Being Good To  Yourself, Mind & Body

There are a lot of ways to keep yourself healthy. Now you've probably heard most of them from your doctors, eat healthy, excercise and so forth. But what does this translate to when you are working a Northern Path? A lot of folk believe that in order to practice Heathenry,Asatru,or any other Northern Path  you need to use alcoholic beverages in order to honor the Gods, no matter what the form of rite you are participating in. Even if it something as simple as a personal blot or feigning to the Gods. If you aren't doing it the way that has been proscribed by the Greater Heathen Community you're doing it wrong.

The fact is, that you have to make your own decisions for yourself and if you want to blot using alcohol that is fine. But feeling pressured to do something that is going to interfere with the instructions given to you specifically by your dr. is probably going to at the very least stress you out if not put you at some kind of risk due to interactions with medications. Now you may be asking yourselves or at least me, "what are my options?" You have several options  for honoring the Gods in respectful and, in my opinion, traditional manner. If you wish to go the route you could always use non-alcoholic beer, in times past this would have been called small beer and would have been the beer that had not had as much time to develop as the beer that had brewed for a longer period of time, it would not have been seen as dishonorable. If you do not want to do that due to a distaste for non-alcoholic beer, there are other options. This is my personal list: Non-Alcoholic Cider(used to represent Idunna)Goat's Milk(connected with Thor)Cow's Milk(connected with Audhumbla)Water/preferably Spring Water but I will use Tap Water in a pinch(used to represent Mimir or the Norns)Honey Water(used to represent mead it's somewhat sweet and I'm not really a big fan of it I consider it to be kind of wasting both the water and the honey but some people like it). Recently I have come to use a Water&Wine mix similar to the near beer. It is very low on wine content and gives an option for those who are very big on honoring the Gods(particularly Odin)with wine. You could do this with mead but I would not want to waste the mead.Though if you had others about to serve mead to you could mix a certain amount of mead with the water and keep out some to use for those who use straight up alcohol that way all would be served in proper form. If you are at a public blot hopefully they will have two horns going one for alcoholic beverages and one for non-alcoholic beverages; but it is always wise to bring your own horn with you so that you can fill it with a non-alcoholic beverage should the need arise. You can, if the need arise, also simply kiss the rim of the horn to honor the Gods or dip your finger in the horn and bring the libation up to your forhead in honor of the Gods. These have long been seen as acceptable and traditional ways to pass on drinking beverages that one is not able to partake of whether due to ill health or for whatever reason.

Another thing you might want to do before attending a public event, even if it is only with your Kindred or what might be considered a smaller group is talk to whomever is going to be in charge of the event. Explain to them that you have certain limitations, but wish to attend. Then be forthcoming. Don't be afraid of being abraisive, simply let them know that you would appreciate it if they could accomodate whatever your needs are. If they are receptive you will know right then. And you will be able to attend knowing they are prepared for whatever may occur. You will also know if there is going to be wheelchair access to the site etc. There is nothing worse than arriving at an event, having paid ahead of time only to find that they have no first aid available, no phones for an emergency medical situation, and that they are unprepared should something occur. At the very least you would like to know that if you have pain issues and the sumble, blot or feigning is going to continue for an extended period of time, that you will have seating available and not be forced to stand. Some people will be far more receptive than others of course, but we are making progress.  The more you speak up the more that those scheduling events can plan for those who have physical or other limitations.

Remember that keeping yourself healthy is more than just a once in a while thing. If you are in distress because you have overextended yourself with obligations you need to express this before it hits it's apex. Heathenry is very focused on inter-relationships and reciprocal, obligations. And while it does intend that each obligation be reciprocal, it doesn't always work out that way. Also people can be far more understanding if you tell people you need to back off for a while before you hit crisis.

All of this does not keep one from still following whatever plan your doctor has laid out for you. If you have to attend to physical therapy, or a particular dietary plan do so. You can apply yourself with vigor. Know that the discipline that many see within Heathenry can easily be applied to self-care. Whatever you do don't go overboard, but don't slough it off to the side simply to focus on one aspect of your life. be balanced about all that you do. The more you take care of each aspect of your life the more you will get out of your efforts. This is the best way to become productive and independent no matter whether you are receiving any form of disability or not. Whatever you do, fight the good fight and move forward.