Anji's Pagan Hot Spot

I call to the Ancestors, seen and unseen— To those of my blood, my spirit, and my path. To the ones who shaped this world before me, Walking in wisdom, justice, and love.

I honor the bold, the healers, the seekers— Those who protected, who taught, who mended, Who walked with truth and kindness in their time, Their voices still echoing through the ages.

May your wisdom light my way. May your strength uphold me. May your love live on in my heart, my thoughts, my deeds.

Yet I turn from those who wrought harm— Who chose cruelty when compassion was an option, Who upheld injustice instead of standing for what was right. Their influence has no place here, Their voices do not shape my path.

Inspired by the douchebag who saw fit to put a neo-Nazi (oh sorry, “alt-right” -eyeroll-) propaganda flier under my wiper at the market today.

May the hateful hands that forged this Have their own hatred turned back to bite them May their own teeth bite their slanderous tongues May their own bile choke them May their own spite confound them May the harm they do be visited upon them a hundred times And a hundred times again Until enlightenment finds them Or death takes them

Below is a list of some of the other resources that I’ve used. It’s not exhaustive by any measure—just what I’m familiar with and what comes to mind as I sit here at my desk at work. If anyone else has any additional recommendations, please add them to the list!

Norse Mythology for Smart People - norse-mythology.org

This was where I first started when I wanted to learn about Norse Mythology years ago—I literally just typed “Norse Mythology” into google and clicked the first result like a noob. But this site does a really good job of giving information on a wide range of topics within norse mythology as well as vikings in a general sense—everything from different gods, goddesses, creatures, places, and major stories. It’s a solid encyclopedic source that I would recommend to anyone wanting to get general information on the mythology.

“Norse Mythology: The Unofficial Guide” - https://open.spotify.com/show/7F0tD7bStFIDSVEbsnrxuI?si=8ce8f5ccf3a3417d

If podcasts are your jam, the best by far in my opinion is ‘Norse Mythology: The Unofficial Guide’. At the time of me writing this, there haven’t been any new episodes for 6 months, but there are 37 episodes that are about an hour each & range on a variety of topics from cosmology to specific deities to stories like Ragnarok or specific topics like runes. It does a fantastic job of explaining each topic in a way that is both thorough and accessible & honestly I can’t recommend it enough.

The ‘Northern Myths’ Podcast - https://open.spotify.com/show/7KtSJb5DTLSwmfj1BPYY5v?si=fcd6c297cdc1463d

If you want to go deeper into Old Norse texts like the Eddas or the Havamál, the ‘Northern Myths’ podcast is the place to go for a very deep dive/discussion on these texts. The episodes are long and sometimes get a little dry, but they do read these texts directly and then discuss each passage, so it’s a decent place to go for some deep discussion on some of the pillars of Old Norse texts.

Dr. Jackson Crawford - https://jacksonwcrawford.com/

Most people who get into Norse Mythology/History become familiar with Jackson Crawford pretty quick. He’s an expert specifically in linguistics and the Old Norse language—which includes runes—but he also has extensive knowledge on Old Norse & “Viking” history & culture. He’s previously taught at UCLA, UC Berkeley, and University of Colorado, and now has an extensive Youtube channel. He’s also been a consultant for projects like AC:Valhalla. If you have a question about Old Norse & would like to have a soft-spoken, no-nonsense cowboy in the wilds of Colorado explain it to you, this is your new home.

Freyja: Your fears are not you, so never act on them: act on what drives you.

Baldr: Kindness is strength.

Óðinn: The world is great and beautiful, and you will always be your own home.

Freyr: Your closeness to the earth is your greatest treasure, and the way to find peace within yourself.

Thórr: There are things that you can't do alone: asking for help is brave.

Hel: Everything is a cycle.

Heimdallr: The Gods are always listening, they are always with us.

Týr: Finding compromise is harder than fighting, but if it can be done, it absolutely must be done.

Jörmungandr: Hold onto your roots, because it's the one place you can come back to no matter what.

At times like these I also take inspiration from Fenrir.

They put their hand in your mouth, bite it off.

They tie you up, break those fetters.

They may finally tie you down and put a sword in your mouth. What will fall out of your mouth is hope.

They cannot contain you.

Your fetters will break. You will be free. Vengeance will be yours.

Hail Fenrir.

Let honour be our path,

And justice be that line

By which our steps

Are measured;

And by the Hand of Tyr

May this be ever

Our heartfelt vow,

Till twilight‘s shade

And Hel receives us

Into her renewing embrace.

Though his house on the highway be;

But wide and straight | is the way to a friend,

Though far away he fare.

Hávamál - The Sayings of Hár, stanza 34

Hail Óðinn ❤️

Gods of justice, please hear our prayer. Let what is in a state of becoming usher in an era of progress. Progress like rivers, dynamic and open to change.

Bringers of victory, please hear our prayer. Let what unfolds in the time to come usher in an era of peace. Peace like mountains, steady and calm in its might.

Defenders of the burdened, please hear our prayer. Let what transpires in the coming days usher in an era of love. Love like thunder, loud and promising growth.

We offer these pleas as we stand upon a precipice; May your grace and blessings save us from the fall.

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At the time of writing this, the US is one day away from its 47th presidential election.

I know it's easier said than done, but please try to take care of yourselves (and one another) during this time.

With everything going on internationally, and locally, I have been holding space in my heart and prayers for queer and trans youth. While all the gods love their LGBTQIA+ children, I was compelled to write this prayer to Loki.

Loki, diligent defender of the discarded Hold them near, those who haven't yet met their chosen family. Loki, healer of hearts with happiness and humor Hug them close, those who haven't heard how beautiful they are. Loki, lover of laughter and liberation Hear them now, those whose cries rally a community and shake the world.