Landtaking

Asatruar commonly carry out what is called a "landtaking". The basic purpose of a landtaking is to establish yourself with the resident land and house wights. You want to make sure that the wights know who you are, that you respect them, and that you hope for their future cooperation. You can think of it as transferring the old land-use contract to yourself from the old owners.

There is no single form or set of steps--each person designs his or her own. But there are some elements that are very common.

Identify any special spots on the land where the wights seem to linger -- this will often be a particular tree, grove, stone, or hill. Inside a house or apartment, you might find special places at the hearth, kitchen, front door, ... .

Transfer something tangible from your old property: a handful of earth, a stone, "high seat posts", whatever.

Make offerings to the wights (Asatruar commonly use mead, meat, or grains). This can be done at the special spots, at the corners of the property, along the boundary, at the gate or front door, ..., or some combination of these. Accompany the offerings with a declaration that you are taking possession of the property and that you intend to cooperate with the wights.

Carry fire (e.g. torch or candle) around the boundary of the property.

Some Asatruar also add in dedications to one or more specific gods.

To the Reeves Hall

Last Modified 9 January 1998.
Comments to Manny Olds, oldsma@pobox.com