Swain Wodening’s Blog

Ancient Heathenry was not just a religion, but a folkway. The ancient Heathens did not separate culture from religion as we do today. All of it was all a part of a bigger tapestry. Therefore, when reconstructing Heathenry one must go beyond reconstructing beliefs based on ancient Heathenry, and bring back much more. This does not mean we should begin living in longhouses and farming by hand. It does mean we should do our best to learn all we can about their culture. Most folks know about the elder Heathens myths and tales, a few less about their gnomic wisdom, but to truly get into the mindset of the ancient Heathen one must learn about so much more. Since they did not separate religion from culture, we are missing vital parts when we separate the two.

There are too many areas to learn about here to list, but there are some that are basic to helping our understanding. Burial customs for example are an area that can teach us much. The fact that the dead were buried with grave goods shows they believed in an afterlife, and the fact women were sometimes buried with weapons shows women as well as men can be warriors. Cremation and inhumantion shows that there was a difference in cults. BY comparing the archaeological record with the literature, we know the cult of Woden cremated their dead. We further know form Ibn Fadlan’s account they believed this released the soul. Similarly we know they believed that those buried went on to live in the mound (though going to other realms was not discounted).

Artwork can teach us much as well. Images of men dancing with weapons shows us that there were weapons dance back in ancient times perhaps not unlike the sword dances in England today. Boars on helmets confirm what we are told in Beowulf, that the boar was seen as a protective emblem. And images on altars dedicated to the matrones shows they were often worshiped in threes, and perhaps that their offerings were fruit and grain.

Language too can teach us much. Many words have no single word translation into modern English. The word frith is a prime example. In order to explain it we have to do so in articles explaining its meaning. &AA acute;r or honor is another such word. We think of honor differently than the ancient Heathens did. Therefore, it takes more to define it. BY learning the ancient tongues we are getting in touch with the elder Heathens. Languages contain meanings and ideas peculiar to that culture.

Learning spinning and weaving helps one understand Wyrd. One cannot truly appreciate its creation without totally understanding how a loom works or how to spin thread with a spindle. It is a long, sometimes hard process, that involves many steps Wyrd is not simple by no means.

There are many other areas one can learn about to get into the mindset of the elder Heathens. One need not look very hard to see them. But the point is one should learn as much as they can about the culture of the ancient Heathens, and help revive a folkway, and not just a religion.

I am not a big fan of thews (virtues) lists. I think they over simplify what should come innate to a Heathen and is best learned by reading the Havamal, the Anglo-Saxon Maxims, Beowulf, and the Icelandic sagas. Each of those contain plenty of gnomic wisdom that will teach one the thews of Heathenry. Never the less, lists such as the Twelve Aetheling (noble) Thews, and the Nine Noble Virtues are useful in teaching beginners. They are a kind of a crash course in things you will learn in more detail later. That being said, the Twelve Aetheling Thews are: Boldness, Steadfastness, Troth, Givefulness, Guestliness, Sooth, Wrake, Evenhead, Friendship, Freedom, Wisdom, and Workhardiness.

Behind the archaic English these thews pack some meaning for Heathens.

Boldness or bravery is seen extensively in the lore. It is at the heart of many tales such as that of Sigurd or Beowulf.

Wyrd often spares the undoomed man if his courage holds. (Beowulf 572b-573)

We can bring boldness into our lives by facing life threatening situations without letting fear take over. Once when I was driving at night, I went to pass a car. Just as I was even with it lights came on about fifty feet in front of me. Some idiot had been running dark. I said a quick prayer to Woden and managed to put my car between the car I was passing and the oncoming vehicle (who had enough sense to take the shoulder). The point is I did not panic. If I had, I may have swerved into the car I was passing or onto the shoulder the other car took and hit it head on. Instead I remained calm. Soldiers over in Iraq show bravery daily as they face the rigors of war. So do policemen, firefighters, and many others that must face danger.

Steadfastness is another thew that is very much seen in the lore. Staying true to one’s beliefs, firm in them can be seen in the tale of Radbod, king of the Frisians, who when about to be baptized asked if he would be with his ancestors when he died. The missionary responded with, “no, they will be in Hell;” to which Radbod responded, “then I would rather be suffering there with them than go to heaven with a pack of beggars.”

Troth or fidelity means staying true to one’s oaths with others. It means being loyal to those whom one has agreed to be. Wiglaf keeps his troth with Beowulf when he chooses to fight the dragon with him while others fled.

Go on, dear Beowulf, do everything
you said you would when you were still young
and vowed you would never let your name and fame
be dimmed while you lived. Your deeds are famous,
so stay resolute, my lord, defend your life now
with the whole of your strength. I shall stand by you. (Beowulf 2663-2668)

Troth almost seems a rare commodity these days. Kindred oaths are broken almost as fast as they are made. Which makes troth an even more important thew today. We should be loyal to those we oath to as well as friends and family. If need be we should be willing to die for them

Givefulness or generosity is one of the great two virtues of ancient Germanic Heathenry (the other being hospitality). A good king was a “ring giver,” and the Havamal tells us:

The generous and bold have the best lives,
Are seldom beset by cares,
But the base man sees bogies everywhere
And the miser pines for presents. (Havamal 48)

Today, we can practice generosity by giving not only to our friends and family, but also to charities and those without. For more on generosity read http://swainblog.englatheod.org/?p=66

Guestliness or hospitality as stated was one of the big two virtues of ancient Heathenry. In ancient times, there were no inns or motels. One had to rely on the hospitality of others when on a long journey. So important was this that the first few stanzas of the Havamal dictate the behavior of host and guests. Typical is stanza 4:

Water, too, that he may wash before eating,
Handcloth’s and a hearty welcome,
Courteous words, then courteous silence
That he may tell his tale. (Havamal 4)

Sooth or truth means being truthful in all things. When we lie. we are laying a wyrd based on lies. This can only lead to disaster. It is therefore best to remain truthful in all things.

Wrake or revenge might seem to be an odd thew. But back in the day it fell to the family or warband to avenge a member’s death. There were no police then, and it was left to the family or warband to enforce the law. Today it means seeking justice for those dear to you.

Evenhead or equality was seen in laws regarding women. Women in ancient times were fully a werman’s (male’s) equal in most regards. They could divorce, own land inherit land, and in some cases even lead warbands and ruled tribes. Today this is a no brainer and taken for granted, but enough cultures have degraded women to make equality between the sexes a thew.

Friendship means holding dear those you count as friends. A friend should be almost family, and should be treated as such. The Havamal has this to say on friendship:

If you find a friend you fully trust
And wish for his good-will,
exchange thoughts,
exchange gifts,
Go often to his house. (Havamal 44)

Not all men were free in ancient times. Slavery was a fact of life. Still, freedom was valued. So freedom is counted as a thew.

Wisdom was highly prized amongst the ancient Germanic peoples. This is shown by the number of stanzas dedicated to it in the Havamal, not to mention Woden’s quest for it.

It is best for man to be middle-wise,
Not over cunning and clever:
The fairest life is led by those
Who are deft at all they do. (Havamal 55)

Workhardiness or industriousness means working hard at whatever one does. Laziness in ancient times brought death. One had to work hard to prepare for the harsh winters, aye, even to put food on the table. IN a non-mechanized world, everything had to be done by hand, and had to be a task.

These by all means are not the only thews, which is why one should read the Havamal, the Anglo-Saxon Maxims, and the sagas. There are many nuances as well to the thews. While wisdom was prized, it was thought best not to be overly wise, thus the Havamal’s exhortations not to be overly wise. Thews lists such as the Nine Noble Virtues or Twelve Aetheling Thews are handy for teaching those new to the folkway, but should never be relied upon for the whole of one’s knowledge of the thews. Read the lore and learn.

No one can argue that mothers interact differently with their children than fathers do. This makes having a mother beneficial naturally to children. Mothers are more likely to encourage communicative behavior in their children according to an article by Ann M. Berghout Austin and T.J. Braeger. This means children learn much of their language skills from their mothers. Mothers are also more likely to recognize what their children do, and encourage them according to a study done by E. Hladik, & H. Edwards. This makes mothers uniquely suited to formulating a large part of children’s social interaction. Naturally, this extends to teaching. Mothers tend to teach their children more intellectual things than fathers do.

For Heathens, mothers are vital in their children’s lives. It is mothers that probably first teach their children technical terms such as blot and symbel, and mothers are more likely to encourage their children in pursuit of our folkway. Heathen mothers can be supportive of their children in any special interest in our religion. Heathen mothers can do many things to support this process. Reading to our children at bedtime the Norse myths, encouraging interaction in household rites, and Heathen craft projects are all ways that a mother can encourage their child to choose Heathenry as their religion. The fact that mothers interact differently with their children makes for a more balanced child when an adult.

What was a family or sibb to ancient Heathens? Well it constituted all the kith and kin one knew. Families were not like the nuclear families of today with a mother, a father, and some children. They constituted grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins all from several generations. Many of these lived under the same household. But it did not end there. All those hold oathed to the members of the family were included as well as lesser members. While they would not have to pay wergild in case of a family member killing someone, they did owe the family all the loyalty that the oath called for. Today, kindreds mimic these ancient families though we have not yet achieved quite the situation that existed with ancient families. Our kith, our kin, all should form a part of our family.

Family does not just include the living though. The departed ancestors are included as well. They form as much a part of the family as the living. Thus they are respected on a regular basis with rites and prayers. The idesa (disir) or tribal mothers are especially important as they are what gave the family life. They are the ones that guard and ward the family, its luck, its holdings, and its folk. Societies with strong families have healthier individuals. So it is vital that Heathenry encourage the growth of kindreds and all matter of Heathen relationships, blood, oathed, and adopted. If we are to survive it is vital.

Nearly anything can be offered to the Gods. The most common thing today is a libation of mead, but there are also those that practice blot or blood sacrifice. But what should offerings, or non-blood sacrifices consists of? Mead, while suitable would not seem to be enough. It is okay for the daily run of the mill rite, but when we are truly giving thanks to the Gods or ancestors, asking for aid, or trying to atone, we should offer so much more. It is not truly a sacrifice if ten people are giving a ten dollar bottle of mead after all. “Hey, lets chip in and give the Gods a ten dollar bottle of mead, and expect big returns” seems to be the sentiment of the day. I think the Gods and ancestors demand more. Think about it, if you were buying a gift for a loved one, would you give them a three dollar bottle of wine? If one cannot do a blood sacrifice in the proper fashion with the proper beast (one that has been fed well and not maltreated), there are plenty of other things one can offer. Amber is a favorite of mine. Amber necklaces are convenient, easy to obtain, are works of beauty, but can be pricey making them truly a sacrifice. Pewter bowls are another favorite of mine. They can be intricately worked, and again can be pricey. Swords are suitable as well. Best is one made by one’s own hands, but any descent blade can make a good offerings. There are many other things one can offer. Food is something that is often over looked, even though it should be obvious. It takes time to prepare, and has the advantage that it can serve as húsel and be shared with the Gods and/or ancestors. Handmade items, because a part of you goes into them are perhaps, in my opinion amongst the best offerings.

Regardless, one should seek to give a suitable gift in offering. Anyone can go out and buy a three dollar bottle of wine. It is no sacrifice at all. To be a suitable sacrifice whatever is given should be something that gives a bit of hurt to the pocket book. Items with sentimental value, costly items, items of beauty, all are suitable for offering.