Vikings Norse Paganism Quick Guide

### Religious and Spiritual Practices of the Vikings

#### Norse Paganism

– **Pantheon of Gods:** The Vikings worship a diverse pantheon of gods, each with distinct attributes and stories. Key gods include:

  – **Odin:** The All-Father, god of wisdom, war, and death.

  – **Thor:** God of thunder, storms, and fertility, known for his hammer, Mjölnir.

  – **Freyja:** Goddess of love, beauty, fertility, and war.

  – **Loki:** The trickster god, associated with mischief and chaos.

  – **Goddess Worship:** Goddesses such as Frigg, the wife of Odin, are also revered and play crucial roles in Viking mythology.

#### Rituals and Ceremonies

– **Blót (Sacrifice):** Ritual sacrifices of animals (and occasionally humans) are common to honor the gods and gain their favor. These ceremonies are often conducted by a goði (priest) and involve feasting and drinking.

– **Seiðr (Magic):** A form of sorcery practiced by völvas (seeresses) and sometimes by gods like Freyja and Odin. Seiðr involves divination, prophecy, and influencing fate.

– **Seasonal Festivals:** The Vikings celebrate key events like Yule (midwinter), Midsummer, and the harvest through communal gatherings, feasting, and offerings to the gods.

#### Funerary Practices

– **Burial Rites:** Burials often include grave goods such as weapons, jewelry, and everyday items. Elite individuals might be buried in ships, symbolizing their journey to the afterlife.

– **Valhalla:** Warriors who die in battle are believed to be chosen by Odin to reside in Valhalla, where they prepare for Ragnarok (the end of the world).

– **Hel:** Those who do not die in battle may go to Hel, the realm of the dead ruled by the goddess Hel.

#### Elder Futhark Runes

– **Runic Alphabet:** The Elder Futhark is the oldest form of the runic alphabets used by the Vikings. It consists of 24 runes, each with a symbolic meaning and magical properties.

  – **Fehu (ᚠ):** Wealth, abundance.

  – **Uruz (ᚢ):** Strength, health.

  – **Thurisaz (ᚦ):** Protection, conflict.

  – **Ansuz (ᚨ):** Wisdom, communication.

  – **Raidho (ᚱ):** Journey, movement.

  – **Kenaz (ᚲ):** Knowledge, creativity.

  – **Gebo (ᚷ):** Gift, partnership.

  – **Wunjo (ᚹ):** Joy, harmony.

  – **Hagalaz (ᚺ):** Disruption, change.

  – **Nauthiz (ᚾ):** Need, constraint.

  – **Isa (ᛁ):** Ice, stillness.

  – **Jera (ᛃ):** Year, harvest.

  – **Eihwaz (ᛇ):** Defense, endurance.

  – **Perthro (ᛈ):** Mystery, fate.

  – **Algiz (ᛉ):** Protection, sanctuary.

  – **Sowilo (ᛊ):** Sun, success.

  – **Tiwaz (ᛏ):** Honor, justice.

  – **Berkano (ᛒ):** Growth, fertility.

  – **Ehwaz (ᛖ):** Trust, partnership.

  – **Mannaz (ᛗ):** Humanity, self.

  – **Laguz (ᛚ):** Water, intuition.

  – **Ingwaz (ᛜ):** Fertility, new beginnings.

  – **Dagaz (ᛞ):** Daylight, breakthrough.

  – **Othala (ᛟ):** Heritage, home.

#### Spiritual Beliefs

– **Animism:** The belief that spirits inhabit natural objects like trees, rocks, and rivers. These spirits, known as landvættir, are honored and respected.

– **Fate and Destiny:** Vikings believe in the concept of fate (wyrd), with their destinies woven by the Norns, three powerful female entities.

– **Afterlife:** Besides Valhalla and Hel, some might go to Folkvangr, Freyja’s hall, or other realms based on their deeds and deaths.

#### Symbols and Totems

– **Mjölnir (Thor’s Hammer):** A symbol of protection and power, often worn as a pendant.

– **Valknut:** A symbol associated with Odin, representing the slain warriors and the connection between life and death.

– **Yggdrasil:** The World Tree, a central element in Norse cosmology, connecting the nine worlds.

### Interaction with the Divine

– **Prayer and Offerings:** Regular prayers and offerings to the gods, landvættir, and ancestors maintain harmony and seek blessings.

– **Oracles and Divination:** Consulting seers or using runes for guidance in important decisions.