What I believe, part 1...

This was in answer to a question at Quora: What is the Asatru concept of gods?

I’ll open with this important point to keep in mind, there is no central authority nor widespread, established dogma or creed in Heathenry, or any of the religions, which can fall under that umbrella.

That being said, I have used the term Asatru for my beliefs and practices since finding others who believed in and gave worship to the Aesir and Vanir (the Norse/Germanic gods and goddesses).

Before 1991 (3 years after I started to make votive offerings to Uller, Odin, Thor and Frey), I had no name for what I did. It was just What I Believe. If I was transported back to pre-conversion anywhere in Northern Europe and asked “What is your religion,” after explaining the concept, would likely have received an answer similar to my pre-1991 self-concept. But, it was just a name for a few more years until I actually gained some bit of community with others.

Within my worldview, the gods and goddesses, as well as the other Wights (spirits) such as my ancestors, elves, dwarves, tomte, gnomes, giants, are actual living entities. Our physical reality at times intersects with their mythic reality. To them, ours is the mythic and theirs is the physical.

When I stand before the Holy Powers, offer them votive gifts, words and my time and devotion, I am seeking to open a “door” between our realities. I do believe that the main thing I received from them were Life, Mind and Will at birth. What I do with those gifts is mine to do for good, ill or indifference. Part of what I do when offering Worship is to let them know what I am doing with those gifts. It is my hope that at the end of this life, they will see I have used the gifts in a worthwhile manner.

Other heathens look upon the gods and goddesses as Jungian archetypes whose stories break down society into its component function; Odin as King, Thor as headstrong warrior, Tyr as one who sacrifices self for the good of the community and so on.

Who is right? Perhaps both, perhaps neither…

Wearing a Hammer

Been awhile since I've web logged...times have been interesting, but that's another topic.

I bought my 1st Mjolnir pendant the afternoon of 9 July 1988 from a silversmith at an historic recreation event (Society for Creative Anachronism gathering near Rapid City, SD). I wasn’t sure what it was, but felt I should wear it.  The smith wasn't too conversant with the symbolism as he was a Celtic Pagan, but liked the design.

Man is by nature a tribal animal. We want to be part of something bigger than our selves, which was at one time necessary for survival.

Most associations these days are formed from our own free will; fraternal or sororal societies, fandom (sports, movie and/or tv show milieus, bands…), special interest crafting groups, tech “geekdom,” biking or walking clubs… Each develops “tribal” dress and symbols, has it’s own dialect that outsiders do not understand.

The Thor’s Hammer I bought and still wear on occasion (I have a different one for every day) is one such symbol. It gives one an immediate point of conversation. It also gave me a goad to start reading the Norse and German folk lore, mythology and history so I might better understand its appeal to me.

A few years later, I was at another SCA event (Pennsic War) and was browsing through a “Viking” merchant’s booth. The proprietor saw my Hammer and asked; “Are you Asatru?” I had no idea what he meant, so we engaged in conversation. I left with a warm feeling, finally I knew there were others who believed and gave worship as did I. He said folks like me, who think they are the only one, were not rare. I had a name to put to what I did. I was working as staff for the event, so my leisure time was limited, we lost contact in those less connected days.

Forward 3 more years, similar setting, another merchant. This time, he had printed materials for sale that were from a few of the then extant Asatru organizations. I ended up with close to a dozen books, booklets and pamphlets. I also have an axe I bought from him. We talked, I got invited to participate in a ceremony he called Sumbel, but again, I was working the event and was unable to accept the invitation.

However, I now had names and addresses, old fashioned "snail mail" addresses and after several months (past the turn of the year) I started writing.  I got back replies and engaged in correspondence. To this day, these folks have my friendship and respect.

Within Heathenry (Asatru, Odinism, the Northern Way, Forn Sed, and so forth), we have a lot of tribal symbols that can identify us to each other.  Though I feel closest to Uller, I still wear the Mjolnir as it is most immediately recognizable.