Sálættr: The Basics of Heathen Souls
with Sarenth Óðinsson
You were taught you have one soul.
Heathens count seventeen.
Most of us grew up in a worldview that allotted us each one soul. Just one, yours and only yours, and your whole life's purpose is making sure this one soul ends up in the right place after you die. Most of us have never heard of another way of looking at the soul, even though this leaves a lot of folks without good language for their own internal experience.
If you've ever felt disconnected from or at odds with yourself; if your head and your heart always seem to disagree; if your wants and desires keep jumping ahead of your long-term goals ... Heathenry has had a better model for a very long time.
A sálættr is a soul tribe. The word blends sál (soul) and ættr (clan) to mean a person made up of a community of souls, each one a Being in its own right, in relationship with the others, with the body, with the ancestors, and with the Gods. Seventeen souls, each with a name and a job, vulnerabilities and strengths.
In this class, you get to learn the map.
Sarenth walks through the community in order. Líkr, the body, and Önd, the breath. Hugr and Munr, who we know as Thought and Memory. The Haminja, luck, of your community and those who came before you. Your fylgja walking alongside as you spin your örlög, your own thread in the weaving. For each one, he covers what it means, what it does, how it can be hurt ... and, most importantly, how it can be healed.
If we have a volunteer, Sarenth will do a live Soul Map reading and work with it as the evening goes, so you can see how the framework applies to a real person. The workshop format is lecture; bring your questions as well.
What you'll walk out with
The names of all seventeen parts of the sálættr and a working sense of how each one fits into the whole. Vocabulary for yourself, and a shared language for talking with others about shared experiences.
What we aren't doing
No shadow work and no integration work. Just the map and the vocabulary, taught by a spiritworker. This class is not a replacement for therapy.
No prior Heathenry required. No prerequisites.
Frequently Asked Questions:
No. There are no prerequisites and no assumed background. Sarenth builds the framework from the ground up.
Paper and pen to take notes, and comfortable clothing. There is no materials list.
This is a 1-2-hour lecture with a lot of new concepts and vocabulary, but it is not a working session. Some of the material touches on how souls get damaged and how they can be healed. You are sitting and listening and asking general questions, but not doing personal work in front of the room.
No. Sarenth is a spiritworker, priest and diviner. This workshop is not meant to replace your own personal work with a therapist or counselor.
Yes. The framework is Heathen, but the information is open to anyone who is curious and who might benefit.
About Your Teacher
Sarenth Óðinsson
A few Gods have special places in my life, particularly Óðinn, Freyja, Loki, Angrboða, Þórr, Anpu, and Bast. Each of these Gods, and Their families, have blessed my life in more ways than I can count. I do spiritwork with the Ginnreginn, the Gods, Ancestors, and vaettir. Among the latter I work with are Jötnar, Álfar, Dvergar, landvaettir, and my Ancestors on a daily basis.
My writing lives at sarenth.wordpress.com.