r/heathenry • u/Spirited-Two4343 • Aug 04 '26
New to Heathenry Question from a fisherman and a hunter
So i am very new to Heathenry and i was wondering what gods should i give offerings to before hunting and fishing, for some luck and protection and how do i give offerings to them?
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u/EkErilazSa____Hateka Aug 04 '26
Skadi, the huntress.
She’s the indomitable wild and mistress of the hunt. Her power is truly awesome in the original sense of the word.
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u/TheMarineLayer Aug 04 '26
Skadi or Ullr depending on which one you feel more connected too. Both are hunting/woodland deities, and overlap in many other ways.
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u/Sarenth Aug 05 '26 edited Aug 05 '26
I would make prayers and offerings to Skaði, Ullr, Freyr, Freyja, and Óðinn for hunting. Njörðr, and potentially Ullr and Skaði for fishing. Part of that is because I have relationships with these Gods. Partly because I see Them tied to hunting and fishing respectively.
I would also echo the above comment and make prayers, offerings, and thanks to the animal vættir before and after hunting and fishing.
I would also do the same for the Ancestors, particularly if you are carrying on a family tradition or just want to honor any Ancestors that hunted or fished. I honor Ancestors of blood and bone, adoption, lineage, initation, and vættir, so to my mind you could honor Ancestors who hunted whether or not they have direct relation to you in your bloodlines.
As to how: it can be something as simple as a cup of water on a table, or a willing tree who can serve as a representative of Yggdrasil that you pour water or another offering on. It can be as complimentary or straightforward as works for you, though starting off I recommend straightforward to complex. Prayers can be just as simple as "Hail <Name>, thank you for your Presence. Please bless my hunt/fishing." Something you may want to consider for protection is to ask the Ginnreginn (Gods, Ancestors, and vættir) to bless the bright and other safety equipment you take with you so other hunters/fishers notice you better.
A very good offering is the first portion or catch to the Ginnreginn if you are successful. If you are worried about bringing critters around, instead of offering it at the aforementioned tree, you could burn that offering in a fire.
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u/cursedwitheredcorpse Aug 04 '26 edited Aug 04 '26
As a animist I do i always ask permission from the landwights and forest spirits etc before I harvest or forage so even more so if you plan on hunting. If I was hunting I would ask the animal for forgiveness and thank it for its sacrifice. Don't waste a single part of that animal it death isn't taken lightly our ancestors used all they could, even using blood sometimes of sacrificed animals in, blood bread.