Ásatrú and Odinism. Historical Influences and Precursors

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Beverly Cross
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1 Ásatrú and Odinism Historical Influences and Precursors

hunters, and warriors Elder (poetic) and Younger (prose) Eddas Tell stories of gods, goddesses, men,

2 Historical Precursors- Heathenism Pre-Christian Germanic Religion and Culture - Tribal - Carl or clan leader = civil and spiritual head of clan - Religion integrated into daily life - Vikings as farmers, hunters, and warriors Elder (poetic) and Younger (prose) Eddas Tell stories of gods, goddesses, men, women, giants, dwarfs, warriors, farmers, etc. all interacting - role models for how to live, love, die in honour.

3 Historical Precursors- Heathenism Icelandic Sagas Multi-generational family stories - very real details about the daily lives, religious practices, etc. - Olaf Tryggvason - Raud the Strong - Queen Sigrid of Sweden Snorri Sturlusson - compiled Eddas in 11th c., but stories predate this.

4 Historical Precursors - Odinism Social Turmoil in Germany Wotan/Odin worship Swastika = Thor s hammer and wheel of sun Alexander Rud Mills The Odinist Religion: Overcoming Jewish Christianity (1930) Else Christensen The Odinist Fellowship (1971) Racism/Racialism

Stephen McNallen s Viking Brotherhood (Ásatrú Free Assembly) The Odhinnist

5 Historical Precursors - Asatru Norse Mythology books - Kveldulf Gundarsson The Broader Neo-Pagan Movement A Wind through the World Tree Stephen McNallen s Viking Brotherhood (Ásatrú Free Assembly) The Odhinnist Fellowship (John Yeowell) Asatruarmenn (Svienbjörn Beinteinsson) Icelandic Asatru

6 Worldview Animistic and panentheistic Nature filled with spirtis, gods Magic = miracle: asking for aid from spiritual sources Nature based

7 Worldview Cyclical Ragnarok Multi-versal Yggdrasil: Asgard Vanaheim Ljossalfheim Svartalfheim Midgard Muspellheim Joutunheim Niefelheim Helheim

8 Ethics Courage Truth Honour Troth Self-Discipline Hospitality Industriousness Self-Reliance Perseverance Tribalist Nine Noble Virtues Havamal

9 Theology Polytheistic Aesir: Odin Frigg Thor Sif Loki Tyr

10 Theology Vanir: Njord & Skadi Freya & Freyr Supernatural Beings: Landsvaettir Disir Valkyries Norns Wights, etc.

11 Organization Kindred Hearths Garths Heathens Gydhia/Godhi, Godhar Moots, Things, Althings

12 Ritual Tools Bowl Ring Hammer

Varieties of Heathenism Odinism The Odinic Rite Emphasis is primarily on the god Odin, less on other Aesir and Vanir deities Odin as all father, the male divine principle, source of all inspiration

13 Varieties of Heathenism Odinism The Odinic Rite Emphasis is primarily on the god Odin, less on other Aesir and Vanir deities Odin as all father, the male divine principle, source of all inspiration Religion genetically appropriate for certain people and not for others Without race there is nothing: therefore our first duty is a study of race and the significance of Aryan people to world history

14 Varieties of Heathenism Folkish Asatru Asatru Folk Assembly Polytheistic (not Odin-centred) No political racist/racialist agenda - but, still maintain genetic argument re: religion Stephen McNallen (original founder of Viking Brotherhood)

Tribal - hierarchical structure of Lord/Lady (leaders), Carls (active, knowledgeable members) and

15 Varieties of Heathenism Theodism Garmin Lord Heathen Reconstructionism - reviving not only the religion, but the culture, art, lifestyles, of pre-christian Germanic peoples Self-consciously Tribal - hierarchical structure of Lord/Lady (leaders), Carls (active, knowledgeable members) and Thralls (those who seek to join, but not yet found worthy). Stress importance of learning, scholarship

16 Varieties of Heathenism Asatru Irminsul Aettir Icelandic model No racialist message Not based on Kindred, instead on aettir - means extended family.

17 Varieties of Heathenism General Germanic Paganism The Troth Germanic mythology, but can be Druid with Germanic emphasis, Witch with Germanic emphasis, etc. Elders (The High Rede) - governing council Godman, Godwoman (instead of Gydhia/Godhi)

18 Varieties of Heathenism Odinism The Odinic Rite Asatru Folk Assembly Folkish Asatru Asatru Folk Assembly Asatru Irminsul Aettir General Germanic Paganism The Troth

19 Rituals Blots Sumbels

20 Rituals Seidhr Spirit possession Hrafnar

21 Rituals Galdr Making Taufr

22 Rituals Wheel of the Year Disting/Disablot (Jan 31-Feb. 1) Ostara (March 21) Maitag/Merry Moon (April 30-May 1) Midsummer (June 21) Loaf-Feast/Freyfaxi (July 31/Aug. 1) Fallfest/Winter Finding (Sept. 21) Dieses/Winternight (15 th -30 th October)

What are the four Solar Festivals in Celtic Neo-paganism? What are the four types of blood sacrifice identified by Margaret Murray?

What are the four Solar Festivals in Celtic Neo-paganism? What are the four types of blood sacrifice identified by Margaret Murray? R.S. 2811 (F2011) Midterm Exam Study Questions You might need to download and read the Powerpoint.pdfs and lecture notes online to find all the answers! According to the myth of druidism, what two elements