Minding Your Manners

We often leave gifts for the landspirits of the places we visit. Gifts can be of many kinds, with small amounts of food or a beverage being the most common. Your leftovers that you no longer want are not appropriate. Also, put some effort into making your gift such that it will not be seen as litter if it is discovered by other persons.

Things to Avoid
First and foremost, don't do anything you're not comfortable doing. As our guest, we respect your beliefs. In turn, we require that you respect our beliefs and yourself by not involving yourself in any thing that you don't understand, or in any way that does not feel right to you. You are welcome to stand quietly in the assembly or nearby, and no one that matters will think any the less of you.

Many of our practices are highly participatory, often involving calls to our various gods by name. But unlike some pagans, most notably Eclectic Wiccans, most Ásatruar do not mix pantheons. Invoking non-Norse/Germanic gods during our rituals is not appreciated and will not win you any friends. Similarly, if you follow one of the Abrahamic traditions (Judaism, Christianity, Islam), invoking elements of your religion at an Ásatru event is simply wrong, no matter how fervent your belief. If we ever visit one of your gatherings, you may be confident that we'll return the favor of your respect in kind.

Within the larger Heathen community, there is disagreement about the appropriateness of hailing Loki or his children, especially Jormungand and Fenris. If you do this, reactions will range from none, to thinking you have really bad taste, to the perception of grave insult or even assault. Unless you are familiar with your group and know their feelings on the matter, it's best to assume that hailing Loki is a very bad idea. Hailing Surt or other non-allied Jótnar is in the same category.

Oaths are taken seriously by Ásatruar. Before you swear to do something, first be sure it is an honorable thing to do, then be sure it is something you can do, and furthermore something you will do. That doesn't mean it has to be easy. In fact, if you go to the trouble to make an oath, it's better that it not be easy, as many of us will tell you that insignificant oaths are made by insignificant people. Oaths made to the god Tyr are especially sacred and are therefore discouraged. Failing to uphold an oath is a mark against your character that no Heathen will overlook. Measure your oath carefully before you make it, or don't make it at all. Oaths create consequences and obligations for those who witness them as well as for those who make them, so discuss your intentions with your host before you swear: this might not be the right time or place or company.

You'll quickly notice that alcoholic beverages play an important role in many of our rites. But take the advice of Odin, the leader of our gods: drinking to excess is an overrated pastime that often exposes a fool. We'll prefer that you're able to remember the time you spend with us, and that we remember you positively. If you know yourself to be alcoholic, we will respect, admire, and honor your abstinence. If you are under the legal drinking age, assume that you will not be consuming alcohol.

Ásatru gatherings are usually organized under a bond of frith. This is an old word whose casual translation is peace, but that's not really it. Heathens can and do disagree about all kinds of things, often loudly. We can do so and still remain frithful. We don't even have to like each other. All that is required is that we get along and maintain at least civil behavior. So if you're a drunk or a troublemaker, leave now. If you are inclined to behave dishonorably, especially toward women or children, leave now. If you are likely to damage or walk off with things that don't belong to you, leave now. If you do not intend to respect the rite you are attending, leave now. Persons who break the frith will quickly find themselves ejected, or on the wrong end of the law, or worse. Don't make it necessary for us to demonstrate.

Just Ask
We know that our religion and culture are probably outside of your current experience. You will find Heathens at any event who will happily tell you whatever you want to know. We won't try to convert you, so you needn't hesitate to ask at any appropriate time.