Ritual items

Lets see, a walk inside my worship rituals. Well, worship is kind of a misnomer. It’s more like a communion with the gods. My prayer times are not at set times, I just do it when I feel it. Our religion is still pretty wide spread and even when it was well followed tended to be kept within tribal boundaries. Many of us practice alone. I like to share my beliefs with others (notice blog) but am a very private person. I have no problem communing in solitude. Some have gathered into family groups called Hearths or Kindreds but many chose to be alone. So lacking a formal place to hold rituals, or blots as we call them, we make our own place.


Here is just a quick overview of the items I use in ritual. First is the blot bowl. Mine is a hand made copper bowl from the copperguild. I use it for offerings. Pretty much anything that goes into the bowl is meant for the gods or those who have passed on.


Next is my troth ring made for me by a follower who is also a fine blacksmith. It has some runes around it that are personal to me. Troth rings are the objects that modern day wedding rings descend from. They are made to swear oaths on, or make promises between parties. When I see it I am reminded of my oaths.


The alter and horn. The horn represents the well of the norns. It is used for the mead/ale toast and offering. My horn is well loved. Lots of ale has flowed through that thing, it’s a fine horn. The alter is purely optional. It really is the centerpiece of my holy place. It helps me focus and gets me into the right mindset. It has various symbols burned on it that represent various gods. The runes have some inspirational quotes.


Last would be my runes. I made these myself, blessed with my sweat. They were made from a live branch from a tree in my yard and the runes burned on. Sealed with some lemon oil and kept safe in a luxurious Captain Morgan’s private stock bag ;-) I can really feel the strength in these. I don’t use them often, but when I do they never fail.

That’s about it for the set up. Later I will post some of the routines I go through and how all this stuff is used in a ritual.

"Heilir Æsir, heilar Ásynjar
heil sjá hin fjölnyta fold
mál ok manvit gefið okr mærum tveim
ok læknishendr meðan lifum!"