Walking with Ancestors

Since today marks the beginning of Memorial Day weekend here in the states, I feel it is relevant to say a few words about honoring our ancestors. I feel this was a large part of the Norse culture, regardless of whether or not one worships the Aesir, Vanir, or a mixture of both.
The Disir are described by most as the ancestral female spirits of our family, personal spirits, wights,or beings who are, for lack of a better descriptor, personal family deity, or near to it. There is some evidence on an archaeological level that Disir worship was quite prevalent during the Viking ages. It has been suggested that those who did not follow or worship any of the Norse Gods probably still engaged in some sort of Disir worship to protect and watch over family and kin.
Freyja herself has in modern times become associated with the Disir through her title Vanadis, though admittedly there is some debate to the connection on a purely etymological basis. While I do not feel that Freyja is to be called Queen of the Dis, I do feel that even she, the most powerful female in the Vanic pantheon, can appreciate the value of the ancestors, both male and female.
Worshiping the Disir is not something I have done in depth, but I do have some representations of those female ancestors which are present in my garden. I spend time with them and the land wights daily, and never pass without acknowledging there presence in some way. I am perhaps closer to my male ancestors than my female ones, so they themselves are never far from my mind. I try to live my life in a way that honors them as well as my Vanir Gods.
If you have not done so, I encourage you to find some small way to acknowledge the ancestors of you family and kin. Even the smallest acknowledgement or offering done on a regular basis is a powerful way to connect to those who just may be our most powerful allies in the Spirit world.
Have a great Memorial Weekend! Love and Light!

IMAGE BY Shireen Truitt