SWAMPY’s ASATRU 101 ASATRU! WHAT IS IT?

  • ASATRU Is the modern version of the religion that was practiced by the peoples of Northern Europe. Who followed the Norse and Germanic gods. It gained its current name in Iceland during the 1970s when it was finally allowed to come out in the open prior to that it had been outlawed by the church as well as the government.

    (Note: there is some evidence that the term ASATRU was used much earlier but it was not as widely used as it is today)

    It has spread around the world and in the process has formed itself into many different groups and traditions. There is no one main leading body to govern ASATRU so each group has its own leaders and rules. Most groups are divided into Hearths and Hofs and several Hofs make up a group. There are several titles to refer to a group but Kindred is the most commonly used term for a group.

    The Hearth is the smallest unit this is a family unit. A Hof is a group of families who if lucky enough have there own building which is also called a Hof and is built facing North to South. If they have a existing building the Stalli is placed facing North and South. Ok what’s a Stalli you say that’s the Altar which can be dedicated to a single God or to all the Gods of the ASEIR and VANIR.

    The clergy of ASATRU are known as Gothi(Priest) or Gythia(Priestess). Being called Gothi does not mark any administrative or religious power or rank within ASATRU as a whole. The Gothar are those who have chosen to take on more responsibilities. Anyone in ASATRU can reach the Gods through their own prayers or blots without being a Gothi. The requirements vary from group to group. Some might have written tests, while others might leave it up to the persons heart. The true test of a Gothi is not one of credentials, but of whether the Hof takes one seriously or not.

    Note many ASATRUAR prefer the term Heathen over pagan when referring to themselves.

    So to sum it up ASATRU is a very old religion as well as a modern one and its practiced in one form or other around the world. I hope you will learn the very basics about our faith.

    So WASSAIL friends! and enjoy the site.

SPELLING OFWORDS

  • Put five ASATRUAR in a room ask them to spell a commonly used word and your going to get five versions on how to spell it! So when looking around for information don’t panic folks that’s the way its become everyone is using a different root language!

THE NOBLE VIRTUES

  • The Nine Noble Virtues of Asatru:
  • 1.Boldness- Courage, Bravery, Standing up for what you believe in.
  • 2.Truth- Honesty in all things both to yourself & to others.
  • 3.Honor- To do as you say and to act upon your convictions.
  • 4.Troth- Loyalty to the self, family, friends, & the Gods & Goddesses.
  • 5.Self-Rule- Judgment & Self Control to govern yourself by your convictions.
  • 6.Hospitality- To freely share your gifts with others.
  • 7.Industriousness- To work wholeheartedly both hard & intelligently. To keep thinking & growing as a person.
  • 8.Free-Standing- Self-Reliance. Rely on others as infrequently as you possibly can. But don’t be afraid to ask for help when you need it!
  • 9.Perseverance- Don’t give up at what you do until you feel it is completed & done well.
  • These beliefs are the core of ASATRU they guide us through our daily lives. We have no set book such as the BIBLE but we do have the EDDAS. They are a collection of the stories of the Gods written after the people were converted to Christian faith. But they are a good source for learning about our faith. There are also other works that can help a person in there studies of our faith .So don’t hesitate to look in other books for information even if they are treating our faith as a religion of the past!

THE GODS

  • ODIN He is the chief God leader of the Aesir he gave us the runes and he knows all that goes on in the nine worlds from his ravens and his wolfs.
  • TYR Is the god of Law
  • THOR Is a son of Odin protector of Asgard and Migard. His animal is the goat of which he has two who pull his wagon.
  • FRIGGA She is the wife of ODIN and has prophetic knowledge she rarely speaks of it. She is the goddess of mothers and the home.
  • FREYA she is the Goddess of magic love and physical well-being. Her magic is called Seith or Sedir.Her animals are cats of which she also has two and sows.
  • FREY He is FREYA’s twin brother He is lord of prosperity, material and physical well-being. He controls the natural processes in the land and air. Animals are boar, deer and horses.
  • NJORD He is the father of the twins Frey and Freya. He is god of the sea and harbors.
  • RAN she is a goddess of the sea wife of Aegir she collects those who die at sea and brings them to her hall when they die.
  • BRAGI God of Eloquence, and poetry husband to Idhunn.
  • EIR Goddess of healing.
  • FORSETI God of Justice he is the judge of the Gods.
  • FULLA attendant to Frigga.
  • GEFJON Goddess of Virtue you may obtain gifts of the body and spirit from her.
  • GNA Goddess of Transformation She raises awareness also a attendant to Frigga.
  • HELLA daughter of Loki she rules the land of the dead.
  • HLIN Attendant to Frigga and protects people from danger.
  • HODHR The god of blind Force He is the brute strength and the embodiment of conflict.
  • IDHUNN Goddess of eternal renewal she is the keeper of the golden apples.
  • LOFN Goddess of Indulgence attendant to both Odin and Frigga.
  • LOKI the trickster he was born a giant but made a blood brother to Odin and is the god of Fire and of smiths. Though he does love to play a good trick on the Gods but sometimes they tend to get out of hand.
  • SAGA Goddess who is the story teller to the gods.
  • SAKDI goddess of hunting and winter wife first to Njord then to Ullr.
  • SIF Goddess of the Harvest wife to Thor her hair is made of pure gold.
  • SJOFN She is a love Goddess perhaps an aspect of Freya.
  • SNOTRA goddess of Intelligence.
  • SYN Goddess of Denial is the defender in legal matters.
  • ULLR god of winter sports and of War.
  • VALI God of Vengeance.
  • VAR Goddess of honesty will take vengeance if a oath is broken that is made in her name on the party that breaks it.
  • VIDHARR God of silence is good to call on to overcome a crisis.
  • VOR Goddess of awareness nothing can be hidden from her.

THE AESIR

  • The Aesir are the great gods who live in Asgard. The Aesir correspond to the functions of magic, law, and war. And they are Balder, Fjorgyn, Forseti, Frigga, Hermod, Hod, Loki, Magni, Meili, Mudi, Nanna, Odin, Sif, Sigyn, Thor, Thrudh, Tyr, Vidar and Voli

THE VANIR

  • They are race of gods, who were frequently at war with the Aesir, but later reconciled and dwelt with them in Asgard. The Vanir correspond to fertility, prosperity, eroticism and magic. They are more gentle and concerned with matters of nature and fertility.
  • And they are Aegir, Bragi, Frey, Freya, Heimdall, Hnossa, Holde, Idunna, Nanna, Nerthus, Njord, Ostara, Ran, Skadi, Svol, and Ullr.

OTHER BEINGS and CRITTERS of the NINEWORLDS

  • Land Wights Protective Spirits of The Earth that live among us in Midgard.
  • House Wights Spirits that are attached to a particular place or family.
  • Valkyries Help collect the Battle Dead and deliver them to Freya & Odin’s Halls.
  • Disir Minor Goddesses that promote healing, love and safety in the home.
  • Swartalfar Great Smiths/Tool Makers. Guardians of naturally occurring metals & resources.
  • Trolls Mischevious Spirits who dwell in Midgard Under Rocks, In Streams, etc.
  • Etins/Jontar/Giants/ Chaotic forces of the Universe.
  • Huldafolk Hidden Folk with tails that travel Midgard unseen in daylight.
  • Fetches Beings that accompany those not killed in battle to the realm of the dead.
  • Norns Similar to the Greek fates, weavers of Wyrd. There are three: Urd, Verdandi & Skuld.
  • Hughnin & Mughnin Odin’s Ravens Thought & Memory who circle the world and tell Odin what they see.

THE NINEWORLDS

  • 1. Asgard: the home of the Aesir the gods each have a hall for them and there followers. The more commonly known halls are Sessirum FREYA’s hall and Valhalla Odin’s hall.
  • 2. Vanaheim: The home of the Vanir Gods.
  • 3. Alfheim: The home of the Light Elves.
  • 4. Svartalfheim: The home of the Dark Elves. They live mainly underground.
  • 5. Nidellvir: The home of the Dwarves. They are excellent craftsmen and are known to make the best weapons and armor in all the nine worlds.
  • 6. Jotunheim: The home of the Giants. The giants are basically humanoid in appearance and color.
  • 7. Muspell: The home of the Fire Giants.
  • 8. Niflheim: A world of ice and fog and is also the home of Nidhug the Dragon, who feeds on the dead who have truly lived a evil life . Helheim is the land of the dead and is a part of Niflheim and is ruled by Hela.
  • 9. Midgard: Where you are now Folks! And is connected to Asgard by the Bifrost bridge.

HOLIDAYS

  • Many kindred’s have there own holidays but these are the ones they all seem to celebrate.
  • YULE 20 – 31 December
  • Celebration of the Norse New Year; a festival of 12 nights. This is the most important of all the Norse holidays. On the night of December 20, the god Frey rides over the earth on the back of his shining boar, bringing Light and Love back into the World. In later years, after the influence of Christianity, the god Baldur, then Jesus, was reborn at this festival. Yule signifies the beginning and end of all things; the darkest time (shortest hour of daylight) during the year and the brightest hope re-entering the world. During this festival, the Wild Hunt is at its greatest fervor, and the dead are said to range the Earth in its retinue. The gods Odin or Thor are the leaders of this Wild Ride; Thor in his goat drawn wagon and Odin on Sleipnir make for a very awe-inspiring vision. In ancient times, Germanic and Norse children would leave their boots out by the hearth on Solstice Eve, filled with hay and sugar, for Sleipnir’s journey. In return, Odin or Thor would leave them a gift for their kindness.
  • Thurseblot (Thor’s Feast: Full Moon of January) Minor feast honoring Thor, the protector of Midgard. During this time, the height of the Storm season, Thor’s power is invoked to drive back the frost Jotuns so that Spring may return to Midgard.
  • Disting 2 February
  • Festival of the Idises, when the effects of Winter are beginning to lessen and the world prepares itself for Spring. Corresponds to the pagan holiday of Imbolc. Disting is characterized by preparing the land for planting. In ancient times, Disting was the time when the cattle were counted and one’s wealth was tallied; thus making it a festival of finance as well. It was said that new calves born during Disting were a sign of great prosperity for the coming year.
  • Ostara 20-21 March
  • Festival of Ostara (Eostre), the Spring Goddess. This is a festival of renewal, rejoicing and fertility, although for most of the Northern People, the forces of Winter are still at full sway. In ancient times, the gift of colored eggs to one’s friends and loved ones was a way of wishing them well for the coming season; a magical ritual of prosperity and fecundity. The rabbit was the symbol of this festival as well because of its re-emergence during this season, and for its reproductive ability. These two rituals have survived into the modern holiday of Easter (which derives its name from Eostre) as Easter eggs and the Easter bunny. Like most ancient heathen rituals, they are relegated into the world of children; held for naught among adults; but the race memory lingers on.
  • Walpurgis/Thrimilci 22 April – 1 May
  • The festival of Walpurgis, a night both of revelry and darkness. The nine nights of April 22 (interestingly enough, the modern festival of Earth Day) to April 30 are venerated as remembrance of the All Father’s self-sacrifice upon the World Tree Yggdrasil. It was on the ninth night (April 30, Walpurgisnacht) that he beheld the Runes, grasped them, and ritually died for an instant. At that moment, all the Light in the 9 worlds is extinguished, and utter Chaos reigns. At the final stroke of midnight, the Light returns in dazzling brilliance, and the bale-fires are lit. On Walpurgisnacht, the dead have full sway upon the earth; it is the ending night of the Wild Hunt. May 1 is the festival of Thrimilci; the beginning of Summer. Thrimilci is a festival of joy and fertility, much like Ostara; however, most of the Northern World is finally escaping from the snow at this time.
  • Einherjar 30 May Minor modern Asatru festival honoring the warriors who fell during battle and who ascended to Valhalla’s halls. Corresponds with the modern American holiday of Memorial Day.
  • Midsummer 20-21 June
  • Celebration of the Summer Solstice, when the power of the Sun is at its height. It was at this time that most foreign trade was conducted, as well as shipping, fishing expeditions, and raiding. Thus, Midsummer was the festival of power and activity. It was not without its dark side as well. Midsummer was recognized as the longest day of the year; thus, the year began to age after this time and the days grow progressively shorter. The god Baldur is said to have been sacrificed at this time, but is reborn at Yule; the hero Sigurd was also said to have been slain by treachery at Midsummer by his blood-brothers Hagan and Gunthur (Gundahar).
  • Lithasblot 31 July – 1 August
  • The harvest festival; giving thanks to Urda (Ertha) for her bounty. Lithasblot has long been associated with ceremonial magic and magical workings.
  • Harvest End (Mabon) 22-23 September Mabon is a minor blot acknowledging the end of the Harvest Season, also associate with vintage and mead-making. Most people held off the full celebration of this holiday, though, until the main festival of Winternights.
  • Winternights 29 October – 2 November
  • The beginning of the winter season for the Northern folk. Remembrances of the dead and one’s ancestors were made during this feast. Winternights was a ceremony of wild abandon; much like the Carnivals season in the Mediterranean countries, and it marked the end of the summer season of commerce and travel and the beginning of the winter season of hunting. Much divination was done during Winternights to foretell the fates of those entering the coming year. It was said that if one sat on a barrow-mound (grave) all night long on Winternights, one would have full divinatory, shamanism (galdr and seith), and bardic (skaldr) powers . . . that is, if one retained one’s sanity! Winternights marked the beginning of the Wild Hunt, which would continue until Walpurgisnacht. This festival corresponds roughly to the Celtic Samhain, and the modern American festival of Halloween, although the darker aspects of the festival are not as pronounced among the Norse people. (The Norse festival of darkness was Walpurgis, a full 6 months away).

RITUALS

  • THE BLOT:(pronounced “bloat”) This is the most common religious ritual; it is a sacrifice to the Gods. The Gods are offered beer, mead, cider etc. Those present take a drink from the drinking horn.
  • THE SUMBEL: This is a ritual celebration, in which a horn filled with drink is passed around the group. Each person delivers a greeting; a toast to the Gods, ancient heroes, or one’s ancestors; or a story, song or poem. He or she then drinks from the horn.
  • PROFESSION: This is the act of making a commitment to Asatru to the exclusion of other faiths, by solemnly giving an oath of allegiance and kinship to the Gods of Asgard, the Aesir and Vanir. It is a simple ceremony usually done in the presence of a Gothi or Gythia and the rest of the Hof. It is taken on an oath ring.
  • SIGN OF THE HAMMER: This is a sign that many but not all ASATRU make when calling on the Gods. To make it make a fist with your right hand then at your forehead go down to your neck then to your left shoulder then to your right shoulder. Many call on various Gods as they make it. A version of this is also done by many at the start of Blots and Sumbels.
  • TOOLS USED FOR RITUALS: Several tools may be used the most common being a drinking horn and a bowl. These are used for Blots and Sumbels the bowl is where the God being honored drink is poured and the horn is used to pour it and to pour the drink into the horns of those present.
  • ART WORK: Pictures or statues may be used to represent the Gods being honored but it is not necessary.
  • SYMBOLS: Many Gods have different symbols and many people use them when performing Blots but once again this is up to the people doing the Blot.
  • SPECIAL DRESS: This is not needed in ASATRU but many do have special outfits they wear when making Blots.
  • So the two main items one needs are a drinking horn and a bowl to perform a Blot. So you see you can be as fancy as you whish or simple as you whish. The Gods will hear you all the same!

MAGIC!

Yes folks we have magic in ASATRU. Does everyone use it? Nope; only those who feel they have the calling of the Gods use it. There are two kinds that are used they are the Sedir and Rune Magic. By the way folks, Sedir is one of those words that you’re going to see half a dozen ways to spell!

A user of magic in ASATRU is often called a Vitki orVitkia one of there traditional colors is red another being green which isFREYA’s color. Either females or males maybe Vitki though you will more oftenfind women as Vitkia.

RUNE MAGIC: ODIN taught us the runes and how to use them so its always wise to consult him before casting. The most common form of Rune Magic is to cast fortunes much as one would Tarot cards. There are many good books on the subject. Also, Runes are used when casting various spells.

SEDIR: FREYA gave us this type of magic so once againit is wise to consult with her before casting spells. Sedir is a way of reshapingthe inner or outer world with the will of the Vitki. Sedir makes use of magicalmaterials and substances.

And yes folks, I am being skimpy on the information as the use of magic is not for everyone as it will bite you back when you cast spells. So if you truly wish to learn find yourself a teacher and learn from them.

SYMBOLS

There are many symbols used in ASATRU some are usedwhen doing Blots to represent a particular God or Goddess and some are usedto identify a member of ASATRU. Those used as both a symbol of the faithand a god are the following:

THORS HAMMER which is THORS symbol: This is a hammerusually made of some kind of metal silver pewter etc. and is usually wornas a pendant.

The VALKNOT (valknutr) is Odin’s symbol: The tripleknot represents the triple nature of ODIN as High, Just As High, and Third,as well as the trio ODIN, VILI, and VE. There is absolutely no evidence thatthe valknot should be displayed point up or point down; this doesn’t matteror have a positive or negative connotation as some believe of the pentagram.On Viking age memorial stones, on which we see Valknots carved, they appearin both forms.

YAGGDRASIL THE WORLD TREE: literally, Ygg’s (Odin’s)Steed, upon which He hanged Himself for nine nights in order to gain therunes, is the World Tree (axis mundi, Irminsul). It symbolizes the NorseCosmos with its Nine Worlds supported by the tree’s limbs and roots. Yggdrasilis most often referred to as an Ash tree, but there is also evidence thatGermanic people sometimes thought of it as a Yew. In Norse mythology, thefirst two humans were made by ODIN, VILI and VE from driftwood tree trunkson the shores of the primal sea. Ask and Embla (Ash and Elm) were their names.Ash being the male and Elm the female. This is seen in many ASATRU worksof art and is used by some to represent the faith as well as ODIN.

SYMBOLIC TOOLS USED DURING BLOTS These tools are usedduring a Blot to a specific God or Goddess. They will normally have the godsrune on it.

THE GANDR(RUNE WAND): This is a wand with usually theelder runes carved on it. It is used during Odin’s Blot. Note some timesit is also used during FRIGGA’s Blot.

THE BRISINGAMEN :Represents FREYA’s necklace and isusually made of amber or gold.

THE ANTLER: This is used for FREY the antler representsthe weapon he used against Beli.

SWORD: The sword is used for TYR and is also used forBALDER as well. Swords may be expensive as one can afford or you may makea simple wooden one.

THOR’S HAMMER: These are actual hammers unlike thependants very good small drilling or sledge hammers can be found at mosthardware stores. These hammers usually come in the traditional hammer styleassociated with THOR. Also Wooden hammers are acceptable for use.

SPINNING WHEEL: FRIGGA’S symbol is a spinning wheel. Though the spinning wheel used in Viking times was a staff with a bobbin on it and the thread would spin downwards from the staff. Note the staff is commonly called a Distaff.  [ Katia inserts: the Orion’s belt is called in Sweden, “Friggarock” meaning Frigga’s Spinning Wheel, the place where all fates are known.  Read Frigga, the Beloved for more. Grimm says: “A constellation of the heavens, Orion’s belt, is called Fraggiar rockr after the highest goddess. But the constellation also means Mariarock, Mariarock in Danish because Christians applied the old name to Mary the heavenly mother.” ]

KEYS: Another symbol for FRIGGA are keys. Keys representthe home since Norse women were the keeper of the homestead’s keys. FRIGGAis also a Goddess of the home so the use of keys makes sense.

As I have said before you may use any or none of these tools for your home stallis.

 

RELATED TRADITIONS

There are several related Traditions to ASATRU. I amsure this is just a partial listing of them. To be a related Tradition theymust worship at least one or more of the Norse and Germanic gods. I willnot attempt to explain why they consider themselves different from ASATRU.Many of their Kindreds have websites so look to them on why they considerthemselves different.

Anglo-Saxon Eldright

ODINISM

THEODISM

FORNA SEDEN

NORSE WICCA

VANATRU

RUNES

MYTHS

Yes folks ASATRU has its stories on how the world wasmade and how it will end. So here for your reading pleasure is the Creationstory and the story of Ragnarok.

The Creation Story

In the beginning, Muspelheim is in the South. Niflheimis in the North. In between is the great spring Hvergelmir. Hvergelmir islocated in Ginungagap, a chasm between Muspelheim and Niflheim. Ginungagapmeans “gap of gaps.” Niflheim is nothing but ice. Muspelheim is nothing butfire. Hvergelmir is a huge boiling spring of water slowly melting the iceof Niflheim is the largest area. The action of the ice melting creates agiant called Ymir. Ymir emerges from the ice and is hungry. A second creaturealso emerges: Audhumla a cow which provides Ymir with milk. Audhumla licksthe ice for salt, and as she licks she revels more beings. From Ymir comemore creatures as well. From his legs a race of giants is created. Man andwoman are created from his armpit. Audhumla uncovers the head of a god. Heis called Buri which means “He Who Is Born.” He comes out of the ice andtakes a giantess for a wife. Audhumla then finds Borr he too takes a giantessfor a wife. They give birth to Odin, Vili, and Ve.

 

Borr fathers Odin, Vili, and Ve. Odin, Vili, and Verecognize that Ymir is evil and begin a war against him and the giants. Theykill Ymir, and his blood pours out and floods everything. It drowns the humankindand all of the giants except one couple: Bergelmir and his wife escape ina boat. Later the races of giants give the gods much trouble because of thisescape. When the blood subsides Odin, Vili, and Ve roll the body into Ginungagapand cut it up and create the universe. His skull becomes the sky. His bonesbecome rocks. His flesh becomes the earth. His blood becomes the oceans,lakes, etc. His hair becomes vegetation. Odin, Vili, and Ve find maggotsin the corpse. From the maggots they create elves and dwarves. There arelight elves and dark elves. Dark elves are sometimes seen as being the sameas dwarves. The skull of Ymir has to be held up by the sky. They use fourdark elves for this job: Nordri, Sudri, Austri, and Oestri the four directions.Odin, Vili, and Ve take a walk along the lakeshore. They then from two trees,from which they create a man and woman to tend the earth: Ask (the ash tree= male) and Embla (the elm or elder tree = woman).

 

RAGNAROK “Destruction of the powerful ones.” A dayis going to come for the Fimbul winter (winter of winters) when brotherswill be fighting brothers, parents will abandon their children, childrenwill turn on their parents. There will be three winters with no summer. Atthe end of the winter it will be Ragnarok “the Twilight of the Gods,”. OnRagnarok, many things will happen. Nidhug will gnaw through the roots ofYggdrasil at which time Jormungand will arise from out of the ocean and Fenrirwill burst his bonds. Then Loki will be broken free and will lead the FrostGiants and all their dead souls into open combat against the Gods. They willhave to cross a river on a raft Nagilfari which must be completed beforeRagnarok. The raft is made from the fingernails of corpses. Hela has to releaseeveryone. Garm breaks out of the Gnipa cave. All of this is accompanied bya great noise and commotion. Heimdall sees what is happening, blows a longblast on the Gjallar horn. All the Gods know what is happening and armthemselves. There is a tremendous number of horrid beings to face but theGods are in high spirits. They are joined by the Einheriar who awaited thisday for all time. Loki leads the horde across the river, headed toward aplan called Vigrid. There they meet in the battle of Ragnarok. Garm comescharging out of nowhere. Tyr faces Garm and the battle is long they killeach other. Loki comes charging up to face Heimdall. A long battle ensues,ending in the death of both. Even Surtri from Muspelheim appears and fightsagains the Gods. Only Frey can equal him in brilliance. They meet in battleFrey doesn’t have his sword and he is killed Surtri lives. Odin spies Fenrircoming. Odin has Gungnir, but Fenrir attacks him from his blind side andkills him. But Vidar, Odin’s son, jumps forward and steps on Fenrir’s lowerjaw, grabs the upper jaw and rips the wolf in half. Thor can’t wait to getat Jormungand, who is likewise full of fury. Thor blasts him with a blowthat completely crushes his head. But his mouth is full of poison which poursover Thor. Thor staggers back nine steps and falls down dead. Then Surtrigathers his fire demons and they pour fire forth and destroy most of theuniverse. It is the end of the world. There is a ray of hope: Mimir the Wisetakes two human beings and hides them in the folds of the trunk of Yggdrasilasleep. Lif (male) and Lifthrasir (female). They live through the battle.They sleep for years. The earth begins to turn green again they wake. Theycome forth to begin repopulation. And they see that some gods are nowreappearing. Honir, Thor’s sons Magni and Modi, Odin’s sons Vidar and Vali,and Hoder and Balder.

HAIL THEHEROES