~ Nordic-Germanic Worship ~

Slavic Native Faith

Also referred to as Rodnovery, Slavic Native Faith is a religious system based on the history and culture of the Slavic people of Central and Northern Europe. Practitioners refer to it most often as "Rodnovery," "Old Belief" and "Vedism."

Rodnovery is one of the few groups of Paganism today that cannot be called "Neopagan" as it is not a new or reborn form of Paganism. These are some of the oldest beliefs known to man and they survived the many horrors which have wiped out most other forms of Paganism.

It is a religion of lineage or kin and is based around ecology and a respect for nature and it's power. It is the hardest form of Paganism to convert to. One should not pursue Slavic Native Faith unless they are willing to put in much effort and care.

Neo-Norse Paganism

Neo-Norse Paganism is an umbrella term in reference to the reiteration of the ancient polytheistic Norse faith. It is typically broken down into two separate branches referred to as Asatru and Odinism.

The primary concept behind this belief system is the idea that humans are meant to live in peace and harmony with nature and worship deities like Freyja, Odin or Thor.

Neo-Norse Paganism originated in areas like Norway, Sweden, Iceland and Denmark. It is commonplace for symbols of Neo-Nordic Paganism to be carved onto military headstones or given to inmates for special accommodations. It is a generally nonviolent and inclusive, especially so in the practice of Asatru. That being said this religion does not speak on topics which hold major significance to other societies, such as race.

Asatru is the fastest growing religion in Iceland. The emphasis on tolerance and individual liberty has made it appealing to the general population.

Heathenry

Heathenry is to Rodnovery as Wicca is to Celtic Reconstructionism. Heathenry celebrates the same gods as seen in Rodnovery but they also welcome other gods from the region while Slavic Native Faith practitioners primarily worship the Nordic gods. Heathens recognize not only the Norse Gods but also the Germanic and other Northern European gods as well. These people do not only worship one major god as well, for instance there are many gods of the sea rather than one as seen in Hellenism.

They also recognize many other beings instead of simply gods such as norns, disir and cofgodas.

This religion is heavily reliant on the remembrance and honor of ancestors as well. They will often practice with their family, and they call these groups "hearths," "kindreds," or "kiths."

History of Nordic-Germanic Worship

The practice of Nordic-Germanic worship was developed in the Proto-Norse period shortly after the Northern Germanic people separated into various branches of the Germanic people.

It was a polytheistic religion which entailed the belief of numerous gods and goddesses such as Frigga, Loki, Baldr and many other deities which all played a role in the various tiers of their deity system. The cosmology of this religion revolved around the world tree, Yggdrasil.

The beliefs of this culture were primarily passed down through oral culture such as stories and songs with works like the Poetic Edda bringing some of the most ancient and distinct poems from the old Norse mythology which would otherwise be lost to our modern world.

It is believed that before 500 BCE there was a solar-oriented belief system which dominated the area prior to the Christianization of Scandanavia. It appears that Scandanavia converted to Christianity under a significantly faster timeline than their Gaulish and Celtic cousins. This was achieved by maintaining a quiet conquest to convert the people of Scandanavia. Private sermons were conducted. The final country to convert was Sweden.

Under the rule of Haakon Sigurdsson (975-995 CE), Norway was encouraged to return to their Pagan roots. He was the king who is credited with returning the area to its "state paganism." Haakon was killed in 995 CE, causing the end to his reign. Olaf Tryggvason reigned next as king of Norway and chose to reinstate Christianity, resulting in the destruction of numerous temples and the forceful conversion of many high-status Norwegians. He killed those who he called "sorcerers," essentially wiping Paganism from the Nordic-Germanic world.

Iceland suffered a similar fate with high animosities raised between Christians and Pagans. This was essentially settled at the Althing in 999 CE where Icelandic law would be ruled under Christian principles, but concessions would be made to the Pagan community. Pagan rituals remained legal in Iceland but were private, never being public.

Despite the Christianization of Scandanavia, many Old Norse mythological stories survived over two centuries solely through oral culture. Snorri was one of the major writers who is credited with the recording of these myths.

Modern Nordic-Germanic Worship

Modern Nordic-Germanic Worship is typically classified as a "new religious movement" by modern scholars. In the most basic sense, it is classified as an attempt to reconstruct the past belief systems using evidence from folkloric and archaeological studies. Approaches vary considerably.

There is no consensus existing on the theology of Nordic belief, but it is typically practiced in the polytheistic sense. It also normally adopts the cosmological views from the past societies including an animistic view of the cosmos and the concept that the world is imbued with spirits. In this religion they will typically honor these deities and spirits through sacrificial rites known as blots.

The ethical systems of these religions are often based around the concepts of honor, integrity and loyalty. Beliefs on the afterlife are rarely emphasized. These beliefs are often based on familial practice called kindreds or hearths.

The Nordic-Germanic belief system is often considered to be one of the most difficult to join if you are not born into it. This is primarily due to the emphasis it puts on family ties and worship to one's ancestors.

Those who do join from outside the traditional organization are more commonly seen bringing beliefs from outside religions such as Afro-American and Hindu beliefs.

Nordic-Germanic Deities

For more information about the various deities worshiped in the Nordic-Germanic subdivisions of Neopaganism, click the above button for an alphabetized list including their basic information, the areas over which they hold domain, any consorts or children of said deity and any symbols or holidays that may be connected to them!

Holidays

Nordic-Germanic holidays are not often considered to be fixed or widely regarded holidays but the two which are most widely accepted by the general population are also accepted by other Pagan groups; Jül (Yule) and Midsummer.

Thorrabolt (January 21 - February 19)

Disting (March 18)

All-Thing (March 18)

Komoeditsa (March 20)

Sigrblot (April 16-18)

Day of Young Shoots (May 2)

Semik (June 4)

Rusalnaya Week (June 17-23)

Kupala Night Kupalo (June 21)

Midsummer (June 23)

Festival of Perun (July 20)

Harvest Festivals (September 23)

Winter Nights (October 9-11)

Festival of Mokosh (October 28)

Alfablot (November 19)

Koliada (December 21)

Jül (December 20-25)

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