Happy Transgender Awareness Week to The Asatru Community
During this week and beyond, let's stand together in solidarity with our transgender friends, family, and community members. Transgender individuals bring unique perspectives, talents, and strengths to the rich tapestry of human experience. Accepting and honoring diversity makes our world a more vibrant and beautiful place. In the spirit of the old ways, let us uphold the ideals of hospitality, respect, and kinship for all.
This Transgender Awareness Week, let us renew our commitment to inclusivity and understanding. As Heathens, we honor the multitude of identities within our midst, recognizing that the sacred is found in the authenticity of each individual. Let's challenge harmful stereotypes, promote inclusivity, and create spaces where everyone can thrive authentically. May our community be a sanctuary where all feel accepted and cherished, free to express their true selves without fear or judgment.
Honoring Diversity, Celebrating Identity, Embracing Kinship
I believe that it is important to celebrate personal milestones. If it is important to you it should be celebrated it.
I have been told that finding the name that fits you is a poignant and personal experience. I was inspired to create this ritual by a celebratory post a friend made announcing that their legal name change was finalized. If this ceremony or the idea of it speaks to you I hope that you make it yours and that it brings you joy. You don't even need to wait to have all the paperwork finalized to celebrate.
This is just a starting point, please feel free to adapt the ceremony to fit you and your loved ones.
Inspiration and Examples
When I wrote my ceremony, I looked at numerous ceremonies about naming as well as coming of age ceremonies, and life transition. Below are some that I found helpful.
Part of the ceremony that I wrote was inspired by an old Norse ceremony of washing the head of a newborn baby. An Ausa Vatni is often described as a Heathen or pagan baptism and in some moderner practices is part of the ceremony for naming a baby.
Here is a beautiful video of an Ausa Vatni by Gothi Bodvarr of the Northwoods Kindred
The Troth also has an example Naming Ceremony | Ausa Vatni ritual outlined on their website.
Renaming Ceremonies
I found a handful of renaming ceremonies created with other faiths in mind.