When talking about Heathen ritual it is important that we remember several things:

Firstly there is some evidence from history and archaeology which give us some clues how a few groups of Heathen used to worship in a few places. This information is by no means intact.

Secondly that any ritual has to be current with the general society in which those people live. We would all get into a lot of trouble today if we sacrificed slaves to Nerthus for example.

Thirdly the ritual has to be relevant to those people attending it. Anglo-Saxon is a wonderful language in which to conduct a Heathen ritual. Provided of course that everyone present is fluent in it. The purpose of the ritual needs to be relevant to those attending too. It needs to be a common cause almost.

Finally, I don’t believe there is a right and a wrong way of doing things. Provided you base your rituals on a combination of historical evidence, the Eddas and Sagas and your own personal experience. Making it relevant to you and your current situation should also play a large part.

Traditionally a hearth ( holy place) is out doors. Though you may at times want to do rituals indoors too, and there is nothing wrong with that. The altar is known as a Harrow and can be as simple as a rough sawn tree trunk or stone. Or you could have a table covered with a cloth decorated with knot work or Runes. Heathens are perhaps less likely to do rituals sky clad; and more likely to have at least one sword, axe, spear, or other weapon of war on their person, than with other pagan traditions. There may be various items on the Harrow. Most usually a sword and a Mead horn. Sometimes traditions will at various times have antlers or a candle depending on the ritual.

So with that introduction out of the way I will describe some elements which may be included in heathen rituals. This does not mean to say that you should include them all. And the order in which they come is less important than your personal reasons for doing one thing first before another. Use some common sense and it should all come together nicely.

A hammer ritual is the closest thing in Heathenry to casting a circle. Taking a sword ( though I have also used an axe, and I guess if all you have is your hand that would work as well ) to the four quarters make the sign of the rune Thurisaz. Then also make the sign above and below so your hearth is protected from 6 directions. As you do this you should visualise the rune you have just placed there as blazing with fire. The words you say are as with most rune work less important than the correct risting of the rune. I suggest something like the following though you could change it if you felt you wanted to as long as you keep the same general meaning.

“ With Thurisaz To the North, East, South and West; With Thurisaz above and Below. I invoke the power of Mjolnir to protect this hearth.”

If you wanted to you could also invoke Thor at this point for very much the same reasons.

The purpose of a hammer ritual is not so much to mark out a specific space but rather to protect the whatever space you are working in. It works just as well in an oblong room as a circle. There is no element of using a hammer working to raise the energy of a ritual. Though done properly it has an undeniable energy of its own. It is easy to understand why, when you realise that the actual hammer being invoked is Thor’s hammer Mjolnir.

Some people will use antlers instead of a sword, and indeed the rune Algiz works as well as Thurisaz though then it ceases to be a ‘Hammer’ working.

The Aesir and Vanir play an important part in Heathen rituals. Heathens have a very close relationship with their Gods and goddesses. Many see them as distinct individual entities. There is a general feeling that they are like a part of our wider family. I will at some point include a page here about the main Gods and goddesses of the Aesir and Vanir.

A typical invocation to a god will include several of his names or attributes. For example the easiest is probably Odin:

Odin, Allfather, Rider of Sliepnir, Lord of Valhalla, All seeing, High one, Vidar’s sire, I call on you to be with us in this ritual! And I bid you Hail, and Welcome!

Obviously you can pick attributes to fit with the ritual you are doing as you pick which Gods or Goddesses you wish to invoke as well. This is where a working knowledge of the Eddas and Sagas comes in useful. So get reading!!

Also known as a Symbel ( pronounced Sum-bel ) basically there are three rounds of toasts. The first is to the Gods and goddesses. This can be a hail or a prayer to them. The second is to, or in honour of your ancestors. The Third is to yourself. This can be in the form of toasting one of the other persons present , or in the form of an oath. Oaths taken in this way are sacred. The other people present when you make it also are Troth bound to help you keep it. For example if you make an oath that you are going to loose one stone in weight; then it is expected that the other hearth members don’t offer you chocolate!!

This will vary depending on when in the year it is, or what is being celebrated. Basically anything which fits in with the general theme or intent of the ritual. I am not about to tell you here what works and is relevant to you, you need to work that out for yourself.