.: Faq

(Some material from the pamphlet "Heathen Gods and Rites" by Ben Waggoner)

Who are the gods and goddesses of the Heathen way?

Our gods belong to two “tribes”, the Aesir and the Vanir. Our myths speak of a time when the Aesir and Vanir were at war, but made a truce and exchanged members. This myth may be based in part on historical battles between human tribes who later formed an alliance; at the same time, it reflects the ways in which our gods work together.

Perhaps the best-known of the Aesir is Odin. He is the god of many things: inspiration, ecstasy, poetry, healing, the runes, and death. Frigga, whom we see as Odin’s wife, protects homes and families. Thor is the storm-god who defends the world of humans. The lightning is his weapon, the Hammer; the rain that he brings makes the fields fruitful. Tyr is the upholder of right order and justice, both among humans and in the universe. Heimdall is the watchman of the gods, and also the progenitor and teacher of the human race.

The Vanir are sometimes called “fertility gods”, but they are far more than that; they are the gods of all the things in this world that we are meant to enjoy, whether good harvests, sexual love, or riches. Frey is invoked for peace and plenty; he and Odin were also the founders and protectors of many dynasties of Heathen kings. His sister Freya rules over magic, sexuality, and riches, but is also a battle goddess—she takes half of those slain in battle to be with her. Their father Njordh watches over the sea, ships, sailors, and trade.

The Jotnar or “giants” are a third group of powerful beings. Many of our myths tell of fights between the gods and the giants. However, the Jotnar are not “evil” as the word is usually understood. On one level, some of the Jotnar represent the impersonal forces of nature: not malicious, but sometimes destructive, and not especially heedful of human concerns.

Yet others of them are depicted as wise and helpful. In fact, some giants have been adopted among the gods, and nearly all our gods have giants in their ancestry.

Whom do Heathens worship?

We worship the Gods and Goddesses that were worshipped in Anglo-Saxon England, Scandinavia, and other Germanic countries before their forcible Christianization in the early Middle Ages.

You’re not serious, right?

We’re quite serious. We don’t take our myths and tales absolutely literally. We know that lightning and thunder are not physically caused by a muscular red-bearded man riding a goat-drawn chariot and throwing a massive hammer. We know that the Sun does not really travel across the sky in a chariot. Such interpretations miss the point: our images of our Gods are symbols of what they are like. They convey to our minds truths that are hard to grasp in any other way. We feel Thor’s great might in the fury of a thunderstorm; we come to know something of the laws and cycles of nature through the image of Sunna’s chariot. We see Frey’s power in green fields; we know Freya’s magic in the love’s wild sweetness; we recognize Odin’s own self in the blaze of creative inspiration.

Aren’t you just “worshipping nature” or worshipping “things in your head”?

We do see the work of many of our Gods in the natural world. There are also some Heathens who see our Gods as personifications of psychological forces, perhaps as “archetypes.” These are both partially true. Our Gods exist partly in the forces of nature, and partly in our own minds, souls, and societies; they interpenetrate with ourselves and our world. These are valid ways of experiencing them. However, most Heathens would agree that our Gods are not mere “natural forces,” and they are not solely “inside your head.” Most Heathens experience the Gods as complex personalities existing apart from humans, capable of growth and change. Sometimes they speak to us in unexpected ways as our knowledge of them deepens.

How do Heathens worship today?

Thanks to a lot of written lore and folk customs surviving in Iceland, England, and to a lesser extent other Germanic nations, we know a fair amount about how the Gods were thought of and worshipped in ancient times. Not all Heathens are scholars, but most Heathens use historical and scholarly writings to reconstruct, as accurately as possible, what our forebears actually thought and did and believed. It is often said that Heathenry is “the religion with homework”! Yet although we use this lore as the basis for what we do, there is plenty of room in our faith for personal inspiration, for individual creativity, and for updating and renewing our ways to reflect the worldwe live in.
A Heathen rite of worship is called a blót (pronounced to rhyme with “boat”). A blót may be simple or complex, but usually involves sharing a drinking horn of ale or mead among the worshippers; prayers and calls to the deity being honored; and sharing drink, and sometimes other offerings, with the deity. In a rite known as sumbel, participants toast the Gods and ancestors, boast of their accomplishments, and swear binding oaths before the Gods and the gathered folk. We view our Gods as Elder Kin—we don’t bow or kneel before them, and we don’t beg for their redemption or forgiveness. We stand proudly before them, share our offerings and our deeds with them, and ask for their aid to guard and strengthen ourselves and our kindreds.

The calendar of holidays varied among different peoples in ancient times, and it varies among modern Heathens today. Almost all Heathens celebrate Yule around the winter solstice, Ostara in spring, Midsummer near the summer solstice, and Winternights in autumn. Some Heathens, but not all, celebrate a cycle of eight major feasts per year. Heathens may also make blóts to a God or several Gods whenever they feel the need to communicate with them.

WHERE ARE YOU LOCATED?

You’ll find the Kindred's main base of operations in a little town called Oldsmar, out on a small peninsula surrounded by woods and water. We also have affiliated Hearths in Palmetto, Largo, Tampa, and Sebring, where we meet from time to time.

WHO ARE THE PATRONS OF YOUR KINDRED?

To each his or her own. Demarus is Vanic and draws strength and wisdom from the Wans in our endeavors to grow and to continue our success within the Heathen culture. Everte is dedicated to Thunar. Bobby is a Freyrsman. Hrolf favors Odin. Dottye's patroness is Freya. Andy follows Skadi.

WHAT ARE REQUIREMENTS FOR MEMBERSHIP?

There are no hidden agendas; a person wanting membership is not required to have a wealth of knowledge about Heathenism. This kindred demands participation and input. We meet often, both for study and fellowship. Those who cannot attend in person try to do so by phone or are e-mailed the minutes, etc. Demarus does, on occasion, extract blood, bone and spit to *renew* the Troth!

DO YOU MEET WITH OTHER HEATHEN GROUPS?

We have met with a number of other Heathen groups at various Moots and Blots, and made many good friends. We correspond and work with other kindreds throughout the state, and they represent other Heathen Organizations. Contact Alex vitralrek@yahoo.com about joining the Troth-Florida email list. The Osprey Bay Kindred is open to making Heathen friends everywhere!

Live true!
Live well!
Stay busy!
Give 'em something to talk about!
Do something to shout about!
Don't be stingy, give the rings!
Just be Heathen in all things!

'Nuff said.

DO YOU BELIEVE IN OR PRACTICE RACIAL PURITY?

No! Sadly, this pops up and it must be addressed. Our ancestors conquered, mated, absorbed, and enslaved (temporarily) any and all around. One was judged by deed, character and/or word-fame as well as position, etc. If you had talent and skill you became a cog in the wheel, no matter where you were from or what you looked like. They were a pragmatic people, driven by justice and economics, among other things. The Osprey Bay Kindred does not care what color you are. We are out to conquer hearts and minds, not to perpetuate ignorance and insanity.