ANCHOR YOUR SPIRITUAL FOCUS WITH A HAND-SCULPTED ALTAR PIECE
Whether you’re honouring the Æsir, walking a Wiccan path, or crafting a solitary blend of old and new, these altar pieces are made to endure. Carved with reverence, shaped by story, and finished by hand, they offer a steady centre to your Nordic altar or sacred space.
THE HEART OF THE ALTAR
Our altar pieces are made to sit at the centre of practice, helping to mark out sacred space and hold your focus. A carved figure or Nordic altar piece can be the boundary between ordinary life and ritual time; something you return to with intention.
People use them in different ways: a pagan altar piece to stand before when making offerings, a Viking godmask altar piece as the focal point in seasonal rites, or a small hand-sculpted carving kept close for daily meditation and prayer. Each piece carries its own story and weight, giving shape to ritual, anchoring presence, and turning a table or shelf into a true altar.
HOW TO USE ALTAR PIECES IN RITUALS
An altar piece is more than an ornament — it’s a focus point that helps you step into ritual space. Whether you use a Nordic altar piece, a pagan altar piece, or a Viking godmask altar piece, each carving can act as a bridge between myth and practice.
Many practitioners place their hand-sculpted altar pieces, such as a godmask or statue, at the centre of the altar, facing them during prayer, meditation, or offerings. The altar piece is then surrounded with candles, herbs, flowers, food offerings, incense or seasonal items to reflect the turning of the year. Some choose to layer in other symbolic items, such as Norse art prints depicting their chosen deity for visual focus, or skulls to bring a deeper reminder of mortality, the ancestors, and transformation. A protective rune, such as Algiz, can be placed to guard the altar. You can also set out rune stones or tarot cards as part of your working, weaving divination directly into the altar space.
There is no single way to work with altar pieces — what matters is the intention. Some keep their altarpiece as a daily companion for grounding and reflection, while others bring it out only for special ceremonies or festivals. However it’s used, the piece marks the shift from everyday life to sacred time.
VIKING GODMASK ALTAR PIECES
Among our most striking works are the Viking godmask altar pieces — hand-sculpted faces that carry the weight of myth and story. A godmask is a presence at the altar, a reminder of the figures who shaped the old tales and the energies they still embody today.
In Norse practice, masks and faces have long been used to call attention, invite presence, and give form to what cannot be fully seen. When set at the centre of a ritual space, a godmask altar piece can offer protection, draw focus in prayer, or receive offerings. An Odin mask might call to wisdom and sacrifice, while Loki’s reminds us of fire, change, and breaking boundaries. On the altar, Odin’s godmask may guide study, meditation, or oaths, while Loki’s godmask reminds us of transformation, challenge, and the unexpected.
ALTAR PIECE FAQs
What is an altar piece and how is it used in rituals?
An altar piece is a sacred object placed at the centre of a ritual space. Unlike ordinary decoration, it acts as a boundary marker and focus point, helping you shift from everyday life into sacred time. Many use them during prayer, meditation, offerings, or seasonal rites.
Can I use any of the Norse gods in an altar piece?
Yes. A godmask, altar piece, statue or an art print depicting the deity can be used in your practice. Each god carries a different presence and meaning:
- Odin — wisdom, sacrifice, and the pursuit of knowledge.
- Loki — fire, change, and transformation.
- Thor — protection, strength, and grounding.
- Freyja — love, desire, and seiðr (magic).
- Freyr — peace, prosperity, and seasonal cycles.
- Frigg — foresight, care, and protection of hearth and home.
- Tyr — honour, oaths, and courage.
- Hel — death, endings, and the hidden.
- Baldr — light, renewal, and innocence.
- Heimdall — vigilance, guardianship, and watchfulness.
- Njord — sea, journeys, and prosperity.
- Skadi — winter, endurance, and independence.
Are altar pieces different from regular home décor?
Yes. While they are beautiful in their own right, our Nordic altar pieces are created for spiritual use. Each is carved with ritual purpose, designed to hold presence, carry myth, and anchor intention. But of course you are welcome to just hang them on your wall if you prefer.
Can altar pieces be personalised to my spiritual path?
Each piece already holds deep symbolic meaning, but how you use it is entirely personal. Some practitioners dedicate a godmask with incense, offerings, or spoken words, aligning it with their own path and practice.
Are Northern Black altar pieces handmade and unique?
Yes. All of our hand-sculpted altar pieces are created by Isar Oakmund. Each carving carries its own marks and weight, meaning no two are identical.
What’s the difference between a godmask and a statue?
A godmask altar piece focuses on the face alone, a direct encounter with the presence of a god. A statue, by contrast, often shows the whole figure or body. Masks are made to invite presence and focus, whereas statues tend to represent form and narrative.
Do altar pieces need to be consecrated before use?
Some practitioners choose to consecrate their pieces with smoke from incense or herbs, water, or spoken words, but this is optional. The intention you bring is what matters most.
Can altar pieces be used outside of ritual?
Yes. Many people keep them as part of their daily meditation or devotional practice, while others display them in a private space as a constant reminder of their chosen deity.
Are these altar pieces suitable for Wiccans and Pagans as well as Heathens?
Absolutely. While rooted in Norse tradition, our altar pieces are made for anyone creating sacred space, regardless of path.
How do I care for a hand-sculpted altar piece?
Keep it away from prolonged moisture and direct sunlight. A light dusting or gentle wipe is usually all that’s needed to preserve the finish.