In the United States of America, on the last Monday of May, we have a holiday called Memorial Day.
On this day, Americans tribute the fallen U.S soldiers that died in battle.
Though most Americans today do so by barbequing and "celebrating" the day, without so much of an utterance on why the post office is closed and why a great deal of people are off from work, Memorial Day is something that America has done right. To honor those that fell in battle is a pillar stone of Germanic--nay, Indo-European, culture and tradition.
Today, my friends, is an important solemn day, and here is one American export I support for the European and European descendant folk.
While you may not agree with the wars that are being conducted by the Federal Government*, the soldier should always be honored. The soldier is the epitome of a man. He is disciplined. He is brave. He fights. He is ready to die on the field of battle. Such an ideal should be the pride of any nation.
No, this day wasn't on the Heathen calender, but it is in tune with our Heathen philosophy. For the man who dies in battle is who achieves the highest. The battle-slain is the only one that can cross the rainbow bridge. The Valkyrie's prey is the one that dines in the hall with all of the finest warriors and Odin himself. He is the one that flirts with the serving wenches and feeds the dog scraps. And after he is done feasting on pork and beer, he slumbers, and in the morning, he is woken up to fight and die again, and resurrect, and he will repeat this cycle until the end of the cosmos.
Some argue that our soldiers are nothing but mercenaries or worse, whores who have given their loyalty for confusing or obscure ideals and goals. Whether you believe that or not is irrelevant. Only those that die in battle see Valhalla. It's not, "Only those that fight for a good cause see Valhalla". The brave and the bold need not ideology or even morals. Soldiers are soldiers, warriors are warriors; Valkyries fly over every battlefield. Regardless if their cause is just (and who are you to judge that), soldiers should be revered.
Our ancestors certainly revered them.
So on this day, exalt the soldier. Champion the man brave enough to stare death in the eyes and charge head on. Revere the mean that died, sword in hand, prideful, honor in tact, carried up to the halls of Odin or Freyja by the Valkyries. They are great men.
The ritual today will be for Thor, God of the common soldier, and Tyr, God of single combat. The Valkyries will also be honored today. Today is not Odin's day--he is the God of war, not warriors; Veteran's day is his. Finally, the fallen warrior receives the highest honor.
Take your Mjolnir, and consecrate yourself, hailing Thor like you would any other day. Thank Thor for granting the fallen soldiers strength in both life and death. Now, fire nine shots from your gun, dedicating each bullet to Thor. If the former is not possible, go to Thor's oak and stab the Earth 9 times (remember, Thor's mother is the Earth!), near the trunk of the tree, but do not damage the roots. Pour beer or mead into the cuts, dedicating it to Thor.
Now, you will honor Tyr. Take a glove, which will symbolize Tyr's dismembered hand, and burn it, dedicating it to Tyr. Thank him for granting the soldiers honor in both life and death. If you have a sword, carve a Tyr rune into the ground and dedicate it to Tyr. You can also paint or draw the Tyr rune on the glove that you will burn.
The Valkyries, the glorious battle maidens that are sworn to ferry the fallen warriors to Valhalla, will be honored now. Thank the Valkyries for their commitment and duty to your fallen heroes. Picture those beautiful shield-maidens in your mind, wondering if some day, you will have the honor of meeting one. Take some old meat or rotten food and toss it out somewhere, away from your house. Valkyries are associated with ravens and crows, so it is fitting to offer food only a scavenger will eat to them. With some luck, the blackbirds will pick at your offering.
Finally, take some alcohol, preferably beer or mead. Red wine, the color of blood, is also fitting. Say something such as:
"On this day, May 28th, I honor Valhalla's chosen."
Now, you shall repeat this from the Sayings of the High One*:
Cattle die, kinsmen die,
the self must also die;
but glory never dies,
for the man who is able to achieve it.
Cattle die, kinsmen die,
the self must also die;
I know one thing which never dies:
the reputation of each dead man.
Now say: "Glory to those that fell in battle! Glory to Valhalla's chosen! The hero is immortal! Hail to the dead warrior!".
Pour your libation.
That is the end.
On this day, Americans tribute the fallen U.S soldiers that died in battle.
Though most Americans today do so by barbequing and "celebrating" the day, without so much of an utterance on why the post office is closed and why a great deal of people are off from work, Memorial Day is something that America has done right. To honor those that fell in battle is a pillar stone of Germanic--nay, Indo-European, culture and tradition.
Today, my friends, is an important solemn day, and here is one American export I support for the European and European descendant folk.
While you may not agree with the wars that are being conducted by the Federal Government*, the soldier should always be honored. The soldier is the epitome of a man. He is disciplined. He is brave. He fights. He is ready to die on the field of battle. Such an ideal should be the pride of any nation.
No, this day wasn't on the Heathen calender, but it is in tune with our Heathen philosophy. For the man who dies in battle is who achieves the highest. The battle-slain is the only one that can cross the rainbow bridge. The Valkyrie's prey is the one that dines in the hall with all of the finest warriors and Odin himself. He is the one that flirts with the serving wenches and feeds the dog scraps. And after he is done feasting on pork and beer, he slumbers, and in the morning, he is woken up to fight and die again, and resurrect, and he will repeat this cycle until the end of the cosmos.
Some argue that our soldiers are nothing but mercenaries or worse, whores who have given their loyalty for confusing or obscure ideals and goals. Whether you believe that or not is irrelevant. Only those that die in battle see Valhalla. It's not, "Only those that fight for a good cause see Valhalla". The brave and the bold need not ideology or even morals. Soldiers are soldiers, warriors are warriors; Valkyries fly over every battlefield. Regardless if their cause is just (and who are you to judge that), soldiers should be revered.
Our ancestors certainly revered them.
So on this day, exalt the soldier. Champion the man brave enough to stare death in the eyes and charge head on. Revere the mean that died, sword in hand, prideful, honor in tact, carried up to the halls of Odin or Freyja by the Valkyries. They are great men.
The ritual today will be for Thor, God of the common soldier, and Tyr, God of single combat. The Valkyries will also be honored today. Today is not Odin's day--he is the God of war, not warriors; Veteran's day is his. Finally, the fallen warrior receives the highest honor.
Take your Mjolnir, and consecrate yourself, hailing Thor like you would any other day. Thank Thor for granting the fallen soldiers strength in both life and death. Now, fire nine shots from your gun, dedicating each bullet to Thor. If the former is not possible, go to Thor's oak and stab the Earth 9 times (remember, Thor's mother is the Earth!), near the trunk of the tree, but do not damage the roots. Pour beer or mead into the cuts, dedicating it to Thor.
Now, you will honor Tyr. Take a glove, which will symbolize Tyr's dismembered hand, and burn it, dedicating it to Tyr. Thank him for granting the soldiers honor in both life and death. If you have a sword, carve a Tyr rune into the ground and dedicate it to Tyr. You can also paint or draw the Tyr rune on the glove that you will burn.
The Valkyries, the glorious battle maidens that are sworn to ferry the fallen warriors to Valhalla, will be honored now. Thank the Valkyries for their commitment and duty to your fallen heroes. Picture those beautiful shield-maidens in your mind, wondering if some day, you will have the honor of meeting one. Take some old meat or rotten food and toss it out somewhere, away from your house. Valkyries are associated with ravens and crows, so it is fitting to offer food only a scavenger will eat to them. With some luck, the blackbirds will pick at your offering.
Finally, take some alcohol, preferably beer or mead. Red wine, the color of blood, is also fitting. Say something such as:
"On this day, May 28th, I honor Valhalla's chosen."
Now, you shall repeat this from the Sayings of the High One*:
Cattle die, kinsmen die,
the self must also die;
but glory never dies,
for the man who is able to achieve it.
Cattle die, kinsmen die,
the self must also die;
I know one thing which never dies:
the reputation of each dead man.
Now say: "Glory to those that fell in battle! Glory to Valhalla's chosen! The hero is immortal! Hail to the dead warrior!".
Pour your libation.
That is the end.
*1 I do not agree with the USA's current wars.
*2 From The Poetic Edda, translation by Carolyne Larrington, page 24, stanzas 76 and 77.
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