Asatru
By Anne S.
Revival
Asatru is a modern revival of the ancient Nordic religion, born in the 1970's after the Icelandic government recognised the petition by the poet Gothi Sveinbjorn Beinteinsson for formal recognition of the traditional beliefs. As it is practiced today, it is a spiritual expression of the pre-Christian beliefs of the Germanic peoples. These ancestors ranged from Russia to Scandinavia, and throughout the Teutonic countries on into Britain. Their myths and gods differ but underneath lies a common thread - a common heritage buried deep in the dawning of history. With the reawakening of the faith came a new diaspora as Asatru and its kin (the other Heathen faiths such as Odinism) spread across the world. Following the pattern of their spiritual ancestors, today's followers of Asatru are not a unified conglomerate, but rather smaller autonomous groups, often structured around family and/or community. These various groups all follow a similar path of beliefs and traditions, with small differences in practice. Certain aspects remain fundamental to all Asatruar, however.
Asatru
The word Asatru is of unknown origin, although many Asatruar trace it to an old Danish Asetro. It is associated with the meaning "those loyal to the gods". The Scandinavian people refer to the old religion as Forn Sith, (the 'ancient tradition'), Forn Sed (the ancient custom), Hedensk Sed (the Pagan custom), or the Nordisk Sed (the Nordic custom). There are other names such as Odinism, various Kindred groups, and Anglo-Saxon Heathenry (used by the British paths). Whatever name you use for it, it died out at the end of the C11th.
It is the Nordic belief system that has formed much of the structure for today's Heathen worshippers. Through the sagas and epic poetry of the Scandinavian countries comes most of what we know of the religion. But this should not be taken as the rule of Heathen faiths - the Nordic heritage may be dominant, but it is not the only one. Other deities, other myths, and other traditions linger in fragments of verse and archaeological scraps. They too are an integral part of the spiritual heritage of all Heathens, and the followers of some paths place greater value upon the remnants of a non-Nordic system which speaks to their hearts. Which is as it should be. To ignore or cast aside the spiritual ideas of our ancestors because they are tattered and worn is not an act behoving a Heathen. Honour to the family, to the ancestors and to the gods should always be shown.
The gods...If you have heard of Thor, or Odin, or Freya, then you have heard of the gods of the Asatruar. These are of the Nordic pantheon. Other Heathen movements include the various deities of the Teutonic beliefs - including Ostara, a goddess absorbed into many modern Pagan beliefs as the deity of Spring. The gods of Asatru are well-known and familiar to us, and if they whisper in your heart or thunder in your blood, then maybe you should investigate the paths of Heathenism.
Tradition
Because of the diversity of faith and path within Asatru, it is not easy to pin down specifics such as traditions and beliefs. The common elements are the Pantheistic nature of the religion, with the Nordic gods, elemental and Guardian spirits, and the Giants each holding a place. Generally the Asatruar identify with a particular god/s taken from the tribe their family/community venerate - whether the Aesir or Vanir. Life is lived according to the Nine Noble Virtues,
- Courage
- Truth
- Honor
- Fidelity
- Discipline
- Hospitality
- Industriousness
- Self-Reliance
- Perseverance
and rewarded accordingly upon death. All noble warriors slain in battle go to Valhalla, the good to Hel and the evil end up in Hifhel. The Asatruar strive to live without discrimination or prejudice, and in a way honourable to the ancestors and the gods.
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The Primary Gods of Asatru
- Frey is the Jul child, born on the Winter Solstice. He is a fertility deity.
- Freya leads the Valkyries, the gatherer of warrior souls, and is the Goddess of love and sexuality.
- Frigga is the Queen of the gods, and patroness of marriage, home and hearth.
- Odin, the One-Eyed, is the chief of the gods. He is also known as the Wise One, and often wanders the earth swathed in a grey cloak.
- Skadi, the Dark One, is the Goddess of death and hunting.
- Thor, the Thunderer. He wields Mjolnir and creates thunder and lightning. He is one of the most beloved of the gods and a champion of humanity.
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Some of the Important Festivals of Asartu
- The Blessing of the Plow is held in the first week of February in honour of Freya and the Disir.
- Summer Finding. Held at the Spring Equinox, the Summer Finding is dedicated to Ostara.
- Merry-Moon is held on Mayday to celebrate Spring.
- Midsummer.
- Harvest on the first weekend of August.
- Winter Finding. Held at the Autumnal Equinox.
- Fog Moon on November first is the festival of the dead.
- Jul - Winter Solstice. The most important festival of the Asatruar calendar, this lasts for twelve days.
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Asatruar Festivals Featured in The Pagan Heart
For further information about the rituals, deities, beliefs and traditions of Asatru, Heathenism, or the Northern Traditions in general, please visit these sites:
The Irminsul Aettir
Northvegr Foundation
Northvegr Foundation
Anglo-Saxon Heathenism
The Asatru Alliance
Asatru Basics
Odinism
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