Upon further exploration of our pagan history, it becomes increasingly evident that the lines between gods, fairies, elves, and ancestors are blurred. Many sagas and legends suggest that what we now think of as pagan gods and otherworldly beings may have once been living humans, our ancestors. This theory is something that Kitty has been delving into for quite some time.
As we journey down the misty path of the ancestors, we encounter deities such as Odin, Freyr, and Aine, as well as the mounds of the elves, provided they allow us.
What is the relationship between our ancestors and the gods? It is being proposed that gods and fairies were once our ancestors, and that our labels for these beings stem from a deep-seated belief in our ancestors and ancestor worship. The Celtic and Germanic traditions illustrate the blurry nature of these spirits, pointing to the idea that these entities may be one and the same.
The Norse god Odin is believed to have been a real king, with his legendary status leading to his deification by his descendants. Freyr, considered an ancestor to the Ynglings, was also depicted as a god and the King of Alfheim, the land of the elves. The words Elf, Alf, and Alfar have Germanic origins and are related to the concept of light or brilliance. Names related to elves were quite common among royalty in the Middle Ages. In modern Norse paganism, the Alfar, Disir, Norns, and even the trolls are considered ancestral beings.
The practice of “sitting out” on burial mounds, seeking guidance from the Alfar and the gods, was a sacred practice in Norse tradition. The Alfablot and Disablot, elf and ancestor sacrifices, were significant rituals practiced during certain times of the year.
In Celtic lore, there are striking similarities between their gods and fairies and the Norse gods and elves. This suggests a shared origin among these belief systems.
In both Celtic and Norse traditions, mounds are regarded as the tombs of our ancestors, emphasizing the deep connection between gods, fairies, elves, and the ancestral spirits.