The following are
ritual regalia that can be collected over a period of time; nothing is essential at the start, but as you progress you should
try to collect as much as you can. Ritual Regalia gives symbolism and effect to any rite.
Ø Thunor’s Hammer – This is a Ritual Hammer used for the
Hammer Rite at the start of each ritual. You can make this up yourself quite easily, using a normal hammer-head and putting
an oak shaft on it. Oak is the wood of Thunor. You could use copper in the making of a Ritual Hammer, since this is
also sacred to Thunor. If you wish to use symbolism on the hammer, the Thorn-Rune, Sigel-Rune or the Fylfot-Swastika should
be used – these are all associated with Thunor.
Ø Ritual
Axe – alternatively, or together with the hammer, you could use a Ritual Axe. This symbolism was used prior to the hammer,
and is also sacred to the Hammer-God or Axe-God. This should also be dedicated to Thunor or to Forseti.
Ø
Ritual Sword – this is an optional
extra, and any suitable sword can be used. We use this in certain rites such as the Naming Rite, Wodenic Profession etc.
Ø Ritual Earth-Bowl
– you can use one of these for indoor work. You could use a wooden bowl and decorate it with runes or whatever suits
your purpose.
Ø Ritual
Candles – again, for indoor work, you can get hold of a ritual candle-holder. This represents the Sacred Centre and
the Sacred Fire.
Ø Ritual
Flag – a White Dragon Flag and an English Cross should be used for ritual work; these two are used together at this
time. For indoor use, or even outdoor use if you wish, this should be draped over your “altar” (a table or whatever).
Ø Ritual Knife –
you can also get hold of one of these, or make up a ritual knife yourself if you have the skills. This can be placed upon
the altar and used for rituals where it is needed.
Ø Ritual
Garb – you can use ritual clothing if this suits you; one thing that does enhance a ritual is a Ritual Hood worn with
normal clothing.
Ø Ritual
Blowing Horn – this is used to open the rites. It is symbolic of the Horn of Awakening which awakens Gods and
Men to the Last Battle. This should be a cow’s horn of any size that suits you.
Ø Ritual Mead-Horn or Ale-Horn – again this is a cow’s
horn, polished and embellished with runes or symbols (if you so wish). You can burn runic symbols into horn, but be very careful
since some parts may be very thin – no point having holes in a drinking-horn!
Ø Ritual Arm-Ring – this is symbolic of the Ring of Woden (Draupnir)
and oaths can be sworn upon it. Alternatively, Wuldor’s Ring (another Oath-Ring) is usually thought to be a finger-ring,
and this can also be worn.
Ø Ritual
Fire-Bowl – This can either be a metal bowl adapted to use for a small fire, or a small brazier bought for the purpose.
The best type for use on sacred sites is the small brazier since it doubles for a fire to keep warm in the cold autumn/winter
months.
These are
the main types of Wodenic Regalia for ritual use; there are other things you can get hold of, or make yourself. If you are
into the mystic-magical side then you will probably wish to build up a set of Magical Weapons, Rune-Staffs, and Rune-Staves
etc. These will be dealt with in a different section.
You can also wear Wodenic Regalia in everyday life; no-one should be able to stop you wearing a Thunor’s
Hammer in your day-to-day life, including your workplace. It is illegal to discriminate against any form of religion
(not just the “ethnic” religions for which the religious laws were intended). So you are covered by the same laws
as any other religion. This, again, we shall deal with at some time. The main Wodenic Regalia worn is the Thunor’s Hammer,
but some also prefer to wear a Walknut, or an Irminsul, or other regalia suited to our faith. What you wear is us to you.
