Written by Dyami Millarson
In theological terms, the practice of blóts in Germanic polytheism can be seen as a ritualistic framework that facilitates communion between humans and the divine, shaped by both tradition and divine expectation. This relationship is best understood through sacrificial theology, where blóts are not merely cultural rituals but sacred actions that mediate between the human and divine, fulfilling both human needs and divine will.
a. Tradition and Ancestral Practice
The idea that humans perform blóts because they saw or heard their ancestors perform them reflects a theology of continuity. In this framework, blóts serve as vehicles for preserving and transmitting divine knowledge and cosmic order across generations. The ancestral wisdom embedded in blóts is believed to carry divine sanction, making them sacred actions that align humanity with the divine order established by the Gods in the religious past.
Blóts, therefore, are re-enactments of primordial covenants between Gods and humans. Each performance is a reaffirmation of the cosmic balance, ensuring harmony between humanity and divine forces. This establishes a theology of ritual time, where every blót transcends the present and links the worshippers to a timeless, divine narrative. Humans participate in sacred history by performing the same rites their ancestors did, reaffirming their connection to both divine and cultural identity.
b. Divine Favor and Good Fortune:
Blóts are not only customary but also serve as a means of securing divine favour and good fortune, reinforcing the theology of sacrificial reciprocity. The offerings maintain a reciprocal relationship between Gods and humans, where honouring the Gods brings blessings: health, prosperity, or protection. This idea introduces a theology of exchange, where humans acknowledge their dependence on the Gods, and in turn, receive divine favor.
The notion that blóts please the Gods and bring good fortune reflects a theology of divine covenant, though in a polytheistic context. Instead of a single covenant, there are multiple transactional relationships with various deities, each based on specific roles or desires. Blóts are practical expressions of theology in action, ensuring the continued functioning of both the natural and social order through religious observance.
Blóts are confirmed as pleasing to the Gods through signs, omens, or natural phenomena, tying into a theology of divine communication. In Germanic polytheism, divinity communicates through signs and natural phenomena that indicate divine will. Interpreting these signs is part of a broader theology of discernment, where humans read divine responses and adjust their practices to maintain favor. Successful blóts often yield positive indicators, such as good weather or bountiful harvests, which are perceived as evidence of divine acceptance.
In this context, blóts are not merely offerings but also acts of divine mediation, where ritual serves as a conduit for interaction between the divine and human realms. The theology of mediation emphasizes that divine favour must be earned and discerned through proper practice and observation of signs, ensuring that cosmic order and balance are maintained.
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