A Pacific Northwest Bard

Anyone can play a princess. Anyone who says otherwise has a small imagination.

Photographer: Lily Andrui

“People seem to be debating which underage women are okay to have sex with. It’s none of them. Not the ones who “look older.” Not the ones who seem “flirty.” None of them. We have laws to help you understand that, but thanks for outing yourselves as creeps and would-be rapists.”

“Men who make this argument—men who can recite age of consent laws for various states, men who say things like “technically when they’re past puberty it’s called ephebophiloa”—these men are telling you something about themselves, and it’s not something good.”

kunit92 on Instagram

Don’t fret! I have an Othala and Algiz tattoo.🖤While it’s certainly important to recognize where our imagery is being misused, we definitely shouldn’t stop using it. When a symbol becomes too closely connected with a racist movement, it becomes theirs – it belongs to the racists and eventually, it’ll be seen as a symbol of hatred. Ultimately then, the symbol is removed from common cultural use.  Now is the time to step up and show the world the true meanings of runes, especially since we are in a time where these symbols are being bastardized. If we do not fight this, then white supremacists will continue to perpetuate the message that Nordic paganism is evil, no matter who is practicing it – which is simply not the case. So, how can we reclaim our runes and images?

When talking about Norse paganism talk about our stand against hatred. Make it known that racism, transphobia, homophobia, anti-semitism, misogyny, ableism, and bigotry are not tolerated in the community. Make it known that everyone is welcome to participate in Norse paganism and worship the Norse gods if they choose to. Norse paganism is an open religion and the gods hold no prejudice.

Raise awareness about viking history/culture and make sure it’s known that anyone is welcome to participate and enjoy it. Does your town/state have a yearly Viking festival or reenactment?  Go to it! Invite your friends to it, your loved ones, share posts about it on social media so word gets out there is an open-to-all educational, fun space about Norse history. The more interaction non-Norse pagans have with a healthy, welcoming community, the more often that’s what we will be associated with.

Wear our symbols with pride! If someone asks about one, be open with it’s true and original meanings. Let them know why it’s important to you. When someone I worked with found out I got a bindrune tattoo that incorporated Othala they asked me, “isn’t that a nazi sign?”. I was able to tell them no and how the The U.S. National Socialist Movement were the one’s to misuse it, informed them of the original meaning, and they were happy to change their perspective of the rune. I also like to literally where Pride Symbols. I have a rainbow Mjolnir bumper sticker I made for my car. The more our imagery is tied to support, the more people will realize we want to offer support to everyone.

**It is extremely important to note if you’re going to be wearing Othala or any of our symbols currently tied to hate that you wear something to offer your political stance next to it(i.e. blm badge, LGBT flag, anti-fascist pin, GNAR pins, etc)**

This leads to my next point, learn about when which symbols were appropriated and when. If we want to keep our holy symbols free of bastardization we have to know who, when, and why they were appropriated. That way we can better inform others of how recently they were “changed” and for how long in history they had their own meanings.

Native people will share: our food, our music, our dancing, our art.

Taboo #noDAPL protest music (Native Hip Hop):

Supaman (Prayer loop song, Rap)

Blackfoot (rock)

Blackfire (punk/rock)

Kelly Fraser (Pop)

T-Rhyme (Hip Hop)

Piqsiq (Throat Singing Electro)

Tanya Tagaq (Avant Guard, Punk, throat singer)

Iskwè (Pop/Electronic)

And the iconic Buffy Sainte Marie (Folk/Rock/Electronic)

i was going to have nice links and stuff but i was so depressed, however i didn’t just want to leave this!

so alternatives to dream catchers!

witches ladders. they are knot magic with added trinkets, usually feathers! while braiding or knotting just think of the intention of what you want out of it. an added bonus is the fact you can add things you associate with a goods nights sleep, or gems that offer magical properties of sleeping well, good dreams, nightmare reflection ect.

my favorite is satchels that can be made cheaply, filled with herbs and stones of your choice. when completed, put the satchel under a pillow or your bed!

similar to satchels are poppets, or a teddy bear works great for this if you have sewign skills. if you can make a small incision on the bottom of the bear (or stuffed animal/poppet) and while thinking on your intent put charged herbs and gems inside. then just close them right up adn sleep with the bear with you or near you.

if you like the looks of dream catchers to aid in helping you get better dreams i would suggest wreathes, you can add what ever decorations that match your aesthetic and practice, and it won’t be appropriation because its not from a closed religion

and this is a good sight that talks about a few stones that work well

I actually (shamefully) have a dream catcher that I’m only holding onto because I like the look of it (and because it was a gift from my older sister, who I love dearly). 

I’ve wanted to take it down, because appropriation is Not Okay, but I wanted to put something in its place and didn’t know what. And now I know what.

Here are some Native-run businesses:

AuthenticNativeMade (Moccasins) mlprintup (Jewelry) Duckletshut (Beaded Jewelry & Dreamcatchers)

FaithEarthandSoul (Jewelry, Art, & Dreamcatchers)

WildeElementJewelry (Jewelry)

ElusiveWolf (Jewelry & Pipes)