There is an intriguing history of Viking pagan communities in the world, and it might surprise you to learn that some of these communities are located near me. The Vikings were seafaring people from Scandinavia who lived during the Viking Age, which spanned from the late 8th century to the early 11th century. They were known for their remarkable shipbuilding skills, exploration, and trading. The Viking pagan communities near me are a fascinating reminder of the ancient world and offer a glimpse into the cultural and religious practices of these people. These communities are usually centered around historical landmarks, museums, or Viking heritage sites. One such community is located in Jorvik, York, England.
Ultimately, Pagan is an umbrella term that can refer to a variety of things on a spectrum that includes Wiccans, witches, heathens, Druids, and other Earth-based spiritualities. Many of the groups around town have roots in pre-Christian Europe. “Norse Paganism has been booming the last few years,” notes Kelly, laughing. “I think that Vikings TV show raised interest.”
It can be hard to find groups that are open to new people, he admits, but I would like to see larger celebrations again the old-school, pre-modern, pagan-style gatherings. It was then announced that some members of the community were sick, and, in what I was told was a first, the group performed a healing circle right there in Spaghetti Warehouse.
One such community is located in Jorvik, York, England. Jorvik Viking Centre is a popular tourist destination that brings the Viking Age to life through interactive exhibits and reconstructions of Viking homes. Visitors can experience the sights, sounds, and even smells of a Viking settlement, complete with Viking artifacts and household items.
Witch Hunting in the Twin Cities
Someday, maybe, I’ll call myself a witch. For now, I’m Pagan-curious.
7:57 AM CDT on June 21, 2023
Davide Biscuso |A Pagan gathering might look a little something like this.
Join the DiscussionMeeting my first witch friend was pure kismet.
I’ve always been interested in spirituality and religion. I moved back home to Minneapolis in 2019 to be a leader at a church, but I was already on the highway to burn-out before the pandemic. (I ended up walking away in 2021.) Ultimately, I knew I was more interested in interfaith communities than I was in recruiting people to attend one church.
I was working part-time at a restaurant. After a full day, I wandered over to Eastlake Craft Brewery to journal. The woman who had trained me earlier happened to be there, too, and we got to talking about spirituality.
A few beers later, she was singing a beautiful song about fire that she had learned at Winter Witch Camp and I was crying. The tune hummed through me in a way that felt ancient and sacred. It was a feeling I’d never experienced outside of church.
It was weird. And it was lovely.
Sometimes It’s Hard to Find a Good Witch
One of the first accounts of Pagan life in Minnesota comes from Dr. Murphy Pizza, PhD, a cultural anthropologist at MCAD. Published in 2014, Pizza’s Paganistan: Contemporary Pagan Community in Minnesota's Twin Cities describes a flourishing wiccan scene, affectionately dubbed “Paganistan” by its members, as unlike anything else in the Midwest.
Pizza estimates that Paganistan, as well as other witch-forward communities in the Twin Cities metro area, has been going strong for over 40 years. But still, the community’s size, scope, and reach often surprises people. While this Minnesota Monthly article estimates that there are at least 20,000 practicing Pagans in town, unless you happen upon a ritual at a nearby park or regularly hang out in an occult shop, they might not be easy to spot.
That’s partly because Pagan communities aren’t as focused on recruiting or getting the word out about their meetups, unlike what you might see with other religious communities. While my life as a church leader was a flurry of ordering big signs or placing ads in newspapers around the holidays, I’ve seen nothing of that sort in the Pagan world. My invitations have been mostly through one-on-one conversations, though one time I was invited to an event via Signal, an encryption app where people use pseudonyms and there’s no last names.
These groups may also be hard to find because there is a wide diversity of beliefs and practices within the community. While most major religions have (mostly) agreed-upon creeds and sacred texts, that’s not necessarily the case for the people at your local Earth-honoring ritual. Some witches are very practical and science-based, while others go full paranormal. “Some even believe in deities and magic, but not everyone,” explains Doe Hoyer, a song-circle leader in south Minneapolis.
Safety could also be a factor, especially when some people equate Wiccans with Devil worship. “There has been a history of persecution of folks identifying as Pagan or a witch,” says Chad Kelly, an ordained minister for Northern Pagan Church, referring to the Satanic Panic of the ‘80s and ‘90s, when hundreds of court cases were built around children’s false memories of ritual abuse. “Families have been torn apart, kids sent to CPS, folks fired from jobs.”
“They literally thought people were having blood rituals and killing people and eating babies,” says self-identified heathen/witch Angela North, who has lived in south Minneapolis’s "witch district" for over 30 years. “Which is, absolutely, not what’s happening. It’s more like, ‘Hey I made this blueberry infused tea and hope I dream about blueberries tonight.’”
That’s where education comes in. Founded by Kelly, Northern Pagan Church offers a variety of primers on what Paganism entails, what it’s not about, and how people can get involved if interested. “It seemed like there was a growing void of community resources around Pagan education, which is why I started Northern Pagan Church,” he says. “I started off with an intro class… then my work evolved into online discussions during Covid.”
Ultimately his goal is to make Paganism more welcoming and inclusive and, maybe in a post-pandemic world, bring back the parties. “It can be hard to find groups that are open to new people,” he admits, “but I would like to see larger celebrations again: the old-school, pre-modern, pagan-style gatherings.”
So, What Does Happen at a Typical Witch Party?
My most recent Earth-centered ritual was in the Heathen Norse community: a sauna ceremony for the Nordic new year. We formed a circle, passed the mead, and shared what we intended to surrender in the New Year. Then everyone got into the hottest sauna I’ve ever experienced–and I’m no sauna novice. I swear my nose ring melted into my body.
For almost an hour, the group sang songs in an ancient Norse tongue with a drum in that sweltering heat (Confession: I only lasted about five minutes, but I stuck around for conversation.) One participant told me he likes to fast before the sauna, because it helps him get into a trance state where he can get fascinating visions.
Pagan meetups can vary. Sometimes there’s singing circles, sometimes there are hikes, sometimes it’s just a group of friends grilling in their backyard. Some think of witchcraft or Pagan practice as their religion, whereas others just want to share their gratitude for the Earth and our ancestors. Some people host big groups and get together regularly, while others prefer small gatherings that are not explicitly Pagan.
And, sometimes, there are fire hazards. “In an attempt to burn a Yule wreath in subzero, arctic windchill weather that year, the ritual attendees had stood around as the wreath was doused repeatedly with lighter fluid,” writes Dr. Pizza in her book. “The air was so cold that evening that the flood was not evaporating, and attempts to light the wreath had failed six times. An attendee that fateful night grumbled, ‘Oh fuck the gentle fire of Spring.’ At that moment, a 30-foot column of flame shot up into the air… they were fortunate not to have celebrated Imbolc that year with the fire department.”
Ultimately, Pagan is an umbrella term that can refer to a variety of things on a spectrum that includes Wiccans, witches, heathens, Druids, and other Earth-based spiritualities. Many of the groups around town have roots in pre-Christian Europe. “Norse Paganism has been booming the last few years,” notes Kelly, laughing. “I think that Vikings TV show raised interest.”
One term that frequently comes up in the witch community is “reclaiming,” the idea of finding connections with the ancient practices of your “people,” whether your ancestors are European, African, or South American. “Reclaiming is about reclaiming your own roots,” explains North. “It can be cultural: like, for someone like me, it goes back to my Finnish roots…For some people it might be that they just really identify with Celtic traditions or something.”
How to Find a Witch Party
In honor of the communal celebrations of Litha/Summer Solstice this Saturday, June 24, we’d like to end this story by highlighting some Earth-centering opportunities available to the general public. Whether you are totally new to honoring the Earth and her seasons or you’re already all-in with your crystals and ancestral altars, here’s how you can deepen your grounding practices this summer. Pay attention to the moon and the changing of the seasons; a lot of things happen around these holidays.
–The Wiccan Church of MN is hosting a Litha celebration this Saturday, June 24, at Richardson Nature Center’s fire pit. Meet at 6 p.m.
–There’s a low-key Wiccan walking group that meets up at the Powderhorn Park Community Center at 6:30 p.m. on full moon nights.
–Both Greenway Yoga and Yess Yoga studios host regular equinox, solstice, full-moon, and astrology-based sessions.
–The Sunday Morning Heretic Sing is specifically encouraged for ex-religious and queer folx. You can join in on the first and third Sundays of each month from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. at Anam Cara Therapies.
–Anam Cara, in connection to the Cultural Wellness Center, explores Celtic and Germanic cultural practices, as well as the “Sacred Feminine,” through seasonal gatherings which you can find more details about through joining their email list.
–Northern Pagan Church hosts weekly online discussions through Zoom, as well as in-person gatherings.
–Try a Midsommar Blot: A “blot” is a group practice for honoring the seasons and ancestors. The Daughters and Sons of Yta will host a gathering July 10 at Lake Nokomis Community Center.
–This Friday, they’ll also be at White Bear Meadery for a talk titled “Heathenry Lore and Spirituality.”
–Winter Witch Camp is a local yearly retreat in connection to the reclaiming tradition.
–The big one: TC Pagan Pride is on September 9 this year.–Another big one: Paganicon is March 15-17, 2024.
Yes. There are a ton of rituals for everyday life.
Another nearby Viking pagan community is found in Newfoundland, Canada. L'Anse aux Meadows is a UNESCO World Heritage site and was the first known Norse settlement in North America. It is believed to have been established by Vikings around the year 1000 AD. Archaeological excavations have revealed the remains of Viking buildings, such as houses and workshops, as well as artifacts like tools and personal items. In Scotland, there is a Viking pagan community situated in Orkney. The Orkney Islands were once ruled by the Norse and have a rich Viking heritage. The historical sites of Skara Brae and Maeshowe offer a glimpse into the lives of the Vikings through their well-preserved settlements and burial mounds. Visiting these Viking pagan communities provides a unique opportunity to learn about the history, culture, and religious beliefs of the Vikings. It is a chance to explore their settlements, admire their craftsmanship, and gain a deeper understanding of their way of life. In conclusion, Viking pagan communities near me are a testament to the lasting legacy of the Vikings and offer an immersive experience into their intriguing world. These communities provide a window into the past and allow visitors to appreciate the accomplishments and contributions of the Vikings to our shared history..
Reviews for "Joining Viking Pagan Communities: Embracing a Modern Norse Lifestyle"
- Emily - 2 stars - I visited a Viking pagan community near me and was extremely disappointed. First of all, the community was much smaller than I expected, and there were only a handful of people present. Moreover, the activities promised on their website were not available during my visit. The members seemed disinterested and unenthusiastic, which made the whole experience feel lackluster. I was hoping for an immersive and engaging experience, but I left feeling underwhelmed and disillusioned.
- John - 1 star - I had a terrible experience with a Viking pagan community near me. The members were unwelcoming and cliquey, making it difficult to connect with anyone. Additionally, there was a lack of organization and structure in their events, which made it hard to fully participate and understand what was going on. The community seemed more interested in preserving an exclusive and closed-off atmosphere rather than embracing newcomers. Overall, it was an isolating and disappointing experience that I would not recommend to anyone.
- Sarah - 2 stars - I had high hopes when I decided to attend a Viking pagan community gathering, but unfortunately, it fell short of my expectations. The community members seemed more interested in showing off their costumes and reenacting battles than actually fostering a sense of community. I was hoping to learn more about the rich history and beliefs of the Vikings, but instead, I was met with superficial conversations and a lack of depth. It felt more like a cosplay event rather than an opportunity to delve into the fascinating world of Viking paganism.