Ásatrú and Odinism Historical Influences and Precursors
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.
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.
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
Historical Precursors - Asatru Norse Mythology books - Kveldulf Gundarsson The Broader Neo-Pagan Movement A Wind through the World Tree 1972-1973 Stephen McNallen s Viking Brotherhood (Ásatrú Free Assembly) The Odhinnist Fellowship (John Yeowell) Asatruarmenn (Svienbjörn Beinteinsson) Icelandic Asatru
Worldview Animistic and panentheistic Nature filled with spirtis, gods Magic = miracle: asking for aid from spiritual sources Nature based
Worldview Cyclical Ragnarok Multi-versal Yggdrasil: Asgard Vanaheim Ljossalfheim Svartalfheim Midgard Muspellheim Joutunheim Niefelheim Helheim
Ethics Courage Truth Honour Troth Self-Discipline Hospitality Industriousness Self-Reliance Perseverance Tribalist Nine Noble Virtues Havamal
Theology Polytheistic Aesir: Odin Frigg Thor Sif Loki Tyr
Theology Vanir: Njord & Skadi Freya & Freyr Supernatural Beings: Landsvaettir Disir Valkyries Norns Wights, etc.
Organization Kindred Hearths Garths Heathens Gydhia/Godhi, Godhar Moots, Things, Althings
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 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
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)
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
Varieties of Heathenism Asatru Irminsul Aettir Icelandic model No racialist message Not based on Kindred, instead on aettir - means extended family.
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)
Varieties of Heathenism Odinism The Odinic Rite Asatru Folk Assembly Folkish Asatru Asatru Folk Assembly Asatru Irminsul Aettir General Germanic Paganism The Troth
Rituals Blots Sumbels
Rituals Seidhr Spirit possession Hrafnar
Rituals Galdr Making Taufr
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)