The Ancestors
In pre-Christian Germanic societies, reverence for one’s ancestors was far more than a simple religious observance- it was a central pillar of personal identity, social order, and cultural continuity. Ancestor veneration permeated daily life, shaping how individuals understood their place within both family and community. The dead were not seen as distant or wholly removed; rather, they occupied a spiritual realm intimately intertwined with the physical world, often imagined as existing alongside or within the very land the descendants inhabited. Ancestors were regarded as active participants in the ongoing fortunes of their kin, capable of offering protection, wisdom, and fertility when properly honored, or bringing misfortune if neglected or disrespected. Maintaining right relations with one’s ancestors was thus both a sacred duty and a practical necessity, ensuring the stability of kinship bonds, the fertility of land and livestock, and the preservation of social harmony. These practices also served to affirm communal identity, as shared lineage and mutual reverence for forebears bound families and tribes together across generations, creating a living continuum of past, present, and future.
The ancestors, often revered as the "mighty dead," occupied a central role as guardians, protectors, and reservoirs of ancestral wisdom within pre-Christian Germanic belief. They were seen as powerful intermediaries whose ongoing presence influenced every facet of life, from the fertility of the land to the fortunes of the household. The favor of these ancestors was actively sought through offerings, ritual observances, and the upholding of family honor, as their goodwill was deemed crucial for the health, prosperity, and stability of the living. A community in right relationship with its ancestors could expect protection, guidance, and success, while neglect or disrespect toward the mighty dead was feared to invite their displeasure- manifesting in misfortune, sickness, or even the collapse of social order. This deeply reciprocal relationship emphasized the sacred obligation of descendants to uphold the values, oaths, and traditions inherited from their forebears. Through such practices, ancestor veneration wove together the spiritual and social fabric of the community, ensuring not only spiritual harmony but also the continuity of kinship, identity, and cultural legacy across generations.
Ancestor worship was expressed through a wide array of rituals and practices aimed at honoring, appeasing, and maintaining communion with the spirits of the departed. Offerings of food, drink, and treasured goods were regularly presented, often at household altars, sacred groves, burial mounds (haugar), or other consecrated spaces closely tied to the family’s lineage. These gifts symbolized both gratitude for past blessings and a reaffirmation of the living's ongoing obligations to their forebears. The act of giving was not merely symbolic—it was part of the sacred reciprocity that maintained harmony between the living and the dead, ensuring continued protection, fertility, and prosperity. Ritual meals, seasonal observances, and private acts of remembrance might also accompany these offerings, reinforcing the ancestors’ enduring presence within the household and community. By sustaining these practices, individuals and clans reaffirmed their place within the unbroken chain of kinship that bound them to both past and future generations.
Families often maintained intimate, daily connections with their ancestors through small offerings at household altars. These altars, though simple, held deep personal significance, often adorned with heirlooms, symbolic objects, or items tied to the memory of departed kin. In a modern context, items like photographs may serve this purpose, though in pre-Christian times, physical representations were more likely to include ancestral tools, weapons, or tokens passed down through generations. Beyond the daily devotions, major communal festivals such as Jól and Vetrnætr served as grand occasions for collective ancestor veneration. These sacred gatherings featured ritual feasts, the retelling of ancestral sagas, and formal offerings designed to strengthen the bond between the living and the mighty dead, securing their favor for the seasons ahead. Life’s great milestones- births, marriages, and funerals- were likewise marked by special rites that invoked the presence and blessing of the ancestors. In these transitional moments, families sought the guidance, protection, and approval of their forebears, ensuring that each new stage of life unfolded within the sacred continuity of kinship. Through both daily devotion and communal ritual, ancestor veneration wove itself into every layer of social and spiritual existence.
Burial mounds, or haugar in Old Norse, held profound significance as sacred resting places where the spirits of ancestors were believed to reside. Far more than mere graves, these mounds served as enduring connections between the physical and spiritual realms, anchoring the presence of the mighty dead within the landscape of the living. Often situated on ancestral lands or prominent communal sites, haugar functioned as both personal and collective centers of veneration, memory, and identity. Families and communities visited these mounds regularly, bringing offerings of food, drink, and precious goods, and performing rites that reaffirmed their respect and devotion. These rituals were not simply acts of remembrance; they were essential exchanges that maintained the active relationship between the living and their ancestors, securing ongoing guidance, protection, and fertility. The haugar stood as living symbols of continuity, binding present generations to the deeds, honor, and guardianship of their forebears, and ensuring that the ancestral presence remained woven into the daily life and prosperity of the community.
Ancestor worship was central to the maintenance of both personal identity and communal cohesion in pre-Christian Germanic societies. Through the continual honoring of their forebears, individuals affirmed their place within an unbroken lineage, drawing strength, legitimacy, and moral guidance from the deeds and virtues of those who had gone before. This veneration instilled not only pride but a deep sense of duty- to uphold the family's honor, maintain its reputation, and safeguard its legacy for future generations. The shared reverence for common ancestors forged powerful bonds within clans and tribes, reinforcing communal solidarity and mutual obligation. Oral traditions played a vital role in sustaining this ancestral memory; storytelling, poetic recitations, and the careful preservation of genealogies kept the lives and accomplishments of the ancestors vivid and ever-present. These narratives did more than preserve history- they offered living examples of courage, wisdom, loyalty, and frith, providing moral templates for behavior and leadership. In this way, ancestor worship ensured that the past remained an active force within the present, continually shaping the identity, values, and cohesion of the community.
Disir
The Dísir were deeply venerated female ancestral spirits in pre-Christian Scandinavian belief, embodying the enduring presence and protective power of the maternal line within the family and clan. Seen as guardians of hamingja (family luck) and the well-being of their descendants, the Dísir watched over the living with both fierce devotion and unyielding expectation, ensuring that the honor, prosperity, and survival of the family remained intact across generations. Their influence extended into every sphere of domestic life, from fertility and childbirth to the health of the household, the fortune of warriors, and the stability of the land itself. The Dísir were not distant or passive spirits; rather, they were active participants in the fate of the clan, guiding, warning, and at times even intervening directly to protect their kin. Formal rituals such as the Disting were held to honor them, especially during pivotal times of the year, calling upon their favor for the seasons ahead. Their presence in daily life and seasonal rites reflects the vital role women played in both the spiritual and social structures of Norse society, where the unseen strength of the ancestors continued to shape and safeguard the living.
In their role as protectors, the Dísir were intimately woven into the fabric of domestic and communal life, serving as guardians of fertility, childbirth, and the delicate balance of household harmony. Their watchful presence ensured the safe delivery of children, the health of mothers, and the fruitful growth of both family and land- critical elements for the survival and continuity of the kin-group. The Dísir were invoked not only to safeguard the physical well-being of the family but also to preserve frith- peaceful order- within the home, preventing discord that might threaten the clan’s stability. Their influence extended beyond the individual household to encompass the broader welfare of the entire community, as the strength and prosperity of each family contributed to the collective fortune of the tribe. In this way, the Dísir acted as both personal guardians and communal stewards, their favor sought in times of both domestic and societal need. The health of the entire community was, in part, a reflection of the active protection and blessing of these revered ancestral spirits.
To honor and maintain the favor of the Dísir, individuals and families regularly made offerings at household altars, burial mounds, or sacred spaces set aside for these ancestral spirits. These offerings often consisted of food, mead, dairy, baked goods, or other items tied to the daily life of the household- gifts intended to nourish and please the Dísir, much as they might have cherished such things in life. In some cases, finely crafted textiles, jewelry, or symbolic tokens of domestic work were also presented, reflecting the Dísir’s close ties to the household's care and prosperity. These ritual acts were not performed out of mere obligation, but as vital exchanges of gratitude and respect, reaffirming the ongoing relationship between the living and their ancestral protectors. By tending to these rites, families secured the continued presence and support of the Dísir, whose favor was seen as essential to the family’s luck, fertility, and enduring stability. The neglect of such duties, conversely, risked inviting misfortune, illness, or loss of harmony within the home.
A major ritual dedicated to the Dísir was the Disting, one of the most significant public festivals in their honor. Typically held during the late winter or early spring, often near the time of the Vetrnætr or at the start of the new agricultural season, the Disting marked a communal moment of both reverence and petition. At its heart was the offering of sacrifices- both animal and material- accompanied by feasting, song, and ritual observances. These rites sought to honor the female ancestors, express gratitude for their protection, and secure their continued favor as the community faced the uncertainties of the coming year. Fertility, both of the land and the people, stood at the center of the Disting's purpose, as the Dísir were called upon to ensure the flourishing of fields, livestock, and kin. Importantly, the Disting was not merely a religious act, but also a powerful expression of communal identity: families and tribes gathered to strengthen social bonds, reaffirm shared heritage, and invoke the ancestral powers that tied them together across generations. In this way, the Disting stood as both a sacred rite and a cultural anchor, weaving together the spiritual, agricultural, and social threads of Norse communal life.
The reverence for the Dísir reflected the deeply rooted pre-Christian Scandinavian worldview, in which the boundaries between the living and the dead were permeable, and the well-being of the present was inseparable from the legacy of the past. The Dísir embodied this sacred continuity, serving as ever-present links between generations. Their favor was not simply a matter of spiritual comfort, but a critical factor in securing fertility, luck, protection, and stability for both family and tribe. This relationship underscored the enduring responsibility of the living to honor their roots, preserve the memory and deeds of their foremothers, and uphold the customs and values handed down across generations. In turn, the support of the Dísir ensured that the cycles of life- birth, growth, death, and renewal- continued unbroken, safeguarding the prosperity of both kin and community. In honoring the Dísir, the Norse people affirmed the sacred order that bound together family, society, and the cosmos itself.
The Alfar
The Álfar, mysterious and venerated figures in Germanic belief, are frequently understood as the spirits of male ancestors, though their nature encompasses both ancestral and otherworldly dimensions. Serving as powerful intermediaries between the human and spiritual realms, the Álfar occupied a central role in maintaining the delicate balance between the seen and unseen worlds. Closely tied to the land itself, they were believed to dwell within burial mounds, hills, groves, and other sacred natural features, places where the boundary between worlds grew thin. The presence of the Álfar was regarded with a mixture of reverence and caution, as they possessed the ability to influence fertility, health, weather, and fortune. Their favor could bring abundance, prosperity, and protection, while neglect or offense might result in illness, misfortune, or even catastrophe. As guardians of ancestral power and the vitality of the land, the Álfar embodied the intimate link between lineage, landscape, and the ongoing welfare of both family and community within the wider spiritual fabric of pre-Christian Germanic society.
To preserve the favor of the Álfar and sustain the vital connection between the living and the ancestral realm, individuals and communities offered gifts of food, drink, crafted goods, tools, and personal items- symbols of gratitude and respect. These offerings were often placed at burial mounds, sacred groves, or natural features believed to serve as their dwellings, reinforcing the Álfar’s role as guardians of both land and lineage. Such rituals were far more than pious observances; they were essential acts of reciprocity, ensuring continued fertility, health, and protection for the household and the wider community. Appeasing the Álfar maintained the balance between the forces of nature, the goodwill of the dead, and the fortunes of the living. Their guardianship over both the spiritual and natural world reflected the deeply interwoven cosmology of pre-Christian Germanic society, where honoring one’s ancestors was inseparable from sustaining the prosperity and survival of family, field, and folk.
In mythological texts and sagas, the Álfar are portrayed as powerful intermediaries who move between the mortal and spiritual realms, their presence shaping the unfolding of fate and the destinies of men. They often serve as guides, patrons, or even adversaries to heroes, their actions steering events in ways both subtle and profound. The Álfar are credited with great wisdom, magical abilities, and deep knowledge of the hidden forces that govern the world, and their favor or displeasure could alter the course of a life or even a kingdom. Tales of their interactions with humans- whether bestowing boons such as fertility, prosperity, or victory, or delivering punishment for disrespect and broken oaths- reflect their central place in the Germanic understanding of a cosmos where the living, the dead, and the unseen continually intersect. These stories emphasize the fluid and permeable nature of the boundaries between realms, illustrating a worldview in which the spiritual was never distant, but instead intimately present, shaping daily life and binding mortals to the unseen forces that sustained or threatened them.
One of the most significant traditions honoring the Álfar was the Álfablót, a private, household-centered ritual typically observed during the late autumn or early winter months. Unlike public festivals, the Álfablót was conducted within the intimacy of the home or farmstead, emphasizing the deeply personal nature of each family’s bond with their ancestral spirits. Offerings of food, drink, and other gifts were quietly presented to the Álfar, seeking their continued protection, fertility, and favor as the dark season approached. Participation in the Álfablót was strictly limited to members of the household, and outsiders were generally excluded, underscoring the sacredness and familial focus of the rite. The solemn atmosphere of the ceremony reflected the seriousness with which these obligations were undertaken, as the well-being of both the family and their land was believed to depend on maintaining right relations with the ancestral Álfar. Through these private rites, families reaffirmed their lineage, honored the presence of their mighty dead, and wove themselves once more into the unbroken thread of kinship that bound the living to the unseen guardians of the household and the land.
The Álfar were deeply intertwined with the land, serving not only as ancestral spirits but also as guardians of sacred places within the natural world. Groves, springs, hills, ancient trees, and even certain stones were believed to be their dwelling places, imbued with their presence and power. These sites were treated with great reverence, and any activity that might disturb them- whether clearing land, building, or harvesting- was preceded by offerings and rituals to seek the Álfar’s permission and favor. This profound connection between the Álfar and the land reinforced the understanding that nature itself was alive with spiritual forces deserving of respect and care. The constant awareness of the Álfar’s presence served as a daily reminder that human prosperity was inseparable from the health of the land and the goodwill of its unseen custodians. Living in harmony with these powers was not only a religious duty but a practical necessity, ensuring fertility, protection, and balance in the ever-present interplay between humanity, the ancestors, and the natural world.
Through these enduring rituals and beliefs, the Álfar remained ever-present within the cultural and spiritual fabric of pre-Christian Scandinavian life. They embodied the unbroken link between past and present, between the living and their ancestors, and between humanity and the sacred forces embedded in the land itself. The veneration of the Álfar reflected a worldview where the ancestors were not confined to memory or the distant afterlife, but continued as active guardians, advisors, and sources of strength, shaping the fate of their descendants. Their influence extended into the fertility of the fields, the health of livestock, the outcome of ventures, and the well-being of the entire household. By honoring the Álfar, communities acknowledged that the prosperity and stability of the present depended on maintaining right relationship with the powers of both the ancestral and natural worlds. In this way, the reverence for the Álfar sustained a sacred continuity, ensuring that the wisdom, protection, and vitality of the ancestors flowed unbroken into each new generation.
The Haug Búi
The Haug-Búi, or "Mound Dwellers," occupied a distinct and deeply respected place within the ancestral beliefs of pre-Christian Germanic and Scandinavian societies. Seen as the lingering spirits of honored ancestors, these beings continued to dwell within their burial mounds (haugar), maintaining a watchful presence over their descendants and the land they once tended. The Haug-Búi were not distant or abstract entities; rather, they embodied a living connection between the living and the dead, anchoring the family’s spiritual and physical presence within the land across generations. As guardians, they were believed to safeguard the family’s luck (hamingja), oversee the prosperity of the household, and protect the boundaries of the land against both physical and spiritual threats. Their presence served as a constant reminder that the family’s well-being was inseparable from the ongoing respect paid to its ancestors, whose spirits remained active participants in the life of the community. The Haug-Búi thus represented both the permanence of the family’s place in the world and the enduring responsibility of the living to honor and maintain the sacred ties that bound them to their forebears.
The Haug-Búi were believed to continue their existence within their burial mounds (haugar), which were often prominently situated on family lands, ancestral farms, or other sites of communal importance. These mounds served not only as resting places for the dead but also as sacred thresholds where the living could approach the ancestral spirits and maintain the bond between generations. The Haug-Búi were seen as powerful and wise, their insight rooted in both their worldly experience and their ongoing connection to the unseen forces of the land and cosmos. When properly honored with offerings, ritual visits, and respectful remembrance, they bestowed blessings of protection, fertility, and good fortune upon their descendants, ensuring the continued prosperity of the family and farmstead. However, neglect or disrespect toward the Haug-Búi risked inviting their displeasure, which could manifest in misfortune, crop failure, illness, or other calamities. The careful tending of these sacred mounds was thus not only an act of devotion but a vital duty, preserving the delicate balance between the living and the mighty dead who still watched over their kin.
Veneration of the Haug-Búi was marked by regular, often seasonal visits to the burial mounds, where families would gather to honor their ancestral guardians. Offerings of food, drink, crafted goods, and personal items were presented at the mound, serving both as acts of gratitude and as invitations for continued protection and favor. These gatherings were solemn yet familial, blending reverence with the warmth of kinship. Rituals often included spoken prayers, invocations, and the recitation of family histories, recounting the deeds and virtues of those interred within the haugr. Songs and chants might accompany these rites, calling forth the presence of the ancestors and reaffirming the living community’s bond with its roots. Through these acts, the Haug-Búi were not merely remembered but actively woven into the daily and spiritual lives of their descendants, ensuring that the ancestors' wisdom, strength, and hamingja (luck or fortune) continued to flow into the present generation. This ongoing relationship was vital for maintaining both the prosperity of the land and the stability of the family line.
Burial mounds were far more than mere resting places for the dead; they stood as enduring homes for the ancestral spirits and sacred thresholds between the world of the living and the unseen realms beyond. Rising from the landscape, these haugar visibly anchored the family’s lineage to the land, embodying both heritage and the unbroken presence of the ancestors. Their prominence served as daily reminders of familial identity, responsibility, and the continual presence of the Haug-Búi, whose watchful eyes guided and guarded their descendants. The care and upkeep of these mounds was a solemn obligation, rooted in the understanding that the well-being of both family and land was intimately tied to the favor of the ancestors dwelling within. Offerings, repairs, and ritual observances ensured that the Haug-Búi remained honored and appeased, securing their ongoing protection, wisdom, and prosperity for the living. Neglect of these sacred places risked disturbing the delicate balance between the worlds, inviting misfortune and severing the vital flow of ancestral support that sustained both household and community.
The Haug-Búi were not only tied to their burial mounds but also intimately woven into the land itself. The very soil that held their remains was seen as sacred, binding their spirits to the fields, forests, and waters they had known in life. Beyond the mounds, certain groves, springs, stones, and hills throughout the landscape were believed to carry the presence or favor of ancestral spirits, becoming extensions of the Haug-Búi’s influence. These natural features were treated with deep reverence, and acts such as clearing land, drawing water, or harvesting wood were often preceded by offerings or prayers to ensure the ancestors’ continued goodwill. Caring for these sacred spaces was not merely an act of environmental stewardship, but a spiritual obligation that preserved the delicate harmony between family, land, and the mighty dead. In honoring these sites, communities reaffirmed their place within the great web of kinship that spanned both the living world and the unseen realms, ensuring that the protective gaze of the Haug-Búi continued to watch over field, home, and bloodline alike.
The Haug-Búi embody the profound ancestral reverence that lay at the heart of pre-Christian Germanic and Scandinavian belief. Through their veneration, the living remained tethered to their roots, drawing strength, wisdom, and protection from those who had walked before them. This ongoing relationship sustained not only individual families but the entire fabric of community and land. In modern Heathenry, the honoring of the Haug-Búi endures, adapting to contemporary life while preserving the core of ancestral veneration. Modern practitioners continue to visit burial sites, offer food and drink, recite family histories, and tend sacred spaces, weaving together ancient custom with personal and communal devotion. Through these acts, Heathens maintain the living threads of kinship, respect, and spiritual reciprocity that connect the present to the timeless presence of the ancestors. In honoring the Haug-Búi, today’s Heathens not only safeguard tradition but ensure that the wisdom and presence of the mighty dead continue to enrich and guide the living.
Modern Heathenry
In contemporary Heathenry, ancestor veneration continues to serve as a vital and deeply cherished practice, forming one of the core pillars of modern belief and ritual. Practitioners actively seek to revive and adapt the ancestral customs of their forebears, drawing inspiration from historical sources while thoughtfully integrating these traditions into modern life. Central to this revival is the enduring importance of kinship, both biological and spiritual, as practitioners honor not only their blood ancestors but also chosen ancestors, cultural forebears, and those who have shaped their paths. Through rituals, offerings, storytelling, and the maintenance of household or communal altars, modern Heathens reaffirm the sacred bond with the past, ensuring that the wisdom, virtues, and hamingja of their ancestors continue to nourish the present. This living connection fosters a profound sense of identity, belonging, and communal strength, anchoring individuals within a lineage that transcends time and affirming the enduring presence of the ancestors in the unfolding story of their descendants.
Many modern Heathens maintain ancestral altars, often called hörgr or shrine, within their homes as central spaces for ongoing veneration. These altars serve as tangible focal points where the living may honor, reflect upon, and commune with the spirits of their ancestors. Photographs, heirlooms, and objects tied to family history or personal lineage are commonly displayed, transforming these spaces into living testaments of kinship and memory. Offerings of food, drink, flowers, tools, jewelry, or other meaningful items are regularly presented, each act reaffirming gratitude and inviting the ancestors’ continued presence and blessing. The care of these altars is itself a devotional act- offerings are refreshed, spaces are kept clean and orderly, and time is set aside for quiet reflection, prayer, or storytelling. This steady rhythm of attention keeps the ancestral bond alive and active, emphasizing that veneration is not reserved solely for high holy days, but is instead woven into the fabric of daily life. Through these sacred spaces, Heathens sustain the living dialogue between generations, drawing strength, guidance, and wisdom from the enduring presence of those who came before.
Naming children after ancestors is a meaningful and widely embraced practice among modern Heathens, serving as a living tribute that honors the enduring presence of one’s forebears. Each name passed down carries the memory, virtues, and hamingja of those who came before, allowing the ancestral line to remain vibrant and present within each new generation. Alongside naming, the study of family genealogy has become a significant part of modern Heathen practice. Many Heathens diligently research their ancestral roots, tracing lineages, uncovering long-forgotten stories, and reviving cultural customs tied to their heritage. This process not only deepens personal identity but reconnects practitioners with the living web of history that binds them to the deeds, struggles, and triumphs of their ancestors. In some cases, genealogical research leads to the recovery of nearly forgotten traditions, languages, or rites, allowing modern Heathens to reintegrate these elements into their spiritual lives. Through both naming and genealogical study, the past is made tangible, the legacy of the ancestors is preserved, and the unbroken thread of kinship is honored and strengthened for future generations.
Modern Heathenry recognizes and incorporates the concept of Unverified Personal Gnosis (UPG), allowing individual spiritual experiences and personal revelations to inform and deepen the practice of ancestor veneration. While historical sources and reconstructed traditions form the foundation of Heathen practice, UPG acknowledges that living relationships with the ancestors and the divine are dynamic and ongoing. Many Heathens experience direct moments of insight, dreams, or intuitive guidance that feel rooted in their connection to their forebears. These personal experiences often inspire the creation of unique prayers, the crafting of ritual objects imbued with personal or family significance, or the establishment of new family customs that reflect both ancestral heritage and present-day spiritual growth. In this way, UPG serves not as a departure from tradition, but as a continuation of it- breathing life into ancestral veneration by allowing each family and practitioner to honor their ancestors in ways that are both historically mindful and personally resonant. Through this balance, modern Heathens uphold a vibrant and evolving tradition that remains deeply rooted while allowing space for individual expression and ongoing relationship with the mighty dead.
An essential element of modern Heathen ancestor veneration is the sumble, a communal toasting rite that serves as both a sacred act of remembrance and a reaffirmation of ancestral bonds. During some forms of sumble, participants gather in a circle and take turns raising their drinking horns to offer toasts, some of which are in honor of their ancestors. These toasts frequently recount the deeds, virtues, hardships, and wisdom of forebears, ensuring that their names and stories remain vibrant within the community. Each spoken word in the sumble weaves the memory of the ancestors into the present moment, reinforcing the values they upheld and the lessons they passed down. This ritual act of storytelling and veneration not only honors the mighty dead, but also serves to instill a deep sense of identity, continuity, and shared purpose among participants. The sumble is more than remembrance- it is a living dialogue with the past, where the strength, courage, and wisdom of the ancestors continue to guide the hearts and actions of their descendants. In this way, sumble stands as one of the most powerful expressions of ancestral reverence in modern Heathenry, binding the living and the dead in a sacred chain of memory and obligation.
Modern Heathenry’s approach to ancestor veneration represents a careful balance of historical reverence and thoughtful contemporary adaptation, allowing ancient traditions to remain vibrant and deeply meaningful in today’s world. By honoring their ancestors, Heathens uphold core values of kinship, loyalty, community, and continuity, drawing strength, wisdom, and identity from the enduring legacy of those who came before. This living relationship with the ancestors reinforces not only personal and familial identity, but also fortifies the broader Heathen community, anchoring it firmly within the unbroken chain of lineage and tradition. Through a dynamic interplay of tradition and innovation- combining reconstructed rites with personal gnosis, historical practice with modern circumstance- Heathenry continues to thrive as a living, evolving faith. In doing so, it ensures that the voices of the mighty dead remain ever-present, guiding and enriching the lives of their descendants in an ever-changing world.
