Embracing the Timelessness of Germanic Polytheism: Speaking in the Present Tense to Connect with the Æsir and Álfar

Written by Dyami Millarson

Often, discussions of Germanic ancestors and their polytheistic beliefs and practices are framed in the past tense, inadvertently distancing us from their experiences and relegating them to the realm of the distant past. To foster a deeper connection with the ancestors and gain a more profound understanding of Germanic polytheism, vikingreligion.com strives to speak in the present tense whenever possible. This approach allows vikingreligion.com to empathise with the human essence of the Germanic ancestors, recognising the timeless nature of their beliefs and practices. Here at vikingreligion.com, empathy and respect for the Germanic ancestors and their ways are key motivators for how each topic is approached. By using the present tense when discussing Germanic ancestors and their polytheistic beliefs, we acknowledge that their experiences are not merely confined to the past but remain relevant and relatable in our lives today. This linguistic shift serves to bridge the temporal divide, helping us better understand and appreciate the nuances of Germanic polytheism.

Speaking in the present tense has the powerful effect of humanising our Germanic ancestors, allowing us to view them not as distant historical figures but as people with whom we share a common humanity. This approach fosters empathy and a sense of kinship, enabling us to better comprehend the essence of Germanic polytheism from a human perspective. Adopting the present tense when discussing Germanic ancestors and their beliefs is a way of acknowledging the spiritual continuity of the practices and beliefs. By recognising the timelessness of their traditions or at least by breaking the constraints of time, we can forge a deeper connection with the Ancestral Spirits and Deified Ancestors, or Æsir and Álfar, that remain alive within us and continue to guide and shape our understanding of Germanic polytheism. Using the present tense to discuss Germanic ancestors and their polytheistic practices serves as an essential tool in overcoming the barriers of othering the Germanic human ancestors through time and distance. By altering our language, we create a more immediate and intimate understanding of the lives and beliefs of the forefathers, allowing us to forge stronger connections with them and engage more deeply with the essence of Germanic polytheism.