Don’t be that ‘guy’

December touches on something that is important over at the latest entry on her blog: Defining a Heathen, Lore, and Don’t Be That Guy.

Religion is lived, not merely read.

I want to also add, don’t fall into the trap of becoming a lore thumper (something I see a lot of with people converting to this belief way after years in Protestantism). Because our Gods are not fictional characters, they don’t exist merely within the confines of a book trapped between the front and back covers. You either believe they are real and still active forces with agency, or you don’t. And if you don’t, then this clearly isn’t the religious pathway for you.

Understanding the Symbols

Every religion and culture has an iconography which is uniquely it’s own, and the Northern Tradition is no different. Common symbols found in conjunction with this religion are the Valknut, Mjolnir, Irminsul, magical staves (known as a galderstav, such as the Ægishjálmur & Vegvisir), Sunwheels (including solar crosses and the misappropriated swastika), etc. But what do they mean?