What is a WIGHT?

Anyone who is aquainted with heathenry and many other cultural traditions of Old Europe will inevitable come across the term "wight" in their studies. It is another one of those ambiguous terms which was used in many ways, in many periods, and many cultures throughout the continent and islands of Northern Europe. The term is specifically a Middle English word, in its modern spelling and context, yet was derived from other similar word forms of an earlier time period.

In it's simplest definition, wight is simple a term which means "being" or "creature." The term wight is simply a denotation of a being which has consciousness. Which means it can be used to describe any being from spirits, ancestors, humans, little people, nature spirits, alfs and fae folk, among others.

In folklore as well as modern pagan revival traditions, the term wight is most often used to refer to nature spirits or little people. It us also at times used to refer to the spirit forms of the deceased. The worship and interaction with wights was an integral part of ancient heathen tradition, and is a practice that many modern day heathens focus on as a foundation of the spiritual practice.

There are a couple common forms of wights which are often spoken of in this context, which I will describe here briefly. One of the most common wights, seen across nearly all European pagan traditions is what is often called the "house-wight" or "wichts" of Germanic folklore.

House wights are often described as small dwarven or imp like creatures which reside in individual homes. Though the specifics of their temperament and activities vary by culture, they can be both positive and negative influences in the domestic sense. When pleased with the state of the household, they are often seen as helpful, sneaking around and cleaning up when the humans are asleep, or finding lost items and returning them in a secretive fashion. When they are displeased however, they can cause any sort of mischief in the home, such as accidents and untidyness.

Many modern day heathens use the belief in these creaturesa s a jumping off point in building communication and relationships with the wights of their personal property. When given periodic offerings of food and perhaps some shiny objects to play with, many begin to notice a remarkable change in the atmosphere within the home, and a sense of contentment from all inhabitants.

Another form of wight commonly referenced is the land-wight, or "land vaettir" or the Old Norse language. The land wights, like house wights, are attached to a certain area of residence. In Old Norse culture they were revered as the guardians of personal lands and property, and offerings were given to them in order to ensure blessings of protection and fertility in the community or families lands. Land Vaettir were often seen as residing in natural features of the land, such as trees, boulders, and the earth itself.

One of the best introductions to any heathen path is working with land and house wights. In many cases they enable us to take our first steps into a paradigm inclusive to all beings, and give us a relatively save way to learn to interact with wights in general. This can be valuable for those looking to explore any sort of trance work or journeying, provide natural allies in the other realms.

Like any relationship, those with immaterial beings such as wights must be built over time. The best path to this is interaction. Listen to the wights, speak to them, spend time in their space, offer thanks and blessing to them. You will not be disappointed.

In Frith
Cena