About Heathen Tradition
Our Mission
Heathen Tradition is dedicated to providing accurate, thoroughly researched information and educational materials focused on pre-Christian Scandinavian paganism and the wider context of Germanic spiritual traditions. Our work prioritizes historical fidelity while remaining accessible to practitioners seeking to root their modern beliefs in ancestral knowledge. Drawing from a wide array of sources- including the Poetic and Prose Eddas, sagas, rune inscriptions, early legal codes, and archaeological records- we strive to present a cohesive and credible account of the ancient worldview. In doing so, we combine rigorous academic insight with practical application, offering a foundation for meaningful spiritual engagement that avoids both romanticized distortion and sterile reconstruction. We recognize that these traditions were not monolithic, and we emphasize the importance of regional diversity, linguistic nuance, and historical development in shaping varied local expressions of belief and ritual. Our approach is grounded in critical interpretation, yet oriented toward lived experience, enabling modern Heathens to draw from the past in ways that are spiritually authentic and intellectually honest.
Yet we also acknowledge a vital truth: much of what once was is now lost, scattered by centuries of conversion, suppression, and cultural upheaval. No matter how deeply we study, some knowledge- ritual forms, sacred meanings, local traditions- has vanished beyond recovery. What we have are often fragments: glimpses preserved in poetry, carved into stones, whispered in later folklore. In places where the tapestry is torn, we must make our best guesses, guided by scholarship, comparative tradition, and spiritual insight. Where the thread has long been broken, we must carefully weave anew- not to invent at whim, but to reconnect what has been severed. This is not failure, but faithfulness. Ours is not a museum of dead beliefs, nor a historical reenactment. It is a living tradition: one that honors the old ways, even as it grows and adapts to the needs of our time.
Many of the resources and writings provided on this page are specifically crafted to help new Heathens build a strong and reliable foundation for their practice. We recognize that beginning this path can be daunting, especially amid the wide variety of sources, interpretations, and modern adaptations available. Our goal is to offer clear, trustworthy guidance that introduces key concepts, beliefs, and rituals in a way that is both approachable and firmly rooted in the historical record. Whether someone is just discovering the gods and ancestors or seeking to transition from eclectic spirituality to a more focused reconstructionist approach, the materials here are intended to orient newcomers toward a deeper understanding of Heathenry’s core principles. By laying this groundwork, we hope to empower new practitioners to grow with confidence, discernment, and a strong sense of belonging within the wider Heathen community.
Our broader mission is to rekindle respect for the values, rituals, cosmologies, and social structures that animated the lives of our pre-Christian forebears. This includes not only the well-known myths of gods and heroes, but also the rhythms of seasonal observances, the importance of kinship bonds, and the moral frameworks that governed conduct and communal belonging. By examining ritual practices, engaging with themes of fate, honor, and obligation, and rediscovering the sacred relationships between humans, deities, ancestors, and land-wights, we aim to connect ancient principles with present-day realities. We believe that these traditions continue to offer vital insights into how to live meaningfully, maintain strong communities, and foster right relationships with the world around us. This work of respectful reconstruction is not about recreating the past wholesale, but about discerning what can be carried forward with integrity- reviving traditions in a way that is both rooted and responsive, principled and adaptive.
Lastly, we are committed to cultivating a vibrant and inclusive Heathen community that reflects the richness and diversity of those drawn to this path today. We understand that spiritual practice flourishes most fully when supported by fellowship, dialogue, and shared purpose. To that end, we offer welcoming spaces- both physical and digital- where individuals can study, celebrate, and explore the tradition together. These environments are designed to encourage open exchange, respectful engagement, and mutual aid among members at all stages of their spiritual journey. We believe that building community is itself an act of devotion, one that mirrors the frithful ties valued by our ancestors. Through collective effort, shared learning, and the honoring of each person’s unique contributions, we aim to nurture a living tradition- one that continues to grow with purpose, clarity, and reverence for both the past and the future.
What We Believe
At Heathen Tradition, we follow a reconstructionist approach to Norse paganism, meaning we seek to practice in a way that closely mirrors the beliefs, rituals, and cultural worldview of the pre-Christian Scandinavian peoples. Our goal is not to romanticize the past, but to thoughtfully and respectfully revive the spiritual and social frameworks that once shaped the lives of our ancestors. Through careful study of historical sources- such as the sagas, eddas, archaeology, and comparative Indo-European traditions- we work to rebuild a living tradition rooted in ancestral wisdom. At the same time, we recognize that we live in a different world than our forebears did, and so we adapt with care, bringing these old ways into harmony with the realities of modern life without compromising their integrity. Our path is one of both reverence and responsibility: to remember, to preserve, and to carry forward the legacy of a people whose gods, customs, and values still speak meaningfully to us today.
Our primary beliefs and practices include:
Polytheism:
We honor and worship a diverse pantheon of gods and goddesses, with particular reverence for the divine tribes known in the lore of the Scandinavian peoples as the Æsir and the Vanir. Rather than abstract figures, we regard these beings as powerful entities who remain active and present in the world, deserving of offerings, praise, and loyalty. Through ritual acts such as blót (sacrifice), faining (non-blood offerings), prayers, and communal celebrations held during sacred times of the year, we seek to build and sustain reciprocal relationships with these gods. Our worship is not merely devotional but participatory- rooted in a sacred cycle of gifting- allowing us to live in right relationship with the divine forces that shape both our inner lives and the wider cosmos.
Ancestor Veneration:
At the heart of our tradition lies a deep respect for our forebears, who we believe remain active members of our communities even after death. Our ancestors are not distant or forgotten; they are honored kin whose guidance, protection, and insight continue to shape our lives. We maintain ongoing relationships with them through offerings placed at household altars, at gravesites, or during rituals and seasonal gatherings. Through storytelling, remembrance, and ritual, we preserve their names and deeds, binding the living and the dead in a sacred continuity. These practices reinforce our identity and responsibility as heirs to a lineage, fostering spiritual resilience and a sense of belonging within the tapestry of generations.
The Vættir:
We recognize that the world is filled with unseen beings and spiritual presences often known collectively as vættir. These spirits inhabit the land, waters, homes, and wild places, each with their own natures, moods, and expectations. Among them are beings such as landvættir (land spirits), sjóvættir (sea spirits), húsráðvættir (household spirits), dvergar (dwarfs), and álfar (elves) who may bless or withhold favor depending on how they are treated. Cultivating respect and awareness for these beings is essential to our practice. We leave offerings at sacred places, avoid causing harm or offense to their domains, and engage in rituals to mark seasonal changes and ask for their continued goodwill. This reciprocal relationship with the vættir teaches humility, stewardship, and attentiveness to the living world around us- reminding us that we are not its masters, but its guests and caretakers.
Pre-Christian Scandinavian Worldview:
Beyond rituals and beliefs, we are dedicated to understanding and embodying the worldview of our pre-Christian forebears- a worldview shaped by honor, kinship, reciprocity, and fate. We explore their concepts of such as urðr and örlög, frith, drengskapr, and the sacred duty of hospitality and gifting. These values offer a framework for living that is not static but dynamic- centered on maintaining balance within ourselves, our families, and our communities. By integrating these cultural principles into our daily lives, we strive to live in ways that are not only historically informed but also deeply rooted, resilient, and meaningful. Our goal is not to escape modern life but to shape it with the wisdom of those who came before, walking a path that is both ancient and alive.
We stand unequivocally against white supremacy, racism, and all forms of bigotry
"If evil thou knowest, as evil proclaim it,
And make no friendship with foes."
Hávamál Stanza 127
Let it be made absolutely and unequivocally clear: there is no place- now or ever- for hatred, exclusion, or the poisonous ideologies that seek to twist, defile, and weaponize the sacred legacy of our ancestors. We stand firm and unshaken in our rejection of those who would dare to hijack the symbols, myths, and rituals of our faith to serve the purposes of fear, supremacy, or violence. These acts of misappropriation are not merely misguided- they are a direct and willful betrayal of the very heart of the tradition they pretend to honor. The spiritual path of the pre-Christian Norse and Germanic peoples was shaped by kinship, courage, reciprocity, and reverence- not by the shallow and destructive constructs of modern racial hatred. Any claim to the contrary is either rooted in profound ignorance or driven by calculated malice, and we will not abide such distortions.
At Heathen Tradition, we are unflinching in our commitment to truth, integrity, and the sacred duty of preserving and practicing this tradition with honor. We welcome all who come with sincere hearts and a genuine desire to walk this path with reverence, but we will not turn a blind eye to the presence of hatred cloaked in runes and rituals. We will name it, confront it, and cast it out wherever it festers. Bigotry, no matter how it is dressed, is not tradition- it is corruption. And we will oppose it, steadfast and unyielding, in defense of what is sacred, what is true, and what is honorable. The gods we honor, the ancestors we remember, and the spirits we walk alongside demand no less.