Heathen Piety: An Interview with Galina Krasskova

And I think that's perhaps one of the reasons why devotional practice is so controversial. It certainly doesn't feed our egos! It doesn't offer immediate gratification and it's a long, ongoing process. That can be quite daunting but to embrace this virtue, to really try to make it part of one's spiritual and daily practice is immensely beautiful.

I think that the Modern Pagan movement would benefit greatly from embracing the idea that sometimes it is right and proper to pour out an offering, or do a ritual, or say a prayer not for any gain, but because it is the right and respectful thing to do. We need to remove ourselves from the equation. Without knowing it, we can be so tremendously self-centered, and while the Gods can bring immense healing, there's more to religious practice than free self-help. As our religions stagger into the 21st century, I think we're finally approaching the point where we've gained enough confidence, and have established the first tentative roots that we can take a step forward in devotion and move from centering our practices around ourselves, to centering them where ultimately they belong: around the Holy Powers. We're a work in progress, but I hope that a greater acceptance of and embracing of piety will be the next part of that process.

Ms. Krasskova is heavily involved in the reconstruction of Northern Tradition shamanism and, in addition to several of her own books, has contributed extensively to Raven Kaldera's Northern Tradition Shamanism series. Originally ordained through Fellowship of Isis and then The Interfaith Fellowship, Krasskova holds a diploma in interfaith ministry from The New Seminary in NYC, a BA in Religious Studies from Empire State College in New York City, and an MA in Religious Studies through NYU. Krasskova currently serves as a staff writer for Witches and Pagans magazine. Her publications include Exploring the Northern Tradition, Runes: Theory and Practice, Sigyn: Our Lady of the Staying Power, The Whisperings of Woden, and many more. She may be reached at [email protected]. For more information on her work, visit her site, Gangleri's Grove.