A Prayer for the Ancestors, and One for the Heroes

When it came time to really begin planning for Freyshof, I reached out to our Allsherjargoði with one question. “What is it that you want us to make sure we are doing at Freyshof from the start.” His answer was simple, and quick. “Make sure that you find a way to make veneration for the Ancestors and your Hero a regular part of worship.”

Now, I am paraphrasing here. I can’t remember exactly the way Allsherjargoði Flavel worded his request, but the gist of it was just this. Ancestor Veneration. Hero Veneration. We have shrines for them; now make sure we are using them.

I thought for quite a while about how to make this happen. How do we make sure that we are including the Heroes and the Ancestors in a way that, eventually, everyone can partake in? How do we do it organically, and not forcefully? How can we make sure that it doesn’t interrupt the flow of events, or disrupt Blót?

In the end, all my grand ideas came back to my first. Just write a simple prayer that can be adapted (if needed) across all Hofs. Like Witan Allen Turnage’s meal blessing, used and known widely at Þórshof, I wanted a prayer that once learned could be recited by all, both at a Hof or at home. Equally important to me, as we were beginning to build a Hof for the Folk, was to make sure that there were tangible pieces of people at the Hof. Folkbuilder Joe Drotos built our Ancestor and Hero shrines, and Folkbuilder Ronald Boardman built our Freyja and Gerð shrines, for example. Physical representations of their dedication that all the Folk could see.

So, it was only natural for me that I ask Witan Daniel Young and Folkbuilder Mike Melillo to write the prayers, prayers that we intend to be recited after the procession into the Vé and before Blót begins at every holytide. Both of these men are dedicated to Ásatrú, to the Æsir, and to the Folk. Now here we have from each of them a small thing that will become a part of everything we do here at Freyshof.

And now, the prayers!

Ancestor Prayer

written by Witan Daniel Young

Hail the Álfar, hail the Dísir,

kin who came before us.

You walk unseen,

Yet your presence is near.

Guide our steps with wisdom,

Guard our souls with strength.

May our deeds honor you,

as your memory lives in us.

For the gifts of blood, of life

And of hue,

We thank you.

And it is our solemn vow

Never to waste them.

Hail the Ancestors!

Heroes Prayer

written by Folkbuilder Mike Melillo

There are those, whose time was spent,

in defense and service of others, known and unmet

Stood tall in the face of chaos and strife, all gave much, some even their life

Though through your deeds, you may have tired, your words and actions still yet inspire

Won for Gods and Folk, bright glory and fame, we shall never forget and speak loudly your name!

Hail the Heroes!

(Or, Hail a specific Hero, ex: Hail Allsherjargoði Sveinbjörn Beinteinsson!)

Gyðja Catie Erickson

cm.erickson@runestone.org