How to: Selecting a Deity to Honour in Blót
In Norse and Germanic paganism, the blót is one of the most central rituals - an offering to the gods, ancestors, or spirits of the land in exchange for blessings. But when it comes time to perform a blót, one of the first questions a new Heathen may ask is: “Which deity should I honour?”
The answer depends on your intent, your relationship with the gods, and the time of year. Blót is about reciprocity - giving to those who give to you. Choosing the right deity helps create a ritual that is sincere, meaningful, and connected to both tradition and your own life.
Step 1: Know the Purpose of the Blót
Different gods and goddesses represent different powers of life. Before choosing who to honour, ask yourself:
What do I need right now? Protection, wisdom, fertility, prosperity, healing, courage?
What is happening in my life? Am I starting a new job, preparing for a journey, or celebrating a marriage or birth?
What season is it? The Norse often timed blóts to the natural cycle: fertility rites in spring, harvest offerings in autumn, and Yule blóts at midwinter.
Your purpose will guide you toward the right deity.
Step 2: Understand the Gods and Goddesses
Here are the Norse deities and other associated spirits with the areas they are often honoured for:
The Æsir (Major Sky/War/Order Gods) -
Odin – wisdom, poetry, magic, victory, the slain.
Blót for: knowledge, inspiration, success in battle, guidance.Frigg – family, foresight, marriage.
Blót for: childbirth, family protection, foresight.Thor – thunder, storms, strength, protection, agriculture.
Blót for: protection, good harvests, courage, weather aid.Baldr – light, innocence, reconciliation.
Blót for: peace, healing grief, renewal.Höðr – darkness, patience, endurance.
Blót for: strength through hardship, acceptance of loss.Týr – justice, law, courage.
Blót for: fair outcomes, oath-keeping, bravery in sacrifice.Heimdallr – watchfulness, protection, beginnings.
Blót for: vigilance, safe passage, clarity.Bragi – poetry, music, eloquence.
Blót for: artistic inspiration, success in speaking/singing.Idunn – youth, vitality, immortality (apples).
Blót for: renewal, health, energy.Víðarr – vengeance, survival, silence.
Blót for: justice, resilience, endurance.Váli – vengeance, renewal, rebirth.
Blót for: strength in crises, setting wrongs right.Hœnir – prophecy, counsel.
Blót for: insight, guidance in hard choices.Forseti – justice, mediation.
Blót for: resolving disputes, peace, fairness.Ullr – archery, skiing, oaths.
Blót for: skill in hunting, survival in winter, oath-binding.Meili – obscure, “Thor’s brother.”
Blót for: kinship, loyalty.Hermóðr – messenger, ventured to Hel.
Blót for: courage in journeys, intercession for the dead.Lóðurr – creator figure with Odin and Hœnir.
Blót for: vitality, artistry, inspiration.Vili & Vé – Odin’s brothers, co-creators of the world.
Blót for: creativity, boldness, cooperation.Búri – first god, ancestor of the Æsir.
Blót for: beginnings, primal strength.Borr – father of Odin, Vili, Vé.
Blót for: lineage, honor of forebears.Bestla – mother of Odin, Vili, Vé.
Blót for: elder wisdom, resilience.
Children of the Æsir -
Móði & Magni – Thor’s sons, strength, continuation.
Blót for: courage, endurance, inheritance.Þrúðr – Thor’s daughter, strength, sometimes Valkyrie.
Blót for: resilience, warrior power.Gríðr – consort of Odin, mother of Víðarr.
Blót for: protection, courage in danger.Járnsaxa – consort of Thor, mother of Magni.
Blót for: strength, endurance, survival.
The Vanir (Fertility/Sea/Earth Gods) -
Njörðr – sea, wealth, seafaring, fishing.
Blót for: safe travel, fortune, trade success.Freyja – love, beauty, fertility, magic, war-dead.
Blót for: love, fertility, seiðr, success in war.Freyr – fertility of land, peace, prosperity.
Blót for: good harvests, marriage, wealth, peace.Gerðr – wife of Freyr, fertile earth.
Blót for: marriage, union, field fertility.Óðr – husband of Freyja, passion and longing.
Blót for: devotion, reunion, artistic madness.Byggvir & Beyla – servants of Freyr, linked to grain and bees.
Blót for: harvests, bees, household abundance.Kvasir – embodiment of wisdom and inspiration.
Blót for: eloquence, knowledge, creativity.Nerthus – ancient earth goddess.
Blót for: peace, agricultural plenty, harmony with land.
The Ásynjur (Goddesses) -
Sif – fertility, harvest, family prosperity.
Blót for: fertile fields, household well-being.Gefjon – farmland, ploughing, abundance.
Blót for: land fertility, new beginnings.Skaði – mountains, skiing, hunting, winter.
Blót for: hunting success, endurance, winter survival.Fulla – abundance, trust, secrets.
Blót for: prosperity, discretion.Eir – healing.
Blót for: health, recovery from illness.Lofn – forbidden love, compassion.
Blót for: love against obstacles, acceptance.Sjǫfn – affection, relationships.
Blót for: romance, harmony in love.Var – oaths, vows.
Blót for: honesty, binding promises.Vör – awareness, insight.
Blót for: wisdom, foresight.Sýn – justice, truth.
Blót for: protection in trials, fairness.Hlín – protection, refuge.
Blót for: safety, comfort in danger.Gná – messenger goddess.
Blót for: speed, swift communication.Ilmr – obscure, fertility or battle goddess.
Blót for: harvests, female strength.Nanna – loyalty, devotion (wife of Baldr).
Blót for: fidelity, grief healing.Rindr – mother of Váli.
Blót for: vengeance, endurance.Sigyn – loyalty, compassion (wife of Loki).
Blót for: faithfulness, endurance in suffering.Hnoss & Gersemi – daughters of Freyja, treasures.
Blót for: wealth, prosperity.Sága – goddess of prophecy and storytelling.
Blót for: memory, wisdom, inspiration.Snotra – prudence and elegance.
Blót for: discretion, discipline, wise choices.Njörun – obscure earth goddess.
Blót for: land-luck, household prosperity.Þorgerðr Hölgabrúðr – storm-power, battle goddess.
Blót for: victory, protection of kin.Irpa – dark earth/forest goddess.
Blót for: grounding, ferocity, survival.Bil – linked with the moon.
Blót for: healing, timing, night guidance.Fjörgyn / Jörð / Hlóðyn – earth goddess, Thor’s mother.
Blót for: land blessing, fertility, steadings.
Celestial Deities -
Sól (Sunna) – the Sun.
Blót for: life force, success, good weather.Máni – the Moon.
Blót for: cycles, dreams, intuition.Dagr – Day.
Blót for: clarity, fresh starts.Nótt – Night.
Blót for: rest, renewal, dreams.Dellingr – Dawn.
Blót for: beginnings, transitions.Mundilfari – father of Sun and Moon.
Blót for: order, cosmic rhythm.
Chthonic & Liminal Figures -
Hel – ruler of the underworld.
Blót for: peace for the dead, acceptance of fate.Loki – trickster, chaos, shapeshifter.
Blót for: change, cunning, disruption.Angrboða – giantess, mother of Fenrir, Jörmungandr, Hel.
Blót for: primal strength, endurance.Norns (Urðr, Verðandi, Skuld) – fate, destiny.
Blót for: guidance, acceptance of wyrd.Valkyries – choosers of the slain.
Blót for: courage, honourable death.Dísir – ancestral spirits.
Blót for: family protection, fertility, luck.Mímir – guardian of wisdom.
Blót for: insight, knowledge.Gullveig – seeress linked to gold and seiðr.
Blót for: magical power, resilience, wealth.Heiðr – prophetic völva.
Blót for: divination, seiðr, prophecy.Menglǫð – lady of healing hill.
Blót for: health, recovery, love.Nine Maidens of Lyfjaberg – Hlíf, Hlífþrasa, Þjóðvarta, Björt, Blíð, Blíðr, Fríð, Aurboða, Eir.
Blót for: healing, recovery, safe childbirth.Gunnlöð – guardian of the Mead of Poetry.
Blót for: inspiration, poetic skill.Hyndla – prophetic giantess.
Blót for: ancestry, hidden truths.
Sea Deities & Oceanic Powers -
Ægir (Hlér) – sea-giant, host, brewer.
Blót for: safe voyages, sea’s bounty, hospitality.Rán – sea goddess with her net.
Blót for: protection at sea, rescue, calming storms.Nine Daughters of Ægir & Rán – Himinglæva, Dúfa, Blóðughadda, Hefring, Uðr, Hrönn, Bylgja, Dröfn, Kólga.
Blót for: smooth sailing, fishing, ocean blessings.Kári – god of wind.
Blót for: fair winds, dispersing storms.Logi – wildfire, flame.
Blót for: hearth, purification, transformation.
Primordial Beings & Ancestors -
Auðumbla – primeval cow, nourisher of Búri.
Blót for: primal nourishment, fertility.Bölþorn – giant ancestor of Odin.
Blót for: ancestral power, hidden strength.Nine Mothers of Heimdallr – Gjálp, Greip, Eistla, Eyrgjafa, Ulfrún, Angeyja, Imð, Atla, Járnsaxa.
Blót for: strength, rebirth, protection at sea.
Step 3: What to use in a Blot?
A blót is an offering ritual - a gift to the gods, spirits, or ancestors, given with respect so that luck and blessings flow in return. In Old Norse, blót simply means “sacrifice.” Traditionally, it could involve animals, but in modern practice, it is usually symbolic and bloodless.
Core Elements of a Blót -
The Place
Outdoors in nature (grove, hill, riverbank) or a dedicated vé (sacred space).
Clean the space - mark a circle or set an altar stone/table.
The Participants
A goði/gyðja (priest/priestess) traditionally led the rite, but any dedicated person can.
Those present share offerings and words.
The Offerings
Mead or ale (most common) - poured into a horn and shared, then given to the gods/spirits.
Food (bread, fruit, cakes, milk, honey, meat).
Personal gifts (handmade crafts, poetry, song).
Blood or animal sacrifice (historical, but rare in modern Heathenry).
The Tools
A horn or cup for drink.
A bowl or blot-kettle to hold the offering.
A hlaut-teinn (sacrificial twig/sprinkler) to distribute the offering onto the people and sacred objects.
The Words
Toasts (minni) - spoken or sung praises to the gods, ancestors, or land-spirits.
Oaths and vows may be sworn.
Storytelling or reciting myth connects the rite to tradition.
The Giving
Part of the offering is shared among people (eaten/drunk).
The rest is given to the gods/spirits by:
Pouring onto the earth, into a fire, or into water.
Leaving food at a tree, stone, or grave.
The Closing
Final thanks are given.
The sacred space is respectfully closed.
Examples of Offerings for Specific Beings -
Odin – mead, poetry, incense, carved runes.
Thor – ale, bread, pork, hammer-symbols.
Freyja – honey, flowers, amber, perfume.
Freyr – fresh fruit, grain, phallic symbols, boar-shaped breads.
Njörðr – fish, coins cast into water, ale by the shore.
Hel / Ancestors – candles, bread, mead poured on graves.
Landvættir – milk, butter, coins, food buried or left on stones.
Elves (Álfablót) – ale, food quietly shared with family spirits.
Step 4: Consider Seasonal and Communal Blóts
In the old days, many blóts were tied to the year’s cycles:
Sigrblót (Victory Blót) in spring, often to Odin or Týr.
Haustblót (Harvest Blót) in autumn, often to Freyr or the Vanir gods.
Jólablót (Yule Blót) in winter, for abundance, survival, and renewal.
Dísablót in winter/spring, for the protective spirits of family and fate.
Even if you’re practicing alone, aligning your blót with the seasons can root your practice in the natural rhythm of life.
- Dont know when to do seasonal blots? Click here for our Norse calendar!
Step 5: Listen to Personal Connections
Sometimes, the god “chooses you.” You may feel a pull toward a certain deity through dreams, repeated symbols, or a sense of presence in your daily life. If you feel strongly drawn to one god or goddess, honouring them is a natural choice.
You might also choose based on your personal needs:
Starting a new chapter? Odin or Frigg.
Facing a trial of strength? Thor.
Seeking love or fertility? Freyja.
Wanting prosperity or good harvest? Freyr.
Sailing or traveling? Njörðr.
Step 6: Remember It’s About Reciprocity
A blót isn’t about begging a god for favours. It’s about reciprocity - a gift for a gift. By giving offerings of food, drink, or handmade items, you strengthen your bond with the deity. Over time, relationships with the gods are built through repeated offerings, respect, and sincerity.
If you’re unsure who to honour, you can also give a general blót to “the gods and goddesses of the Æsir and Vanir, the ancestors, and the land-spirits.” This keeps your practice open while still respectful.
Choosing a deity to honour in blót isn’t about following a strict rulebook. It’s about intent, connection, and sincerity. Ask yourself what you need, who you feel drawn to, and what the season calls for. Then, make your offering with honesty and respect.
Remember: the gods are not distant figures demanding blind worship. They are kin, allies, and powerful beings in a sacred web of exchange. By giving to them, you strengthen not only their bond with you, but your place in the greater cycle of life.