By: Shawn Rowland
Heathenism has grown leaps and bounds in the past 30 years. What started as a seemingly anachronistic reach for a distant past of misty hills and awe-inspiring wights has over time developed a very unique theology and philosophy. Not even so much developed per se, but rather, recaptured. Since most of our modern thoughts rely so heavily on what our ancestors actually did believe, this is not too far-fetched. This general tendency is overall, a good thing. It is only natural for humans to look to the past for inspiration, wisdom, and hope. Unfortunately though, there has been an adverse side-effect to this.
All religions, sooner or later, have schisms. Even in seemingly supra-tolerant ones like Buddhism or Taoism. Heathenism, being born of far sterner stuff than quietist ideologies, have had more schisms in 30 years than most groups have in 100! Our ancestors held individualism in very high regard, and it is no wonder that such a legacy would contribute to our collective history of in-fighting. This is a tendency, that while normal for our folk, in light of rational knowledge about the human psyche, could very well lead to a short-lived demise.
This world, whether we like it or not, is becoming more and more based on the rational Western model of thinking which has its ultimate birth in the Age of Reason, and the current Age of Technology. From the Western model we have truly evolved states of deduction like the Scientific Method, and Socratic Reductionism. From the mentally-focused frame of Western culture, we are beginning to understand the objective reality of life, and yet be able to relish in our own subjective understanding of that reality. This is in and of itself, a good thing. The dark side to that issue though, are problems such as distance with nature, globalism, consumerism, pop-psychologists, emotional dissonance, and the like. Some Heathens, myself included, can separate the wheat from the chaff. We enjoy the wonders of modernity, but balance it with the teachings and cultures of old. We realize that though our shining heritage may lay to the eastern shores of a far-off Europe, we live in the here and the now, in the corruption of America(or wherever we may be residing), and we have to deal with that.
Most deal with it in a bit of a mercurial manner. This also is in the spirits of our ancestors, for while they valued folk and hearth above all else, they realized that other folks had similar lives, worries, and joys, that they too had stories and wisdom to share. I hold troth to Odhinn above any conceivable spiritual teacher or God, but I am not devoid of interest or respect for the likes of Shinto, Zen, or Voudun. This is also a belief held by Icelandic Asatru and is readily seen on their website, http://www.asatru.is/. They are Icelanders, direct descendants of the Viking Scandinavians and proud inheritors of the old ways which were always under the surface of their common culture. They are completely open and honest that some of their ways have been influenced by Eastern and Oriental thinking. Yet, they(and other European Heathens) seem so much more collected, and positively active in their faith.
In the United States, that is not the scene which has evolved. Instead, we bicker over rather spirituality or genetics are more important, who’s “slandering” who, who’s keeping oaths and who’s not, and generally have some very unhealthy cult of personalities going on. On top of this, as soon as someone is revealed as being a “rational free-thinker”, or studying anything from Reiki to the Qabbalah, they are labeled as “Westernized”, “too academic”, or “out of touch with the Ancestors”. I have heard some go to absurd lengths like joking about sacrificing such individuals, or in some way causing undue and ill-reasoned harm to these so-called “rabble-rousers”. Worst yet, we have folks who speak of, and even practice “outlawry”. Have we learned nothing from our Christian ancestors who have battled each other more than any other people in history? Have we not logically came to the conclusion that it is always only challenging ideas, and debating “heresies”, that cause religious philosophies to prosper and grow? I for one do not envision an Asatru that will be superstitious, ethnocentric, and theocratic, because in the light of historical study all of those characteristics are doomed to strife, miscommunication, and failure.
Does it really matter that folks meditate, or occasionally commune with Kali? Does it make any difference that your Heathen friend is perfectly fine with the interested Mexican, while you would rather just stick to folk and family? Do the Gods, in their kindness and might, really give a fig about you making friends with the local Saivite ashram? Does it mean anything that some believe different ethnic Gods might be the same being, while others vouch for extreme plurality? Or that one may seek to champion animal rights, while another loves to hunt?
We have long known that whether or not we seek Their blessings, or give offerings to wights, the crops still grow, the sun still rises, and humanity endures. We commune because They have wisdom to share, and we have yearnings which need fulfilled. We commune because of natural human nature to congregate with like minds, and to share in the joy of life, and of our individual and collective cultural genius.
Isn’t it about time to realize that according to our ancestor’s ways, heresy does not exist, and Odhinn above all else, is our prime example of mercurial wisdom-seeking? Isn’t it about time to realize that the Viking age is over, and that the vast majority of our folk were just looking to lead a good life and cared not for the spoils of war and negative emotions like needless hate, anger, and rage? Isn’t it about time to take the next step to ensure the survival of Heathenism beyond a 20th century spiritual revolution?
Those steps will be different for all of us, for none may do the same as others and indeed we will still disagree and debate. That is how it should be, but it takes all of us, not just a few, for this thing to work and to live on. It takes community, it takes vigilance, it takes visionaries, and it takes acceptance of life as it is, on the terms which are real and not some fantasy tribal alliance. It takes patience, wisdom, and well thought out actions. It takes neglecting the weapons of old, for more modern and useful weapons.
I have released my blood-stained sword in favor of the pen. What will you sacrifice, for the good of the folk?
this article also appeared in Issue #64 of Marklander under the ‘pen name’ UlfgrimR Odhinnsson