Which Ancient Culture Inspires You the Most?

It's the time of the year when the veil between our world and the world of spirits is very thin. This day has many names in different cultures. Here, in Poland, we call it "Dziady" (archaic word for ancestors). In the slavic tradition we wear Karaboszki (masks seen in the photo) for protection against evil spirits and leave food and drinks for the travelling spirits of our ancestors. As old slavic faith is not dogmatic, traditions may vary but this is the core

Let us not forget about our ancestors

Viking Rituals: Honoring the Old Gods
Viking rituals were central to Norse culture, serving as a bridge between the mortal realm and the divine. These rituals, often held outdoors amidst nature, were deeply spiritual, symbolizing honor, protection, and prosperity. Here are some authentic practices that defined Viking ceremonies:

1. Blót (Sacrifice)

Purpose: The most sacred Viking ritual, blót involved offerings to Norse gods, ancestors, or spirits of the land (vættir). These offerings could be animals, food, or precious objects.
Setting: Performed around large bonfires, blót ceremonies were often held in groves, sacred hills, or near large stones that served as altars.
Process: A chieftain or priest (gothi) led the ritual, chanting prayers, making the sacrifice, and sharing the offering with the community.

2. Dísablót (Female Spirits' Offering)

Purpose: This special ritual was dedicated to female deities and ancestral spirits (dísir). It was believed to secure good fortune for the coming year, especially for farming and family well-being.
Setting: Often held during winter or near the beginning of spring, it was celebrated with large communal feasts and toasts in honor of the dísir.

3. Landvættir Worship (Land Spirits)

Purpose: Vikings believed the land was inhabited by spirits that could either protect or harm the people living on it. Rituals to appease these spirits were common, particularly during settlements, battles, or sea voyages.
Process: Offerings of mead, food, or crafted objects were placed at shrines or special trees believed to be home to the landvættir.

4. Seiðr Rituals (Norse Magic)

Purpose: Seiðr was a form of Norse magic used for prophecy, healing, and controlling elements. It was practiced by seeresses (völvas) who could channel divine power.
Process: Participants sat in a circle, chanting while the völva entered a trance. Her visions were interpreted as guidance for the community.

https://youtu.be/29B2ZyEk1CA?si=Xb55bOMK5h-5INy4

From the home of my heart.
Poland has just such a rich culture.

#Grimfrost #Vikings #Herbs #Culture #Magic
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mhMHTZ2jfXM

958 years ago, the course of English history was irreversibly altered as William of Normandy, later dubbed 'The Conqueror', defeated Saxon English King Harold Godwinson, reshaping the nation's landscape, culture, and language.

Might be attending this year. Up in the air right now because my fiancé works weekends. Thought I'd share the event though. Plenty of room for Norse culture to shine during this era.

(Tennessee Medieval Faire)

https://tmfaire.com

I put far more stock in my family's genealogical records and my relatives still in the old world (Deutschland, Czechia and France) but it always amuses me, no end, how ancestry.com results constantly change so dramatically! Still interesting nonetheless.
As a 4th generation American I'm lucky in that we still have some traditions from the old world connecting us to the cultures but still , being American and further removed than we should like from old traditions a lot of Americans feel that lack of deep rooted culture because of our "meltingpot" philosophy and as such we desperately cling to our European heritage and most just want to learn more about said heritage and how to pay homage to that.
A lot of Europeans currently living in Europe don't understand this fascination a lot of Americans have and often ridicule Americans when they bring it up, but please see that this is, in a lot of cases, a plea to know more about their native culture to perhaps bring it back home and practice it there.
I don't expect you to do anything yourselves unless perhaps they are your friend but perhaps the next time an American says to you "I'm __% whatever" ask "That's neat, would you like to learn more about the culture? " and give them the name of a heritage museum or something, then it's in their hands to learn something if they are serious.
Like I say I'm lucky enough to have family and have visited the lands of my people so I can just message them whenever I feel like learning more than what we currently do but most are not so fortunate.
Bah, just my thoughts, take them or leave them.
Hail the gods and goddesses
Hail the land wights
Hail the ancestors

A shield I built when I first started taking an interest in Norse culture and history. If I knew then what i do know I would have left off the aegishjalmur. Below is my reference material for material size and style.

https://www.hurstwic.org/history/articles/manufacturing/text/viking_shields.htm#:~:text=Typical%20Viking%20shields%20were%2080,were%2094cm%20(37in)%20across.