Poll #9 - Food Blessings

Do you do a blessing on your food before eating?

Comment on this poll.

Results

Do you do a blessing on your food before eating?

17% Always.
21% Often.
38% Rarely.
22% Never.

584 responses.

Riobhca De Peche Friday, May 16, 2014, 11:00:08 PDT
I make the sign of the hammer over the repast and say "May this be for the benefit of all sentient beings" (something I brought with me from my Buddhist days).

MuellerBadener Wednesday, October 03, 2012, 15:03:56 PDT
Being Mormon, I always bless the food, either silently if alone or somewhere that seems inappropriate or verbally if at home or a holiday. BTW-As a christian Mormon I can still honor and reverance the traditions and ancestral culture of my forefathers, hence my interest in Asatru, with out being judgemantal towards either faith, so why must so many heathens be so hatefully anti-christian?

Bjorn Odinsson Thursday, June 03, 2010, 15:43:57 PDT
I'm Tired of Christians bashing other religions no wander the Muslims have a jihad on Christians they are ignorant bastards! This comment is for the one by Ragnulf and all the rest of the Ignorant Christians in the world!!! And no i don't say a blessing because the gods already no i am thankful give them praises everyday

RavenBear Friday, January 30, 2009, 13:15:56 PST
Yes. Give thanks to the Gods & Godesse's And my Ancestors for what we have received.

Angantyr Tuesday, April 01, 2008, 18:58:21 PDT
Asatru is to be lived. It is to be part of everything we do. Thanks is to be given when we eat. Deeds and people are to be remembered before we go to sleep. Gods are to be praised when we awake.

Thorin the Skald Saturday, January 19, 2008, 17:00:23 PST
For those who are "new" to the path, I suggest reading ESSENTIAL ASATRU, by Diana Paxson. She is one of the fouding members of the ASATRU movement here in the USA. Honestly, I have found that WHAT you say does not really matter as much as HOW you mean your prayer/blessing. If you create your own, as I have done having no formal training, or if you have been lucky enough to recieve some sort of training from a member of THE TROTH......it really does not matter. Our gods and goddesses know what's in your HEART! Live well my friends!

Raziel the Honoured Friday, January 04, 2008, 07:52:25 PST
i only say food blessings on holidays like Yule and Enherjer. I also say a blessing on a birthday or on Solstices. Asatru is the only real faith for me. i used to be a satanist in 6th and 7th grade and u saw that it was NOT the way!!!

Randgrith Halfdansdottir Sunday, November 04, 2007, 10:34:00 PST
I usually silently say a thanks to the Gods and Goddesses myself before eating since something is always sacrificed for our nouishment (even if is was high fructose triglycyrides blah blah blah); however, I don't understand posts about "not knowing how" to bless food. While if someone feels that the "hammer sign" or what have you are part of their blessing or has a formula that's great, I never saw us as a ceremonial magic. I'm not bashing signs or formulas at all and to each his own, but I think we also need to let Asatruar know that our relationship with the Gods and Goddesses is personal and that you wont be smited for a "wrong" blessing, IMO. We do not fear our Gods and Goddesses wrath over dogmatic decrees, nor are traditionalist Asatruar Wiccan. I think that the feeling we have to sign over food is indoctrinated from Christianity (esp Catholicism) anyway. There is no evidence that every heathen in the pre-Christian world made signs over every meal, esp not in the Catholic tradition of a sign and pre-formulated prayer. They may have blessed crops and animals for slaughter, but even then for a peasant that may have been nothing more than a few words from the head of the family. On the up side you can probably do it in a crowded restaurant without arousing suspicion. Usually I pray to myself that I would like to thank the living things that gave their lives for this meal and that I would like it to be blessed by the Aesir and Vanir and that I am sharing my enjoyment of this meal with them. PS Just to reiterate. I do not in anyway have a problem with ritualized food blessing, to each his own; however, I don't want a permeated belief in it to make newer Asatruar feel like they can't bless their meals because they "don't know how" or "might screw it up"... Othinn will not turn your mac in cheese into cyanide or something because you did the Hammer Sign slightly different from how someone else more experienced did it (I am saying this lightheartedly, of course)

Ragnulf Tuesday, October 30, 2007, 10:58:03 PDT
I am Christian. I give thanks to the one true God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. Yahweh is the one true living God, maker of heaven and earth.

Glenn Monday, October 29, 2007, 08:53:08 PDT
In nomine Patris, et Filii, et Spiritus Sancti. Amen.

Raziel Eld'gereth Friday, October 26, 2007, 15:11:23 PDT
sometimes i say a blessing to Ostara on Easter before i eat. and then, on Yule, i say one to Odin and Thor. i usually only say blessings on holidays and ceremonies before i have supper or feast.

Duezala Tuesday, August 07, 2007, 06:34:52 PDT
Most times, but not all times, I give thanks to the unity for the food; if it is meat (I only eat chicken or fish) then I give thanks for that a life was given and blessings to that life.

Liberty Sunday, June 24, 2007, 16:28:35 PDT
I can't be bothered with anything these days, but shrug. I just don't have anything to say recently. I haven't gotten much done recently. Nothing seems worth thinking about.

Anders Froststrom Tuesday, February 27, 2007, 13:30:35 PST
I also agree with Ryan and Marc. My mind often travels to Odin and Thor at Christian holidays, especially Thanksgiving. I pray to Odin and the rest of the Aesir while everyone else prays to the Christian God. I now know, thanks to Ryan how to do the Hammer sign properly and will do it as such. Thanks, Ryan.

Anders Froststrom Tuesday, February 27, 2007, 13:19:33 PST
Being a year-old Asatruar, I don't know how. I never knew that I was supposed to. And even if I did, my parents would not approve and I'd be yelled at or something. I would like to learn how so that I can better honor the Aesir.

Ulfgeirr Thrudvaldarson Wednesday, January 03, 2007, 15:08:31 PST
Always. I make the Hammersign while saying "In the names of the Gods and Goddesses may this food be blessed, and may it bless those who partake of it. May it serve to connect us to the earth, the sea, the sky and the Holy Powers from whence it came. May it help us to live, to grow and to work our will in the world. Hail the Gods."

Lyra logan Saturday, October 21, 2006, 01:31:39 PDT
Before I eat, I point to the 9 Vertices of the Valknut. (Much like the Catholic cross I supose) I do it as a quick thanks to the gods during daily meals. Of course more important meals are done difrently.

Jan Gerstner Wednesday, September 27, 2006, 14:28:43 PDT
Every single time. I don't understand those who do not. Sacrifice is just about the ONLY way to show our thanks to any of the Gods we believe has given us bounty. I won't be slaughtering any "hecatombs" in the near future, but it is always right to toss a little wine, bury a bite of meat, or burn a bit in a fire pit or in a glowing brass pot on the table.

Andru Friday, August 04, 2006, 15:06:10 PDT

Grimsteinr, Gothi-Hofbrau Kindred, Asatru Alliance, AFA, Logretta Thursday, July 20, 2006, 11:46:41 PDT
At my home, we use a simple Hammer Blessing of our own, for daily meals. For Kindred Feasts, either I as Gothi, or Dear Wife, Sharon, as Gythja uses a Carved Wooden Hammer, or large Hammer Token to Bless the Feast, before we eat.\It's what we do.

Wulfgrim Wednesday, March 08, 2006, 08:23:18 PST
Should I? I've never read anywhere that Heathens did that. My parents do, but they're Christians.

Ryan Tuesday, February 07, 2006, 14:49:06 PST
I thought for a very long time that the way the American groups did the hammer sign was correct, but although it's based on the lore, the way modern Asatruar are taught to do it is somewhat of an educated guess & reconstruction. I was taught though by Danes that the way you make the hammer sign involves making a fist in front of your forehead then bringing it down in a straight vertical line. Then you make a horizontal line across the solar plexis (right below the ribs where you do the hymlic manuever). Ex: | | --- And although, you don't have to say anything, I like to follow up the hammer sign saying a heathenized version of the lord's prayer in Norwegian: "i Tor's navn Jeg gå til bords med drikke og spise i Tor's navn. Heil Tor! Tusen Tack!" (In Thor's name I go to the tables with food & drink in Thor's name. Hail Thor! Many thanks!)

Tracie Sunday, November 20, 2005, 16:18:04 PST
My partner Joe makes the sign of the hammer over our meal. I wait to start eating until he's done this.

Tracie Sunday, November 20, 2005, 16:18:03 PST
My partner Joe makes the sign of the hammer over our meal. I wait to start eating until he's done this.

Tracie Sunday, November 20, 2005, 16:18:02 PST
My partner Joe makes the sign of the hammer over our meal. I wait to start eating until he's done this.

Marc Saturday, November 12, 2005, 14:00:41 PST
I tend to agree with Torrstein in his post. I find that if I am with family for a christian holiday and they bow their heads to pray, the words they say are not captured by me. I find my thoughts going to Aesir / Vanir. I give my own thanks at this time and really I give more thanks when I have killed a deer or a home raised pig to eat. I believe it is more important to give thanks when receiving bounty from my deities than waiting for the meat to thaw from the freezer to give thanks.

Call me what you will, friend Sunday, November 06, 2005, 00:23:05 PST
I bless food as I cook it, I'm not sure why. I think I got into this habit when I was 16 and moved out on my own, cooking nearly all of my meals. I had two roommates (An agnostic and a happy little hippy) but they didn't care that I had blessed the food they someimes ate, for I was by far the better chef! I think, however, that it is more important to bear thanks to the natural world that gave you such good food than it is to say the words. What is in your heart is for more important than what is on your lips!

Eber Thursday, October 27, 2005, 18:01:04 PDT
I only bless food after hunting and before butchering. Otherwise all I have been known to say is A quick spell renouncing christiandom.

Sorensen Thursday, September 22, 2005, 18:39:30 PDT
Since most of my life I guess you would say I was an athiest: no I never offered a blessing but since coming back to mo ancestors ways of worship I offer one to them.

Erlyk Sunday, September 11, 2005, 09:59:23 PDT
I am of Odin, my followings are of the unknowns, Magni and Modi, they, I feel, are known to me. Erlyk

Karm Tuesday, May 10, 2005, 17:25:31 PDT
I always share with my animals and em sure to give to the magpies outsides too.

Rik Pfaelzer Thursday, April 14, 2005, 13:34:20 PDT
When I hunt I thank the Animal for it's gift. In war I thank Othinn when we win and complain loudly at Loki when we don't. (former Marine)

grimmsdóttir Wednesday, April 13, 2005, 16:34:54 PDT
I never 'bless' our meals...but I always offer a little to our wights, and always invite our ancesters and the Gods to join us at special times.

Peggy Lou Jackson Tuesday, April 12, 2005, 06:58:59 PDT
God is the creator of everyting. He is our Father and the reason for being. In everything I must give thanks to Him. I am not self-sufficient, only by the grace of God are my needs supplied. As a child gives thanks to the earthly parents, I must give thanks to my Heavenly Father.

Tuesday, April 12, 2005, 06:50:16 PDT

Friggsdottir Thursday, February 10, 2005, 01:33:47 PST
I feel it totally necessary when doing a blot, but in daily life not usually. Unless it's a special occaision, or perhaps if I am drinking a beer, I pour a little out on the ground. A gift for a gift.

Sunday, November 21, 2004, 19:27:28 PST

drage Thursday, November 04, 2004, 11:42:54 PST
part of my food goes to the animals, that is my blessing

Samantha Saturday, October 23, 2004, 20:36:46 PDT
We are currently trying to make up our own blessing involving Odin and Freya...so hopefully soon we will start!

Melanie-astrid Freyja-idhunn ragfreyhar Tuesday, August 03, 2004, 22:32:13 PDT
even on my dog food

Torrstein Wednesday, July 14, 2004, 05:01:00 PDT
I normally only bless my food and/or drink if it has been blessed by a christian. It just doesn't seem natural to eat food blessed by some semitic god.

Troy Monday, April 26, 2004, 13:17:23 PDT
I do a prayer and ask the gods to bless my family, home, and etc, ask that we are always looked after in our needs if they be short, and thank the gods for their bounty!

Thursday, April 01, 2004, 22:03:12 PST

Alex the brand-new "convert" Wednesday, March 24, 2004, 08:22:47 PST
I had done it sometimes, especially when I feel that the Gods had somewhat helped me through the day. However, most times I forget, because I have been an atheist most of my life & I'm not too accustomed to bless my food.

Seth Tuesday, March 23, 2004, 15:13:21 PST
I only bless food when its part of a blot.

ron peterson Tuesday, February 24, 2004, 11:16:00 PST
when i feel the need to bless i do but rely mostly on myself for the gods gave us a free will an help those truly in need

Bob Trapp Friday, January 02, 2004, 18:08:36 PST
I always say a thanks, even if the situation calls for subtlety. I do a blessing if I don't know who has been handling the food, i.e. at fast food restaurants. I also like to do a blessing if the food was blessed by a Christian before being handed to me (it just seems somehow tainted otherwise.)

John T Mainer Thursday, December 25, 2003, 16:43:52 PST
I have been making Thor's sign over my drink for a decade or so. I only invoke Odin's blessing when it is a fresh kill (it's been a while, since the kids started comming) or a special occassion.

Kalithunder Monday, December 22, 2003, 15:56:21 PST
I don't often say a thanks over food or drink, but I wish I did. I often note Christians "saying grace" even over a Big Mac. When I see that it reminds me that I am eating because of the Gods. Whether it was Freyr who gave me the money for the food, Thor who gave me the strength to get off my lazy but and make something, or Frigg who gave my non-heathen wife a little push into the kitchen to make me something.

Ingeborg S. Norden Monday, December 22, 2003, 15:37:09 PST
I bless food only as part of a longer ritual, such as a blótveizla.

Chad in NV Sunday, October 19, 2003, 17:14:20 PDT
I occasionally say a bit of thanks to "the gods of earth and sky and the wights of field and farm", but I think that in our context it isn't quite accurate to call it a blessing. After all, as a friend said when opening a sumbel I recently attended, how can you try to make holy that which is already holy?

Markvard Gillson Tuesday, October 14, 2003, 18:13:50 PDT
Heil! I bless often my food and my beverages... It is not especially heathen but it is a way to be grateful to the Gods... markvardgillson@hotmail.com

Tuesday, September 30, 2003, 09:21:38 PDT
The blessing of food is really a seaonal occurance, taking place only at religious festivals or significant times of the year for those folk at a gathering or feast. It is not a "grace" to be said at each meal, a heathen does not seperate himself from the natural Pattern of Existance.

Jennifer Wednesday, August 20, 2003, 06:35:48 PDT
I would like to do this, the Thor's hammer thing, and raising the cup is a good idea. Though I don't think this should necessarily be done before eating every time, rather it may be better to do it as you are cooking it, so they have time to take what they want. Plus, you can go right to your food when it's ready!

Doug Freyburger Thursday, August 07, 2003, 14:59:02 PDT
I raise the first sip of my drink to share with the gods rather than the first bite of my food. No particular reason for the difference, maybe just to look different from a Christian.

Frank Kerson Sunday, August 03, 2003, 12:14:57 PDT
I do a blessing after a hunt or harvest. So when I sit down to eat I've Allready showed my graditude for my meal.

Ryan "Allfather's_Godi" Saturday, August 02, 2003, 20:11:43 PDT
Before consuming any meal I make the sign of Thor's hammer over my food and drink. And if it is a sumble involving several people gathered, I use an actual sacred hammer and make the sign of the hammer over the feast with that.

Seth Thursday, July 17, 2003, 13:59:00 PDT
Generally, I only bless food at a blot. Otherwise, I just eat it.

Krie Thursday, July 03, 2003, 00:24:23 PDT
I'm usually so hungry that I totally forget! (Sorry, gods!) I guess it's because I stopped saying "grace" before eating once I left x-tianity, and I'd like to get back into the habit now that I'm heathen...if only I could remember...

Poll opened June 29, 2003.