Libation to the Nine Worlds

Date: The 9th Day of Every Month

In the Norse worldview, Yggdrasil, the great World Tree, connects Nine Worlds. In a Humanistic Heathen context, these realms are not literal places, but poetic lenses through which we can view aspects of our world, our lives, and our relationships. A libation to the Nine Worlds becomes a ritual of gratitude and reciprocity, honoring the interconnectedness of all things.

This ritual was inspired by the Atheopagan libation ritual which is practiced every thirteenth day of every month (thirteen being an important number in Atheopaganism). It was designed to be simple, easily accomplished, and to cross cultural boundaries. We thought that the Way of Ash and Elm could also put to good use a libation ritual, albeit one a bit more lengthy. We felt that since nine was an important number in Norse mythology, the ritual could be done on the ninth of every month.

Below is just one suggested version ﹘ as always, feel free to shorten, change, or just improvise your own version. In the spirit of the Atheopagan libation ritual, don’t worry about everything being perfect. This is a ritual that will hopefully require little effort and take only a few minutes.

Monthly Ritual: Libation to the Nine Worlds

You’ll need:

A drink of your choice (mead, cider, herbal tea, water, etc.) in a horn, cup, or jug.
A place outdoors where you can pour safely onto soil or into water.

Stand or sit in a mindful posture, and for each world:

Speak its name.
Reflect on its symbolic meaning in the human and natural world.
Pour a small portion of the libation to the earth.

1. Midgard – The Human World

The realm of humanity, community, and the shared challenges of life.

“To Midgard, our home. For the bonds we share, the homes we build, the work of human hands, and the kindnesses that make life worth living.”

2. Asgard – The Realm of Ideals and Governance

The seat of the Æsir: here seen as symbols of law, leadership, and higher aspirations.

“To Asgard, the realm of vision and order. For our shared values, our hopes for justice, and the wisdom to lead with honor.”

3. Vanaheim – The Realm of Growth and Abundance

Home of the Vanir: symbols of fertility, harmony with nature, and sustainable living.

“To Vanaheim, the green realm. For the soil that nourishes us, the harvests that sustain us, and the beauty of the living earth.”

4. Jötunheim – The Realm of Wild Forces

Land of the Jötnar, representing untamed nature, challenge, and transformation.

“To Jötunheim, the wild realm. For the storms that test us, the mountains that humble us, and the untamed power that shapes the world.”

5. Alfheim – The Realm of Inspiration and Beauty

Home of the Light Elves, symbols of creativity, artistry, and joy.

“To Alfheim, the bright realm. For music and art, for laughter and play, and for the spark of creativity in all hearts.”

6. Svartalfheim – The Realm of Craft and Ingenuity

Home of the Dwarves: masters of skill, creation, and resilience.

“To Svartalfheim, the deep realm. For the makers, the builders, and the clever hands that shape the tools of our lives.”

7. Niflheim – The Realm of Ice and Memory

Land of cold mists, representing the past, reflection, and the stillness before change.

“To Niflheim, the realm of memory. For the lessons of the past, the ancestors who shaped us, and the quiet moments that teach us.”

8. Muspelheim – The Realm of Fire and Passion

Home of primal flame, symbolizing transformation, drive, and creation through destruction.

“To Muspelheim, the fiery realm. For the warmth that sustains life, the passion that fuels us, and the courage to embrace change.”

9. Helheim – The Realm of Rest and Release

The land of the dead, representing endings, acceptance, and the cycles of life.

“To Helheim, the realm of rest. For the peace that follows labor, the return of all things to the earth, and the memory of those we love.”

Closing

When the final portion is poured, say:

“The Nine Worlds are honored, the libation is poured, and the circle of giving is complete. May what we have shared return to us in new forms, and may we walk our days mindful of the web that binds us all.”

Rainbow Bridge Remembrance Day

Date: August 28th

Bright arches span the sky,
woven of sunlit rain.
We walk them in our hearts,
where pawprints never fade.

Bifröst is the bridge we build
of laughter, love, and years—
each memory a shining plank,
each shimmer reflecting cheer.

Rainbow Bridge Remembrance Day is observed annually on August 28th to honor and remember beloved pets who have passed away. It’s a secular holiday for pet owners to reflect on the joy and love their animal companions brought into their lives and to celebrate their memories. The day is inspired by the “Rainbow Bridge” poem, which speaks of a place where pets wait to be reunited with their owners. It was created by author Deborah Barnes in 2015, in memory of her cat, Mr. Jazz, who passed away on August 28, 2013. She established the day to provide a way for people to honor and remember their beloved pets who have crossed the Rainbow Bridge. It’s a day for sharing stories, photos, and memories of pets that have passed away.

Here’s how people typically observe Rainbow Bridge Remembrance Day:

Sharing Memories:
- Many pet owners share stories, photos, and fond memories of their pets on social media platforms.
Writing:
- Some people write letters or journal entries to their departed pets, expressing their love and grief.
Creating Memorials:
- Creating a memory garden or other personal memorial can provide a serene space to reflect on the pet’s life.
Reflecting and Connecting:
- The day provides an opportunity to reflect on the profound bond shared with pets and to connect with others who have experienced similar losses.
Light a Candle:
- Some people light a candle or visit a special place to remember their pet.

Ultimately, Rainbow Bridge Remembrance Day is a time to honor the pets who have touched our lives and to acknowledge the enduring love we have for them. That it comes with its own ritual tradition makes the holiday easy to adapt. A Humanistic Heathen twist could blend this with the Norse concept of Bifröst, the shimmering bridge between worlds. In this version:

Symbolic Frame: The bridge is a metaphor for memory. Your love and remembrance are what “connect” you to your animal friend across time and death.
Mythic Parallel: Just as Odin’s ravens return each day with news, our memories “fly back” to us, keeping our pets’ spirits alive in thought.
Role of Animal Companions in Myth: The gods’ animals are more than pets, they are partners, helpers, and extensions of their identities. Remembering our own animals can be framed as honoring the same deep bond.

The Norse myths are replete with animal companions, as the examples below show:

Odin –
- Huginn (“Thought”) and Muninn (“Memory”), his two ravens who fly over the world and bring him news.
- Geri and Freki, his two wolves who stay by his side in Valhalla.
- Sleipnir, Odin’s eight-legged horse, fast enough to carry riders between worlds.
Freyja –
- Two great cats (unnamed in surviving sources) who pull her chariot. Often imagined as large, sleek forest cats or lynxes.
- Hildisvíni, her loyal boar (“Battle-Swine”), who may also be her human companion Ottar in disguise.
Frey –
- Gullinbursti, a golden-bristled boar forged by the dwarves, who pulls his chariot and shines like the sun.
Thor –
- Tanngrisnir and Tanngnjóstr, his two goats who pull his chariot and can be eaten and resurrected if their bones remain unbroken.
Hel –
- Garmr, a massive hound who guards the gates of Hel. (Sometimes considered distinct from Fenrir; sometimes confused with him in later sources.)

In addition to the above observance examples, here are some more explicitly Humanistic Heathen ways to connect Rainbow Bridge Remembrance Day with the Norse idea of Bifröst, the rainbow bridge between worlds, while keeping it symbolic and non-theistic:

I. Bifröst Candle Ritual

If you have a symbolic focus/altar, place upon it items that remind you of your pet: a collar, a photo, etc. Optionally, place rainbow-colored stones, paper strips, or flowers there to help visualize Bifröst.

Light a candle (or rainbow-colored tea-lights). Imagine this as opening the way to Bifröst.

Speak the names of the pets you’re remembering, imagining Bifröst as a path of love and memory.
Picture yourself walking across Bifröst in your mind, meeting your pet in a place of peace and beauty.

Reflect on the joy they brought and how you carry their influence forward in your life.

II. Storytelling Sumbel

Hold a small symbolic sumbel (drinking ritual) with friends or family.

In the first round, share stories about your pet.
In the second, speak about how they shaped who you are.
In the third, make a vow to honor them through kindness to other living beings.

III. Acts of Care in Their Honor

Donate to an animal shelter, volunteer, or bring supplies. Frame it as sending “light across the bridge” — your action is the bridge that connects your pet’s memory to living animals in need.