Heimdall Ritual for Blessing a Guard

by Ari

Many people in the world hold guardian positions – security guards, prison guards, bodyguards, bouncers – and it is a thankless job. Yet if they fail, many suffer. We generally walk past the bored-looking security guard and ignore him, assuming that we have the right to be where we are going, and it takes some thought and attention to see him as the image of Heimdall. But that is who he is, and he – and all other guardians – should be honored for that role. This ritual blesses them and gives them appreciation for their job.

First, make a sigil, a round piece of wood painted blue as the sky, with a piece of rainbow ribbon tied to it, and a golden chain to hang around his/her neck if s/he wants, or a gold keychain finding if s/he would rather carry it that way. The runes Dagaz and Algiz should be on the sigil, for wakefulness and protection. Mead should be present to toast to Heimdall. A wooden staff, taller than him, is given to him to hold. The guard is recaned with smoke of dried angelica and cumin seed as s/he stands grasping the staff. The person performing the ritual says:

Hail to Heimdall! Hear us, Hallinskihdi!

Gold-toothed guardian of Gjallarhorn,

Give this your guardian

Sire of many castes, stamina’s soldier,

See this your sentinel as s/he stands watch

And watch over him/her as well.

Bifrost’s border-watcher, bane of burglars,

Be with this your patient protector,

Let eyes close not, let ears shut not,

Let back bow not, let wakefulness flow,

Let wits be about in all ways, O Wave-Son,

Witness of a hundred leagues around.

Then a drop of mead is touched to each eye, each ear, the center of the forehead, the top of the head, and the back of the neck, with the words:

See all above,

See all below,

Hear all above,

Hear all below,

Sharp to catch all,

Proud to stand tall,

Strong back never fall.

The mead is given to the guard to take a swallow, and the rest is poured out as a libation to Heimdall with the words “Hail Rainbow’s Guardian!” The guard hands the staff over, and is given the sigil in trade, with the words: “This staff stays in your spine; this sigil stays at your side.” Then the guard should, ideally, go straight to work, with Heimdall’s blessing.

Artwork by Stina.