Is The Norse Religion Still Practiced Today?
Yes, the Norse religion is still practiced today but it is not practiced in the same way as how it had been done in the ancient days.
There has been a shift in beliefs, rituals, and practices. There have been many myths and questions put up by people like What is the Viking religion?
“Is Viking religion different from Norse?” etc. Such questions have been addressed and the potential answers have been explained.
Modern And Ancient Norse Religion: Comparison Chart
Norse religion is still practiced today but differences have emerged with time. The chart below compares the modern and ancient Norse religions.
| Ancient Norse Religion | Modern Norse Religion | |
| Other names | Norse mythology, Norse paganism, Germanic religion etc. | Asatru, Odinism, Heathenry, Germanic Neopaganism |
| Gods | Polytheistic | Polytheistic |
| Origin, influences | Ancient oral transmission, possible influences from shamanism and animism. | Studying the Old Norse religion through history, art, archaeology, Literature etc. |
| Time period | 11th and 12th century | Revived in 20th century and still ongoing |
| Followers | Not known | Approx. 20000 |
Beliefs In The Norse And Asatru Religion
There may be significant differences in the beliefs of Norse pagans because there are no established principles within it. In the beginning, Norse pagans had more coherent beliefs about the universe, the gods, and themselves.
Today’s Norse paganism is more diverse. As an illustration, some people may believe in Norse gods while others may not. In Norse paganism, some may emphasize the spiritual realm while others may emphasize the material domain.
Polytheism: The Norse religion is polytheistic, which means that its adherents acknowledge the existence of numerous gods and goddesses.
In the worship and practice of individuals who adhere to the Asatru belief system, some gods and goddesses are more revered and given more attention than others.
Some well-known Asatru gods
1. Odin – Odin is Valhalla’s lord. He is the god of poetry, wealth, and other things.
2. Thor – The king of the skies, Thor. He keeps an eye on the community.
3. Freyr – Freyr is a fertility deity.
4. Freyja – The goddess of beauty and love is Freyja. Freyr and Freyja are sisters who are still believed to exist.
Certain gods are more powerful than others and some are more significant to people than others.
As a result, people approach their devotion to and relationship with different deities in different ways. There are three categories of gods according to tradition:
1. Aesir – Aesir gods are those who are a part of the main race of deities; well-known deities like Odin and Thor are a part of this race.
2. Vanir – Vanir gods, which include well-known characters like Freya and Freyja, were at one time at odds with Aesir gods but eventually became allies with them. Vanir gods are those who are connected to the fertility of the ground and the powers of nature.
3. Jotun – According to mythology, the Jotnun is “any of a race of giants” that are constantly at battle with the Aesir.
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Afterlife In Norse Paganism And Asatru
Although the Norse have a belief in life after death, there is no formal doctrine on the subject. Although it’s impossible to tell for sure how many people took the concept of Valhalla—
A large hall or meeting place in the afterlife for killed Viking warriors—literally, it was a crucial part of many people’s religious beliefs. It is obvious that not all Asatru have faith in Valhalla.
Some contemporary manifestations of Norse paganism do adhere to its fundamental principles, such as
1. Valhalla: The conventional belief among Asatru who do believe in Valhalla is that Odin rules the great hall as the overlord for all deceased Viking warriors deemed deserving enough to enter it.
In mythology, Valhalla is pictured as a vast, open area enclosed by a fortified building with a tall roof formed of shields that serve as protection and a memorial to the battle.
Boar is consumed by the Vikings in Valhalla every day; it is slain and then restored in the evening so that it can be eaten again.
2. Haunting: It was thought that the living and the dead could converse outside of Valhalla. Many adherents believed that the deceased may have a beneficial or harmful influence on those who were still alive. For instance, some people thought that their live competitors could be haunted by the dead.
3. Burial: Additionally, it was common practice to bury the deceased with items that would be beneficial to them in the afterlife, such as priceless jewelry and even other people. Ships, ladies, and gold may be interred alongside powerful men.
Sacrifices And Toasts In Norse Paganism
Blot and sumbel rituals were widespread in pre-Christian Norse paganism.
1. Blot: “Blot” sacrifices were frequently made. The most prevalent kind of sacrifice was that of animals. They would be ritualistically slaughtered, and their blood would be used in rituals for symbolic actions like sprinkling or smearing.
People such as prisoners were sacrificed too.
Kindreds, Hearths, or Garths are the modern names for Asatru communities. The majority of gatherings take place outside, as was customary for old Norse religion.
However, meals and drinks are frequently associated with rituals that represent the community’s spiritual beliefs during ceremonies. Sacrifices are also made, however, they typically involve inanimate objects.
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The History Of Asatru
The history of Asatru is, in a certain sense, the history of Norse paganism. There is no historical evidence for the development of the Norse religion. The earliest historical information about it comes from accounts of what people in ancient Scandinavia saw and thought when they came across it.
History writers like Tacitus, who lived during the Roman Empire, and relied on other sources like traders and explorers and, later, Christian missionaries to Northern Europe, made some of the earliest references to Norse religion.
Objects associated with Norse religion, such as jewelry with charms embellished with figures and scenes associated with the history and mythology of pagan beliefs, have also been uncovered during archaeological digs.
As previously mentioned, Sveinbjörn Beinteinssn, an Icelandic farmer, founded Asatru, a contemporary manifestation of the old Norse religion. Beinteinssn recruited adherents and produced poems that mirrored the Asatru worldview to resurrect the traditional Scandinavian religion.
Germanic paganism collapsed at the end of the Viking age for several reasons, including the fact that it wasn’t evangelistic and hence wasn’t being actively spread. Moreover, the Scandinavian people were the target of a fervent evangelization campaign by the Roman Catholic church.
Their missionary activities were highly supported and ongoing. Between the 10th and 12th centuries, a large number of Scandinavians became Christians.
The paganism of the ancient world declined, yet it didn’t fully disappear, even though some conversions may have been nominal — that is, in name only, rather than being founded on actual changes in belief about God, the self, and the world.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What religion do Vikings follow?
Vikings follow the Norse religion which originated from Scandinavia.
2. Does the Viking religion still exist?
Yes, the Viking religion i.e the Norse religion still exists and is practiced by people.
3. What is the Vikings’ belief?
The Viking belief system majorly consists of three parts:
- Shamanism: It describes the belief system that focuses on a person who communicates with the spiritual world. The person is called a ‘shaman’.
- Animism: It describes the belief system that the spiritual essence can be found everywhere such as in animals, people, water bodies, mountains, etc.
- Valhalla: In Norse paganism, the term “Valhalla” alludes to a location in the afterlife that resembles a massive medieval building with a lot of open space and a big roof over it.
