One of the side effects of heathens bringing their christian sensibilities into heathenry is the over-emphasis on the Aesir and Vanir. The Gods and Goddesses star in our mythology, cosmology and campfire stories. They inspire us and teach us important lessons about the nine worlds and the importance of being a good heathen. Being active in all the nine worlds and having great stories and quests to complete means that they have little time to spend dealing with the whims and fancies of the average everyday heathen.
Perhaps one of the things that was new and appealing about christianity at the time of the conversion was the idea of a god who took interest in each worshipper's life. One who watched over them and cared for them - offering protection and blessings to that individual worshipper, rather than to the collective community as a whole.
For heathens, gods weren't required to offer personal service to each individual. Our ancestors, being part of our own family line and having loved us in life would have been the ones who took care of personal fortune, luck and prosperity. After all, it is in the ancestors' own interests for you to succeed and gain fame and fortune. For they live on in you and they are in turn remembered by you. As the Havamal says, "...one thing never will die, the fame of one who has done well". They are your protection and the source of your wyrd. To understand them is to understand yourself. To recount their stories is a foundational part of your fame and carving your own story that your descendents in turn will remember for you.
Similarly, wights or vaettir are closer to the individual heathen than the Aesir and Vanir. This is because, while they are not part of your family and do not have any vested interest in you in that sense, they do share your little corner of Midgard with you. It is a mutually beneficial arrangement to have good dealings with the vaettir of your home and surrounding area. They are like your neighbours. Getting on well with your neighbours can significantly improve your quality of life. Just as being embroiled in a dispute with your neighbours can cause considerable detriment. Therefore, it is wise to make offerings to the wights/vaettir of your local area and home.
Other members of my family share my ancestors and so we could (were any of them heathen) blot together in their honour. My friends live in my neighbourhood and so we share some vaettir between us, and those of us who are heathen blot to them. However, when dealing with heathens who aren't family or local to me, my ancestors and local vaettir mean nothing to them. This is where gods and goddesses help bring us together. I can meet my fellow heathens from the south of England and offer a toast to Thor, knowing they will join me. If I offer a toast to my grandfather Harry, what would that really mean to them? Equally, if I offer a toast to the vaettir from Rivington Pike, how will they understand what that means? Gods and goddesses are more likely to take an interest in heathenry as a whole, or larger communities of heathens. So, when I mix with my fellow heathens at Sumarrblot 2021, it will be to them that I drink.
For a better, more educated and erudite explanation of this, I heartily recommend checking out Arith Harger's video on Tribal Heathenry.
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