Heathenry Heathen Ásatrú Troth
Glossary Terminology
Heathenry Heathen Ásatrú as
a religion focused on the discovery and the comprehension of the mysteries and
magic of the land itself, with the Heathens honoring the Nature Spirits of the
waters, trees, and rocks, more than the mythos of the gods and goddesses.
The Heathen "Way of the
Troth", which esteemed fairness, courage, honor, and loyalty to self, family, and community, was a living religion currently practiced
by a steadily increasing number of Heathens worldwide.
Heathenry Ásatrú was a
distinct faith, unrelated to any other religion, even though it may bear a
superficial resemblance to some. Although followers strived to emulate the noble
virtues and esteem erudite teachers, because of the emphasis on self-reliance,
there was no dogma or organized religious hierarchy.
Aesir
A tribe of goddesses and
gods that included the gods of air and fire: Odin, Thor, and Tyr, in contrast to
the tribe of goddesses and gods of earth and water, the Vanir: Freyr, Freya, and
Njord. Sometimes this term was used as a general reference term for all the
deities. An ancient battle between the Aesir and the Vanir ended in a draw.
Bifröst (Rainbow Bridge
A great rainbow bridge built
by the goddesses and gods extending from heaven, Asgard, to Middle Earth,
"Midgard", which they rode over everyday. Heimdall, who was a light
sleeper, guarded Bifröst. It was predicted by the Norns that if the future they
saw based on past actions by some of the gods and goddesses was not altered by
corrective right actions in the present, the Rainbow Bridge would collapse at
Ragnarok when the Frost Giants rode over it.
Blót (Holy Festivals)
Old Norse for Blessing, a
Blót (pronounced "Bloat") was the bastion of Heathenry Heathen Ásatrú ritual and
could be either a Festival or a simple Blessing. Mead was usually offered as the
holy drink to hail, give thanks, and renew bonds with the goddesses, gods, or
Landwights. Felags, for example, held eight seasonal ceremonies, as well as,
simpler Blóts to meet personal needs (dedicate food/drink to the deities, have
some yourself, and share with the deities through libation).
In general, the Festival consecration rites entailed the following steps: The
Gathering, participants arranged themselves in a circle; The Warding,
sanctifying the space; The Explanation, stating the intention or purpose of the
Blót; The Call, invoking the deities to be honored; The Hallowing, the mead was
made holy; The Blessing, besprinkling the area; The Sharing, hallowed mead was
passed and hails were made; The Offering, the mead in the blótbolli was
poured into the ground or left at the base of a special tree; and The Closing,
the area was desanctified and the ceremony was ended.
"Special Blessings" were
held to meet special needs such as asking the deities for assistance or thanking
them for it. For example, to ask protection from the god Thor while travelling
during a storm; or to seek help regarding injury or illness from the goddess of
healing Eir.
Moments of "Daily Blessings"
happened during the day when time was taken for blessings: hallowing drink or
food by making the Hammer sign; welcoming a guest with an offering of ritual
drink; placing food out for the little brownie spirit who cares for the
family and home; blessing the Sun at noon or at her four stations at dawn, noon,
sunset, and midnight...
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Explore Heathenry Heathen Ásatrú Troth Articles
Ancient Roots of Heathenry,
Blot Blessings Hallowed Festivals,
Eddas Mythos and Way of Troth,
Glossary Terminology,
Heathen Deities Goddesses Gods Hierarchs,
Heathen Shamanic Traditions,
Heathenry Ásatrú Spiritual Beliefs,
Nine Noble Virtues,
Hallowed Heathenry and Nature Spirits,
Sacred Symbols Magical Mysteries,
World Tree Rainbow Bridge
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Heathen Ásatrú Troth Copyright
© 2002-2008 Maureen Grace Burns, Blessings Cornucopia. All Rights Reserved.
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