The Old Norse Navy: Sailors on U.S. aircraft carrier take up Heathen religion and pray to ancient god of seafarers at pagan services on board
By Tim Stickings
Daily Mail
January 9, 2019
U.S. Navy sailors have been holding 'Heathen' ceremonies on an aircraft carrier in a revival of centuries-old pagan beliefs, it has emerged.
Sailors on the American vessel USS John C. Stennis have adopted the neo-pagan religion based on old Norse beliefs, and hold a regular 'sumbel' or Heathen ceremony on board.
The lay leader on board is Aviation Electrician’s Mate 2nd Class Joshua Wood, who described his Heathen shipmates as 'my surrogate family'.
The pagan services, where sailors pray to Njord, the god of seafarers, are held in the ship's chapel.
Wood said he had grown up as a Roman Catholic but taken up Heathenry studied world mythology in high school.
Speaking about his shipmates, he said: 'They helped me understand the religion, and with their help, I transitioned from someone who was merely interested in the religion to someone who is well-versed enough to lead others in prayer.
'I went through them to get certified to lead services on the ship.'
Sailors are welcome to come to the 'informal' ceremonies, based on medieval practices including those of the Vikings, even if they are just 'curious', he said.
A pagan website describes the sumbel as a ritual where worshippers make toasts to gods, ancestors and personal heroes.
A horn - which often contains alcohol, although not on a Navy vessel - is passed around, for each person to hail a particular god and either drink from the horn, pour it away as an offering or anoint their head with it.
In another round the believers will toast an ancestor or hero, saying how they have been inspired by them.
During the toasting worshippers will also make an 'oath' to do something or toast a recent personal success.
Aviation Electronics Technician Airman Joshua Shaikoski, who was born in Norway where the mythology originated, is also a part of the ceremonies.
He said: 'I went to Lutheran services with my parents when I was growing up, but it always felt forced.
'I never felt like I connected with anything spiritual until I visited Norway and discovered a group of Heathens who opened my eyes to their religion.
'When I returned to Washington, I met a kindred that aligned with my beliefs and I’ve been with them ever since.
'Since a lot of Norway and Scandinavia are covered in forests and mountains, it makes sense that the gods the ancient Heathens worshiped are land-based. We do a lot of praying to the god of seafarers, Njord.'
The key texts for Heathen practitioners are the Prose Edda and Poetic Edda, two works of literature from around the 13th century which are the dominant sources on Norse mythology.
Shaikoski also rejected claims that the religion promotes animal sacrifice or white supremacy.
'Not only is it the farthest from the truth, but it is hurtful because Heathenry is a religion of peace and community,' he said.
'Heathenry helped me connect with people on the ship that I would have just passed by.'
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