Gothi Jacob D

I registered so that I can take up the rights and responsibility of a Gothi, a Priest in the Heathenry/Norse based religious practice.

North, North-eastern Michigan

Officiate Heathenry/Norse religious, spiritual and ceremonial services that are no longer present in modern religions.

Heathenry, Norse Paganism, and Asatru. I am happy to serve people of any faith or spiritual background.

Personalized, genuine engagement. I expect nothing more or less than what you need from me in service as your Gothi. My goal is to make each ceremony meaningful, respectful, and personal to those I serve.

I am based in Alpena, Michigan, and am currently establishing my practice and beginning to offer services as a Gothi. I am generally comfortable traveling throughout Northeast and Central Michigan, with the Flint/Holly area being about the southern extent of my normal travel range. Travel beyond my usual area may be considered on a case-by-case basis, depending on distance, circumstances, and travel requirements.

Please Read Before Contacting Me

Please review the information below in its entirety before contacting me regarding ministerial services. The information provided here explains the general scope of my services, expectations, responsibilities, and approach to fees. By contacting me, you acknowledge that you have been given the opportunity to review this information and that any specific service, price, ceremony details, or arrangements will be discussed and agreed upon before services are provided.

Personal Background: I was not raised in the Heathen or Norse tradition. In fact, I was raised Lutheran Christian with Germanic family history. I served in the United States Marine Corp. I have consciously chosen my own path of spiritual belief and practice. I am not a fad or simply a “vibe Gothi”; I am who I am because of my life experiences, personal convictions, and the path I have chosen.

My ministry is spiritual, religious, and ceremonial in nature and may include ritual practices appropriate to the service, including blessings, spiritual cleansing, handfasting, offerings, and other traditional or personally meaningful ceremonial practices. I do not claim or provide professional medical, psychological, or therapeutic services, and I do not hold doctoral, therapeutic, or other professional credentials outside of my ministerial role.

All services are negotiable. Fees are based on preparation, travel, ceremony length, individual circumstances, and the nature of the requested service. No one will be turned away solely because of financial hardship. As a general guideline, I maintain a minimum fee of $75 for local services, with customized ceremonies generally starting around $125. Travel, additional preparation, rehearsals, special requests, and ceremonial enhancements may affect the final fee. Financial hardship will always be considered.

Marriage Ceremonies: For marriage ceremonies, I will review the marriage license before performing the ceremony to ensure that it has been properly issued, remains within its valid period, and corresponds to the individuals being married. Government-issued identification may be requested for verification.

If a couple provides their license to me in advance, I will keep it secure until the ceremony. Following the ceremony, I will complete my required portions of the license and certificate and ensure that the required signatures are completed by the couple and witnesses.

The duplicate portion will be separated and provided to the couple for their records. I will maintain an accurate ministerial record of each marriage I solemnize. The original completed certificate will be returned to the county clerk that issued the license within the required 10-day period, by mail or in person as appropriate.

Couples are responsible for obtaining their marriage license and satisfying the requirements of the issuing county clerk before the ceremony. My responsibility is to properly solemnize the marriage under a properly issued license and complete and return the required documentation.

Vow Renewals & Other Ceremonial Services: Vow renewals and other ceremonial services do not involve the legal licensing and filing requirements of a marriage. Pricing for these services will therefore be based on preparation, time, travel, special requests, and the scope of the ceremony and its ceremonial elements.

Ceremonial elements may include requested decorations, drapery, projected imagery, physical symbols or representations of deities, ritual items, or other materials intended to create the desired atmosphere and experience. Any significant materials or expenses required specifically for the ceremony will be discussed with the client in advance.

I am beginning this ministry because I believe ceremonies should be personal, meaningful, and respectful of the people standing before me. Whether a ceremony is traditional, modern, Heathen, secular, or something uniquely your own, my goal is to serve the people involved rather than impose my own expectations upon them.