setting up a norse altar

I have been reading a lot of books but each one seems to have a different way of what goes where, and what all is needed for a altar. I was wondering if anyone has any advice on what I should have and where it should go, and if there is a specific way it should be set up based on the norse tradition?

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Permalink Reply by Bryn Judysdottir on August 17, 2013 at 2:28am

Sage posted a page on altars, specifically, how to get all the stuff for one for really cheap. The layout is really up to you though. You can find the page link on the group main page to the right of your screen, just under the member icons.

If you're interested in the Germanic deities (Norse is just one of several under this heading) I'd suggest looking at how their original worshipers venerated them. It might suit you. If you like the NeoWiccan layout and worship style, that's fine, being a Heathen (Germanic recon) I can't help but suggest looking at it at least. :p If you're interested in going an old religion route, let me know. I've got a monster booklist and a few links to look at.

Permalink Reply by James F on August 17, 2013 at 4:46am

ya I read it but the layout is really the main concern and yes I am interested in going the old religion route

Permalink Reply by Bryn Judysdottir on August 17, 2013 at 10:23am

Alrighty then. :)
I'll start you off with these: http://odroerirjournal.com/?page_id=52 They are totally free, heavily researched journals put together by quite a few of the finest reconstructionists in things Germanic. They should give you a taste for this method and a beginner's grasp on things.

Next: http://www.asatrulore.org/index.php?page=Index
I suggest searching keywords here. I wouldn't join just yet if I were you, they're a tough bunch to get along with. If you were to join and ask questions, they'd tell you to use the search function. I beat them to it. :p Start by searching 'worldview'. Note keywords (there are quite a few, 'wyrd' and 'luck' should be good starting points) search them and read read read. As a general rule of thumb, avoid anything posted from 2009 and earlier.

And if you feel like this is the direction you'd like to go, here's a book list for further study: http://www.wiccantogether.com/profiles/blogs/the-heathen-source-lis... be sure to read through the comments, a former member (Aidith) added a bunch of titles that I have yet to add to the main body of the list.

Get a feel for the first two before purchasing books as they can be expensive. Hildeburh and I are right here if you have any questions or concerns. :) If you don't feel comfortable with this route, it's ok. It isn't for everyone.

Permalink Reply by James F on August 17, 2013 at 10:43am

sweet thank you I appreciate it

damn read one of your books to avoid and realized it was one I bought recently and am waiting to get delievered :/ oh well

Permalink Reply by James F on August 17, 2013 at 2:52pm

ok thanks well now I don't feel like I wasted the money :). cant wait to start reading all of the books on the do read list.

Permalink Reply by Bryn Judysdottir on August 17, 2013 at 5:50pm

No problem, darlin.
Lol that's one way of looking at it, Ashe. Sounds like a fun idea.

You could do that or send the book back for a refund. It's really up to you. Happy reading. :)

Permalink Reply by James F on August 19, 2013 at 5:35am

ok thank you

Permalink Reply by cru on August 19, 2013 at 10:56am

may i make a minor and simple request and suggestion to your topic forum title, that being that you include the following, simply so that searching the forum topics in the future does not get too boggy in finding easy headings... "setting up a Heathen altar", given that the information requested is one of a specifically culturally based nature, rather than a general set up... once you've read this, and made a decision to my request, please feel free to delete this comment .... :)

James F said:

ya I read it but the layout is really the main concern and yes I am interested in going the old religion route

Permalink Reply by James F on August 19, 2013 at 3:45pm

ok I have two questions. Asatru what exactly is it I see a lot of people bashing it but no reasons as to why what Asatru means or anything. and second what exactly does it mean to be heathen I look at prior posts on the forum but don't see anything that can give a good definition of what a heathen is.

Permalink Reply by Bryn Judysdottir on August 19, 2013 at 11:55pm

Asatru is a non-recon approach to the germanic (specifically Icelandic) deities. Hilde provided examples of some of their stuff. A Wiccan-like holiday wheel and an over-simplified moral code are a couple of their trademarks. This is frowned upon by recons, as you've read there (I did say they were tough to get along with). It shows the adherents are lazy, lacking research to understand why things were done. They tend to play dress up and recite antiquated rituals straight out of the lore rather than understanding the framework and creating their own out of that understanding.

'What is a heathen?' is a rather difficult question to answer in detail. I posted an introductory page to Heathenry, however short, expressing what it is to be Heathen at it's very core (in my perspective). I plan on posting many more pages on it, but it'll take some time.

All I could tell you in short is that we seek to understand why the original worshipers did the things they did, how they saw the world around them (worldview), and the proper way to interact with the people in their community. Once we understand why, we apply it to ourselves, emulate it, live it, breathe it, be it. But always within modern law and society. We live here and now. I could go on, but it would never end. Lol

Permalink Reply by James F on August 20, 2013 at 12:05am

ok I think I understand now thank you. well back to reading rofl

Permalink Reply by Bryn Judysdottir on August 23, 2013 at 9:47pm

How are things going, James? Are you enjoying the material or is it a little too heavy for your taste?