Where have the ancient gods gone? Are the old gods of the forest still with us? Where can we find the Gods of our ancient ancestors?
Yes. The Gods of old are still with us. They are the Earth, sky, moon, and sun. We need them to live. But our modern culture not only overlooks them but also abuses and misuses them for short-term gains. It’s time to return to the ancient ways and learn to be responsible stewards of the environment.
Connecting with The Old Gods
The Gods of old are still with us. The old Nordic religion today represents a snapshot of what life was like before the advent of Abrahamic religions and their quest to erase these ancient traditions.
During the assimilation of ancient mystery religions of the Mediterranean region, nature was seen as an inexhaustible resource. The previous systems which revered and worshiped nature we enemies of the Church. So, to protect their cash flow and control, the Church systematically eradicated all vestiges of these traditional systems. They even installed a new 12-month calendar based on the Zodiac and forbade using the more practical 13-month lunar calendar.
“As the Roman Empire came to its close, all the old gods of the pagan world were seen as demons by the Christians who rose. It was useless to tell them as the centuries passed that their Christ was but another God of the Wood, dying and rising, as Dionysus or Osiris had done before him, and that the Virgin Mary was in fact the Good Mother again enshrined. Theirs was a new age of belief and conviction, and in it, we became devils, detached from what they believed, as old knowledge was forgotten or misunderstood.” — Anne Rice
This system is one of the best-kept cultural traditions of this ancient system of reverence. Connecting with the old Gods is beneficial for several reasons. We forget that we are part of nature. Nature includes the world’s phenomena untouched by the hand of man, which includes plants, animals, insects, and all other products of the Earth.
Are you interested in finding out why and how we should return to the ways of our ancestors? If so, ask yourself some questions. What is that which sustains all life? Well, of course, it is our Earth and its environment.
The fact is, many people worship nature. Don’t laugh. You can prove that nature exists. The remnants of the traditions grew out of the understanding of nature. The old Nordic religion today puts us in touch with the environment. That’s more than you can say for all the other imaginary friends of the dying god sects.
Connecting with nature connects us to these primal energies, the old ones. They are the source of everything that makes us. Connecting with our “source” is essential for our health and wellness. Those who are wise understand that we are part of nature.
- When was the last time you stopped to look at the sky?
- Can you remember when you gazed at a tree, the moon, the sunrise, or the sunset?
- Have you listened to a bird or the wind?
- Do you remember what it’s like to smell wildflowers or touch the Earth?
Benefits of The Old Nordic Religion Today
Our senses give us data for our minds to digest, synthesize, and develop an individually crafted fictional view of reality. Scandinavia and Northern Germanic traditions built these practices into their culture and healing modalities. Research is vindicating the benefits of these practices. (1)
Sight
Simply viewing the landscape of nature is proven to be healing. Studies show people with views of nature from a hospital room recover more quickly. (2) Connecting with the Old Gods of the forest is as simple as opening your eyes to the beauty of nature.
Sound
The sounds of nature, the rain, the wind, the rustling of trees, running water, and even the silence have immediate positive effects on our physiology. These sounds reduce heart rate and respiration naturally.
Our auditory system is critical for survival and reproduction. Natural sounds are some of the most complex vibrational frequencies. We are likely attuned to sounds that resonate with DNA memory. (3) What’s interesting is while the silence of nature is calming, the silence of modern urban life is stressful because it is a sign of danger. This subconscious response is because of the programming we assimilate from living in cities.
Smell
Although not one of our strongest senses, it is still powerful in connecting us with memories. Smells are everywhere, and we overlook their importance. They can affect a positive or negative mental state. Incense and defusing essential oils are now a component of many natural healing modalities. We still harbor the DNA memories that help us recognize things that may be harmful, like the smell of a skunk, for instance.
Touch
In our modern antiseptic culture, touching has become increasingly unacceptable. The Pandemic brings social interaction and touching to the forefront of health concerns.
On the other hand, touch is the basis for many natural healing methods. The message, acupressure, and even acupuncture are healing techniques that require touch.
All the above sensory aspects are a part of most pre-Abrahamic societies. Many cultures used the landscape and positive visual stimuli to symbolize their respect for life. Sounds, smell, and touch were part of many healing and daily rituals. The old nordic religion today shows us how some traditions can escape the persecution of religious bigotry and prejudice.
Connecting with The Old Gods of the Forest
Let’s try something. Here’s how we find and improve our connection with these original energies. First, find a place where there is nature, preferably unspoiled by the hand of man. But, if not a park or any place with trees and Earth. Find a place to see, hear, and smell nature if possible. Being able to feel the wind and sky is also essential.
“The best remedy for those who are afraid, lonely, or unhappy is to go outside, somewhere where they can be quite alone with the heavens, nature, and God. Because only then does one feel that all is as it should be and that God wishes to see people happy amidst the simple beauty of nature. As long as this exists, and it certainly always will, I know that then there will always be a comfort for every sorrow, whatever the circumstances may be. And I firmly believe that nature brings solace in all troubles.” — Anne Frank
Once you’ve found a comfortable place, take a mental break from your to-do list. Shut off your smartphone. Stand quietly in this momentary sanctuary of nature—quiet the mind. Consciously open your senses to the world around you. Move your head left, right, up, and down. Drink in the world visually. Visualize connecting with the old gods of the forest and nature. Just be still and let your senses reach out.
If you can, find a place where you can touch the Earth. Drop to your knees, put your hands on the ground, and dig your fingers in the dirt. Here is the place from which all life has come.
Next, stand and close your eyes. Listen intently to the wind. Can you hear the birds? Feel the sun. It is the bringer of life, the source of all the Sun God metaphors. Smell the world. Hopefully, you are in a place where you can smell the natural scent of nature. Take a deep breath and open your eyes.
Connecting with the old gods of the forest gives us both perspective and peace. We feel peace as a resonance. When we do this, we realize how fragile we are. We understand how delicate the environment is. Remembering and respecting the Earth gives us the perspective we need to live as proper stewards of our planet.
Give Honor and Thanks
Think about this experience. Realize you are a part of nature, but you live most of your life disconnected from it. Connect now once again, as our ancestors did. Do this daily. Never stop seeing, hearing, and feeling that connection with the Earth. Earth is the place where the Gods of the old reside.
This exercise works. It will connect with nature. These are the voices of nature, always reaching out to touch us. The environment is always singing the songs and waiting for you to return.
Now, call upon the spirits that reside where you are if you feel so inclined. Ask for their forgiveness and bid them help you. See if you can connect with the silent place in your soul that resonates with the Earth. Allow yourself to be quiet. Find the ancient wisdom to do good in always and to everything. Remember the long line of your ancestors. They sacrificed to give you life here in this time and space. Namaste. “Blessed Be.”
Here’s a prayer from the movie the 13th Warrior. It’s a mirror of the old Nordic religion today. You may find something like this helpful in your practice. (4)
“Lo there do I see my father;
Lo there do I see my mother, my sisters and my brothers;
Lo there do I see the line of my people back to the beginning.
Lo, they do call me;
They bid me take my place among them, in the halls of Valhalla, where the brave may live forever.” ― Viking Prayer
Additional Ways to Show Appreciation
Mindfulness Meditation is another practice we recommend to help you connect with the source of your essence. Along with this are the techniques for Forest Bathing and Tree Grounding. Add these simple practices to your routine and see how much more grounded and peaceful you feel.
Connecting with the old gods of the forest is more important than ever. They are the Earth, The Sky, and Sun. We need them to live. Don’t forget to love and care for them. Put a reminder on your calendar. Show your love for nature by giving back and supporting those protecting the planet. Begin your spiritual journey, and you’ll be glad you did.
Summary of The old Nordic Religion Today
References
(1) A Review of the Benefits of Nature Experiences: More Than Meets the Eye.
(2) Visual landscapes and psychological well-being.
(3) The sounds of silence: cessation of singing and song pausing are ultrasound-induced acoustic startle behaviors in the katydid Neoconocephalus ensiger (Orthoptera; Tettigoniidae).