How to Begin

Those who start on the path of Gothheyrandism are often excited by various things. They bring many biases and thoughts about what it means to worship the oldest gods. There are a few things to be wary of when you begin your journey.

The bias of anti-theism. When you approach the practice of Gothheyrandism, you must ask yourself what attracts you to the oldest gods rather than the gods you grew up with or the gods of your parents. Many are resentful of some aspects of their heritage religion, they have difficulty accepting certain rules or theologies, or they have felt a spiritual oppression. Gothheyrandism can provide some relief from these feelings but cannot be defined by that relief. For example, it is not uncommon to find people who tire of the Christian strictures and concepts of sin; they come to Gothheyrandism because there is no idea of sin and redemption. However, it is often the case that they still hold the ideas of sin and redemption in their heart, and apply them based on their perception of what is sinful. Others are pleased to do away with the idea of redemption and assume that means there is a sort of spiritual anarchy found in Gothheyrandism. This is also more to do with anti-Christian sentiment than devotion to the ideals of the Gothheyrandism.

The bias of anti-morality. When you consider the practice of Gothheyrandism, you must deeply examine your commitment to keeping your word. When some learn that there are no moral commandments, they assume that any behavior is acceptable. This seems to be a reason why many born into Islam and Judaism turn to atheism: both religions can be strict in their adherence to holy laws. Some come to Gothheyrandism wrongly assuming that the lack of detailed moral or spiritual codes means that faith is accepting of any behavior. In a similar vein, there is a common phrase among pagan communities that summarizes this: “and it harms none, do what thou whilst.” Let this stand for those who follow these ways, but it is not the way of the Gothheyrandi. Moral codes shift and change with the place and time, there is little efficacy in the All-Father, or Forseti, detailing strict codes of holy conduct. That you should keep your oaths is enough, that you should be committed to your kith and kinship is evident, that you should be a good host to all who enter your halls is encompassing of all worthy behaviors. The idea that you might ‘do as you will’ leaves too much to emotion and situation - it is often good to do things you do not want when they benefit others.

The bias of self-empowerment. Gothheyrandism is, by it’s nature, an empowering faith. The danger comes when self actualization becomes the central core of those entering the faith. Gothheyrandism is about community, it is about kinship. Too much inward focus leads to a warping of these ideals. Often those focused inward will put an unhealthy emphasis with their relationships to the gods. They can become obsessed with this relationship and fall prey to other biases more easily. It has also happened that their oaths become less meaningful as they begin to make them constantly with themselves and then dissolve these oaths as needed. It is unhealthy for the believer and those they interact with. It is true, some who believe in the gods find themselves isolated from others of our faith, do not despair. We have the means now to find each other, you are reading those words through one such method. Never feel alone in your love for the gods, our kinship is strong despite any physical distance.

The bias of Nihilism. It is shocking how often the concept of uncaring gods enters the minds of those interested in the Norse pantheon. They are seeking some validation of their feeling that the universe is unfeeling and cold - thus their interpretation of the Norse gods are a truer representation of this. There also seems to be echoes of anti-Christian sentiment in this bias; that loving gods is a Christian principal and than Norse gods are the antithesis of this. This seems to be an affectation of those running from the world of their childhoods. The stars burn without caring about the light they give to humans, the sun without caring about the heat it gives, the rain falls without a care for the thirst it might quench. The world goes about its business without any consideration of you. That is one way to view the world, some call it more real, yet it is perhaps the most blind to actual existence. The whole of your reality is experienced through only your eyes, collectively through all our eyes. Just as the path of the photon changes with observation, so too does every element of the world have some influence through our realities. The world is not a cold and sterile place and it is not so for the gods. They have passions, and truly, not all of them care for mankind; but some do. Some care deeply for people and their influences on the natural world. Midgard is the greatest of Grimnir’s creations and has an important place in the realms - our place in it is no less vital. If you pray to the gods, they will hear you. If you ask for their consideration, they will listen. Of course they may ask from you in return, this is the nature of oath and kinship.