WIP especially around organization
But here’s an older writeup I had on this.
Core Beliefs
Heathens believe that their ancient gods created the universe, frozen in the north and burning in the south. Where the great heat and cold met, there grew giants and the World Tree (Irminsul) that binds the worlds together.
This world, the Middle Earth (Middangeard) was itself formed from the body of the first giant, and from the trunk of the World Tree there were carved the first men. Other worlds were made, from the lands where the gods remain (Heofen) to strange worlds of trolls and giants and other magical beasts.
Heathens speak at length about their gods and the particular great wars and adventures of individual heroes among them. Many aspire to follow up those deeds with their own great accomplishments, and indeed the great families of the Goths, Saxons, and Northmen all claim stories where their heroes of legend walked and feasted and fought amongst the gods.
Deities
There are many gods in the heathen pantheon, but a few play particularly large roles and are popular for cult followings and as deities to invoke for aid. Some of the most commonly reverenced, by the various cultures, are:
| Saxons | Northmen | Franks | Goths | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sunne | Sól | Sunna | Sunno | goddess of the sun, sister to Mone |
| Mone | Máni | Mond | Mena | god of the moon, brother to Sunne |
| Tiw (or Saexnot) | Tyr | Zio | Teiws | god of rulers and justice |
| Wotan | Odin | Wuoten (or Allfadir) | Wuoden (or Gaut) | grim god of war, magic and death |
| Thunor | Thor | Donar | Doner (or Fairguneis) | god of weather and a bold protector of the common man |
| Frig | Freyja | Friya | Frea | goddess of wisdom and love |
| One might notice that these deities give their names to the Germanic names for the days of the week: Sunne’s Day, Mone’s Day, Tiw’s Day, Wotan’s Day, Thunor’s Day, and Frig’s Day with an adoption of the Roman Saturn’s Day without replacement, due to no commonly associated deity. |
Some other common references are:
| Saxons | Northmen | Franks | Goths | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ing | Ingvi | Inguin | Ingwaz | the god of the deep and fertile earth |
| Hler | Ægir | Ler | Agiha | the god of the deep sea, known as “the Greedy Destroyer” |
| Eostre | Idunn | Asteron | Austron | the goddess of fertility, the spring and the dawn |
| Wayland | Volundr | Galans | Wioland | the great supernatural smith |
| Helle | Hel | Hella | goddess and ruler over the dead | |
| Wælcyrie (or Sigewif) | Valkyrja | Itis | Idisi | female spirits who escort the dead |
| Wyrd | Urðr (or Norn) | Worden | Wert | the aspect of fate or divine purpose |
Core Rituals
Heathens carve idols, guard themselves with runes and charms invoking their gods, and keep tokens and figures to remind them of the great stories and deeds of both gods and man.
Most heathens know a few prayers and sacrifices to the gods - at least of their favored cults - which they worship together at simple household shrines or altars. Rulers and elders are expected to know more, so that they may better lead their people.
Meetings and ceremonies are often held in areas central to the community, including the halls of rulers.
Rituals & Sacraments
The most common ritual of the heathens is the seeking of understanding through runic secrets.
Runes are a mundane alphabet common among the Germanic peoples, heathen and non-heathen alike; but to the heathens they are also a way for the crafty to see the future or even to bring capricious fate to their aid now and then.
Another common feature is the blót, or sacrifice - carried out during holy days or whenever one wanted to specially dedicate their actions to a god or to their ancestors (or potentially both for some people).
Other rituals tend to depend on the gods one wishes to please. For example:
- Wotan is impressed only by great deeds. When his followers fight, they shout “Those who fall in battle, I dedicate to Wotan!”. When his followers are not fighting, they are especially eager to find out mysteries through runes and magic.
- Eostre is worshipped with prayers for fertility and a good harvest. She is then celebrated with displays of her generosity at festivals.
- Thunor’s accomplishments are celebrated by construction shrines and statues along paths, providing shelter for those who may pass by, sometimes with food or a piece of flint (representing Thunor bringing fire to man with his lightning) put in the statue to aid the traveler.
Festivals & Holy Days
Particularly important holy days for the heathens include:
- Yule or Midwinter, on the winter solstice, worshipped with singing and joyful feasts.
- Easter, held in the spring at the beginning of the campaigning season to celebrate the new year and seek victory in the coming seasons of war or farming.
- Winter Nights, at the three days at the end of autumn. A time to give many blóts, both personal (to local spirits and the family) and public (for a good harvest, or for a gentle winter).
Clergy
Powerful rulers tend to lead ceremonies and rituals. Not only are they well versed in heathen practices (whether this is their form of retirement after holding power, or held simultaneously), but they are often descended more closely to the gods and heroes themselves.
Some other priests and priestesses (goderes, “god people”) arise when the devout feel called by a god to speak prophesies and carry out runic magic, or when warriors become berserkers in battle, channeling the power of the gods.