Although there are many F.A.Q’s out there, and I would highly recommend reading Ways of Ásatrú by M.J. Smith available on our website, I would like to add my two cents.
I believe that Ásatrú is the practical application of ancient traditions that were recorded in the lore, saga’s etc, but also that it includes a living and evolving component. I believe that Ásatrú continues to change as each generation adds to its gnosis. I think that having a component of personal experiences contributes to the overall spirituality of what Ásatrú is.
In its basic meaning Ásatrú means true to the Ǽsir gods, but this has been extended to being true to all the gods, even in some instances the giants are included in this equation. I feel that it means being loyal to the clans within the nine worlds, who seem to create a natural flow. Each have some basic elements of creative life in them, and seem to contribute to the overall expression of what the world tree itself is.
The gods that are worshiped or honoured by groups and individuals are about as diverse as the gods themselves. Some people work alone, solitary because of the lack of groups in their area, or that they just prefer to follow them alone. Some people just find groups too restrictive, which I can understand. I however think that there are components in group worship that are difficult to apply to the lone worshiper.
Some rites are just more fun with others, and if you can find a group that fits your personality the benefits of sharing personal experiences can be helpful in expressing your own faith in the gods. Our kindred I feel is very spiritual in its function and practice. We use personal knowledge as well as sources, but incorporate different elements into our rituals. We use prayer and poetry to bring a harmonious match between faith and words. I feel that we are a bit different than most, as we do believe strongly that the gods are real, and yes, talk to them. Ásatrú differs in its application from person to person, and as a religion is very diverse. I think using the word religion is relatively strange, as we are not like any religion out there. There are no governing bodies that we answer to, but rely on each other to keep our word and bond with the gods.
The gods that we follow (and most heathens are the same) are any god or goddess known to the people of the Viking culture. If you ask people who were the Vikings, you will get all kinds of answers. Really the term means ‘sailing man’ but that does not really fit in describing all the people known as heathen. We know that they explored a great deal of the world because of the fact that we continue to find archaeological remains of them in a wide variety of places. Basically, it is anyone who was living in any culture where the Northern Europeans lived, although that is still undetermined, as we may have lost many records and settlements due to erosion and new cultures building over old structures that may now be lost completely.
There are so many gods, and I feel that they have been talked about so much, that my two cents is hardly worth adding. The book Heathen Gods is a really great read to find out about the gods and what is known about them, and I think I will differ to people who have already written about them to explain them. I think that no matter how hard we try to find information, finding the real definition of what Ásatrú is, is a journey that may take a lifetime to figure out. I think that it continues to be altered and changed, much like Wyrd, it flows in a fabric of time that we really don’t fully understand. I almost feel it is a living organism, changing, growing and altering as each new generation changes it. I think that it is a very misunderstood path. Before it was known as Ásatrú, it really did not have a name. I doubt anyone in history ever called it that. For many years, heathenry disappeared, as the Christians wiped out its history and removed whatever they wanted to amalgamate the people into the ‘new religion’.
It was rediscovered when the runes were rediscovered and written about by a man named Guido Von List. This was around the same time as the Second World War, at which time heathenry was used to propagate fear and frankly what I would call the most atrocious event in history. During the Nazi reign, symbols were used that were from the heathen people, and these will forever remain as a very negative stain on the way modern heathens can use them. I feel that the Swastika in particular is totally lost to not only heathens but any culture in which it was used as a symbol of peace, tranquility, the sun and more. Now it seems to be tainted beyond all recovery. During this period the heathen movement seemed to go underground from what I can gather anyway. After that it was not until the 1970’s that the name Ásatrú would actually be recognized as an official religion in Iceland. Many countries allow heathen groups to form in the sense that there are not many laws against religious organizations forming, and many people in the USA have more legal presence then in Canada. I think it depends on the laws of the country where the group resides. There is a list of really great Ásatrú websites out there that can explain the religion of Ásatrú which we have listed on our LINKS page. I recommend that you do some research to find out what it really is!
I would caution readers, that there are groups out there that are very radical and may have a lot of information that is not accepted by the mass world of heathens, there are not many groups in Canada, but each of them should display information as to what form of heathenry they are.
I think we are what I like to call Spiritual Ásatrúar, using techniques like faring forth to connect to the gods; we use prayer and offerings in our practice, and do accept the worship of giants. We have several Lokians in our midst, but find them to be as morally and ethically grounded, just as our other worshipers. We believe in the possibility that we can and do connect to the gods in this realm, we talk to them as friends and companions but also have a great deal of respect for them. We believe that all clans in the nine worlds deserve equal offerings, and do include many of them in every single rite. We have changed our ritual structure several times to accommodate findings on how the ancient people did and what we can apply to our modern worship. We use props and symbolic objects to reflect what we have found works for certain rituals of the year, such as our annual burning of a long ship. We create a small model ship, and put names of our dearly departed into it, and in true Viking fashion, set it ablaze.
I believe that Ásatrú teaches many great morals for the modern day, as well as reminds us of our past, it to me feels like I have come home, to a place where god is more real to me. I find them warm and compassionate but also sometimes bold and harsh, they are complex dynamic beings that seem to change as much as nature itself. I am very proud to announce that I did write a book that was picked up by a very well known small market press. I will be announcing the book on this site. The book gives in-depth information on not only working with the gods, but also how to connect to them as well as articles from people that live life with the gods, I feel the book is a great source for those who are looking for more personal information than the scholarly books. I think all sources are great, but I like reading personal spins on things, as it helps me relate to others, that is what I tried to express in this book, and I am very happy with the way it turned out!
When it is released, I will but a notice up here to let you know where to get it. I would also recommend you check our library and our kindred publication centre Fog World for free e-books to download. Our kindred is a very open minded group, who welcomes all, I hope someday to meet more Ásatrúar’s who are like us, and hope one day to find a kindred to become associated with. I think if you are looking for something that is both grounded and realistic then Ásatrú is worth looking at.
