New to Heathenry

I have been a, lets just say hedgewitch, for about 6 years. I dabble in various forms of divination and while researching a new one I came across runes. While reading more about runes I discovered that "Heathenry"/"Norse-Paganism" was a thing. I'm really attached to it but I have questions that I've yet to find the answers to.

1) I'm currently working on memorizing the runes and their meanings (im also waiting for my branch to dry so I can make a set for divining purposes). Is there any other information/techniques I need to know about them before I attempt to use them in practice?

2) What exactly is Seidr? I've read it generally described as an active form of magic but nothing has gone into detail. also information on Galdr would be nice but i'm not going to try that until I get more advanced.

3)I'd love to hear about the ways Heathens celebrate their sabbats, I think y'all call them blotts? As far as the offerings go is it usually laid back? a big important ceremony? does it matter either way? being a hedge witch for so long i'm very used to approaching everything in a "mama odie" kind of way so id like to know what kind of adjustments, if any, I need to make.

4) Not a question, more of a request. I would appreciate some accounts of the interactions with the Northern deities. I've heard mixed things but i would appreciate some info.


5) another request, at the end of your answer please let me know what god(s)/goddess(es) you enjoy working with the most or feel connected to.

6)Do y'all use anything in place of "blessed be"? because that's ingrained into my head but I also enjoy remaining culturally aware.

Thank you and blessed be (or -insert possible answer to number 6 here-)

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1) Is there any other information/techniques I need to know about them before I attempt to use them in practice?
Heathenry has a specific way one is to make runes for use. Here is a post from a member of this site: http://www.spellsofmagic.com/coven_ritual.html?ritual=2407&coven=628
a post with resource links: https://www.spellsofmagic.com/read_post.html?post=857627
Here is a post from a different site: http://sunnyway.com/runes/

2) What exactly is Seidr? I've read it generally described as an active form of magic but nothing has gone into detail. also information on Galdr would be nice but i'm not going to try that until I get more advanced.

Seidr is what is called "seething". It's a practice of trance/spell work that is difficult to understand. It is traditionally practiced only by women, Odin learned the art from Freyja.

Galdr is rune magic. It is done by speaking the runes or rune charms out loud.

There are books on both subjects, you should in vest in several and read them before attempting either practice.

3)I'd love to hear about the ways Heathens celebrate their sabbats, I think y'all call them blotts? As far as the offerings go is it usually laid back? a big important ceremony? does it matter either way? being a hedge witch for so long i'm very used to approaching everything in a "mama odie" kind of way so id like to know what kind of adjustments, if any, I need to make.

There are as many different ways to celebrate the holy days as there are Heathens. Some holy days are celebrated loosely, others are full of pomp and circumstance, mostly it depends on who is doing it.
Links:
http://odinsvolk.ca/O.V.A.%20-%20SACRED%20CALENDER.htm
http://spangenhelm.com/blot-disting/
http://www.heathenhof.com/ranting-recon-what-are-the-heathen-holidays/
http://www.northernpaganism.org/resources/prayers-rituals/seasonal-holidays-and-bl%C3%B3ts.html

4) Not a question, more of a request. I would appreciate some accounts of the interactions with the Northern deities. I've heard mixed things but i would appreciate some info.

This is a very long question to answer in one space.

I have a blog that explains my personal interactions with the Norse deities. http://paganmoxie.tumblr.com/


5) another request, at the end of your answer please let me know what god(s)/goddess(es) you enjoy working with the most or feel connected to.

I work with: Frigg, Fulla, Eir, Saga, Hlin, Gna, Vor, Var, Gefjon, Lofn, Sojfn, Snorta, and Syn.

6)Do y'all use anything in place of "blessed be"? because that's ingrained into my head but I also enjoy remaining culturally aware.

I don't say blessed be, I'm not sure there is a Norse equal to that statement. "Hail" is a common greeting. "May the gods be with you" is something I say when departing.

Thank you so much, that was very helpful

There's a lot of posts here around the site you could check into to get started:
https://www.spellsofmagic.com/read_post.html?post=511657
https://www.spellsofmagic.com/read_post.html?post=515863

There's also posts here about seidr and galdr, along with outside books and resources you should check into.
https://www.spellsofmagic.com/read_post.html?post=666296
https://www.spellsofmagic.com/read_post.html?post=395224
https://www.spellsofmagic.com/read_post.html?post=453881
https://www.spellsofmagic.com/read_post.html?post=206240

As for your question about deities, the ones I work with most commonly are:Loki, Mimir, Freyja, Aegir & Ran, Njordr, Skadhi, and Fenrir .If you have specific questions about them, or any of my experiences with them, I am more than happy to answer mail but do not want to type them all out here.

The deities I will work with regularly are Odin, Thor, Tyr, Heimdall, and Baldr. I'm pretty much an Aesir kinda guy, but not because I am opposed to or dislike any of the the other deity groupings. I also choose to honor my ancestors as well as the Alfar (Elves) and Svartalfar (essentially dwarves). Hope this helps!