"Heathenry" as it is expressed in Canada is used as a universal term to describe a wide range of Germanic Neopaganism. Those who practice the religions or folk-ways of Ásatrú, Forn Sed, Odinism or Theodism are all considered part of a greater Heathen umbrella. The exclusion of adherents on the basis of ethnic origin, sexual orientation, other group affiliation as well as other discriminatory factors is opposed by most Canadian Heathen groups, although there are, as in the United States a small number of racially minded groups that limit their membership to those of "Nordic ancestry".
The Heathenry Confederation of Canada is a national organization that aims to educate and build understanding about heathenry. There is, also, an on-line portal that provides neutral information about heathenry (Asatru.ca). There are also provincial organizations and forums such as the Heathen Freehold Society of British Columbia, and Maritime Heathens. There are also numerous smaller organizations dedicated to the same goal of advancing Heathenry in Canada such as Clearwater Kindred and Rúnatýr Kindred.
Canadian Heathenry has been largely influenced by national organizations in the United States such as The Troth, Ásatrú Alliance and Ásatrú Folk Assembly. There is also a high degree of influence drawn from British, Scandinavian and other European organizations including the Odinic Rite. While the division between "folkish" and "universalist" Heathen expressions is not as deeply rooted in the culture as it is in the US, other differences such as regarding the acceptance of Jötunn (Giants) and elements of Wicca into the religion are more controversial.
Terminology The modern use of Heathen arises from the Old English hæðen which meant non-Christian and was employed in the same manner as gentile. It is also possible that the term arose from the Gothic haiþi meaning one who dwelt on the heath. In modern times among Germanic Neo-Pagans it has come to mean one who practices a polytheistic religion and worldview rooted in pre-Christian Germanic paganism. For many Heathens to be labeled a Pagan is seen as improper due to the eclectic perception of Neo-Pagans in the greater mainstream public.
Differences with American Ásatrú Unlike in the United States, there has been no significant move towards Theodism or kindred models based upon a single leader. Most Canadian kindreds are formed and/or led by a democratic body. Organizations such as the Heathen Freehold Society of British ColumbiaBC, Rúnatýr Kindred and others have focused on the family aspect of Heathenry and made the family unit a smaller part of the greater kindred. These may be referred to as hearths or households which make up the larger tribal unit.
Much like the European expression of Forn Sed or Folktro, many Canadian Heathens see the integration of customs from their more direct ancestors as vital to their religion. This may be French, English, Irish, Slavic or First Nations customs as applied through a Heathen worldview. This is due in part to the multiculturalism of Canadian society as opposed to the melting-pot of America. It is not uncommon for offerings to be made to non-Germanic landvættir such as those from Celtic, Slavic and First Nation low mythologies. This is most common in private cult activities of individual Heathens while the public cult or kindred activities are more Germano-centrist. While cultural appropriation is not encouraged, a healthy respect and acknowledgment of ancestors of the land as well as ancestors of practitioners (of all ethnic background) is appropriate.
Holidays Heathens come together for differing holidays depending on their region. However, the most common are those around the equinoxes and solstices. The two most widely celebrated holidays are Yule and Midsummer, while the equinox and lesser yearly holidays vary more in adherence. Traditionally, most Heathen celebrations occurred based upon the agricultural year with the major festival of Yule being the time when work was not occurring due to the dark and cold and families would come together. Following the quarterly division however, in the context of modern Heathenry, fulfills a need for predictable and stable calendar celebrations allowing for an ease in scheduling, though in some cases is an import from neo-Celtic or Wiccan traditions known as the Wheel of the Year. The other major holidays for Canadian Heathens are regional festivals such as Hail & Horn Gathering, Midgard Festival, Kaleidescope Gathering, and Gathering for Life on Earth some of which are specific Heathen festivals while others are Pan-Neo-Pagan Festivals that attract many differing groups including Heathens.
Heathens also come together for major rites of passage, including baby naming ceremonies within the first year of birth, a child's entrance into adulthood, marriages and funerals. These can bring communities of Heathens together, as well as bring in non-Heathen family members and friends more often than do the seasonal holidays.
Customs The primary customs of Canadian Heathens are similar to other groups worldwide. The two most prevalent are blót and symbel. Followed by these are various votive offerings, such as sóa or faining as well as processing. These ceremonies or customs are done with the focus of honouring or venerating the holy powers including the deities of northern Europe, landwights, or ancestors.
Blót
Blót is a celebration that is centered upon a sacrifice to the holy powers. Traditionally this was an animal sacrifice, which may still be performed in our modern times. Most often the modern Canadian blót is a feast which is shared communally with a significant portion of the meal and alcohol - usually mead or beer - set aside for the Gods, Wights and/or Ancestors.
Symbel
Next to blót the symbel is the most sacred custom of any Heathen gathering. The typical, though sometimes modified, format of the Symbel is the passing of a drinking vessel (commonly a drinking horn) filled with either an alcoholic or non-alcoholic beverage for three rounds. The first round of toasts or hails goes to the Gods, the second to heroes and ancestors the third is the 'oath, toast or boast' round. Many kindreds in Canada make a distinction between a 'high symbel''' and a 'low symbel.' These differentiations do not refer to the sacredness of the custom, but instead how they are structured.
High symbel A high symbel refers to a group ritual drinking that allows only the hailing of Germanic Gods. This format is most often applied at gatherings where more than one kindred comes together to share in symbel such as at Hail and Horn Gathering or Kaleidoscope Gathering.
Low symbel
The low symbel is the format most often used at smaller kindred gatherings. As there is a rule against non-Heathens from sharing in the custom, these guests are permitted to hail their own Gods. This is often the case when non-Heathen family members wish to participate in the kindred's activities and due to the inclusive nature of the Canadian culture.
Offerings Votive offerings are the most frequent form of offering. Items of some value to the offering party are either burned, sunk or broken. This act is sometimes called sóa or faining. Traditionally some items given as offerings included weapons, armour, jewelry or household goods. Some Canadian Heathens have taken up some First Nations' traditions in regards to offerings including giving or burning of tobacco and cedar.
Procession Processing is another form of honouring the Gods as described in Tacitus' Germania concerning the processing of Nerthus as well as of Freyr in the Ögmundar þáttr dytts. This act takes on various forms but in each case an idol or other representation of a god or ancestor are pulled on wagon or carried on a palanquin over a parcel of land. In modern Canadian heathen practice this form of ritual is performed amongst a large number of people. It may take place as part of a festival, parade or on private land.
Large gatherings There are a number of large Heathen gatherings in Canada which consist of local, regional and disperse Heathens coming together to share in each other's company for the purposes of meeting new friends, sharing in religious devotion as well as exchanging ideas on how to better improve the many facets of Heathen life on a local, regional or national level.
Hail and Horn Gathering Hail and Horn Gathering is held at the Canada Day long weekend at Raven's Knoll near Eganville Ontario. The gathering was established by Austin "Auz" Lawrence (gothi and steward at Raven's Knoll) and Erik Lacharity (a steward of Rúnatýr Kindred) and has since benefitted from the many volunteers who help co-ordinate the tripartite ritual of Blót, Húsel and Symbel as well as the many workshops.
Each year a crafts person from the community volunteers or is selected to carve the godpole to be raised at the Blót. The Blót is then led by three gothis/gythias who, under the guidance of the gothi at Raven's Knoll, put on a ritual which is meant to enliven the godpole and see that the community bears witness to its raising. It is a thematic ritual, as with the whole gathering, focusing on the lore and folk understandings of the god/dess being honoured. The Blót consists of offerings of foodstuffs, libations and objects which have ritual significance upon a stone.
The Húsel feast consists of multiple courses, each in turn crafted to be both historical Germanic fare as well as thematically consistent with the auspice of that year's selected divinity. Within the temporary hall structure are to be found hanging banners representing the many groups present at the event as well as other adornments such as shields and iconographic draperies. A portion of each course is set aside and offered to the gods, wights and ancestors.
High Symbel follows immediately after the Húsel were folks come together to drink of the horn and speak good wholesome words. The horn is carried round by the Byrele and order is maintained by the Thyle. Gifting is an important part of the Hail and Horn High Symbel as it allows many bonds to be formed by folks who may live great distances from each other. After the High Symbel, the folk are treated to a line-up of entertainment as performers participate in the Skaldic. At the Skaldic patrons can expect hearing a number of tales pertinent to the lore of the god/dess being honoured at the event.
It is also after the Skaldic that the organizers present the arm rings to two members of the gathered folk who have been selected by the Doughty, previous recipients of armrings, for reasons which should embody dedication to the community and exemplary conduct which has been recognized by the Doughty throughout the event. As the entry fee to the event comprises the cost of purchasing the crafted silver rings, it is understood that the gifted rings are offered by the folk, through the advice of the Doughty and given by the Organizers to the recipients, forming an elaborate gifting cycle.
As of Hail and Horn Gathering 2023, arm rings are no longer presented to members of the community. Instead, two attendants are selected by a raffle. One of which receives a monetary compensation equal to their entrance fee for that year's event and is said to be "chosen" by that year's venerated deity. The second attendant is given free entry to the successive year's event.
Major controversies Although heathens in Canada share many similarities, disagreements about how to practice Heathenry exist. Many of these controversies are influenced by American Asatru and Heathenry, but they also have intricacies that are specific to Canada, in contrast to the United States or Europe.
Reconstructionism and UPG