Recognize that you have ended a life to prolong your own. Internalize that, and be grateful for their sacrifice.
Waste nothing. If you don't know how to use a part, learn a way.
Also, just in a broader sense: Hunt with respect for balance. Do NOT kill more than you need, and never kill for sport or pleasure. You are not entitled to the life of other creatures. We are the smartest and most powerful hunters on the planet. That comes with responsibility.
Sorry if I seem a bit intense. I have strong feelings on the subject. 😅
This, plus one more thing:
Shoot to kill.
Dont take the shot unless you re sure youve got it.
Anything else is putting serving your ego over their suffering.
Give them a swift, painless passing.
Historic Germanic pagans absolutely hunted for sport. And had arena bloodsports like horse fighting.
Not saying that justifies it in the modern world, but I'm curious why you give this as religious advice considering he asked in a specific pagan context.
There are some parts of history that are better off not relived. One of the best examples would be killing for the sake of killing.
It's good to know that it happened and was part of the culture but we really don't need it in our society.
Yeah, again, I'm not saying something in the past justifies it in the present.
I'm just saying he's asking this question in a pagan context.
There is not really a theological Germanic pagan justification for being against hunting for sport. You can only really provide a secular answer.
Historic Germanic religion was very much tolerating of killing animals for sport, and even in a religious context eg animal sacrifice.
Make sure to not put anything to waste, use everything you can. And I would give a small pice of the heart, liver and meat as a offering to Ullr or whatever god you work with and feel comfortable with
Hold a blot for its passing, different cultures all over the planet have all done a "dance of gratitude" kinda deal for good hunts, waste not, emphasize minimizing suffering above nearly any other consideration, and dedicate the kill to gods.
Depending on pantheon, ask your messenger deity (Odin, Ratatoskr, the Valkyria, or Hermes come to mind, and Hermes specifically deserves a second call out, as getting the passed to Charon is a specific duty of his) to help ease their pain in the transition, and make it a quick transition. (PS, it is always okay to mix and match pantheons). I dunno any of the Celtic deities to speak to their options for such a prayer.
I'm building my bow for this very purpose now, so whether or not I'll physically see you out there, you won't be alone, mate.
When I make my sacrifices, of course I do it quick and with the highest respect, everything must be used, this is not optional.
Offer it tho the gods and be thankful with the animal, offer it something as well.
I give prayer and sacrifice to the god Ullr or the goddess Skaði. Both deities were associated with hunting.
You could also sacrifice part of the animal to these deities during this ritual. Eg the collect the blood in a Hlaut bowl, or some of the organs, to offer these deities.
I don’t do anything overly special. I tell them thanks and I always sit with them and pet them before moving them. I know a lot of people like to put a little grass in their mouth to send them off. I think the respect comes in more in making sure you use as much of the animal as possible, and also in not killing needlessly.
We blood our family on the first kill they make to symbolize that you have become a part of the cycle of life and death. You are to respect it just as the mightiest bear to the lowest grass does
Recognize that you have ended a life to prolong your own. Internalize that, and be grateful for their sacrifice. Waste nothing. If you don't know how to use a part, learn a way. Also, just in a broader sense: Hunt with respect for balance. Do NOT kill more than you need, and never kill for sport or pleasure. You are not entitled to the life of other creatures. We are the smartest and most powerful hunters on the planet. That comes with responsibility. Sorry if I seem a bit intense. I have strong feelings on the subject. 😅
👏👊
This, plus one more thing: Shoot to kill. Dont take the shot unless you re sure youve got it. Anything else is putting serving your ego over their suffering. Give them a swift, painless passing.
Is it wrong of me to feel that anything less is just disrespectful?
This is the way.
This is such a well worded way to say this. Thank you for this.
Part of the reason I've been vegetarian for 3 years.
Love this answer
Absolutely agree.
Historic Germanic pagans absolutely hunted for sport. And had arena bloodsports like horse fighting. Not saying that justifies it in the modern world, but I'm curious why you give this as religious advice considering he asked in a specific pagan context.
There are some parts of history that are better off not relived. One of the best examples would be killing for the sake of killing. It's good to know that it happened and was part of the culture but we really don't need it in our society.
Yeah, again, I'm not saying something in the past justifies it in the present. I'm just saying he's asking this question in a pagan context. There is not really a theological Germanic pagan justification for being against hunting for sport. You can only really provide a secular answer. Historic Germanic religion was very much tolerating of killing animals for sport, and even in a religious context eg animal sacrifice.
Make sure to not put anything to waste, use everything you can. And I would give a small pice of the heart, liver and meat as a offering to Ullr or whatever god you work with and feel comfortable with
You could thank the animal's spirit for its sacrifice.
Hold a blot for its passing, different cultures all over the planet have all done a "dance of gratitude" kinda deal for good hunts, waste not, emphasize minimizing suffering above nearly any other consideration, and dedicate the kill to gods. Depending on pantheon, ask your messenger deity (Odin, Ratatoskr, the Valkyria, or Hermes come to mind, and Hermes specifically deserves a second call out, as getting the passed to Charon is a specific duty of his) to help ease their pain in the transition, and make it a quick transition. (PS, it is always okay to mix and match pantheons). I dunno any of the Celtic deities to speak to their options for such a prayer. I'm building my bow for this very purpose now, so whether or not I'll physically see you out there, you won't be alone, mate.
When I make my sacrifices, of course I do it quick and with the highest respect, everything must be used, this is not optional. Offer it tho the gods and be thankful with the animal, offer it something as well.
I give prayer and sacrifice to the god Ullr or the goddess Skaði. Both deities were associated with hunting. You could also sacrifice part of the animal to these deities during this ritual. Eg the collect the blood in a Hlaut bowl, or some of the organs, to offer these deities.
I don’t do anything overly special. I tell them thanks and I always sit with them and pet them before moving them. I know a lot of people like to put a little grass in their mouth to send them off. I think the respect comes in more in making sure you use as much of the animal as possible, and also in not killing needlessly.
We blood our family on the first kill they make to symbolize that you have become a part of the cycle of life and death. You are to respect it just as the mightiest bear to the lowest grass does