r/heathenry

so I’ve been worshipping Odin pretty much exclusively for the last 8 months and it was…not exactly my call. He contacted me first and basically kept of showing up until I began making offerings and working with him.

Events have transpired in my life that make me think I need guidance and assistance from Tyr. Thing is I’m not entirely sure how to reach out to him. to be perfectly blunt I need something from him. this is less a devotional practice and more a business arrangement so to speak.

TLDR how do I reach out to Tyr to get his assistance

i've been devoted to freyja for about six years at this point, and want to see if there are any others out there!

Having a good relationship with the gods/spirits is like any human relationship, in many ways. Someone who only asks their friends for favors is going to probably be seen as selfish and a user.

I see a lot of posts about which deity can help with which issue, gaining favor from the gods for our own benefit, etc. I think we can look to the Havamal for wisdom regarding relationships in general and having relationship with the gods specifically:

Havamal 147: "Tis better not to pray than too much offer; a gift ever looks to a return. ‘Tis better not to send than too much consume. So Thund graved before the origin of men, where he ascended, to whence he afterwards came."

Essentially, I believe this is saying that we should keep the principle of equivalent exchange in mind. If we ask a great favor from the deities, we need to be able to offer something of equivalent value. On the other hand, Odin counsels us not to sacrifice too much either.

When you ask something, how much are you willing or able to give in return? That doesn't mean they can't choose to help you without you offering something, but if you're approaching them asking for a favor, be prepared to repay it or be refused. When in doubt, it's probably best to communicate with them and meditate on their answer before asking for something.

I think it is better to form a relationship with the gods, respecting them as individual beings, without asking for anything in return. I see them as distinct and powerful spiritual entities with personalities, opinions, and preferences. If we are only turning to them to gain a benefit for ourselves, then we become a user. I wouldn't blame them for not wanting to help us if we are just using them as a magical shortcut for issues that we can work to correct on our own.

Being in relationship with the gods is much like any relationship. You spend time with your friends, you help them/give them gifts, and if you build that good relationship, they benefit your lives in many ways. But it's not something we should take for granted or look to them only when we need something (this applies to any relationship).

I don't like the word "working with" when it comes to having a relationship with the gods either, because it seems like only appreciating them for how they benefit us. It's all about respect.

Food for thought.