The Heathen
Ritual
A Heathen ritual can be given a number of names. Most
common is 'blot' which is the Norse wording for an
offering. They are also called sumbels, blessings,
gatherings or festivals.
The most common element in a Heathen ritual is the
offering. This is a gift made to the gods, goddesses, elves
or ancestors. The offering is almost always alcohol and
food. Offerings can include poetry, song, coins or promises
of future gifts.
Some Heathens will have standard phrasing which they will
use every time. Others will speak freely and use slightly
different words in every ritual.
A communal ritual will be run by a preist ('gothi' or
'godman') or a preistess ('gythia' or 'godwoman'). Most
Heathen groups are informal and this title is only used for
the ritual itself.
For many Heathens the giving of an offering is sufficient
on its own. Others prefer a more complex ritual. Here are
some of the more common elements. Please note none of these
are universal among all Heathens.
Hallowing or Blessing
Many Heathens will start a ritual by defining the ritual
area and calling on a god or goddess to protect them. A
common method of warding, the Hammer Hallowing is to raise
a hammer symbol and invoke the god Thor. Others will use a
ritual knife or a staff to mark a holy area in which the
ritual can be held. Some Heathens will recite a protective
charm in the four directions of the compass, often invoking
a different god or goddess in each direction.
The Call to the Ancestors
Many Heathens acknowledge their ancestors as protectors and
in some cases minor deities. It is common for the ancestors
to be invoked for protection at the beginning of a Heathen
ritual.
The Elf Call
Many Heathens like to foster good relations with the
spirits of the land called 'land spirits', elves or 'alfar'
(Norse for elves).
An elf call invites the spirits of the land to attend the
ritual and asks for their blessing and protection
Rune Chanting
Rune chanting is another method used for protecting a
ceremony and can also be used as a form of offering.
Normally a couple of appropriate runes are used and are
chanted or sung.
Some heathens will chant or sing the whole runic alphabet
as part of the blessing of a ritual.
Horn Passing
This involves the passing of a drinking horn or cup around
a group of Heathens gathered for a ritual. The horn is
typically filled with mead (fermented honey), ale or wine.
In many heathen groups the horn passing is an opportunity
for each individual to invoke their own favourite deity and
invite them to join the ceremony. In other groups the horn
or cup is passed in silence.
Oaths and Boasts
This is a variant of the horn passing. As the horn is
passed each individual is invited to make a 'boast' which
is a statement of something they have achieved or an 'oath'
which is a promise of something they will do in the future.
Heathens take oaths extremely seriously so these are not
made lightly.
Sumbel
A sumbel is another variant on a hornpassing where the
holding of the horn or cup is expected to sing, tell a
story, a poem or a riddle. Typically the horn or cup will
be passed around the gathering at least three times.
Alternatively each horn passing will be given a different
theme, for example toasts for the gods and goddesses,
toasts for the ancestors and so on.
Blessing with a Twig
Offerings are poured onto the ground or poured into a
'blessing bowl'. Sometimes a leafy twig will be dipped into
the bowl and the liquid will be sprinkled onto those
attending the ceremony.
Closing
Where offerings are placed in a 'blessing bowl' these will
be tipped out onto the earth to mark the end of the
ceremony. Otherwise a formal closure in a ceremony is not
considered essential in heathenry. At most the gods
goddesses, ancestors and elves who have been called may be
thanked for their blessings by the individuals who called
them.
