Expanding upon a comment I posted ElseWEB...

In one of the other spheres I gravitate around on the web, someone asked about connections to the gods and goddesses and divine help, both with connecting to said deities and mental health in general. I'm gonna post my comment here, and then expand upon it a little. Mostly cos this is a better medium for long, drawn-out rambling and partly because, well, this is my space so I'm not impinging on anyone else's point here.

I'll preface this by saying I don't really have any clear contact with the gods. I'm rather in awe of people who (genuinely) do, but that's not how it works for me. However, I do have a kind of UPG that comes from a very visceral "gut feeling" I get in regards to the gods. And that is what this is based on. Nothing I worked through logically or rationally, just a feeling.

Yeah, I know some people out there (claim to) have actual meetings with the gods in which they chat - I always imagine this to US TV chat shows. That doesn't work for me. Even if the gods did decide to approach me in that manner, I'd be more likely to check myself into the local asylum than probe for spiritual insight. Let's face it, hallucinating in person conversations with mythical figures is a bit out there, isn't it? That's out of the range of normal, consensual reality and a strong symptom of mental health issues, surely?

Yeah, so, for me all I get is a particular kind of gut instinct. A feeling that usually relates to the nature of the gods, other entities or reality itself. Occasionally, ravens look at me a bit funny. But I'm fine with that now.

I often say that Odin is more likely to be the guy putting problems in your way, rather than doing anything more positive and compassionate to help. But I think this is unfair on him cos I feel all the gods are like that to some extent. Once a relationship has been established, I think the gods can grow to care about us - but what they offer is a very tough love.

I've said before in previous posts that Odin isn't a terribly nice chap. I've heard a few different claims of a touchy-feely Odin coming to the aid of a follower when they were feeling down. I'm not saying they're lying, but this behaviour flies in the face of every single bit of lore we have that mentions him. I'm sympathetic to the idea that a lot of Old One Eye's stories may originally have been attributed to other gods, but it was in the chronicler's interests to link them with Odin to support his role as "All Father". Never in any of the stories has he been a cuddler, though.

Odin would just as likely put obstacles and trials in your path to see how easily you break, rather than offer a smidgeon of compassion. Myself, if Odin were to come to me offering compassion, sympathy and a helping hand, I'd be very suspicious - and not only for the aforementioned hallucinatory/delusion-based reasons. He is as much of a trickster as Loki, and arguably less reliable. Still, we all love him for many other reasons - not least of which he looks very cool in his wide-brimmed hat.

This has me kinda thinking of the goddesses of our pantheon being a bit like stereotypical "Northern battleaxe" wives and mothers. They nag and offer harsh discipline. They give you a clip around the ear "just because" and are lean on sympathy.

But, equally, when the police come around inquiring about stolen stereos, they defend you to the hilt - despite the back bedroom being full of knock off stereos. They treat their "children" harshly - but mainly to prepare them for the even harsher world past the front gate. Because of this, it can feel like they're not listening - they are, but they're rooting for you to overcome the situation yourself. Might not be a very helpful view, I accept - but it's weirdly comforting to me.

The gods aren't gonna bail you out. We're not talking new testament, Jesusy sympathy here. Hel, even the christian god could be a bit of a bastard - ever read any Old Testament? The gods of our pantheon want us to think, work and survive by the merits of our own wits. Give a man a fish and he will eat for a day. Teach a man to fish and he'll eat for the rest of his life. Well, our gods think like that, too. Give someone succor now and they'll be okay again for a few days - but they'll need succor again soon enough. The world doesn't stop throwing shit at you. If you learn to deal with that shit yourself, you'll handle yourself better next time life tries to crap on you.

That's not to say there's no room for weakeness in heathenry. No-one is perfect and we all have our neuroses, triggers and Achilles' heels. I would say, though, that the expectation is that we are all working on our weaknesses and imperfections to try to overcome them - or reduce their impact. Impediments are not excuses to hide behind, but struggles to overcome.

Besides, we don't need our gods to give us emotional support - that is what our friends and family (kith and kin) are for!

Mental health and Heathenry

Mental health is very much at the forefront of the news at the moment. This is due, in the main, to the unprecendented departure of Simone Biles from the Tokyo 2020/2021 Olympic games. Citing concern for her own mental health, Simone took the brave decision to remove herself from the tournament, due to her concerns that continuing would negatively impact her own mental health.

This highlights exactly how poorly society and the media deal with mental health issues in the normal course of events. In putting her own mental health first in this manner, Simone has garnered more media attention than those athletes who competed at world class level and won medals. So rarely do we hear of the psychological struggles of sports personalities and celebrities, that the very idea of someone putting their own mental health first, above fame, success and potential accolades, is normally unheard of in the mainstream media.

Similarly, within heathenry, there is a similar lack of information regarding mental health. Looked at in a particular way, heathenry doesn't measure up very well in how it deals with mental health. Role models are strong vikings, brosatru and heroes from the eddas and sagas. None of whom, to my knowledge, overtly discuss their struggles with self image, or their concerns whether they are doing the right thing. Female role models fare no better. The expectation being they will be strong sheild-maidens, with fiery personalities and unshakeable confidence.

Thankfully, the reality of the average heathen is very different. Those people who have been brave enough to admit confidence issues, misgivings or inner turmoil usually meet genuine support and advice - in the groups to which I belong. Were I enrolled in any of the more folkish or brosatru groups, then my personal experience with this might be very different.

There can be a lot of pressure to socialise as a heathen. After all, I've said myself that heathenry is all about community, yes? Well, yes, but that doesn't mean a heathen has to force themselves into real world social situations with which they aren't yet comfortable. Being a solitary heathen is perfectly valid. I was one myself for the longest time - and still err toward staying at home most of the time. Historically, Berserkers were usually left to their own devices as they had a tendency to react violently in inappropriate situations. An extreme example, perhaps, but arguably a historic example of heathens being left alone when they needed space.

Personally, I'd like to see/hear examples of heathen heroes struggling with their mental health. Or, at least, presenting something other than unshakeable confidence all the time. The Vikings tv series had some moody moments of staring into the distance. But this never seemed to evolve into dealing with mental health as an issue. More simply to make the characters seem edgy, brooding or interesting.

Please comment, if you come across any heathen interest stories with characters that deal with mental health. Preferably in a positive way, but negative examples could also be good for discussion.