The act of sacrifice could refer to an already existing situation, as well as expected. It included an individual or a group. It had strong social repercussions for the entire population.
While the so-called. paganism was relatively tolerant, at least compared to the then militant Christianity, and allowed, especially in large shopping centers, the presence of other religious forms, so much in the case of rituals aimed at providing divine protection, failure to participate or breach of the rules of conduct, entailed serious consequences, including the death of the culprit. In the making of the sacrifice there may have been a direct relationship between man and the deity, or an intermediary was required. In this case, he performed a priestly function. In Iceland, it was held by godi. This dignity combined both sacred and legal features. There is nothing strange about this, for in all communities the regulations and legal procedures were also religious. In disputed cases, god became the supreme guarantor or judge. It was the same with making transactions or making promises. The position of godi was purely honorable. Outside Iceland, in the rest, emerging Scandinavian countries, priests failed to gain separate rights. The priest was a guide and master of ceremonies. In the rituals performed on behalf of the entire community, he became the primary person. According to popular belief, success rested in his hand, and even group survival. It was believed, that there was no positive reaction from the deity, which was expressed by the failure to achieve the goal of the sacrifice, it was not so much about his will, what about a mistake made in ceremonial activities.