Heathenry: Musings

I've spent some time over the past week or so thinking about heathery.  More specifically,  what does it mean to be heathen?

What is it that defines a person as heathen.  If I am said to be heathen, what does that say about me?

Judging by what can be found on the Internet, these questions are easy to answer.  Often certain traits of people from the viking age are cited as being valued by the modern heathen.

Honesty, self reliance, honour, courage and fortitude are among the usual suspects.  The problem is that none of these traits appear to be in evidence for the vast majority of contemporary heathens that have chosen to give themselves a voice online.

The solution?  Perhaps just evidencing any of those traits in my day to day life.

Be the heathen that heathens claim to be...

Self reliance

Inspired by Vikings and/or the heathen worldview, I am trying to make positive changes in my life. Essentially trying to improve myself and my situation in ways that Vikings or heathens would approve of (as perceived in my version of Norse neopaganism).

First of these changes is to become more self reliant. One way I am doing this is to turn over a section of the garden of our new house to vegetables. I say new house, but we have been moved in since the start of February.

Additionally, I intend to begin repairing and reusing items, rather than throwing them away. That said, we won't let our place fill with clutter, but similarly we will try to be reducing the influence of our disposable culture, too.

Any other ways we could improve our self reliance? Especially interested in hearing if it can save us money, too.... ;)

Keeping myself out of mischief: A restoration project worthy of a Viking

For the future, I am thinking of getting myself some kind of motoring restoration project for me to tinker with. Now that I am fully moved into a home with a garage and will start to have more free time (especially if I get a job closer to home), I think a hobby/project like that would be the perfect thing to keep me out of mischief.

I was thinking along the usual lines of a motorbike/classic car for restoration. Now, though, I have been thinking that maybe a classic pickup truck would fit my personality better. Unusual but practical and just plain different to the swathes and swathes of run of the mill Capris, Porsches and Fords.

Very heathen, too, when you think about it. I am sure Vikings would have driven pickups, had they the chance. Plenty of room in the back for all that stolen loot. ;)

Self-reliance

Having a car now, while less ecologically responsible, makes it much easier to be self reliant and get things done. Shopping trips are made easier with the simple application of a mobile boot to store the shopping in while taking it home. Home improvements are facilitated by being able to drive to hardware and furniture shops (and, again, the boot helps immensely).

Two goats and a thatched roof might well be enough, but it is nice to be able to mould our new home into something more akin to our style. We've been in there almost six months now and, while very homely and comfortable, it could be a bit more us. And I don't just mean more axes in the umbrella stand. I presume any visiting Vikings will have their own.

That said, I do have my eye on a couple of swords - for decorative purposes or training equipment, I have yet to decide.