The Angle Perspective

Virtual spaces have been an integral part of my worship for a year, and I think it’s time that we put their existence into the forefront of heathen worship. Let me answer some questions, like “what is a virtual space? How can it help me?” I will talk about this from my perspective as a heathen.

Virtual spaces

A virtual space is a simple concept. Our world is becoming increasingly polytheist. Some might have become disillusioned with other traditions, becoming more connected with the earth felt gifted to us, others from agnosticism when they found themselves lacking the spiritual third health in their lives. One thing is fairly common overall – we are missing physical spaces for us to worship together.

There are issues causing this. Whilst localities might have a council or meetup, many do not cater to the needs of one’s worship. A rule against worshiping certain gods or wights, or a general part of rituals that doesn’t sit right with you. As a follower, your opinion is valid, and it’s okay to disagree with the way a group does its offerings. But then you’re left stranded.

Fortunately today, we have the wonders of the most interconnected world of any point in history. The internet offers a wide range of tools and places, in our case meeting places. There are groups that will use sites and applications like Teams, Discord or Zoom to hold their rituals in their way. This lets you find ways that suit you more closely, without having to worry whether you can even get there.

The Godsring

For the last year of my worship, the group that’s the best for me and my needs has been the Godsring.

The Godsring Heathen Fellowship is an international faith organization dedicated to providing safe, welcoming spaces and affirming spiritual guidance to those who have chosen to live a spiritual way of life according to Germanic, Celtic, and Slavic folkways.

– The Godsring Fellowship Website

At the start of this year, 2025, I was once again lead further into my spirituality by my Wyrd when I found them – A fellowship that speaks to me in ways that align not just with the names of my gods, but also the spirits I feel when I think about them. It’s not one of overflowing power and limitless capability but something more human, something more touching and down to earth whilst still being in a godly realm.

The Godsring rituals are of a regular format – the hallowing which cleanses and sets a sacred space. The invocation invites the wight or deity to join us at our altars. The main prayer that speaks to us and to them. The offering lets us show our appreciation through sacrifice. The closing lets us say our thanks and offer our sacrifices to them.

From the Gods to the Earth to us;

From us to the Earth to the Gods.

A gift has been given;

May it be well received.

– The ritual closing

There is a clear idea in this space that silence is sacred. In the gaps between speech you feel the presence of the deity, the sacredness of your space, and the company of your group. Silence is uncomfortable and most would like to fill that space, but it’s encouraged more that those present feel what’s there until they have something to say that really talks to them or means to them.

Open Doors

As a heathen, the information space feels like a thunderstorm. The noise from the harsh shower is crushing and deafening, and the haze blocks your vision. You can’t tell if you’re going in the right direction to safety and to shelter or following a worn path to somewhere you wish not to go. Flashes of lightning might briefly light the way but also mislead you, as you can only guide yourself using vague outlines that appear one way but are actually misshapen, mixed-up masses. The rumbling thunder makes you feel powerless, as if you’re being laughed at by the gods you try so desperately hard to worship. The world itself is chuckling at your expense, and you have no way to find even the presence of another.

After stumbling around through, soaked and battered to varying degrees, the glow of a hearth appears and your chest feels a bit less heavy. The more you spend around the fire, the drier you become. You learn local stories and ways of navigating the space. Before long, they may even feel like family.

In virtual groups, especially ones like the Godsring, the doors to their warm shelter are open and willing to take in lost and weary souls. Guidance is there, so too are experience and openness. Many have been lost before you and many will be lost after you. Long term, by joining, we can keep that fire lit for the next wanderer, to teach them of tales both felt and told, and offer them the comfort you once needed.

4000 Mile Fellowship

For me, the Godsring have been a warm wool blanket for the last year. My first ritual was in February and was one of their most important; that of the fellowship’s patroness Frīġe, and I was the only one present, other than the ritual lead, Donnie, who founded the Fellowship and who lead me to the group in the first place.

After he joined the Fyrnsidu Discord server, a group primarily for Anglo-Saxon Heathens, I quickly made friends with him and learned of the group through chats. That was when the development of my hearth and way of worship and confidence in my faith really took an upturn.

The rituals spoke to me, allowing the gods to tell us about themselves and offering to them as a way of respect rather than profound reverence made everything feel more natural.

The more we spoke and the more time I spent here, the more I realised my experience is just as worthy as anyone else’s, the less I was attached to the idea that our ancient traditions were dead, buried and lost, and I had to find and exhume them. Through the space I gained relationships with others too, heathens and non-heathens, and people I look forward to talking to weekly.

Now, after less than a year, I’m an elder in the group. I help lead the rituals, I write sections and aim to write full rituals, I help plan for the future and am a guiding presence when people have questions, offering from the limited experience I have. But that experience is rich due to my time there.

Influence

Virtual spaces are wonderful for so many reasons.

1. They give a community that you can relate to
2. They give a place to worship in a way you appreciate and feel good about
3. They can improve your mental health and offer great spiritual and life guidance
4. They have many people of many levels of experience who can be great friends and mentors

If you’re lost, a virtual space can be the difference between being at peace, spiritually, and continuing to be lost in the thunderstorm of things that are out there. Sometimes, that group is all that’s needed to make things click.

These spaces are forever expanding and are popping up all the time – all you need to do is find the one that talks to you the most.

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