Heathen Identity and the Heathenate

The vast majority of Heathens alive today are converts. This means that, prior to identifying as Heathen, they were something else. The process of conversion is a complex process, not a one-off event, and a lot of people underestimate just how much it involves. There is more to being a Heathen than simply self identifying as one; you have to be able to be identified as one, by others. Prior to the discussion of Heathen identity, however, we need to first identify what Heathendom is:

Heathendom is a modern religion inspired and informed by the cultural religious practices and worldviews of the pre-Christian Germanic peoples of northern, western, and central Europe. Within this modern (and still emerging) religion, we can find numerous denominations that take various approaches based on varying levels of historical study and modern innovation.

Knowing what Heathendom is, in abstract, tells us almost nothing, however. What is needed is to identify the particular practices and worldviews that define Heathendom. Before that, we should consider what kind of religion Heathendom is.

Heathendom is best described as an ethnic religion - that is to say that Heathendom draws its inspiration and information from a distinct cultural group: the historical Germanic peoples. What this means in practical terms is that Heathens use Germanic language as part of their religious lexicon, name their gods according to Germanic pantheon conventions, and base their worldview and philosophies on Germanic-derived concepts. This does not mean that it is a racially exclusive religion. Ethnicity and race are not the same thing, and we can find plenty of evidence that the historical Germanic peoples interbred with those of other ethnic groups (such as the Gaels and Britons of the British Isles).

As well as being an ethnic religion, Heathendom is also a folk religion. A folk religion is a religion that places its community (within the living world) as the most important aspect of its worldview. This mentality is sometimes described as "world accepting". In contrast, a universal religion (such as Christianity or Islam) places individual salvation (usually in some form of afterlife) as its most important aspect. This mentality is sometimes described as "world rejecting". It should be stressed that the distinction between folk and universal religions is one of type, and not just a matter of degree.

With these two initial factors understood, we can begin to have more of an idea of what it means to be Heathen. To sum up, to be Heathen is to be a community focused, world accepting individual who expresses their religiosity through Germanic derived terminology and practice. It is reasonable to say that a person who does not demonstrate these basic characteristics should not be identified as Heathen. Just as the concepts of community focus and world acceptance are not specific to Heathendom, I would suggest that a person who applies Germanic terminology (specifically use of a Germanic pantheon) to their religiosity, but does not show a corresponding shift in worldview is better described as "Heathenate". This term is not intended to be derisive or pejorative, rather it is to draw a distinction between that which can be accurately described as Heathen, and that which has traits in common with Heathendom without actually being of that religious grouping.

Whilst worldview is fundamental to being Heathen, it is internal to the individual and is not able to be directly identified by others. Worldviews inform practice and it is through that practice that a Heathen can be identified. It is also in practice that we can observe distinctions between the Heathen and the Heathenate. The most notable practices common to Heathendom are ancestor worship, "blot", and "sumbl".

The practice of ancestor worship is fairly self explanatory - it is the giving of honour to one's ancestors, and the asking them for help and guidance with daily life. This is performed in a variety of ways but can generally be summed up as performing acts of prayer and gifting, usually to a shrine or at the grave(s) of the ancestor(s) being petitioned. Many Heathens differentiate between two types of ancestor: "near ancestors" are those recently departed but remembered by living family members. "Deep ancestors" are those from the further past (perhaps not even names are known).

Blot (Old Norse blót, Old English blōt) is a ritual sacrificial offering usually to one or more gods, but historically we also have evidence for blót to elves (mentioned as "álfablót" in Kormáks saga). The nature of this sacrificial offering can change significantly between the various approaches to Heathendom but the central core of giving remains, whether the sacrifice is a more literal animal offering or a more symbolic offering of mead.

Sumbl (ON sumbl, OE symbel) is a ritual toasting ceremony used to affirm and confirm social bonds within the community. It can also be used to set challenges for individuals to complete within a set period of time, as well as to celebrate past successes. Again, the specifics are variable but the core concept stands firm. Sumbl is often held as part of a larger feast.

In all of these practices (and others, besides), Heathens draw on historical sources to inform the "how" of practice (although how much they draw on those sources, and how much they lean towards modern innovation varies heavily). This tendency to historical provenance is a key difference between the Heathen and the Heathenate. The Heathenate (such as Germanic Neopagans) may use a Germanic aesthetic (for example the adoption of a Germanic - typically Anglicised Norse - pantheon of gods), but the corresponding practice points to a different worldview. Usually that worldview will be less community focused and more individualistic with a heightened sense of personal relationship with divinity. It will likely make use of non-Germanic derived practices, such as the Wiccan-based ritual practice of "calling the quarters" or the usage of the popular "wheel of the year" (perhaps with renamed festivals to present a more Germanic aesthetic).

In conclusion, a Heathen is someone who has adopted a Germanic derived worldview, set of practices, and lexicon; whereas someone who is Heathenate will have adopted a Germanic derived lexicon, but not a corresponding worldview or set of practices.