred piece. I feel as though I can relate heavily to that. I believe that any act I make that in any way I can pay as homage to myself into my deities counts. I used to wear my hammer all the time. However, I always took note of feeling the weight whenever I wouldn’t wear it for a while. So, based on your words and the relation I felt to them, I’m now going to be removing my hammer every night in order to put it on in the morning and be reminded of the weight of that commitment. Thank you.
My fathers side of the family are all Norwegian, so learning about Viking history and beliefs is very interesting to me. I consider myself to be an agnostic atheist, but I have always felt greatly connected to the universe and nature. To me I am amazed that these incredible things even exist and are real. I greatly admire your point of taking time to connect to nature and to yourself.
Im VERY new to paganism but one on the first things I learned was meaning of wearing Mjolnir and that was one of the first things I got even before a few books, tarot and runes. With being very new I sometimes don’t feel worthy of wearing it but whenever I don’t I feel like I’ve left a new part of me behind and it reminds me of the person I’ve needed to be.
People always think following the path of Thor and Odin is about raiding and raping but no this way of life values Wisdom, pushing yourself to new limits, really understanding the land beneath your feet. At 17 I have followed this path for a year now and although I do not yet have my arm ring I feel a presence keeping me safe, fighting off the demons of my depression more than before and I intend to travel the path of Wisdom before my time is up. I love your articles and hope these continue
One of my favorite things to connect is going out into nature to workout. I grab a sandbag and I’ll go to a park or to a mountain trail and do like a sandbag circuit and I’ll go run the trails. When I’m not doing my Muay Thai or Jiu Jitsu or Boxing I like to do my strength and conditioning in nature instead of a crowded gym