What is Our Heathenry

Heathenry is a very complex religion to get into the nitty and gritty of. There are so many different variations that we can delve into but you can find all the information you need online and in books such as those published by Asatru UK. Instead we will just touch on what our Heathenry is as a kindred.

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As a kindred we practice polytheism which is the belief in and worship of multiple gods. We follow the Norse pantheon with gods such as Odin, Thor, Freyja and Freyr amongst many others. We believe the gods to be real beings far beyond our understanding and often hold blots or sumbels in their honour. Heathenry is a very personal religion with many individual relationships with gods and deities. As a kindred we come together to partake in rituals and the like as a group, we all give our energy to the same deity in the moment. At home people may have different practices or customs which is absolutely fine. We believe in spirits or wights that inhabit the land, the hidden folk that we respect and thank. These are beings that are almost always invisible to the naked eye. Beings that have been respected by folk for thousands of years and until recently forgotten.

 

Ancestor veneration is also an important part our heathenry, we hail them in sumbel and often talk about the deeds of our known ancestors in conversation. It is important for us to remember the ancestors of our kindred too, those that have come before and have help make the kindred what it is today. These people are honoured on this website on the page 'remembering'. 

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Sumbels are a way we end a moot, our way generally follows in order of Spirits, Gods, Ancestors and then toasts and boasts. The first round we hail the spirits of the land where we are, second, each person hails a god of their choosing and then the third each person hails an ancestor or ancestors of theirs. We have a round of toasts and boasts if time permits where we proudly boast about an achievement or toast somebody else. Our rituals are a lot more indepth and are often dedicated to a single god, these are complex and are better off seen in person!

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Whilst Heathenry is about the spiritual aspect, we in the Essex and Hertfordshire Kindred hold family and kinship dear to our hearts. Coming together to celebrate, socialise and have fun is a huge part of our kindred and is probably the most important aspect. Sumbels are light hearted and sometimes filled with laughter but rituals are more serious and are deeply respected by those who take part.

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​Everybody is welcome to our moots, Heathen and non Heathen alike, we have had many occasions where non heathens have joined us and even members of the public have joined us for sumbel. We love to show people our way and get to know new people, so if you have stumbled upon this website, please come and join us at an event.

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