Would you know more and how?
What is Ásatrú?
Long before Christianity came to northern Europe, the people there - our ancestors - had their own form of spirituality that influenced every aspect of their culture. One expression of this European spirituality was Ásatrú. It was practiced in the lands that are today Scandinavia, England, Germany, France, the Netherlands, and other countries as well. Ásatrú is the original, or native, religion for the peoples who lived in these regions. Nevertheless, Ásatrú is more than just a religion in the
narrow sense of the word. It is our way of being in the world; some of us call it the "Germanic Folkway" to underline this larger concept. Ásatrú is a Norse term meaning a faith or belief in the Old Norse and Germanic Gods known collectively as the Æsir. Ásatrú has its roots in ancient customs and beliefs, although it is best known from the Viking age when the old world view and the emerging Christian faith clashed and which was the period that the stories and customs were written down.
As with many other ethnic or folk religions there was no specific name for the religion, although Ásatrú, Vor tru, "our faith," or Forn Sed, "ancient customs/ways" are phrases/words that are used in the modern world to describe this faith. The religion was part of the culture, and the beliefs revealed not only in the mythology, but also in the customs, ethics, and laws, much of which has survived as a cultural ethos. Ásatrú is a name given to the religion of the Norsemen, but we use this term to include the spiritual worldview of all the Germanic peoples, not just the Scandinavians.
When did Ásatrú start? Ásatrú is thousands of years old. Its beginnings are lost in prehistory, but it is older than Christianity, Islam, Buddhism, or most other religions. The spirit it expresses, though, is as ancient as the northern European peoples themselves because it is an innate expression of who and what we are - not merely a set of arbitrary beliefs we have adopted. After having few, if any, practitioners for many centuries, this religion was revived as Ásatrú in the 19th century by the Geatish Society. It received a special impetus in the late 1960s and early 1970s when Sveinbjorn Beinteinsson was instrumental in getting Ásatrú recognized by the Icelandic government in 1973 and as several organizations sprung up in England, Germany, and North America.
In English speaking countries four of the days of the week are named after these gods. Tuesday comes from Tiw's day who is also known as Tyr. Wednesday comes from a compound meaning "Odin's day," Thursday from "Thor's day" with Friday from "Freya's day." Throughout Scandinavia and northern Europe we find places that were dedicated anciently and named for the gods and goddesses who are still honored in this day and age.
What are the beliefs of Ásatrú? Ásatrú beliefs are rooted in the past and in the sacred mythos and cosmology of the Old Norse and Germanic people. As an ethnic or folk religion the authoritative source of belief that can legitimately be considered Ásatrú are the precedents found in the traditions, myths, folklore, literature, laws, customs, and cultural concepts which were shaped by belief in the Æsir and other supernatural beings and powers. There is no historical founder or prophet who made revealed pronouncements of law or belief. There is no central authority that lays down dogma or tenets. There is no injunction to proselytize, or any precedent for intolerance of other beliefs.
This deep respect for tradition and custom is based on an underlying concept, ørlog, that is central to the cosmology and belief system of the old Norse and Germanic people, as well as Ásatrú today. The word is a compound, 'ør,' something that is beyond or "primal" or "above/beyond the ordinary" and "leggja," "to lay," "to place," or "to do." It has the meaning of primal or earliest law, the earliest things accomplished or done. These things are sacred and provide the foundation of the Old Norse beliefs and rites of Ásatrú. They are symbolized in the mythology by the World Tree, which grows at the Well of Urdh or Wyrd. The norns water the World Tree with the water from the Well of Urdh which deposits layers of sediment over the roots, demonstrating the active, accretionary, growing nature of reality.
The perception of being is also a reflection of this basic concept. Like the tree, a person continues to grow and change through experience and study, with each new experience or knowledge growing out of that which was experienced or learned before. A particularly numinous quality called hamingja, "luck" or "fortune", can also be accumulated and passed on to one's descendents. In spiritual terms, this legacy can refer to wisdom, personality, or talent, while in practical terms, this can include one's wealth, reputation and external family ties.
Who are the Gods and Goddesses of Ásatrú?Then spoke Gangleri: "Which are the Aesir that men ought to believe in?" Hárr said: "There are twelve Aesir whose nature is divine." Then spoke Jafnhárr: "No less holy are the Asyniur, nor is their power less."
These are the words that introduce the gods and goddesses of the Norse and Germanic people to King Gangleri in Snorri Sturluson's Edda. Here we find the a listing of the Aesir (gods), Asynjur (goddesses) and other beings of the Norse mythology and brief stories presented from the ancient mythology in an account written down at the end of the Viking Age. First named is Odin, his son Balder, Thor and his wife, Sif; Tyr, Njord and his son and daughter, Freyr and Freya, Bragi, Heimdall, Hod, Vidar, Ali, Ullr, Loki, Aegir and his wife, Ran. Also named are many of the goddesses, who include, among others, Frigg, Freya, Lofn, Var, and Skadi The mythology also preserves an account a story of two warring groups of deities, the Aesir and the Vanir who pledged a truce with one another and are referred to now collectively as the Aesir. In English speaking countries four of the days of the week are named after these gods. Tuesday comes from Tiu's day who is also known as Tyr. Wednesday comes from a compound meaning "Odin's day," Thursday from "Thor's day" with Friday from "Freya's day." Throughout Scandinavia and northern Europe we find places that were dedicated anciently and named for the gods and goddesses who are still honored in this day and age.
Does Ásatrú have a Pope? No. Asatru is an autonomous faith which consists of many small groups and independent organizations. Asatru gather into family and community groups, often, but not necessarily under larger organizations. There is no central authority, except within various groups.The most common term for an Ásatrú religious leader is Goði (masculine form) and Gyðia (feminine form), Goðar (plural). The word refers to a position comparable to that of a priest, but is translated from the Old Norse as chieftain, as are some similar terms such as Drighten that may signify essentially the same thing but with more administrative duties in larger groups.
Are Ásatrú and Odinism the same thing? There are Ásatrúar and Odinists who feel that they are the same religion, while many others who are Ásatrúar or Odinist feel there are distinct differences. The term "Odinist" refers to an individual who is primarily dedicated to Odin, and as such could also consider themselves Ásatrú, Wiccan, Neo-pagan or simply Odinist, depending on the rites, fellowship and beliefs that they express their dedication to that deity (and associated deities) in.
What are the rites and ceremonies of Ásatrú? The rites and ceremonies of Ásatrú are based on cultural observances of the old Norse and Germanic people, many of which continued in the culture and societies that followed without a recognition of the sacral aspect that they were imbued with in the beginning. One such ritual is the highly ceremonial toast following a formal meal, which parallels the sumbel (ON sumbl). The sumbel is a ceremony that includes drinking communally and offering up inspired speech that was binding in terms of oath and intent, as illustrated in Beowulf and other Norse/Germanic literature.
A blót, sacrifice or blessing, is an offering to a deity or other supernatural beings. The offering may be a simple sharing of food or drink by an individual to a more elaborate community ceremony. These ceremonies may be performed indoors, or outside in a natural setting.
Additional ceremonies include the naming of a child and its acceptance into the family (ausa vatni), burials, healing, blessings in time of need and divination among others.
How does one become Ásatrú? As with any religion, the answer to this question depends more on the individual asking it than anything else. Essentially, you are Ásatrú when you feel yourself to be Ásatrú. Others will recognize you as Ásatrú when you behave in a manner consistent with a belief in the Aesir, and indicative of a desire to meet their standards for a "good person". Some feel that a rite of passage, an oath, or a formal renunciation of your previous life is necessary to indicate your new devotion. Others feel that this is not necessary at all - that the gods know the sincerity with which somebody claims to be Ásatrú. In general, if you can say "I am Ásatrú", and really mean it, you have become Ásatrú. Those who practice Asatru are called Asatruar, Asafolk, Tru Folk, Odinists, Germanic Heathens or just worshippers of the Germanic religion.
Is there magic in Ásatrú? Like many other ethnic or folk religions there are magical components in Ásatrú based on a perception of an interactivity and interconnectivity between the natural and supernatural world that can be affected by men as well as gods through various methods. In the Eddas, sagas, and other literature we find both men and gods depicted using and teaching galdr (magical chants and songs), seið (a shamanistic magic involving altered states of consciousness and communication with spirits and gods) and runes (referring to the Norse/Germanic alphabet which had magical associations). Divination and auguries were also an important part of the spiritual and religious views of the Old Norse and Germanic people.
In modern terms, seidh, galdr, and runes are incorporated in various ways and to varying degrees in both personal and community practice of the religion. As in the past, many do not practice nor necessarily believe in magic or see it as a necessary expression of the faith today.
Myths and misconceptions: A popular misconception is that Ásatrú believers are racist or discriminatory. This is due to the practice of some racist groups using Ásatrú traditional symbols in their literature, and misunderstandings about Asatruar emphasis on Ancestral heritage. Some “folkish” Ásatrú groups believe that the believers are bound to the Gods via their bloodline, and forbid members without Scandinavian or Germanic ancestry, but these groups are the exception rather than the rule.
Symbols of Ásatrú: Symbols vary, but may include an axe, Thor’s hammer (Mjolnir), Odin’s horn, the Irminsul, Trefot, Fylfot (Swastika/Sunwheel) or similar items worn for personal meaning or identification and recognition purposes.
Holidays and observances: Many Ásatrú holidays are patterned after ancient Norse observances, and some are thoroughly modern. Important Asatru festivals include the Equinoxes and Solstices, The Charming of the Plow in February, and Fogmoon, a celebration of the Einherjar, those slain in battle, in November. The most important observance is the Blot ritual, a blood offering or sacrifice to the Gods. Animal sacrifice is seldom practiced in modern Asatru but is practiced from time to time by Dragon's Hearth.
Blot: Blot is an Icelandic word literally meaning blood, and involves pouring out mead, ale, or other drinks onto the Earth as a sacrifice to the Gods & Goddesses, as well as sharing that blessing with the participants by passing around a drinking horn with that mead or ale, or by sprinkling some of the mead or ale on the participants. In ancient times they would sacrifice animals and/or human criminals or prisoners of war and offer the blood up to the gods. The flesh of the animals would be cooked and eaten by the Blot participants and the inedible parts were burned as an offering to the gods. An Asatru religious ceremony is called a Blot, pronounced "bloat". Eight major Blots are celebrated by Asatruars each year. These are listed below, with the modern English name of each given first, followed by its Old Norse name in parenthesis, and its approximate date -- although the usual practice is to hold the Blot on the nearest weekend.
Disfest (Disablot) 31 January
Ostara (Ostara)21 March
May Eve (Valpurgis) 30 April
Midsummer (Midsumarsblot) 21 June
Freysfest (Freysblot) 1 August
Harvestfest (Haustblot) 21 September
Winter Night (Vetrnaetr 31 October
Yule (Jol) (Yule)20th December - January 1st
There is also the Alfablot to honour the Alfar. Other Blots are also held for special life events such as weddings, funerals, coming of age rites, etc.
Symbel: Besides the Blot, there is another kind of Asatru ceremony called the Symbel, which is a kind of formalized religious toasting. Symbels are held whenever people want to hold them.
The symbel is a ritualized toasting in which a horn with mead or ale is passed around and each participant makes a toast, a boast, an oath, or says something significant over the drink. It is said that the words spoken at a symbel echo throughout all the Nine Worlds so words spoken there should be thoughtful and meaningful.
Worldwide Map of Asatruars and Heathens. The purpose of this map is to help Asatruars and Heathens to find other Asatruars and Heathens in their area, for the purposes of communicating, gathering, and kindred-formation. It should also be useful for Asatruars and Heathens that are moving or traveling into an area. THE MAP IS 3 PAGES. They all appear on the map, but to see every entry in the sidebar you must LOOK at page 1, page 2, and page 3.
Page 1 - http://tinyurl.com/29x28ro
Page 2 - http://tinyurl.com/3a57vuz
Page 3 - http://tinyurl.com/2emzsh3
TO BE ADDED TO THE MAP, SIMPLY EMAIL: Stephanie [email protected] with (1) your name or your kindred's name, (2) your city, state, and country, and (3) some form of contact information. She will then add you to the map.
Here is the link:
https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/viewer?mid=1bJb9fSzHPu3FqX9jRW4tAoAs-R8&hl=en_US&ll=20.79527607101793%2C-94.46044799999993&z=2
What is Ásatrú?
Long before Christianity came to northern Europe, the people there - our ancestors - had their own form of spirituality that influenced every aspect of their culture. One expression of this European spirituality was Ásatrú. It was practiced in the lands that are today Scandinavia, England, Germany, France, the Netherlands, and other countries as well. Ásatrú is the original, or native, religion for the peoples who lived in these regions. Nevertheless, Ásatrú is more than just a religion in the
narrow sense of the word. It is our way of being in the world; some of us call it the "Germanic Folkway" to underline this larger concept. Ásatrú is a Norse term meaning a faith or belief in the Old Norse and Germanic Gods known collectively as the Æsir. Ásatrú has its roots in ancient customs and beliefs, although it is best known from the Viking age when the old world view and the emerging Christian faith clashed and which was the period that the stories and customs were written down.
As with many other ethnic or folk religions there was no specific name for the religion, although Ásatrú, Vor tru, "our faith," or Forn Sed, "ancient customs/ways" are phrases/words that are used in the modern world to describe this faith. The religion was part of the culture, and the beliefs revealed not only in the mythology, but also in the customs, ethics, and laws, much of which has survived as a cultural ethos. Ásatrú is a name given to the religion of the Norsemen, but we use this term to include the spiritual worldview of all the Germanic peoples, not just the Scandinavians.
When did Ásatrú start? Ásatrú is thousands of years old. Its beginnings are lost in prehistory, but it is older than Christianity, Islam, Buddhism, or most other religions. The spirit it expresses, though, is as ancient as the northern European peoples themselves because it is an innate expression of who and what we are - not merely a set of arbitrary beliefs we have adopted. After having few, if any, practitioners for many centuries, this religion was revived as Ásatrú in the 19th century by the Geatish Society. It received a special impetus in the late 1960s and early 1970s when Sveinbjorn Beinteinsson was instrumental in getting Ásatrú recognized by the Icelandic government in 1973 and as several organizations sprung up in England, Germany, and North America.
In English speaking countries four of the days of the week are named after these gods. Tuesday comes from Tiw's day who is also known as Tyr. Wednesday comes from a compound meaning "Odin's day," Thursday from "Thor's day" with Friday from "Freya's day." Throughout Scandinavia and northern Europe we find places that were dedicated anciently and named for the gods and goddesses who are still honored in this day and age.
What are the beliefs of Ásatrú? Ásatrú beliefs are rooted in the past and in the sacred mythos and cosmology of the Old Norse and Germanic people. As an ethnic or folk religion the authoritative source of belief that can legitimately be considered Ásatrú are the precedents found in the traditions, myths, folklore, literature, laws, customs, and cultural concepts which were shaped by belief in the Æsir and other supernatural beings and powers. There is no historical founder or prophet who made revealed pronouncements of law or belief. There is no central authority that lays down dogma or tenets. There is no injunction to proselytize, or any precedent for intolerance of other beliefs.
This deep respect for tradition and custom is based on an underlying concept, ørlog, that is central to the cosmology and belief system of the old Norse and Germanic people, as well as Ásatrú today. The word is a compound, 'ør,' something that is beyond or "primal" or "above/beyond the ordinary" and "leggja," "to lay," "to place," or "to do." It has the meaning of primal or earliest law, the earliest things accomplished or done. These things are sacred and provide the foundation of the Old Norse beliefs and rites of Ásatrú. They are symbolized in the mythology by the World Tree, which grows at the Well of Urdh or Wyrd. The norns water the World Tree with the water from the Well of Urdh which deposits layers of sediment over the roots, demonstrating the active, accretionary, growing nature of reality.
The perception of being is also a reflection of this basic concept. Like the tree, a person continues to grow and change through experience and study, with each new experience or knowledge growing out of that which was experienced or learned before. A particularly numinous quality called hamingja, "luck" or "fortune", can also be accumulated and passed on to one's descendents. In spiritual terms, this legacy can refer to wisdom, personality, or talent, while in practical terms, this can include one's wealth, reputation and external family ties.
Who are the Gods and Goddesses of Ásatrú?Then spoke Gangleri: "Which are the Aesir that men ought to believe in?" Hárr said: "There are twelve Aesir whose nature is divine." Then spoke Jafnhárr: "No less holy are the Asyniur, nor is their power less."
These are the words that introduce the gods and goddesses of the Norse and Germanic people to King Gangleri in Snorri Sturluson's Edda. Here we find the a listing of the Aesir (gods), Asynjur (goddesses) and other beings of the Norse mythology and brief stories presented from the ancient mythology in an account written down at the end of the Viking Age. First named is Odin, his son Balder, Thor and his wife, Sif; Tyr, Njord and his son and daughter, Freyr and Freya, Bragi, Heimdall, Hod, Vidar, Ali, Ullr, Loki, Aegir and his wife, Ran. Also named are many of the goddesses, who include, among others, Frigg, Freya, Lofn, Var, and Skadi The mythology also preserves an account a story of two warring groups of deities, the Aesir and the Vanir who pledged a truce with one another and are referred to now collectively as the Aesir. In English speaking countries four of the days of the week are named after these gods. Tuesday comes from Tiu's day who is also known as Tyr. Wednesday comes from a compound meaning "Odin's day," Thursday from "Thor's day" with Friday from "Freya's day." Throughout Scandinavia and northern Europe we find places that were dedicated anciently and named for the gods and goddesses who are still honored in this day and age.
Does Ásatrú have a Pope? No. Asatru is an autonomous faith which consists of many small groups and independent organizations. Asatru gather into family and community groups, often, but not necessarily under larger organizations. There is no central authority, except within various groups.The most common term for an Ásatrú religious leader is Goði (masculine form) and Gyðia (feminine form), Goðar (plural). The word refers to a position comparable to that of a priest, but is translated from the Old Norse as chieftain, as are some similar terms such as Drighten that may signify essentially the same thing but with more administrative duties in larger groups.
Are Ásatrú and Odinism the same thing? There are Ásatrúar and Odinists who feel that they are the same religion, while many others who are Ásatrúar or Odinist feel there are distinct differences. The term "Odinist" refers to an individual who is primarily dedicated to Odin, and as such could also consider themselves Ásatrú, Wiccan, Neo-pagan or simply Odinist, depending on the rites, fellowship and beliefs that they express their dedication to that deity (and associated deities) in.
What are the rites and ceremonies of Ásatrú? The rites and ceremonies of Ásatrú are based on cultural observances of the old Norse and Germanic people, many of which continued in the culture and societies that followed without a recognition of the sacral aspect that they were imbued with in the beginning. One such ritual is the highly ceremonial toast following a formal meal, which parallels the sumbel (ON sumbl). The sumbel is a ceremony that includes drinking communally and offering up inspired speech that was binding in terms of oath and intent, as illustrated in Beowulf and other Norse/Germanic literature.
A blót, sacrifice or blessing, is an offering to a deity or other supernatural beings. The offering may be a simple sharing of food or drink by an individual to a more elaborate community ceremony. These ceremonies may be performed indoors, or outside in a natural setting.
Additional ceremonies include the naming of a child and its acceptance into the family (ausa vatni), burials, healing, blessings in time of need and divination among others.
How does one become Ásatrú? As with any religion, the answer to this question depends more on the individual asking it than anything else. Essentially, you are Ásatrú when you feel yourself to be Ásatrú. Others will recognize you as Ásatrú when you behave in a manner consistent with a belief in the Aesir, and indicative of a desire to meet their standards for a "good person". Some feel that a rite of passage, an oath, or a formal renunciation of your previous life is necessary to indicate your new devotion. Others feel that this is not necessary at all - that the gods know the sincerity with which somebody claims to be Ásatrú. In general, if you can say "I am Ásatrú", and really mean it, you have become Ásatrú. Those who practice Asatru are called Asatruar, Asafolk, Tru Folk, Odinists, Germanic Heathens or just worshippers of the Germanic religion.
Is there magic in Ásatrú? Like many other ethnic or folk religions there are magical components in Ásatrú based on a perception of an interactivity and interconnectivity between the natural and supernatural world that can be affected by men as well as gods through various methods. In the Eddas, sagas, and other literature we find both men and gods depicted using and teaching galdr (magical chants and songs), seið (a shamanistic magic involving altered states of consciousness and communication with spirits and gods) and runes (referring to the Norse/Germanic alphabet which had magical associations). Divination and auguries were also an important part of the spiritual and religious views of the Old Norse and Germanic people.
In modern terms, seidh, galdr, and runes are incorporated in various ways and to varying degrees in both personal and community practice of the religion. As in the past, many do not practice nor necessarily believe in magic or see it as a necessary expression of the faith today.
Myths and misconceptions: A popular misconception is that Ásatrú believers are racist or discriminatory. This is due to the practice of some racist groups using Ásatrú traditional symbols in their literature, and misunderstandings about Asatruar emphasis on Ancestral heritage. Some “folkish” Ásatrú groups believe that the believers are bound to the Gods via their bloodline, and forbid members without Scandinavian or Germanic ancestry, but these groups are the exception rather than the rule.
Symbols of Ásatrú: Symbols vary, but may include an axe, Thor’s hammer (Mjolnir), Odin’s horn, the Irminsul, Trefot, Fylfot (Swastika/Sunwheel) or similar items worn for personal meaning or identification and recognition purposes.
Holidays and observances: Many Ásatrú holidays are patterned after ancient Norse observances, and some are thoroughly modern. Important Asatru festivals include the Equinoxes and Solstices, The Charming of the Plow in February, and Fogmoon, a celebration of the Einherjar, those slain in battle, in November. The most important observance is the Blot ritual, a blood offering or sacrifice to the Gods. Animal sacrifice is seldom practiced in modern Asatru but is practiced from time to time by Dragon's Hearth.
Blot: Blot is an Icelandic word literally meaning blood, and involves pouring out mead, ale, or other drinks onto the Earth as a sacrifice to the Gods & Goddesses, as well as sharing that blessing with the participants by passing around a drinking horn with that mead or ale, or by sprinkling some of the mead or ale on the participants. In ancient times they would sacrifice animals and/or human criminals or prisoners of war and offer the blood up to the gods. The flesh of the animals would be cooked and eaten by the Blot participants and the inedible parts were burned as an offering to the gods. An Asatru religious ceremony is called a Blot, pronounced "bloat". Eight major Blots are celebrated by Asatruars each year. These are listed below, with the modern English name of each given first, followed by its Old Norse name in parenthesis, and its approximate date -- although the usual practice is to hold the Blot on the nearest weekend.
Disfest (Disablot) 31 January
Ostara (Ostara)21 March
May Eve (Valpurgis) 30 April
Midsummer (Midsumarsblot) 21 June
Freysfest (Freysblot) 1 August
Harvestfest (Haustblot) 21 September
Winter Night (Vetrnaetr 31 October
Yule (Jol) (Yule)20th December - January 1st
There is also the Alfablot to honour the Alfar. Other Blots are also held for special life events such as weddings, funerals, coming of age rites, etc.
Symbel: Besides the Blot, there is another kind of Asatru ceremony called the Symbel, which is a kind of formalized religious toasting. Symbels are held whenever people want to hold them.
The symbel is a ritualized toasting in which a horn with mead or ale is passed around and each participant makes a toast, a boast, an oath, or says something significant over the drink. It is said that the words spoken at a symbel echo throughout all the Nine Worlds so words spoken there should be thoughtful and meaningful.
Worldwide Map of Asatruars and Heathens. The purpose of this map is to help Asatruars and Heathens to find other Asatruars and Heathens in their area, for the purposes of communicating, gathering, and kindred-formation. It should also be useful for Asatruars and Heathens that are moving or traveling into an area. THE MAP IS 3 PAGES. They all appear on the map, but to see every entry in the sidebar you must LOOK at page 1, page 2, and page 3.
Page 1 - http://tinyurl.com/29x28ro
Page 2 - http://tinyurl.com/3a57vuz
Page 3 - http://tinyurl.com/2emzsh3
TO BE ADDED TO THE MAP, SIMPLY EMAIL: Stephanie [email protected] with (1) your name or your kindred's name, (2) your city, state, and country, and (3) some form of contact information. She will then add you to the map.
Here is the link:
https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/viewer?mid=1bJb9fSzHPu3FqX9jRW4tAoAs-R8&hl=en_US&ll=20.79527607101793%2C-94.46044799999993&z=2