{"product_id":"wyrd-ecology-heathen-ritual-and-gifting-relations-9780197804926","title":"Wyrd Ecology: Heathen Ritual and Gifting Relations","description":"Within 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 \u003cem\u003eWyrd Ecology\u003c\/em\u003e, 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. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eDavy 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.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eAbout the Author\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBarbara Jane Davy\u003c\/strong\u003e is the author of\u003cem\u003e Introduction to Pagan Studies\u003c\/em\u003e and editor of the three-volume collection \u003cem\u003ePaganism: Critical Concepts in Religion\u003c\/em\u003e. She has taught courses in religion and ecology, sustainability thought, and big history at Concordia University, Carleton University, and the University of Waterloo.\u003cbr\u003e","brand":"Oxford University Press","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":51318817849618,"sku":"9780197804926","price":36.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0831\/4771\/8930\/files\/img_abd3d896-9188-45c6-9f52-d9c92f1e7804.jpg?v=1748516327","url":"https:\/\/surprise-castle.myshopify.com\/products\/wyrd-ecology-heathen-ritual-and-gifting-relations-9780197804926","provider":"Surprise Castle","version":"1.0","type":"link"}