I’ve mentioned in the past about how I resonate primarily with the Norse pantheon of deities. Because of this, I’ve been looking very heavily into Heathenism. Some people also call it Asatru. I originally thought that Heathenism was completely different from other Pagan paths. However, they are different, but not in the way I was thinking. So, I wanted to talk about what I’ve learned and why I don’t consider myself a Heathen. 

Modern Heathenry at its core is simply the practice of following the Heathen, or Viking/Norse Gods and Goddesses. Classically the term heathen was used to describe a person who does not follow a Christian religion. Heathens are sometimes seen as barbaric, with few morals. The barbarian thought train confused my understanding. It gave me the wrong idea of Heathenry in the modern sense.  

Some practitioners do take heart in the barbaric-ness commonly associated with the word heathen. However, I’m finding that most people simply choose to honor their Gods. They aim to live what they believe to be a virtuous life. I found five lists of nine virtues for Heathenry. They all seemed to be brought into existence in the 1970’s and ‘80’s by various groups of Heathens. They all basically encourage faithfulness to friends, family, and community. Do not let outsiders do any in your circle wrong. Also, do not rely on the Gods to fix your problems when things go wrong. You can Google “the nine noble virtues” if you want the exact wording and history. 

Like all Pagan religions, there is a diverse way to practice Heathenry. However, it appears to be widely accepted that, for the most part, magic isn’t a focal point. They honor their Gods, ancestors, and elders, but they’re more of an oath-based practice. If you give an oath as a Heathen it is supposed to become integrated into your way of life. To give a (shitty) example, say someone makes an oath to tell the truth in all things. Whether it’s an oath to Odin or your cousin, it is now expected of you to tell only the truth. This expectation is based on your basic belief construct. If not, there will be some kind of divine repercussion. Think of it like Karma beating you senseless if you break one of these oaths. At least that’s my understanding of it. 

Now, for me, I have nothing against their virtues. I have nothing against how they honor their Gods or ancestors. I like the respect towards elders. I just don’t feel right about calling myself Heathen. I love performing my magic works. My practice is very divination heavy. I collect rocks and crystals for their magical properties. I’m still working on getting spell bottles together. It’s quite hard to get certain ideal herbs. It’s with bitterness in my soul that I find an easier to obtain alternative. The more I learn about the basic structure of “mainstream” Heathenry, the less connected I feel. I feel distant from those who wholeheartedly practice it.  

So, I plan to simply stay a polytheist witch for now. 

What do you think? Do we have any Heathens who want to give their input? Your perspectives are highly valued in our discussions. I believe that your insights can greatly enrich our understanding of the topics at hand. Please feel free to correct me on anything I was wrong about. Let me know if there are any points I might have overlooked. Constructive feedback is always welcome. We strive for clarity and accuracy in our conversations. Engaging with your insights not only helps me grow. It also fosters a stronger community where everyone feels heard and respected.