On the Nature of Heathenry

Heathenry is a system of beliefs that has undergone a number of changes both in classical and contemporary times. In looking at the general timeline, we see a primal religion that grew along with its people from hunter-gatherers, to farmers, to city dwellers. The way in which this has happened is one of the things I find truly impressive about Heathenry because, rather than abandon our connection to the natural world around us in favor of a religion that focused more on the doings of modern civilization, we married the natural to the civilized...literally. Like any kind of marriage, this relationship takes on some incredible complexities as well as some surprising simplicities.

From the archeological record, we understand that life in Heathen lands was not easy. Despite the mild summers we experience in this region, the winters here can be hard and unforgiving. As I write this article, it's 63° F outside, with a stiff breeze and steady drizzle...and this is the middle of August! People who lived in this region a thousand years ago had to remain in touch with nature and the seasons - conservation, moderation and preparation were concepts understood by our Heathen forebears, life back then depended on understanding these concepts. As a people who sailed in the open waters, out of the sight of land - and as a people who farmed - an understanding of weather patterns and a knowledge of the night skies were important. The advanced technologies utilized by early Heathens also argue for a people who clearly understood the workings of the natural world around them.

So what role would early Heathens have considered themselves as playing, in regards to the nature around them? I think it's safe to say that they considered themselves always a part of nature - even the Heathens who lived in cities a thousand years ago. Our lore tells us of Yggdrasil, the mighty ash (or yew) that serves as cosmic axis and supports the worlds of gods, men and giants alike.(1) Our lore also tells us that the first humans were fashioned from trees - and a number of types of trees continue to remain sacred in contemporary Heathenry. Animals are also sacred in Heathenry - some are directly associated with the gods themselves - such as wolves, ravens, gulls, and boars. Our ancestors also used elements of nature to describe themselves - this is commonly seen in kennings, metaphorical descriptions built of compound words or phrases used in Skaldic poetry (e.g. 'tree of battle' for 'warrior'; or 'brine stallion' for 'ship'). Personal names also reflect natural descriptions, as many names include the names of animals, like Arnbjörn, which means Eagle-bear.(2) Although not proven, my personal opinion is that early Heathens held totemic beliefs, and I think that the names (along with the famed Berserker cults) are a strong indication of this.

Early Heathens also revered the natural world around them. One of the earliest indications of this comes from Tacitus' Germania, in which he describes the various Germanic peoples worshipping in sacred groves. Our Heathen forebears did not originally utilize anthropomorphic representations of our gods - this came later, as exposure to southern cultures increased. Our Heathen forebears found the presence of the gods in springs, groves, rivers, seas and mountains.(3) In time, of course, this view expanded to include an anthropomorphized representation and understanding of the gods...but the veneration for these natural features did not stop. Njord was still found along the fertile coasts, Ægir in the depths of the sea, and Odin in the storm. The Vanir gods in particular were heavily associated with nature and fertility, while the Æsir were more concerned with the cultural and civil aspects of life. The marriage between nature and civilization that I spoke of earlier comes from the peace pact and exchange of hostages between Æsir and Vanir. There has also been recent work trying to establish Frigg, wife of Odin, as being of Vanir origin and also previously wed to Njord.(4)

It's also important to point out here that the gods who are referred to as 'mightiest' among gods have their origins in the natural world. Thor is son of Earth, Heimdall is born from the Nine Mothers (the waves of the sea). Freyr's abode is the land of Elves, and he is strong enough to bring down a giant with no other weapon than a deer antler.

Landvættir and sjóvættir (land wights and sea wights, respectively) figure prominently in the beliefs of early and contemporary Heathens, as do Elves and Dwarves.(5) By and large, these extensions and or guardians of nature were abandoned by early Heathens reluctantly...even after the conversions to Christianity, people would still honor the wights of land and sea. The bell ringing from the churches was an attempt to drive these spirits away, since it was widely regarded that the land wights in particular were not fond of bells or other forms of loud noise. The belief in land and sea wights, along with the veneration of divinity and spirit found in natural formations, can be viewed as a form of animism.

So early Heathens viewed themselves as part of a natural world that they simultaneously venerated, were connected to, and were challenged to survive in. Another point to consider is that even the gods were susceptible to Nature. Without the apples of Idun to preserve their age, the gods would grow old.(6) The gods can procreate, and they can die. So, from the Heathen perspective, not even our gods are above Nature.

Nature, to the modern Heathen, is no less important. The lessons and explanations of science aren't lost on us, ours is a religion that has never had a problem embracing technology or science; but our reverence for the gods and wights, our identification with the qualities and strengths of various animals, our consideration of animals and plants as sacred, and our belief in the sacredness of Earth, Sea and Sky are unchanged by science. We keep in mind that this world was created by the gods, we see our gods as our honored ancestors, and to dishonor this world is to dishonor them. It is also important for many Heathens to preserve the nature skills of our forebears - hunting and fishing, farming and the raising of livestock, survival-style excursions, sailing and a number of other activities of our forebears are pursued by contemporary Heathens. In fact, if anything, I would wager that the understanding gained from science and technology has increased our appreciation for the natural world around us, and provided us with greater insight into our own position in the weave of Nature's fabric.

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(1) For further information on Yggdrasil and trees in Heathenry, I recommend this short article in Wikipedia.
(2) This name and others can be found in this article from the Viking Answer Lady, the name used in this case is a male name.
(3) Germania, Cornelius Tacitus (source, Medieval Sourcebook), chapter 9.
(4) Nerthus, Toward an Identification, William P. Reaves, written for Boudicca's Bard.
(5) Those not familiar with these terms should start with the overview offered in this Wikipedia article about Wights.
(6) Prose Edda, Gylfaginning XXVI.


*This article was posted by Bjorn of Expanding Inward while he was a guest blogger here. When I switched over to the new Blogger system on 9/12/06, the byline was changed by Blogger. I want to give credit where credit is due.