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Page name: NORSE PAGANISM [Exported view] [RSS]
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2004-08-24 18:14:42
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NORSE PAGANISM




In the 1970's a branch of Neo-pagans who worshipped the Scandinavian/Germanic pantheon formed almost simultaneously, and independently in America, England and Iceland. These groups stressed conservative values of honor, honesty, courage and duty to one's family, kin and friends. The largest is Asatru Free Assembly based in Breckenridge Texas. The group's founder, Stephen McNallen, found little appeal in witchcraft, or magick but was drawn to the Vikings and Norse deities. The group was originally called The Brotherhood, and their journal called The Runestone. The Brotherhood's name was changed to Asatru in 1976. Asatru means 'loyalty to the Aesir'. The Aesir are one of two branches of Norse deities; the race of sky gods, Odin, his wife Frigga, Thor, Loki, Baldur and others. The second branch is the Vanir, concerned with the earth, agriculture, fertility, and the cycles of death and rebirth. Odinism, a form of Norse Paganism, recognizes only the Aesir.


The symbology of Norse Paganism is Norse and Germanic, including runes, (letter/symbols) spears, warriors and the swastika- an ancient symbol that represents Thors’ Hammer and the wheel of the sun. While the warrior imagery has a macho appeal to men, and the religion is heavily patriarchal, women find the Norse goddesses to be strong and assertive. Freya, goddess of fertility, does not shrink from battle. Odin sends his warrior-maiden, Valkyries off to the battlefields to bring dead heroes to Valhalla. (Norse heaven).


The festivals center on the seasonal equinoxes and solstices, and other Norse holidays. Many adherents to Norse Paganism are attracted by the emphasis of blood ties, genetics, and the warrior ethic. Some Norse groups face accusations of white-supremacy and racism, especially since the Nazis borrowed two Norse motifs which became the most hated symbols on earth; the swastika, rune of the Earth Mother and hammer of Thor, Norse god of thunder; and the S rune - trademark of Himmler's Schutzstaffel, the dreaded SS. Neo-Nazis have resurrected these symbols. In Drawing Down the Moon, M. Adler notes that there are a few extreme right-wing Norse pagan groups, who believe they have founded a religion based on the Aryan race; and that some do include Neo-Nazis. Other Norse groups consider these people a fringe element not connected to their path.



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2006-06-11 [Wulf Skjaldr]: Hail Odin!

2006-06-11 [Delladreing]: hehe :)

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