TRADITIONAL HEATHENRY: A GUIDE TO SEDIAN BELIEF AND PRACTICE
I would like to begin this by explaining the purpose and reasoning behind this endeavor. Unlike the typical research books from The Norroena Society, this book aims to clarify the extensive works accumulated over many years of study, debates, and philosophical discussions among members of The Norroena Society and the broader Heathen community. The purpose […]
Vetrnætr – Winter Nights
The first three nights of winter, called Winter Nights or Vetrnætr, are dedicated to Freyr and those connected with him. This is the festival of Vetr that Óðinn tells us to celebrate in Ynglingasaga ch. 8. We have a description of the Vetrnætr feast in several sources, including Gisla Saga ch. 10: Það var þá margra manna siður að […]
Law Man
The Lawmen (Lǫgmaðr) of ancient Heathenry were not merely those who upheld the law of the people; they were also the final bulwark against the rise of tyrannical kings. It is noteworthy that as European monarchs consolidated power under Christendom, the position of the Lawman was gradually dissolved. Having regional districts led by influential individuals […]
Galdr
The practice of Galdr involves the chanting of verses to achieve a certain outcome, based on whether the Gods join you in the singing. The reverberation of the chant is pivotal to the development of a proper Galdr and must be taken into consideration when performing it. There are three types of Galdr we will […]
Fóstbræðalag- Fosterbrotherhood
Within the rite of Fóstbræðralag or Fosterbrotherhood, two families become conjoined by the ceremonial spilling of blood. The idea is that by blending the blood (blóðablanda) the two men involved in the rite become as family within their bloodlines, sanctifying the rite through this sacred act. There is a cutting of turf, called the […]
Nafnfestr– Name Fasting
Nafnfestr is to give something or someone a name was a sacred act, as if this were giving life or new life to the being or object. When a child is born this act is not only performed in conjunction with their hallowing before the Gods, but also in their acceptance into the family and […]
Landnám– Land-Taking:
This ritual is made to establish any form of sacred space, or even the settlement of a home. We have seen that the creation of the stead must revolve around sanctifying the area, then firmly maintaining it as a peace-stead, which shall be the purpose of the rite. Under the Elements section of the Tools, […]
Fóstr– Fostering
Preparation The family makes all agreements and arrangements as to the nature of the fostering. The child is prepared and dressed for the special occasion. The rite begins with the birth-parents entering the dwelling of the Fóstri (“Foster-Father”) or Fóstra (“Foster-Mother”) with the child that is to be fostered. The latter will stand next to […]
Goðorð
The priesthood of our faith Within every religion there exists a group of people dedicated to its practice and furtherance. These are men and women who devote their lives to the study and worship of their notions of divinity. From performing holy rites to advising the laity, it is a mission that some are called […]
Smyrja
This rite is designed to bless and bring life and power to your images of the Gods, called Skurðgoðar. This is a very important element in your practice, for your focus within the rite should be upon these images and the deities they represent.
The idea is not that the inanimate objects are divine themselves, but rather that they are imbued with a portion of deific strength and identity, which allows us to offer to them as if we were facing the Gods themselves.