Hammer Rite

Tree: We call quarters differently today. To honor the Heathen path, I am going to use an elder Hammer Rite. The Hammer is both the symbol for Heathenism and Earth (which Thor is God of in Norse lore.) In Norse lore, the primal elements of fire and ice collided creating our nine worlds. Freya Aswynn says they were actually matter and anti matter sparking creation of everything else. Who knows? We will call to the most primal elements to be our guardians. Please stand and face the middle.

(Raising Hammer to the North)

Tree: Hamar ef eldr ok Muspellheimr helga ve petta ok hald vordt!

David: Hammer of the fires of Muspellheimr hallow and protect this holy stead!

Tree: Hammar ef Iss ok Niflheimr helge ve petta ok hald vordt!

David: Hammer of the Great Ice of Niflheimer, Hallow and protect this holy stead! Tree: (Tracing the Hammer Sign in air): Um mik ok I mer Asgardr ok Midgardr David: Around me and within me, heaven and earth.

Tree: Please be seated.

Tree: As we have already mentioned, today is traditional for honoring our war veterans but the warrior ethic and stance in the world is deeper than just the weapons and courage in battle. Martin Luther King said “life isn’t worth living until you have found something worth dying for.” Martin Luther King found civil rights worth dying for.My Norse ancestors found their people and families worth dying for. They lived life as fully as they could in those days. Today, more than ever, we need the warrior spirit in us awakened as troubled times increase but is there anything worth dying for? Living for? What would you consider worthy of dying for, that something that makes your life worth living? Let us give ourselves a few moments to think about that then individually stand or come up to the Hammer and tell the universe what is worth dying for? This is not an oath. This is a reflection to awaken you to your inner warrior. Warriors come in all guises- parents, activists, spiritual pathworkers, keepers of light, everyday heros. If you have nothing to say, that is okay. There is no judgement here. Just remember those that you have held in your heart as courageous and heroic.

(Time for participants to speak to Hammer or the group)

Tree: Please stand and face the center again.

Tree: Hammer of Muspellheimr’s fires, I thank you for your protection. You may go now and take with you our thanks.

David: Hammerof Nifilheimr’s Ice, We thank you for your protection. You may go now and take with you our thanks.

Tree: You can be seated again. Thank you for sharing this space with us. Special thanks to Mike for giving us a glimpse into the Heathen Way.

Written by Tree Higgins