There are few duties as a Pagan priest that are more satisfying than helping other pagans with their rites of passage. Whether it is a new born that should be properly welcomed or celebrate or it is a old pagan that needs the last help from brothers and sister to pass into the next state of being. A handfasting or marriage that should be preformed, a youth's coming of age that should be facilitated and duely celebrated or a commitment or union that should be dissolved, i thouroughly enjoy being a part of it.

Over the years i have been blessed with such different things as a American couple coming to Norway to get a "proper" Asatru wedding on norse soil, newborn's welcome to the earth/wiccaning rites, several handfastings, one legal wedding and being the attending priest/shaman at several death beds.

Why do i like it so much? First off it is simply the fact that at that excact time and place it is a turning of the tides in the life of several people. At that specific moment in time gods, powers and men are very aware of the fact that for several of the people present, and some not present this moment represent a new portal and a new path. being a active part in making that happen, and as far as possible at the premisses of those involved, helping them being even more active in turning that tide in the direction they want is pure and deep magic. There is also a deep sense of being of good use an fulfilling my purpose in life for me. And that feeds me, my power and my sense of acting on what i am and what i am meant to focus on in this life.

Another aspect of it that gives me great satisfaction is the fashioning of the rite and the event as a part of the larger event of the celebration at hand, and making that special day in the life of those involved reach its full potential.

  • Working with the people at the center of the rite before hand to make sure that they get the excact rite they need and deserve.

  • While I at the same time, as a priest, can vouch for the quality of it, and as a presumably seasoned master of rites are sure that it is elaborate, simple or "deep" enough for the ocassion.

  • For Tuning myself to the occasion which involve everything from my own clothing; robed, norse inspired garment or contemporary dress code involving pinstriped suit and shirt. To the powers i work with beforehand, and the  right mindset and manner for that specific rite.

  • Being a counselor at this time of great importance whether the occasion is happy or potentially sad. And being a pillar of calm, secure and sure help whether people are nervous like notime before, ecstatic with joy or in a state of deep sorrow.


It also gives me great satisfaction to see how many that are at the center of such a rite, that are used to other dogmatic traditions with rigid rituals not wanting or inviting to much participation by those it touch the most, and how they just flower and deeply appreciate how they are involved in all aspects of their own rite. And how several of these rites obviously has been part of the coming out as pagans to family and friends, and then how in many instances takeing part in the rite opens the eyes of those family members and friends to the seriousness and beauty of the pagan religion and spirituality. And thus accepting the religious choice of their loved ones in a new way.