HEATHENISM (ASATRU AND OTHER NORDIC TRADITIONS)

Heathenism is one of the oldest forms of Paganism that is still largely practiced today as it was thousands of years ago.  It is believed to have originated in Scandinavia, and for centuries was the religion of the Vikings.  With the spread of Christianity however, much of the religion dwindled considerably, and although Iceland (the final stronghold) was *officially* converted to Christianity, the locals still continued to practice Heathenism without much persecution.  This is why the Nordic Traditions have been preserved so well. There are twenty-four deities that Asatru recognises and honours.  The spelling and pronounciation of these deities vary (same with all the other names and terms) because of the various languages that Heathenism was translated through, however the symbols and associations at large have remained the same.  There are two family groups of deities - the Aesir and the Vanir.  The Vanir are the original deities the Scandinavians worshipped, whereas it is believed that the Aesir were adapted into the Heathen traditions from the Germanic peoples.  The most popular out of these twenty-four, whom the Eddas and myths tell us of, are Wodan (Odin), Thunar (Thor), Loki (though technically a frost giant) and Freyjadis (Freya).  To see a list of the twenty-four deities and their associations, click here. Similar to Wicca using the pentagram as an identification symbol, Asatru uses Thunar's hammer, Mjollnir, as pictured in the border.  This is because, although Wodan is the creater of the world, it was his son, Thunar, who created mankind, and who guards the plane of Middangeard (the physical world) from the threat of the Frost Giants.  It is no wonder that his magickal hammer has come to symbolise the Asatru religion.

While humankind is not considered to be the highest form of life, we are certainly the most complex being on Middangeard, and in Asatru may be seperated into eleven parts.  These are:

1.  The Lic (our body) 2.  the Hyde (smartness) 3.  the Mynd (memory) 4.  the Willa (will to do as we please) 5.  the Aethem (life force) 6.  the Hama (aura)

7.  the Orlaeg (karma) 8.  the Maegan (magickal power) 9.  the Faecce (totem) 10.  the Mod (self awareness) 11.  the Wod (passion)

In order to keep these parts healthy and functioning

properly, the Twelve Thews (a set of rules outlining the way in which we should live our lives) should be followed closely. The following are the Twelve Thews as outlined by Thunorwine (whose site seems to have disappeared, or I would link to it): 1.  Boldness (not to fear life and take charge of one's wyrd). 2.  Steadfastness (to accept what life and wyrd throw our way). 3.  Troth (to be loyal to those we have kinship or oath ties to). 4.  Generosity. 5.  Guestliness (always treat guests kindly). 6.  Sooth (to be truthful and honest). 7.  Wraith (sometimes it is necessary to defend yourself, family, nation and world against those who would use force on them). 8.  Equality (to treat others as people equally). 9.  Friendship. 10.  Freedom (to stay free and prevent others from losing theirs). 11.  Wisdom (to always learn and share your knowledge with others). 12.  Busyship (to work for one's self, family, kin, nation and world). As well as the Twelve Thews, the Alfather (Wodan) commands you to know the following if you are Asatruar:

Know how to carve, know how to read, Know how to stain, know how to understand, Know how to ask, know how to offer, Know how to evoke, know how to sacrifice.

The above information has all been taken from a group of historical documents known as the Eddas.  The Eddas as they are known today were written by Snorri in around the 12th Centrury.  Snorri was a monk in Iceland who was interested in preserving the Old Ways and his are the first written accounts of the Eddas and Sagas.  Prior to Snorri's accounts, all this information was passed on via oral traditions, and although some feel that their meaning has been lost a little with the translation to English, much of the original documentation is still preserved.  The Eddas also outline for us the Heathen beliefs on the world. There are nine worlds within our universe (known as Eormensyll).  They are often artistically represented upon the Tree of Knowledge (Yggdrasil), each world having a corresponding branch or root.  The nine worlds and their inhabitants are: ESAGEARD (Asgard) is where the deities live in their castles of gold or silver in their seperate realms.  The High One of each realm (world) also dwells here in a manner of their choice. MIDDANGEARD is the physical plane where we live, connected to Esageard by the rainbow bridge, Bifrost. NIFOLHAM is a land of ice and has no inhabitants. EOTENHAM is the home of the Eotens (frost giants) who are hostile to humans and are kept at bay by Thunar. AELFHAM is the home of the aelfs (elves) who are our friends. MUSPELL is the home of the fire Eotens (fire giants) who will attack at Ragnarok (the end of the world as described in mythology) under the command of their High One, Loki, and throw fire across the worlds. HELL is the place of the worlds' dead (human and non-human) under the command of Loki's daughter, Hella. SWEARTAELFHAM is the home of the sweartaelfs who make magickal objects and are the deities of technology. WANAHAM is the home of the Wena deities who govern fertility and sexuality.  They are very close to use. It is said in the Norse Traditions that fire and ice came together to create the world, at the command of the Alfather (Wodan) when he mastered the power of the runes encrypted on Yggdrasil.  So it is also written that fire and ice will come together and destroy it, creating a new world.  In Asatru this is known as Ragnarok.  It is the last battle of the gods and men vs. giants and monsters, and we have a whole range of prophecy in Eddic prose and poetry to tell us this, however Snorri's version of the tale appears to be the most well-known and recognised.  "The wolf will swallow the sun... then a second wold will seize the moon and he too will do great damage.  The stars will disappear from the heavens... The wolf Fenrir will then be free.  The sea will invade the land because Midgardsorm turns in a giant rage intending to come ashore.  Natural violence such as earthquakes will be parallelled by degeneracy among men, wars, slaughter of kin and incest."***  Nevertheless, it is still promised that a new and better world will rise from the destruction of the old.

RECOMMENDED READING There isn't a fantastic amount of litereature regarding Asatru, historical books regarding Viking history such as *** Graham-Campbell, James (1989) The Viking World, Francis Licoln. England were books I found most useful.  Raven Organisation is a fantastic website with plenty of links Megan and Odd's Homepage has a tonne of info (just scroll down to get the Asatru pages) WICCA | HOME | DRUIDRY !!! E-MAIL ME !!!

Being a Pagan religion, Heathenism also recognises the turn of the seasons on eight different days positioned on Achtwan (the wheel of the year).  There are four major blots (sabbats), recognised as:

Yule Eostre Midsummer Winternights

21 Dec - 2 Jan 21 March 21 June 21 September

There are aslo four minor blots - these are not absolutely necessary to observe as a blot, but it

is recommended that they be observed in some fashion (e.g. light an appropriate coloured candle and decorate the altar in the appropriate manner).  They are:

The Vala's Vision (Maiden's Day) Walpurgia Feast (Thrimilci) Hloaf Festival (Lammas/Lugnasadh) Night of Spectres (Samhain)

2 February 1 May 1 August 31 October

As well as recognising these blots, local festivals may also be observed.  These may include various harvest festivals and honoring various milestones of personal passage (such as wedding anniversaries and birthdays).  Heathens certainly love to celebrate!  Please note that the above dates are subjective to change, as the Roman calender does not always reflect the seasonal calender effectively, and some groups here in the south may wish to honour the days in accordance with the seasons of the south rather than those of the north, etc. etc.