{"product_id":"wyrd-ecology-heathen-ritual-and-gifting-relations","title":"Wyrd Ecology Heathen Ritual and Gifting Relations","description":"\u003cp\u003eWithin contemporary Heathen communities, the Old English term \"wyrd\" is used to refer to the web of relations that connect all threads of existence. Inspired by pre-Christian traditions of Northern Europe, Heathens give gifts, toasts, and offerings to foster a sense of connection with other humans and the more-than-human world. In Wyrd Ecology, author Barbara Jane Davy posits that these ritual activities are not merely isolated exchanges but rather a means of sustaining entire relational systems, in turn inspiring givers and receivers to participate out of a desire for meaningful connection. Davy utilizes research from two years of participant observation in a Heathen community in Ontario, Canada to show how ritual activities deepen practitioners' sense of appreciation for what they have already received and instil a desire to give back. Davy illustrates how making offerings and giving gifts is important not only because of what people might believe about the gods, but because it gives people a sense of relatedness with their world. Ritual practices may thus play a critical role in instilling an ecological conscience and can encourage ethical relations and pro-environmental behavior.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Barbara Jane Davy","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":43644476620861,"sku":"9780197804926","price":64.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0597\/7689\/2989\/files\/9780197804926.jpg?v=1789717297","url":"https:\/\/www.palmleaf.com.au\/products\/wyrd-ecology-heathen-ritual-and-gifting-relations","provider":"Palmleaf","version":"1.0","type":"link"}