The Holy Enclosure

 As we have seen the variety of holy enclosures is quite high. They included holy groves, holy fields, holy stones, hills and mountains, springs, waterfalls as well as built structures. What you use for your holy area will depend on what you have available. Not everyone has access to wilderness areas. In this case a personal stalli can be set up in a corner of a room. This stalli could be as simple as a table on which you set your holy instruments and any images or symbols you wish to use to represent the Regin and/or your fulltrúi. The stalli should be oriented in such a way that you when you stand before it you are facing north. The northward direction was considered as holy so any holy act should be done facing north.

 Some might wish to set up a hörg in their back yard and again this should be oriented in a north-south direction so that when standing before it to perform a blót you are facing north. For those who have access to more rural settings or can build their own hof so much the better. The main emphasis is to set an area apart that was considered holy. This area should not be used for anything other than the blót. Even if we are talking about a small stalli in one corner of your room, that table should be used only for the purpose of your blót. I have such a stalli in my living room and I do not set anything on it even for a moment unless it is the instruments and symbols I use for my blóts. I do not do this out of fear but out of a desire to show respect for my ancestors and for the Regin.

Rules for Holy Ground

 When treading on holy ground there were certain rules that were observed. We know that no one was allowed to look on (pray to) the holy mountain at Helgafell without being washed so we would not be remiss in saying that a person should wash before entering holy ground. We know that salt and salt springs were considered holy so the taking of a ritual bath with salts would be completely within the Northern Way framework. We know also from the Old Norse word blótkæði (garments worn at sacrifices) that there was a special name given to clothing worn to blóts, so special clothing that is worn only at blóts would be something to consider as well. This clothing need not be Viking Age period garb, though some may choose that. It could be modern clothing as well. The emphasis should be on clothing that is only worn at the blót. I have an amber necklace and an amber ring that I wear only during blóts. Anyone who knows anything about ritual knows that drama plays an important part in the rites and having special clothing or items that one wears only to blóts helps one get into the proper state of mind. Of course this isn't something that has to be done but it can only add to the rite. We also know from Grimm that no covering should be worn on the head.

 Probably one of the most important rules concerning holy ground was the prohibition against violence of any kind on holy ground. The person who violated this law was called varg í véum (wolf in the enclosure). I think it would be safe to say that, barring the Thing (legal assembly) disputes of any kind should be saved for another time. The purpose of the blót is the strengthening of bonds and this is a time when the chaos that can result from disputes should be avoided at all costs. Another rule closely related to this is the prohibition against bringing weapons onto holy ground. These two prohibitions seem to have been universal so the following of these two prohibitions are definitely two we should be following.

 Lastly comes a matter of a practical nature. We saw that a place to answer the call of nature was to be provided just off the holy ground. Defecating or urinating on holy ground was one of the prime ways of defiling it. The call of nature should never be answered on holy ground.

Images of the Gods and Goddesses

 We know from Tacitus that the Germans around the 1^st centuries C. E. did not have images of their gods and goddesses. They considered it unsuitable to depict them in human likeness. Despite this we know they did eventually develop the practice of depicting the gods in human form. This may have developed from contact with the Romans who we have many fine examples of their gods and goddesses being depicted in human form. My own choice in this matter is to not depict them in human form but to use their symbols instead. This could range from animals associated with them to runes, and other similar symbols. This in no way should be taken as the recommended course to take. Each person should decide this matter on their own. I simply offer the course I personally will take. I would like to offer, then, some suggestions for symbols relating to various of the Regin, including the runes associated with them.

Othinn: Valknot; This should never be worn or tattooed oneself unless you are willing to offer you life up at his whim. Ravens; His two ravesn Hughinn and Munnin. Wolves; His two wolves Geri and Freki . The Spear; His spear Gungnir. Also the spear was thrown over ones foes to dedicate (sacrifice) them to Othinn. The eagle; Othinn was known to turn into an eagle.

Frigg: Keys; Frigg was considered patron of the household and in Old Norse tradition the new wife was given the keys to the house as a symbol of her control of that aspect of life. The spinning wheel; Frigg was connected to spinning.

Freyr: The horse and the boar; Both animals were strongly connected to Freyr and the boar was his symbol both for war (its fierceness) and fertility. There are mentions of horses dedicated to Freyr and also of holy horses that were kept on the land adjacent to hofs dedicated to Freyr. Freyr also had a golden boar named Gullinborsti.

Freyja: The Falcon; Freyja had a falcon cloak which Loki borrowed on occaision. The boar and the sow; Freyja like Freyr had a golden boar whose name was Hildisvini and one of Freyja's many names was Syr which means 'sow.' The sow was a major symbol of fertility. The cat; Two cats are said to pull her wagon. The swastika; This symbol is usually connected with Thorr but I would submit that it belongs more properly with Freyja. It is a cyclic symbol and female statues have been found with the swastika drawn over their reproductive area. This shows that it was considered a fertility symbol and its revolving nature shows the possibility of a cyclic symbol, all of which would have been under the aegis of Freyja. The ladybug; The ladybug was thought to be holy to Freyja.

Thorr: The hammer; The symbol of our tradition as well as a symbol of Thorr. It is used to hallow and represents his hammer Mjollnir. Goats; Two goats, named Tanngnostr (Teeth-grinder) and Tanngrisnir (Teeth-bearer) pull Thorr's wagon. Oak; The oak tree is holy to Thorr. The Stag bettle; The stag beetle was thought to be holy to Thorr. Rowan tree; This tree is also holy to Thorr.

Loki: Fire/flame; Loki's powers are related to fire.

Ullr: The bow and skis; Ullr is connected strongly with both of these and said to be the best shot with the bow. (isa)

Baldr: The ring; Baldr was given the ring Draupnir by Othinn.

Njorth: The ship; Njorthr's hall was called Noatunn (ship yard) and he was prayed to by those who made money while using ships (merchants). The Foot-print; Njorth has the most beautiful feet of all the Regin.

The Vanir: The wagon; The wagon is a symbol of the Vanir in general.

The Nine Worlds: A large old tree; The nine worlds are symbolized by the world tree, Yggdrasill. The tree is usually depicted as an ash or yew. The double-algaz rune.

Ithunn: The apple; Ithunn cares for the apples of immortality which the gods and goddesses use to keep themselves young.

Tyr: The North Star; The North Star is connected to Tyr. The Irminsul or Universal pillar; This is associated with Tyr.

The Mead of Poetry: The Cauldron; Mead was made and served in cauldrons in the old traditions. This also symbolizes the pact made between the Aesir and Vanir which has never been broken.

Ran: The net; Ran was said to have a net in which she caught up those who drowned.

Aegir: The cauldron; The cauldron might also be a symbol of Aegir because he was a great brewer of mead.

Sif: Golden wheat; Sif's golden hair is often equated with wheat.

Berkano is also a symbol of any of the Asynjur.

Vitharr: A shoe or boot; Vitharr will avenge the death of his father Othinn by kicking to death the Fenris wolf with a strong boot or shoe that he has.

Mani: The moon; Mani is the god of the moon.

Sunna: The sun; Sunna is the goddess of the sun. Solwheel (Swastika); A symbol of Sunna. Solcross; Another symbol of Sunna.

Heimdallr: The horn; Heimdallr will blow his horn at the approaching of Ragnarok. Sheild; Heimdallr's jog is to guard or shield the bridge Bifrost from the frost giants.

Nerthus: The wagon; Her rites included the procession of a holy wagon.

Rinda: The rune isa .

Var:

Gefjon:

Hermothr:

Eir: