Norse Paganism: Modern Heathenry

BY NICOLE LAU

Introduction to Modern Norse Paganism

Norse Paganism, also known as Heathenry, Ásatrú, or Forn Siðr ("the Old Way"), is the contemporary revival and practice of the pre-Christian spiritual traditions of Scandinavia and Germanic peoples. This is not mere historical reenactment but a living, evolving spiritual path that honors the Norse gods, ancestors, and land spirits while adapting ancient wisdom to modern life.

For seekers drawn to the Northern path, Norse Paganism offers a robust framework for spiritual practice grounded in reciprocity, honor, community, and direct relationship with the divine forces that shape existence.

What is Heathenry?

The term Heathen originally meant "dweller on the heath"—those who lived in rural areas and maintained the old ways after Christianity spread through cities. Modern Heathens have reclaimed this term with pride, using it to describe practitioners of Norse and Germanic polytheistic traditions.

Core Principles

• Polytheism - Honoring multiple gods and goddesses as distinct beings
• Animism - Recognizing that spirits inhabit the natural world
• Ancestor veneration - Maintaining relationship with those who came before
• Reciprocity - The gift demands a gift (Old Norse: gefa og gefa)
• Honor and right action - Living with integrity and courage
• Community focus - Spiritual practice as communal rather than purely individual

Major Branches of Modern Heathenry

Ásatrú

Ásatrú ("faith in the Aesir") is perhaps the most well-known form of Norse Paganism, focusing on worship of the Aesir and Vanir gods. Originating in Iceland in the 1970s, Ásatrú emphasizes reconstructing historical practices while adapting them for contemporary life.

Forn Siðr

Forn Siðr ("the Old Custom") is a Danish and Scandinavian approach emphasizing cultural continuity and historical accuracy in reconstructing pre-Christian practices.

Theodism

Theodism focuses on Anglo-Saxon and Germanic traditions, often incorporating tribal structure and thew (customary law) into practice.

Fyrnsidu

Fyrnsidu ("old custom" in Old English) specifically reconstructs Anglo-Saxon pagan practices.

Eclectic Heathenry

Many practitioners blend elements from various Northern traditions, incorporating personal gnosis (UPG - Unverified Personal Gnosis) alongside historical sources.

The Nine Noble Virtues

Many Heathen groups emphasize the Nine Noble Virtues as ethical guidelines, though these are modern constructions rather than historical doctrine:

1. Courage - Facing challenges with bravery
2. Truth - Speaking and living honestly
3. Honor - Acting with integrity and keeping one's word
4. Fidelity - Loyalty to family, friends, and community
5. Discipline - Self-control and dedication to practice
6. Hospitality - Welcoming guests and strangers with generosity
7. Self-Reliance - Taking responsibility for one's life and actions
8. Industriousness - Working hard and contributing to community
9. Perseverance - Continuing despite obstacles

While not universally accepted, these virtues provide a framework for ethical living within Heathen practice.

Core Practices in Modern Heathenry

Blót - Ritual Sacrifice and Offering

Blót (plural: blót) is the central ritual practice, involving offerings to gods, ancestors, and land spirits. Modern blót typically uses mead, ale, or other beverages rather than animal sacrifice, though some groups practice traditional animal offerings.

Sumbel - Sacred Toasting

Sumbel is a ritual drinking ceremony where participants pass a horn and make toasts, oaths, and boasts to gods, ancestors, and heroes. This creates sacred bonds and weaves wyrd (fate) through spoken words.

Faining - Celebration and Feast

Faining refers to communal celebrations and feasts, often following blót, where community bonds are strengthened through shared food and fellowship.

Rune Work

Working with the Elder Futhark runes for divination, meditation, and magic is central to many Heathen practices.

Seidr and Galdr

Seidr (shamanic trance work) and galdr (rune chanting and magic) represent the magical dimensions of Norse practice.

The Heathen Calendar

Modern Heathens celebrate seasonal festivals and holy days:

Major Celebrations

• Yule (Winter Solstice) - Celebrating the return of light, honoring ancestors
• Disting (February) - Honoring the Disir (female ancestors and spirits)
• Ostara (Spring Equinox) - Celebrating spring's return and fertility
• Walpurgisnacht (May Eve) - Honoring Freyja and the coming of summer
• Midsummer (Summer Solstice) - Celebrating the sun's power and Balder
• Freyfaxi (August) - First harvest, honoring Freyr
• Winter Nights (Autumn Equinox) - Honoring ancestors and preparing for winter
• Einherjar (November) - Remembering the honored dead

Wyrd, Orlog, and Personal Responsibility

Central to Heathen philosophy is the concept of wyrd (fate) and orlog (primal law or accumulated past actions):

• Wyrd is not predetermined destiny but the web of cause and effect created by past actions
• Orlog represents the accumulated weight of one's deeds and their consequences
• Individuals have agency to shape their wyrd through present actions
• The Norns weave wyrd at the Well of Urd, but humans participate in this weaving

This creates a worldview of personal responsibility—your actions matter, your words have power, and you are actively creating your fate.

The Gifting Cycle and Reciprocity

The principle "a gift demands a gift" (Old Norse: gefa og gefa) is fundamental to Heathen practice:

• Offerings to gods create reciprocal relationships
• Hospitality creates bonds of obligation and friendship
• Nothing is free—all relationships involve exchange
• Generosity is expected but so is appropriate return

This isn't transactional but relational—building ongoing connections through mutual exchange.

Frith and Grith: Peace and Protection

Frith represents the peace and right relationship within a community or kinship group. Grith is the sacred peace of a holy space or gathering. Both concepts emphasize the importance of maintaining harmony and protecting sacred bonds.

Working with the Gods

Heathen practice involves direct relationship with the Norse gods:

• Personal devotion - Developing relationships with specific deities
• Offerings and prayers - Regular practice of giving to the gods
• Oaths and vows - Making sacred commitments to deities
• Seeking guidance - Through divination, meditation, and signs

The gods are understood as real, powerful beings who can be allies, teachers, and sources of blessing—but who also demand respect and appropriate behavior.

Ancestor Veneration

Honoring ancestors is central to Heathen practice:

• Maintaining altars for ancestors
• Making regular offerings to the dead
• Telling stories and preserving family history
• Seeking ancestral wisdom and guidance
• Understanding oneself as part of an ongoing lineage

Land Spirits and Wights

Heathens recognize landvættir (land spirits) and other wights (beings) that inhabit the natural world:

• House wights that protect the home
• Land spirits of specific places
• Elves and other hidden folk
• Maintaining good relationships through offerings and respect

Challenges in Modern Heathenry

Folkish vs. Universalist Debate

A significant division exists between:

• Folkish Heathens - Emphasize ancestral/ethnic connection to Norse traditions
• Universalist Heathens - Welcome all who feel called to the path regardless of ancestry

Most mainstream Heathen organizations reject racism and white supremacy, emphasizing that the gods call whom they will.

Historical Reconstruction vs. Living Tradition

Balancing historical accuracy with contemporary relevance requires ongoing discernment about which practices to reconstruct and which to adapt.

Dealing with Appropriation by Hate Groups

Norse symbols have been misappropriated by racist groups, requiring Heathens to actively reclaim their tradition and clearly oppose bigotry.

Getting Started with Heathen Practice

Study and Research

• Read the Eddas and sagas
• Study Norse mythology and cosmology
• Learn about historical practices
• Engage with reputable modern sources

Begin Simple Practices

• Set up a simple altar
• Make regular offerings to gods and ancestors
• Learn the runes
• Celebrate seasonal festivals
• Practice daily devotions

Find Community

• Seek local kindreds or hearths
• Attend open rituals and gatherings
• Join online communities for support and learning
• Build relationships with other practitioners

Conclusion

Norse Paganism and Heathenry offer a robust spiritual path grounded in polytheism, ancestor veneration, reciprocity, and honor. This is not a religion of dogma but of practice—of building relationships with gods, ancestors, and land spirits through offerings, ritual, and right action.

For modern seekers, Heathenry provides a framework for living with courage, integrity, and connection to the sacred forces that shape existence. The gods still call. The ancestors still guide. The old ways still live in those who honor them.

Welcome to the Northern path. May your journey be blessed with wisdom, courage, and frith.