Between Fate and Chance

Still have a lot to learn but I look forward to the journey. As much at home in the urban environment as the wilds.

[runemeanings-blog-blog]

Norse Runic Alphabet and Pronunciation

Nothing is worse than embarrassing yourself in front of your deities by mispronouncing their names or other important magical words. The Norse runic alphabet includes 24 symbols, each with its own meaning and pronunciation. The Rune Scripts website provides a nice set of basic meanings as well as spelling each rune out phonetically, so that you can sound cool and your next ritual. FEHU “fay-who” URUZ “ooo-rooze” Thurisaz “thoor-ee-saws” ANSUZ “Ahn-zoo” RAIDO “Rye-though” KENAZ “Ken-ahz” GEBO “yee-boe” WUNJO “woon-yo” HAGALAZ “haw-gaw-laws” NAUTHIZ “now-these” ISA “ee-saw” JERA “yare-awe” EIHWAZ “eye-wawz” PERTHO “perth-row” ALGIZ “all-yeese” SOWULO “soe-wee-low” TEIWAZ “tee-wahz” BERKANA “bear-kawn-ah” EHWAZ “ay-wawz” MANNAZ “mawn-nawz” LAGUZ “law-gooze” INGUZ “eeeng-goowz” DAGAZ “thaw-gauze” OTHALA “oath-awe-law” Ok, now say them all three times, quick! (via Undertanding Rune Meanings)

[blackcrowling]

(via runemeanings-blog-blog)

[glumshoe]

Tarot reading in movies: atmospheric, mysterious, strange woman with racist overtones dramatically revealing your future with coincidentally all major arcana, makes narrative sense, characters bear uncanny resemblance to you

Tarot reading in real life: cross-legged on your bedroom floor, your friend chuckling awkwardly and double-checking a reference booklet or website, sheepish “sorry I’m out of practice”, self-deprecating jokes, shrugging at each other helplessly, spending the next half-hour desperately trying to pry the melted wax out of your carpet because your friend accidentally knocked over the dollar store candle they brought in an attempt to “set the mood”, “uhhh do you wanna… try another spread?”

[deactivated-blog]

How does animism differ from shintoism?

I know very little about Shintoism. I’m not Shintoist. As such, I’m not comfortable trying to really delve into this question. 

Anything I could learn through short research on the subject would lack depth and probably be wildly inaccurate, to boot.

Maybe a Shintoist out there will reply to this and shed some light on the subject? I’ve had others tell me that Shintoism heavily incorporates animist beliefs, though. 

I’m an animist, though. For me, animism is more of a general belief system than a specific religion, and it is compatible with (and a component of) many existing religious systems. That may include Shintoism.

I would even argue that animism is more of a philosophical belief system than a religion, but it is an element of many ancient and modern religions. Realize, though, that each religion exists in a cultural context, and each interprets animism differently.

[walkingbetweenpaths]

Yep your right about that. Shinto is a religion with strong animist philosophies as part of it's religious and philosophical doctrine.

[jamesreads]

[northern-seidmadr]

I think I’m going to just start asking new blogs before I follow them if they are against white supremacy/nationalism, antisemitism, and LGBTQIA oppression. Worded better than than probably. I’m just exhausted from the constant vetting tbh.

Thoughts?

[northern-seidmadr]

Still exhausted.

[i-alwayslikedstrangecharacters]

Trilogy of Terror (1975)

[mysticlore-deactivated20240711]

Sounds like my bookshelf.

[inactive-witchy-words]

I won’t apologize for asking for safety. I won’t apologize for asking someone to refuse neutrality in the face of hatred. And if doing those things means I “attacked” and divided a community than it was certainly not a community I wanted to be a part of.

[sharky-sharks]

Why do you like sharks?

[yofi-deactivated20190418]

he walk

[knightposting-archived]

He cronch

[gaycubedenby]

He roll

[waywardfangir1]

She give high fin. @lilragekitten

[canidteeth]

He gets tummy rubs

[glitterysquidily]

He get nose rub

[the-monochrome-jester]

He beauty

[hoediac]

He dance

[ayellowbirds]

She do a triple Lutz

[localgaecryptid]

He slorp

[pineapple-crow-deactivated20250]

This post is blessed

[mythicalmodernity-blog]

Honestly it’s a red button of rage for me when these assholes act like somehow their “ancestry” (WHICH. THEY. CAN’T. EVEN. FUCKING. NAME. MOST. OF. THE. FUCKING. TIME.) gives them a deeper and ‘truer’ connection to the gods than anyone else. I tend to black out, get very Swedish in their faces, and start asking them if they even fucking know what ‘Uffda’ means or have even heard of a Tomte or about Nils flying his goose all over the country side. Because you know what? None of that actually fucking matters with my relationship with my deities! Sure, does it add some interesting elements? Yeah alright. But if that was the central feature of my connection to the gods that would be a shitty fucking connection. It’s like saying I can’t be friends with one friend because they’re part Italian and I don’t got a drop of Italian blood in me, and only the children of Italian immigrants can TRULY be friends and have a true connection with them. Like what the fuck does that even mean.

[hennes-hjerte]

Norwegian-American (some Swedish, but for some reason the Norwegian side doesn’t talk about my Swedish great-grandfather *shrugs*) and same. They’ve probably never even heard of lutefisk.

They make it into some sort of ancestral pissing contest without even a shred of understanding of the actual fucking cultures these gods come from (both from 1000 years ago and what the cultures have evolved into today). Nor do they understand that these beliefs are open, these people were (and continue to be) open to sharing their cultural and history with anyone interested in them, and that the Nordic countries are not some isolated, homogenous collective of ‘pure white people’, ‘cause gods forbid they think about all the people they brought back to their homelands after raiding/trading that they definitely had a bunch of babies with.

They only care about the vikings and how badass they were, not about the myriad other people that lived in Scandinavia and believed in these gods, too; people that believed in hospitality and were willing to share their stories and faiths and even open to the acceptance of other gods. And they prove that to me every time I see one of these self-proclaimed ‘true heathens’ rejoice the vikings and their war gods, and then in their very next breath denigrate and spit on the people who live in the countries their precious vikings came from.

They don’t respect the gods. They don’t respect the culture. They don’t respect a damn thing, only that their skin is white and therefore their gods must be white, too. Like, fuck that, the gods are bigger than racist bullshit and can appear however they want, to whoever they want. Skin color means nothing to them.

[mythicalmodernity-blog]

Feel free I have decreed this ‘Scandinavian-Americans who give a shit about their culture and ancestors and who are tired of these “Viking” douche-canoes’ Zone.

It is just infuriating that they dare try to use their ‘blood’ in such a way when they haven’t even done a half-assed google search on their history!

And they dare use this as a weapon against people who actually care about the gods? And be racist and horrible to vulnerable people?

Like the fuck is wrong with them.

[ergiinmiddleearth]

I’ll complete the mutt trifecta by jumping off a chair to add some Danish/German American (and wherever else my ancestors brought oats before hopping off their boats). These turds are just whatever the Nordic equivalent of a weeaboo is. Brosatruar? They fetishise the aspects of the culture that give them a sense of importance and validity with the least effort. A reality in which all they need to be “right” and “irresistible” is a shoddy axe from a fair, a grungy beard and some tattoos of Loki’s kids is very appealing to a…certain demographic. 

You know. 

[antifainternational]

One group fighting this bullshittery is Heathens United Against Racism, btw…

[red-moon-witch]

Current Dilema

- Wants to live in an apartment surrounded in urban witch things

- Wants to live in a cottage in the middle of the forest surrounded by plants and magic and the earth

- Wants to live in a boat in a dock somewhere sunny, where my only concern is what i collected from the  shore and bought at the farmers market

- Wants to live in a massive beautiful temple to my gods

- Wants to live in a mall that’s been turned into an apartment complex with tons of other witches

[wiccangoddes]

[lemonbalmgirl]

My pin came! ;D

[upthewitchypunx]

Your witchy battle jacket is going to be so cool!

[kitchenwitchupinthisbitch]

Need

[breelandwalker]

@thelulusoldier We need matching pins

[walkingbetweenpaths]

I need one of these 😄

[northern-seidmadr]

A Note to Fellow Heathens and Norse Pagans

Yes, please keep loudly protesting nazis/fascists, yes keep distancing yourselves and your practices and our godx from them and their inhuman shit.

BUT

Please do not forget that the nazis were a powerful force in the revitalization of Norse paganism in Europe. Lots of academics in the 19th century especially (Hyperborean is a common keyword) subscribed to nationalistic and white supremacist ideals, even if they weren’t actively or publicly associated with any group.

Watch your sources, watch your influences. Do not deny they exist.

You see folks saying things like “uh uh nazis/facists are un-American” EXCEPT that’s ahistorical and inaccurate. Don’t forget that Hitler was greatly inspired by the racial genocide of Native Americans and used Andrew Jackson’s atrocities to build his own, just for starters.

So instead of only saying “look we’re not nazis just heathens”, make it clear that you are doing things differently. Talk about inclusive heathenry. Talk about racial diversity, in your UPG and in history of the vikings. Talk about how gorgeously queer the godx are. Even if you’re NOT queer yourself, support and embrace the gender and sexual diversity of the godx, as well as their historical and modern worshippers.

Be loudly open to ALL people. Be actively inclusive. (except to bigots and fascists of course)

[elreki-deactivated20170817]

Thor Cheat Sheet

Thor by Max Koch (1907)

Names, Titles & Their meanings:

Thor, Thunar, Donar, Tur, Tor, Thurs, Dorr, þor - “Thunder”

Asbjorn, Goetterbaer, Osburn, Osbourn- “Aesir-Bear”

Ásabragr, Asabrag - “Æsir-lord”

Ása-Þórr , Asa-Thor - “Æsir-Thor”

Atli - “The Terrible”

Björn Bjorn, Biorn, Beorn - “Bear”

Einriði,Eindriði, Einridi,  Eindridi - “The Lone Rider” “The One Who Rides Alone”

Ennilangr, Ennilang  - “The One With the Wide Forehead”

Harðhugaðr, Hardhugadr - “Braveheart”

Harðvéurr , Hardveur - “The Strong Archer”

Horgalles (Finland/Upper Norway)- “Old Man Thor”

Öku-Þor , Oku-Thor, Ukko Thor - relating Thor to the Finnish Thunder god, Ukko

Rymr, Rym - “Noise”

Sönnungr , Sonnung - “The True One”

Thorbjorn - “Thor-Bear”

Véþormr, Vethormr,Véuðr, Véoðr, Veud, Veod, Véurr, Veur   - “Protector of the Shrine” “Guardian of Shrines” “Hallower”

Tribal Affliations: The Aesir, Humanity/Midgard

Plants: “bear” plants, bear root, meadow hogweed, garlic, onions, clubmoss, leeks, bearberries, Thorbjoerg, nettle, burdock, hops, barley, rosemary, thunderbeard, holly, oaks, and everything red.

Animals: Bears and goats

Sacred Symbols: Mjolnir, hammers, axes, bears, goats, iron, garlic, onions, chariots, horseshoes, crosses (1300s-)

What was he god of?: Thunder, thunderstorms, protection, strength, virility, manhood, the common people, the color red, the color white, hallowing, farmers, peasants, carpenters, physical prowess, goats, bears, husbands, fertility, healing, hospitality, common virtue, destroying evil, defense

Sacred places: Oak groves, the sky, and Midgard the realm of Men

Where was he worshipped?: Most of Europe

Runes associated with him: Uruz, Thurisaz, Nauthis, Raidho

Taboos?: Cowardice, treachery, underhanded tricks, evil people and evil deeds

Traditional Offerings: Beer, red meat, goat meat, bread, ales, iron rings and horseshoes, cheeses

Some Modern Offerings: Advocating for the rights of the middle and lower classes, exercising, learning a martial art, self defense courses, standing up for people that can’t defend themselves, weightlifting,

[necromouser]

Also: advocating for poc, advocating for lgbt+ and any other ostracized group.

[fumbletongue]

“Blessed Be” Alternatives

Some people are uncomfortable when you bless them. Here are alternatives you can use so you don’t insult or offend people who don’t want your blessings:

“Good health to you”

“Happiness to you and yours”

“Fair winds”

“Farewell”

“Sweet water and light laughter till we next meet”

“May your journey be swift”

“Well met”

“Until our paths cross again”

“Good fortune to you”

“Pleasant travels”

“May your forge burn bright”

“Until then”

“To your health”

“Guidance and clarity find you”

Feel free to add some you use or enjoy.

[sifilord]

Ooh! Tell me, do any of y'all use an alternative to “blessed be”? If so, care to share with me what you use?!

[thegoodvybe]

I go to nature to be soothed and healed, and to have my senses put in order.

John Burroughs (via chroniclesofmarina)

[aelfcynn]

Titles of Unpopular Witchy Books

‘Divination; and the 281 Ways it can Kill You’

‘Weaving Loopholes; Cursing and Maiming with Benevolent Magick’

‘When the Death Card means Death’

‘Pagan Animism and Sacrificial Littering’

‘Blow it in their Face; an Encyclopaedia of Traditional Spells with Glitter’

'Dwale Recipes for Kitchen Wiccans’