Norse Deities and Wicca?

[FaithFinder]

Okay, so I'm Wiccan. I know that some Wiccans will choose specific pantheons to follow (i.e. Celtic) and I've been really interested in Norse mythology and deities lately. I've been doing a lot of research and, well, I'm still in the researching process but I've been thinking about contacting/worshipping them, or perhaps using a Norse duo (Frigg/Odin as an example) as the God and Goddess. Would I still be considered Wiccan if I worked with this pantheon? I know people who work with these gods and goddesses can be called Asatru, heathens, etc., and I'm trying to figure out if following them would make me a part of heathenry/Asatru or if I would still be Wiccan. Or perhaps the two can mix? I haven't been able to get much info so I'm very confused.

[Chalice]

You might want to investigate Buckland's Book of Saxon Witchcraft.
http://www.amazon.com/Bucklands-Saxon-W ... 1578633281

The English forms of the Norse Gods etc.

Of course you can be still called Wiccan.

[SnowCat]

I work with Loki, Bast, and Sekhmet mostly, with some input from Freya and Anubis. I call myself a Cat Whisperer. Labels are labels. What do you feel inside?

Snow

[Draconian Neophyte]

I know that for a while I walked the Norse path and considered myself a "Heathen" which is the proper term and not disrespectful at all.

[mrsdavid1975]

I call myself a Mcgyver witch. Anyone around in the eighties will get that lol.


If it's available, I use it.

[SnowCat]

I never watched McGyver, but I think I remember him using whatever was at hand to do some pretty wild stuff.

Snow

[mrsdavid1975]

Zackly!

[Siona]

I know people who work with these gods and goddesses can be called Asatru, heathens, etc., and I'm trying to figure out if following them would make me a part of heathenry/Asatru or if I would still be Wiccan.

If you're going to continue following Wiccan practices and beliefs, such as using Wiccan ritual structure, wheel of the year, Wiccan rede, etc, then you will still be a Wiccan. If you are going to start looking more into reconstructionist Norse religion, then looking into Asatru/Heathenism would be more appropriate.

[Seraphin]

I don't work with any Norse Deities but my fiancee does and according to her, the Norse Deities are incredibly adaptable. They do, however, demand a certain attitude in order for Them to take you seriously. You don't have to live the lifestyle the Asatru and Heathen reconstructionists say that you do, but you need to have the right attitude and be honorable. Most Asatru or Northern Tradition books will have a list of the standard 'virtues' or 'values' -- I suggest to take note of these and make sure you hold them close, because the Norse Deities don't suffer ignorants, arrogants, hypocrites, liers, flaterrers or whiners. They generally respect honor, courage, hospitality, dedication, commitment, willingness, humility and generosity. You have to be able to stand on your own two feet but be able to recognize your boundaries and limitations and know when to ask for help. You have to be able to put in the hard work and physical, energetic and spiritual effort when you do ask for help, and not expect everyone else to do it for you. It's all about attitude and personal character (personality) rather then lifestyle and devotional rituals with Them. Having said that, if you are going to do some ritual like "blot" (sacrifices or offerings) or "sumbl" (libation or drinking rite) then you have to take it seriously or you'll be frowned upon.

[FaithFinder]

You have all been so helpful! Siona, yeah my plan was to still follow those practices, I just wanted to see if I could "merge" the two without being disrespectful to either. And Seraphin, yes I've heard there's a certain level of seriousness involved (not to say other deities don't demand these things) and so I've just been reading and reading and, oh, reading. I want to make sure that I'm 100% determined and ready before I even begin to try and work with any Norse deities. I actually feel more intimidated with them then I have when learning about any other deities (which I don't view as a bad thing, I think I just take extra care with them). And Snow, the only reason I care about the labels - I mean I really don't - is because I don't want to confuse others. Personally, I think if you take on a label, such as heathen or Asatru, you're representing what that is to people who are otherwise ignorant. So if I'm saying, "oh yeah I'm an Asatruar", and I'm not, I don't want to confuse people whose only exposure to that has been me. That's why I wanted to get the terminology straight. But yeah, thank you to everybody for answering, it's been some really great information!