"The Germans do not think it in keeping with the divine majesty to confine gods within walls or to portray them in the likeness of any human countenance. Their holy places are woods and groves, and they apply the names of deities to that hidden presence which is seen only by the eye of reverence."
~Tacitus, Germania.
Now I know that Tacitus had his own agenda when writing Germania. Satire was probably at the forefront of his mind, rather than the accurate and sensitive portrayal of the religion of the Teutons. However, why is this passage so completely ignored by modern pagans?
None of the historical evidence we have is completely devoid of prejudice, even Snorri undoubtedly put his own slant on the mythologies he recorded. So why is Tacitus' passage here ignored? The average heathen household, in my experience, is rife with heathen iconography. Hofs are raised and/or dedicated to give the religion a physical presence that is, judging by the above quote, not only unnecessary, but wildly inappropriate.
Food for thought.
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