Fasting

[heilwotan]

Fasting, some say its not originally practiced in our faith, while others do.
Didn't Odin fast? Do you fast, and know any fasting rites?

Whats your thoughts on this?

[Norsk Blod]

I dont fast

[Outdoorsman]

I don't know if fasting was practiced in our religion for spiritual reasons (I suppose it is possible). I'm not sure what effect fasting would have on one's own spirituality.

I have read, however, that fasting can have physical health-promoting effects.

[æinvargR]

He also pierced himself with a spear. And sacrificed one eye. There is no reason to believe that ancient heathens did these things. Besides, for Oden these things were one-timers; nothing he did regularly. However, I can imagine some fasted (among other things) to reach a state of trance or something similar, perhaps for shamanism. But I really think they had better things to do than fast.

[HandofTyr]

Friends,

Fasting is not just for spiritual purposes. It also has tremendous health benefits as well. Fasting was and still is very popular among some European cultures. Also general wholistic health practices such as sauna, cold water dousing, massage & rubbing, deep breathing, walking barefoot in the snow, etc. I encourage everyone to fast. Research fasting and do it properly.

Fasting, austerities, and wholistic health practices combined with regular physical conditioning can provide a solid foundation for a genuine spiritual pursuit.

Here are a few pages for those who are interested. (There are many others so look around.)

http://www.user.cityline.ru/~vniiam/iv01.htm
http://www.user.cityline.ru/~vniiam/iv02.htm

Hope this helps

[Hengest]

Odin doesn't fast, he just doesn't eat!

Fasting is often used as a preparation to ritual and might aid shamanic practice. I actually wrote a short article a while back which although semi tongue-in-cheek has a serious point in that it demonstrates the way in which our faith needs to grow, adapt and evolve if it is not to become stagnant and stuck in the past.


Ash Wednesday - An Odinist Celebration?

On Shrove Tuesday this year members of the OR internet discussion group were talking about the important business of pancakes and what to put on them. A member pointed out that Shrove Tuesday and Ash Wednesday were probably pagan in origin. In fact these are purely Christian in origin and date back to the 9th or 10th century. Basically they stem from the need for Christians to grovel before their God and seek absolution for their sins. This is called 'Shriving'. In the 10th century a monk wrote:

"In the week immediately before Lent everyone shall go to his confessor and confess his deeds and the confessor shall so shrive him".

Ash Wednesday stems from the ancient biblical tradition of donning sackcloth and covering the head in ashes as a sign of mourning or penance. Such a demeaning display HAS to be of Christian origin.

It seems to me that even if there is no pagan origin to this festival there is a very good opportunity for us to turn the table and adapt a Christian ceremony for our own use.

Ash Wednesday....Ash Woden's Day....Odin's Ash Day???

Perhaps a day when we celebrate Allfather's sacrifice on the Great Ash. A day when we consider what Odin's sacrifice has given to us. We could make a small sacrifice of our own i.e. after gorging ourselves on the Tuesday we could abstain from food on the Wednesday, not as some grovelling act of subservience but to help us focus on the far greater sacrifice. Perhaps we could also think (every time our stomach's rumble) on the great sacrifices and hardships suffered by our folk, past and present.

I see no reason why common festivals should not be adapted to suit our beliefs. It was done by our ancestors and our ceremonies have been adapted for use by others.

I don't think we should be frightened to try such things. We are a living, growing faith and our growth could be aided by evolving and adapting ceremonies that folk are familiar with.

[Norsk Blod]

Friends,

Fasting is not just for spiritual purposes. It also has tremendous health benefits as well.
how can not eating be healthy

[æinvargR]

I don't like the idea of changing our ways to "attract more members." That's too fake, just let them remain Christian if they don't like our ways.

[Hengest]

Well who are you quouting when you say "attract more members."?

I certainly didn't suggest we "change our ways" to attract anyone. I simply suggested that there are non Heathen ceremonies that our folk partake in because they enjoy them so why not make then relevant to our faith?

Why should we not have a day when we specifically recognise Odin's sacrifice or those of our folk?

Oh yes, it's not traditional. Thank the Gods that there are those who are not bound by the fetterss of historical accuracy.

[æinvargR]

I refered to this:

our growth could be aided by evolving and adapting ceremonies that folk are familiar with.
Adapting Christian ceremonies? :confused: I enjoy many of the traditions we have despite them being Christian - they are still traditions and I dare say they never resemble Christianity really, not in my country anyway. Traditions are nice - but I prefer to keep the non-Asatru traditions - whether they are Christian or just evolved from the culture regardless of religion - apart from what's Asatru. Maybe the ancestors had similar ceremonies on the same time of years as some of these traditions that we know to be Christian and not heathen in origin, but we will probably never know and that's why at least I will preserve what's real (so to speak) and keep it as uninfluenced of Christianity as possible.

[Outdoorsman]

how can not eating be healthy

Well, it seems that when the body undergoes fasting, it induces certain hormone functions in the body which can speed healing and remove toxins from the body, which would improve health. It is not meant to be long-term, as fasting indefinately would obviously lead to starvation. But if you have fat stores on your body, you're not going to starve during a period of fasting.

[HandofTyr]

how can not eating be healthy

Norsk,

Fasting gives the digestive system the needed time to rest and allows the body to rid itself of toxins. That's a very simplified explanation. There are many other benefits. As I said, research it.

http://www.freedomyou.com/fasting_book/water%20fasting.htm

(Make sure you read all of the articles. Copy, paste, and print if you don't feel like reading right now)

This site is very christian oriented. Disregard any religio/ spiritual information and just pay attention to the physical/ mental aspects of fasting.

Fasting is in almost every single culture on earth, including ours. You're not adapting anyone else's ways. As I said, it doesn't have to be for spiritual purposes. Use it strictly for health and healing. I can vouch for it. Make no mistake, fasting is very powerful. It's pure science. You don't have to add anything mystical to it.

[HandofTyr]

http://www.agelessfoundation.com/youthing-tips/nutrition/fasting_muscles_health.html

Here is another article on fasting. I recommend you read this one first to educate yourselves on what fasting is. Then go to the other site and read those articles. Don't just read one article and stop. Read everything you can on fasting and then decide whether or not you want to do it.

[Der Einzelgänger]

I read the site about water fasting, what about fasting with some other liquid, like a green tea?

[aud_friggsdottir]

We used to fast every Friday. But since I was pregnant and now nursing the baby...I don't. I don't know even if I can while I am nursing.

We did it for health reasons as stated above.

You can fast on all kinds of things. There is the apple cider vinegar fast, watermelon fast, water fast, tea fast, etc... depending on what you are trying to do. I have read that the watermelon one is outstanding for detoxing, but we have only done apple cider and water ones.

I think one can fast for a week...but the first 24 hours are really had. I find that when we did by the second day we felt as though we could go another day, but decided not to.

[Der Einzelgänger]

Recently been feeling physically drained and I've been getting sick easier, so I was thinking about fasting to rid my self of toxins, I think I'll start today.

[Katia]

I fast once in a while when I feel sluggish and the need to rid my body of the toxins I can feel have accumulated in my kidneys, liver, etc. It makes me feel great! I do the tea fast...

[Mike_76]

I can't imagine going without 3 squares a day; if I don't eat on a regular basis I get very cranky. Fasting is pretty universal as far as most cultures and religions, isn't it.

I am eating an apple right now, probably will eat a second one. I am getting older so I'm taking a closer look at my diet. I quit smoking about 90 days ago and ate quite a bit for awhile but my appetite has stabilized.

Don't you (those of you who fast) get terribly hungry and start to feel weak?

[HandofTyr]

I read the site about water fasting, what about fasting with some other liquid, like a green tea?

You can do what's called a juice fast. If you go back to the site, look to the left hand side and you will see an article column. Read the "Juice Fasting" article along with the section "Fasting and the Body".

[HandofTyr]

I can't imagine going without 3 squares a day; if I don't eat on a regular basis I get very cranky. Fasting is pretty universal as far as most cultures and religions, isn't it.

I am eating an apple right now, probably will eat a second one. I am getting older so I'm taking a closer look at my diet. I quit smoking about 90 days ago and ate quite a bit for awhile but my appetite has stabilized.

Don't you (those of you who fast) get terribly hungry and start to feel weak?

Hunger leaves in 3-4 days. I don't feel hungry at all. For long fasts (2-4 weeks) this is the general rule: When hunger returns, break the fast. However, you must break the fast properly or you can get very sick.

There are documented cases of fasting for 100 days or more.

[aud_friggsdottir]

how can not eating be healthy

Its not eating, it is what one eats. Look at our western diet...processed, bagged, canned, sugared...you name it we eat it. It is the UN-healthy diet that all of us consume. This diet creates massive toxic build up over time and we should be fasting to eliminate those toxins.

There is a massive body evidence that this is true...just research it.

[Der Einzelgänger]

Hunger leaves in 3-4 days. I don't feel hungry at all. For long fasts (2-4 weeks) this is the general rule: When hunger returns, break the fast. However, you must break the fast properly or you can get very sick.

There are documented cases of fasting for 100 days or more.

How do you properly break the fast? I'm doing a fast for this week starting today. I was thinking about doing a 1 week fast every month.

[heilwotan]

How do you properly break the fast? I'm doing a fast for this week starting today. I was thinking about doing a 1 week fast every month.

I have heard and somewhere read that there is some who practice by fasting for 9 days, 3 days eating light meals (more like eating fruit), gradually weening yourself off, then the next 3 days are the actual fasting, the last 3 are working yourself back to a normal diet, maybe a desired diet. Also, some fast on every Wotan's day.

[Der Einzelgänger]

Also, some fast on every Wotan's day.

I was actually thinking about that too...
Thanks for the info on breaking a fast, gonna do some more research before I get any hungrier...

[Der Einzelgänger]

Do I need to quit smoking for the week of my fasting?

[Sigurd]

Do I need to quit smoking for the week of my fasting?

I don't know. I'd say if you want to lose weight, no, as you automatically gain weight (Nicotine helps to hem in the production of fat; you naturally eat more thereafter). If you just do it to live healthy, you probably should.

The last time I ate almost nothing, I did not temporarily quit either.

[Jay]

Break a fast with light foods and fruit juices. Eating heavy, rich foods upon breaking it will wreak havoc on your digestive system.

One week per month is a lot. Why don't you try one week every quarter and see how that goes. That is just my opinion.

[Der Einzelgänger]

Break a fast with light foods and fruit juices. Eating heavy, rich foods upon breaking it will wreak havoc on your digestive system.

One week per month is a lot. Why don't you try one week every quarter and see how that goes. That is just my opinion.

Sounds like a better idea to me. This being my first day I was thinking about once or twice a year.

Can you give examples of light foods? You mean like fruits and nuts?

[HandofTyr]

Do I need to quit smoking for the week of my fasting?

Yes you absolutely should. Fasting is all about eliminating toxins, so why add to the problem? In modern times long water fasts can be very dangerous. Sudden death is not unknown. An uncontrolled dump of toxins into the bloodstream may occur. Start with juice fasting. Slowly break it in.

Juice fast from morning to evening (til 6 pm) w/ a healthy evening meal.
Do this for 2 weeks

Then do a juice fast for 3-days every week. (2-4 weeks)

Next, add a 1 day water fast every week until you are up to a 1 week water fast.

Then you may choose to increase the time for water fasting.

You might choose to do it this way. Make sure, however, you read all you can to know the side effects and physical reactions to a fast.

Tips for juice fasting:

Try to buy organic produce. If this is not possible, then by all means find a good non-toxic vegetable wash.

Stay well hydrated. You should drink at least 1-2 liters per day. When I am training hard I drink 1-2 gallons every single day.

Breaking water fasts:

Day 1: Low sugar fruit juices
Day 2: Green vegetable juices
Day 3: Whole food (Fruits/ Vegetables/ Nuts)

Or you may want to increase the amount of time breaking the fast (2, 3, or 4 days each phase)

Sip the juices slowly as your stomach will be sensitive.

These are just general guidelines. Again read EVERYTHING you can.

http://www.thegardendiet.com
http://www.warriordiet.com (Excellent Book)
http://www.mikemahler.com (Vegan Russian Kettlebell Instructor and Mixed Martial Artist)

[Kai Forkbeard]

Heilsa,

I discovered fasting (by accident) many years ago. I do not fast more than five days consecutively every quarter of a year. My typical fast is four days and I allow my self *small* amounts of skimmed milk and fruit/vegetable juices and the majority is water. I still take milk and juice to allow the absorbsion of multivitamins (some vits are only fat-soluble).

Fasting for one week out of every month is what I would call hard-core/extreme and not for me and also potentially dangerous. I still haven't found any reference to deliberate fasting in the Lore and I truly think it is a personal option for personal physical benefit. I time my fastings as a prelude to the 'Nox's and 'Stice's so I get the timing right....also a personal preference. People may even consult their physicians before they embark on a Fast as it is only reasonable. Fasting is Not for everyone! Yes, some people have fasted for extended periods. However, personal health history trumps generalized anecdotes.

Frith,
Kai.

edited for syntax

[calumthug]

I have not found any references either, though Iam not as well read as I would like to be. One thought on this though is that fasting and saunas may have been used in spa craft, which I am under the impression was primarily the domain of women and thus would not be well recorded.
My only basis for saying that it might have been used is looking at the "exctasy magic" of other cultures. Esentially simmilar techniques were used to bring about an altered state of conciousness/delierium in order to attain a closer conection to the divine.

This is purely conjectural, and I'm not even sure if I believe it or not, its just food for thought

[Jason Schultz]

I JUST found this thread while doing a search for information on Saunas, and think that the idea of fasting on Woden's day is very good and relavent for remembering and honouring his sacrifices. I for one will research this more, and will most likely intergrate this as a once-a-week 'ritual'. Since I learned that fasting has health promoting benefits, then warum nicht?

[othala]

Just finished three days on water and grapefruit juice. Skin is clearer and hunger was not a problem. Fasting is one of the best ways of regaining health and I have used it often over the past ten years.