Old Gods

Real Life Connection

Norse Paganism

Deity/Deities -There are many gods in Nordic tradition which serve to represent different things.

a. Bheith, the God of Creation. Symbolized by the moon. Represented by ravens, wisdom and winter.

b. Trodaí, the King of the Gods. Symbolized by a war axe. Represented by storms, battle and rulership.

c. Gealach, the Queen of the Gods. Symbolized by a horn of mead. Represented by home, future or farsightedness and summer.

d. Bród, the God of War. Symbolized by a two handed axe. Represented by war and honor.

e. Bia, the God of Forging. Symbolized by a knocked bow. Represented by hunting and blacksmithing/forging.

f. Soal, the God of Nature. Symbolized by a stag. Represented by forests, herbalists and spring.

g. Farraige, the God of the Sea. Symbolized by a long ship. Represented by sailing, raiding and the sea.

h. Breithe, the Goddess of Fertility. Symbolized by a spear. Represented by family, battle and women.

i. Feirmeoir, the Goddess of Agriculture. Symbolized by a scythe. Represented by farming and the seasons.

j. Ismian, the Goddess of Wisdom. Symbolized by a raven. Represented by wisdom, old age and winter.

k. Bas, the God of the Underworld. Symbolized by a horned helmet. Represented by chaos, war and power.

l. Dearg, the God of Death. Symbolized by a black cloak. Represented by death.

Lore

-The gods lived in the darkness of the universe until Bheith, the God of Creation, made the sun and, as a result, produced light. He created the earth and molded it to his pleasure before he added animals using the hair on his head, and he used his blood to create man only to create woman afterwards as to keep man company. Other gods tried to create worlds like Bheith had did but they failed each time and those eight useless worlds vanished into nothingness. Eventually the gods came to admire Bheith's work and a minor god named Saol went down to the world to teach man and woman how to farm and create tools. Other gods followed him and showed the people how to do simple things so they may live in tranquility. However, one god named Bas, instead of wanting to help the people, brought ideas of war and chaos to the world. Bas dominated the planet with cruelty and hatred. Bheith was too weak to stop him until the goddess Noafa approached him asking to bare a child of his which would crush Bas, and thus the god Trodaí was born. Bas poured all of his power into his son and died, and Trodaí covered him in a white sphere as a burial which came to be known as the moon. Trodaí gathered a following and quickly became a chief of many Nords. He eventually had an army of five hundred Nords behind him and advanced to Bas' army despite being outnumbered 4 to 1. A war waged on between them until Bas made an attempt to expose and use his true power, to which Trodaí, a god of much greater power, did the same. Trodaí defeated Bas and banished him to the underworld where he would send those unworthy to him to be tortured, and Trodaí granted his army of men an everlasting feast as the world finally basked in peace.

Worship

- Battles/fighting.

- Altars dedicated to specific (usually lesser) gods.

- Sacrifices with animals, food, and thralls (slaves). Enemies should not be sacrificed as they will be rejected by Trodaí and the other gods and instead sent to Bas.

- Pilgrimage to Jumne to visit the Temple of Bheith and the First Stones where one pledges themselves to fight against Bas and his followers. Considered to be the noblest, most pious and exceptional of acts in the tradition. One is thought to be blessed by Trodaí and Bheith after completing this journey.

-Visiting priests/priestesses for spiritual guidance and offer sacrifice in times of a struggle in exchange for help from the gods/foresight.

Miscellaneous

— Free men/women may marry without consent of their chieftain or warlord. Those who are not free require consent.

— It is considered dishonorable to battle or duel with a shield if your opponent does not have one.

— Raiding is acceptable, however it is very dishonorable to pillage, loot and raid other Nords.

- Before one takes to the sea, they must throw a goat's head off of their ship out of respect for the God of the Sea, Farraige.

-Women may become shieldmaidens or sword sisters. They may inherit land and, rarely, even rule, though this is seen as abnormal.

- Nordic priest/priestess titles include: priest/priestess, gothi/gyda, seer/seeress, truth teller, farseer, or god speaker. Typically in a passive or second-in-command role in clans, such as an adviser.

-To fall in battle before one greys (becomes old) is dishonorable.

- Marriage ceremonies are to be conducted outdoors with a priest/priestess to solidify it. It is not mandatory that a Nord must remain faithful to their spouse though it is considered very respectable/honorable if they do. Concubines are permitted, though rape and whoring is dishonorable.

- Nordic warriors must be cremated upon a pyre after death. Nords should be burned with their belongings (items, equipment, wives/husbands if permitted, etc.) to carry them to the afterlife. The God of Death Bas will collect those who are not burned, so to not burn the dead is considered a great punishment for them in the afterlife.

-Traitors are typically given one of two punishments: One, they either have their head chopped off and their bodies set atop a pyre to be burned, then the heads are placed on spikes to rot for a time dictated by the warlord or chieftain and are afterwards discarded via an unceremonious burial. Two, they are left to rot or be unceremoniously buried as to be given to Bas.