Asatru Alter Building?

[cowdragon]

First off, I am sorry if this is in the wrong spot, it seemed like the best spot though.

Second, thank you all in advance. My family would like to build an alter to the Heathen gods/goddesses. We have no idea how to even go about doing this (probably simple) task. We want it to help remind us of who we are, what we beleive, and to show visitors to our homes that we are serious about this. Maybe even convert a few like minded souls. ;)

What should the alter be made out of? What should be offered at the alter? How should it be offered? Can an alter be for an entire pantheon or should each one be for only one god/goddess? If you know these answers... how do you know? Sorry, I am a natural skeptic. It's how I found my new path so it's a good thing. ;) Do we need to burn candles or inscence on it? Do I need to sacrifice anything like cockroaches (HBO Rome reference btw :fofftopic ) And what are your experiences with alters and such?

It's alot to ask, I know. ANY input os sooo welcome. Thank you all again for being such a wonderful community. Later.



The Cowdragon _wiz_

[cowdragon]

Beuler? Beuler?:graduate:

Just bumping to get noticed.



The Cowdrahon _wiz_

[Nitefalle]

Hm...firstly, for a specifically Asatru altar, let me ask if your family has any gods they work with specifically? Odin, Freya, Frigga, Freyr, etc? If one of them wants an altar specifically just for them, they'll let you know. Secondly, I wanted to say that perhaps you would be better off going into the Paths forum, go into the Recon subforum and seeking out other Asatruar and Heathens there. They will be able to answer your questions.

[Driffinna]

Some people have altars. Others don't. I just really have a shelf I try to keep clean, and have all my Asatru and Norse statues, art, and drinking horns on. Most people I know, don't do daily offerings. I don't know many who use a lot of incense or candles if any at all. I find Asatru less about doing rituals, and offerings, but more about a way of living and thinking and just being.

If you really want to put one up though. Some people are "dedicated" to one or two gods/goddesses, others like myself while know certain gods and goddesses better than others, have not given myself souly to one. If you have dedicated, its up to you whether you want to make a spot or a single altar just for that god or godess, others people I know who do have an altar, or a shelf like myself keep it to multiple dieties.

What is on your altar will probably be things you collect over time, between buying things online, making them, getting them at rituals etc. There are serval artists who make art to the Norse gods, you can do a google check or amazon check and find a few. I have bought what I have at festivals so I am not sure of any online dealers off the top of my head. You can also make your own. A lot of people have a thor's hammer around somewhere. Which can be easily made from small metal mallat you can buy at only local hardware store and then decorate. Paint the handle, draw on some runes, or you can also bind the handle in leather. You can go to a local craft store, and buy pieces of wood and a woodburner, or just use paint and burn/paint designs from the runes stone and norse designs onto it. Dover makes a wonderful little artbook on norse designs found on runes stones, jewelry, scabbards, etc. Also think of symbols for each of the gods and goddesses you can use. I know someone who has a set of really old fashion keys on large metal ring in honor Frigg, as Frigg was in charge of the home and therefore keeper of the keys.

The offerings we do, do at group rituals is usual mead. Sometimes people offer things that are personal to themselves. I was at a Skadhi ritual once, where a few people put in the feathers of the turkey they caught that past hunting season. And at the East Coast Thing, they are a beautiful Tyr Ve' where people left things for Tyr through out the festival and at the main ritual they were all put in a box and placed into the camp fire. I really don't know much about daily rituals/offerings though, as I don't do them, and neither do too many people I know. (I liked your Rome reference by the way! love that show!)

Hope that helped.