The Metaphorical Sandwich

"The first written usage of the English word appeared in Edward Gibbon's journal, in longhand, referring to "bits of cold meat" as a "Sandwich". It was named after John Montagu, 4th Earl of Sandwich, an 18th-century English aristocrat. It is said that he ordered his valet to bring him meat tucked between two pieces of bread, and others began to order "the same as Sandwich!" It is commonly said that Lord Sandwich was fond of this form of food because it allowed him to continue playing cards, particularly cribbage, while eating, without using a fork, and without getting his cards greasy from eating meat with his bare hands." (Source: Wikipedia)

A sandwich has a proper context. It is a symbol for upper-class behaviour in 18th century England. Of course, the sandwich is not exclusive to this context, and it would be absurd to suggest that it is. What we can say, however, is that certain contexts are not relevant to the sandwich. It is not that a sandwich has no place in such contexts, only that those contexts have no bearing on the nature of the sandwich.

The sandwich in the Heathen context, for example, is simply that: a sandwich. It is not suddenly a Heathen sandwich simply by virtue of proximity; it remains that which it is: a sandwich. In the same way, when a Heathen eats a sandwich, they are not suddenly "less Heathen". They are just a Heathen eating a sandwich.

Obviously, this applies to more than just the metaphorical sandwich; Heathens are quite able to do many non-Heathen things without ever being less (or more) Heathen.

It is about application of worldview, and how far one takes it. The purpose of assimilating the worldview in Heathendom is not to reconstruct the world in which the historical Germanic tribes lived. Rather, it is about embracing a view of the modern world that allows us to be fully Heathen whilst at the same time enjoying that sandwich.

When you see something that appeals to you, don’t worry about whether it is “Heathen”, or not. Just enjoy it for what it is. At the same time, don’t try and push the metaphorical sandwich as Heathen just because you want it to be.

Allow me the indulgence of a specific, personal example. Every day, my hearth* makes the effort to share a meal together. We do not do this because we are Heathen or because it is a Heathen thing to do. We do it because we want to do it and it brings us closer together.

Whilst this daily communal meal is something that we do, it is not something I will say that other Heathens should do because it is a Heathen practice. Every hearth has to work out its daily practice, and should not feel that they should (or should not) do things just to feel more Heathen. After all, “Heathen” is merely a label of convenient categorisation, not something that should define your every breath.

*See the wordhoard for definitions.