This was my project during The Great Lockdown during The Unspecified Virus of Unknown Origin.
During those times, we saw mental illness on the incline, a trend that still continues to this day.
This isn’t about the lockdowns though, this is about something different, a lesson I learned through the span of those three or four years.
First, I know many will have their opinions on the issue, however, I ask you to hold them for now because I want to show you something that may benefit you.
Second, no, I’m not saying you have to build something to these specific deities.
Third, during those lockdowns, many religious institutions made a major pivot to online because worship services were out of the question when performed en masse similar to the way Catholics, Protestants, and other religious persuasions in our own country (The U.S.) and it left many feeling bereft of anything that may have given them comfort and strength during those times.
For those like myself who were navigating the bumpy road of solo practice, in fact, doing many things solo since my late-teens, some of us had an advantage and a little creativity, others didn’t and felt a bit trapped and didn’t have the first clue where to turn.
While some felt the need to either make accusations about endangering others or level accusations about rights that would never be relinquished back to We, The People, this could have been a learning experience for many.
For me, I found myself with a bit of free time and began looking online for book recommendations, game recommendations, the means to inexpensively and easily make videos and ways of practicing my religious ceremonies.
This is how, through the many conversations, I came upon getting things together for the setup you see in the photo above. That’s my altar. Yep, you’ll find Odin, Thor, Frigg, Freya and her brother Freyr sitting atop that altar.
Each morning, I get up, I grab a bottle of water and fill the two glasses. One to represent The Well of Urd where Odin found the Runes after hanging for Nine Days from The World Tree with his spear piercing his side and the other representing The Well of Mimir where Odin sacrificed one of his eyes for a single drink to increase his wisdom. Also the water is a daily offering as it’s the essential element to staying alive and it’s my way of thanking the gods for all of their help in keeping me alive, afloat and secure in my basic necessities.
I also have a standing offering of something very valuable of vital substance that I don’t show or talk about because my thanksgiving is a constant. It’s a daily thing.
After I’ve had my morning shower and deodorant, I light the candle in order to not only guide the souls of those whom have passed into the Norse Afterlife which is a very nuanced thing and something I won’t really go into here just yet. Maybe later.
While the candle is lit, I raise my Mjolnir necklace and hail the gods and ask them to only continuing to light my path as I continue to walk in my faith every day. This is the one thing I’ve done that has remained consistent. I also put on my moldavite necklace and sometimes, I’ll put on some other things as well, depending on whether or not I have to work. There are levels to this, is what I’m saying.
Now, let’s talk about why I do this. First, the gods are not beholden to me and I recognize this. They’re as flawed as I am and they don’t pretend to be anything but.
Also, I thank them each day despite the fact that I may not always see the gifts given right away. Sometimes, gifts are withheld for my own good and I can recognize that but the really huge reason why is because comes down to one word: Discipline.
Discipline is one of the things that, despite being Generation-X, was instilled in me early. It’s simply structure. I need structure in my life at times, libertarian that I can be most times, I also recognize the need to balance out those rights with responsibilities to which I have to commit. The every day morning ritual helps with that. The offerings each morning may vary but I personally feel the need to do something each day, even if all I can do is a little. Remember that the water I give them, it’s the same water I use to make my tea and I know Frigg and Freya both love things that smell good so I try to generalize and fine tune those offerings but thought has to go into it. There has to be good reason to commit to that and having that focal point is no different than the Christian who genuinely enjoys attending some sort of Mass type ceremony.
This is how I start each day and it not only helped me find strength and peace even when things weren’t so peaceful and I wasn’t feeling all that strong.
The great news to all this is, no matter your faith, you can do this very thing as well. The altar is really the top of a small book shelf I picked up at JoAnn Fabrics if I’m not mistaken. It’s unfinished and untreated and Mr. Bub likes to scratch at it for some reason, despite my objections but yes, books are kept there pertaining to my religious persuasion as are my tarot, oracle and rune decks, plus a few items tucked away for much bigger ceremonies.
It’s not ideal but it works and that’s all I need.
If you’re not really feeling the Home Altar thing yourself, that’s fine but a small space where you can reserve, in your own home, for strictly religious practice is a good thing to have because if you can dedicate yourself to that of your deity, you can use it as a focal point to establish the discipline needed to properly walk in your faith.
Still, think of your morning ritual. Do you go to the bathroom, conduct a little business, brush your teeth then shower, shave and put on the deodorant before getting dressed and having your coffee? There’s a form of it right there but that’s mostly geared toward your own physical appearance and hygiene, what will you do each day to praise your deity or deities for the things they do for you daily.
A simple daily ritual of thanksgiving can be done any day or even everyday. It can be done once, twice, three times a week and you can modify it to fit how your current situation.
In all of this, what I’d found was a way to practice without having to have a group. I got advice and even inspiration from many, including a group that, I’m almost certain won’t have me back. Believe me I’m not knocking at the door begging to be let back in. There are some difficulties though. Having an altar this small, you can obviously see that it gets a little crowded very quickly, so you have to manage your real estate wisely.
Point is that this one little thing you do should be absolutely dedicated to the deity or deities you worship. Though my current dwelling is modest and small, the realm of the gods would be represented in a small space that only serves to be my religious focal point.
It’s the first thing I do when I wake up. It’s one of the last things I do before going to bed. I visit and focus on my altar no less than three times a day. Granted, it’s for minutes at a time but at least there is something until I decide to be seated in front of it to do a meditation.
On top of everything, it needs to be very personal to you. Do only what you’re able to do. Don’t sweat the small things (I know how that sounds but bear with me) but having that personal religious space does indeed matter.
Whatever your spiritual persuasion is, people, the point is that creating, maintaining, and using that little space for you and your family will instill discipline if used every day and, as the adage of “one good turn deserves another” goes, eventually it will begin creeping into every facet of your life without you realizing it until, one day, you look around and wonder how you got to the point of being so well-disciplined in many areas.
I use my altar not just for offerings but also for dedicating new sets of runes I may receive like my last set and the altar looked quite a bit different during those days.
It’s a concept I’ve explored and stuck with for a few years now and I’ve found that it’s worked for me. If you want to know what the rune dedication ceremony looks like, I’ve got you covered there as well…
If you’re so inclined, give it a try. Just stick with your ritual, make adjustments as needed but get closer to your spirituality by being grateful for another day and giving a little back as part of your morning ritual. You’re already doing it, just integrate that one little necessary and vital part to your day and tell your deity or deities, “Good Morning!”