Compiling my book Visions of Vanaheim was the fruit of getting to know the Vanir Gods intensively, being introduced to those I hadn't worked with before, and gaining new knowledge and insights.  However, this was to be only the beginning of my work with the Vanir - it was not and is not a finished product.

Though my life's work is to revive and promote the cultus of my fulltrui, Ing-Frey, by extension I am sworn to His family.  My research informs me that there was in all likelihood a period of time when the Vanir were the primary Gods in Northern Europe, and when the Aesir cultus became dominant, what it didn't absorb was suppressed and stamped out, to be further squashed by the conversion to Christianity.  Be that as it may, even if I am completely wrong and there was no Vanir cultus in antiquity, They are desiring to interact with our world now, as a pantheon - a family, a tribe, a package deal.

I was asked by Nerthus in October of 2009 to spend "a year in Vanaheim", spending an entire year furthering those introductions, or even extant and long-standing relationships.  Each month from the end of 2009 through 2010 will be given to one of the Vanir, to get to know Them, both in learning more about Them and Their influence and workings in the world, and also, what They will offer me in my own personal spiritual development as a priestess of the Vanir.  The schedule for this "year in Vanaheim" is as follows, dates starting on the I was asked by Nerthus in October of 2009 to spend "a year in Vanaheim", spending an entire year furthering those introductions, or even extant and long-standing relationships.  Each month from the end of 2009 through 2010 will be given to one of the Vanir, to get to know Them, both in learning more about Them and Their influence and workings in the world, and also, what They will offer me in my own personal spiritual development as a priestess of the Vanir.  The schedule for this "year in Vanaheim" is as follows, dates starting on the new moon rather than the first of the month:

Nov 16, 2009 - Gullveig
Dec 16, 2009 - Holda
Jan 15, 2010 - Wuldor
Feb 14, 2010 - Eir
Mar 15, 2010 - Eostre
Apr 14, 2010 - Nerthus
May 14, 2010 - Freya
June 12, 2010 - Froði
July 11, 2010 - Njord
August 10, 2010 - Frey
September 8, 2010 - Sif
October 7, 2010 - Herne

So, besides my daily devotional practice, my weekly "appointments" with Nerthus and Frey, and my fainings on the moon tides, I also will be incorporating times of meeting with that month's Deity.  Besides listening and receiving what They want to share with me about Themselves, I will also be given a Challenge, a Lesson, and an Initiation by each Deity.  The Challenge is something They will ask me to do where there is a chance (whether small or great) of failure, because it pushes me past one or more of my comfort zones, but if I follow through I will be stronger for it.  The Lesson is given if I complete the Challenge, and is something of a magical or philosophical nature that will enhance my life and/or my practice in some way.  Finally, the Initiation comes if I complete both the Challenge and the Lesson, and will require me to trance-journey to Vanaheim, to be presented before the Vanir, given a rite of passage ritual, and a gift of some kind.

I put this forth not because I want to appear special, or brag about being "chosen".  Indeed, this is hard, hard work.  I also make no claims that this practice existed among Vanic shaman-priests in ancient times, or should be widely sought after by modern Vanic devotees.  I offer up this information for those who might find themselves in a similar position (albeit probably with a different schedule), or might get pinged to try it at least to get to know the Vanir Gods and Goddess more fully, or may find some benefit, somehow, of what is shared.  In everything that I am given, I try to pay it forward as I am able to - even if there are things I cannot share, whether by choice or being asked by one of the Gods not to - I still like to be of help where I may.

So, if this sounds like something you would enjoy reading, click the links for each Deity's month.  Obviously, there won't be a link for a month that hasn't happened yet, and there will be separate sections on those pages for the Challenge, Lesson, and Initiation, to be filled out as I experience them.

Happy trails,

© 2009-2010 Svartesól.