Spirituality in Pagan-Heathenism

A common theme in spiritual worship, whether God-like beings, an entity, a spirit, an ancestor, or “other”, is that “worship” makes it, (the being), much more powerful. To some, one being may represent many things they find faith in honouring. The practice of spirituality may vary from person to person, group to group, and place to place. When a pantheon, rather than one entity, is central to worship, the variations are more numerous. Some might hold a particular god in higher esteem than another god or a Spirit (e.g.: landvættir)

Culture is based on a shared belief system, norms, and mores accepted as naturally occurring aspects which include spiritual worship, religion, rites, rituals, lore, and rules.

“Mores: Are a set of moral norms or customs derived from generally accepted practices. Mores derive from the established practices of a society rather than its written laws.” (Folkways and Mores: Social Science Libre Texts 2021)

Culture can bond the fabric of society. From there, culture can flourish. The marking of group identity does not take place in a social or historical vacuum. Ethnic or cultural categories are formed, maintained, negotiated, and transformed by common bonds. The social context in which cultural meetings take place is determined by a form of cultural manifestation and growth. Race (the classification of people into groups according to their shared physical or social characteristics) is culture. Culture can directly correlate to race, but they are not the same. So, where does spirituality sit in all these cultural notions?

Where is the place of spirituality, particularly in online forums? We come together from far away as that is the way, and long was. With us, we bring our narratives, our own mind’s eye, the way we lead a life that we can be proud of, and with that our own life experiences. My experience is going to be unique to me and yours to you. The things that connect, unify, and bind us are many. We have a pantheon of gods, goddesses, deities, and entities we look to, learn from, and have faith in. They represent the world, nature, and life in all its forms from love to hate, compassion to deceit, and everything in between.

Modern pagan-heathen culture embraces nature, spirituality, lore, myths, and tales; we value kith and kin, grith and frith. Honour guides us in all things. Some say they “cringe” when we use the word spirituality in describing these ways, and that puzzles me as there was no linear worldview in the old days. Spirituality could be concerned more with a cyclical life with no beginning and no end. Everything in nature repeats itself. The moral element meant honour was everything; and it was honourable to be magnanimous, witty, wise, kind, resourceful, gentle, faithful, beautiful, healthy, strong, skillful, and brave.

Spirituality is found in courage, willpower, inspiration, strength, perseverance, and loyalty. It is discovered again in kindness, and lore as these are cultural traditions; as are life, death, afterlife, and rebirth. Our ancestors’ core spiritual understanding of the world was centered around the notion of the continuation of life after each death, just as in nature as we are a part of it, not an imposition on it.

In this area, specifically ancient Norse religiosity, there are no cheat sheets or handy guides. There are no easy paths, nor a “bible” type of book to turn to adopt all there is to know and to embrace and worship all this culture embraces. The Edda’s and old writings give us insights into traditions through stories, belief systems, and oral history and lore. These ancient writings have travelled from generation to generation, over place and time in the same way we travel through life. The life of a person is determined by fate. That life is established and tended by the Nornir at birth and throughout life. Each person is responsible for their actions and how their wyrd becomes woven.

For example, it’s my decision, personally, what symbols I choose to adorn my life and home with. In honouring myself, I am honouring my ancestors and pantheon. There is no regimented way or style. It is free flowing and from my heart. I do not demand others to do as I do and respect the choices of others. Spirituality is complex to define, and some people resort to a narrow, simplistic notion to dismiss it. You cannot constrain it nor dictate it; it has no specific dogma. With that bold statement in mind, I am reminded today as I write, that whilst there is no determined or strict dogma, there is a need for respect for the way things are worshipped.

Special thanks to Fjallvaettir Workshop for allowing me to use their beautiful images of their creations which are available for purchase via: https://fjallvaettir.com/?fbclid=IwAR2RnQQBhgzR9HR9lzWUeOsxD2VKL0F_HUhDD_GNnd7k5kETMZRSqJykiR0

Susie J Folmer July 2022

© Susie J Folmer