Anyone of the Asatru faith out there?

Question

Anyone? If yes, can you recommend some texts for someone that is curious about it? Christian's spreading hate and intolerance will be reported.

Answer 1

I dont know much about Asatru but reading books on Norse pantheon and history is always a good start. Here is an article I found online:

Asatru

Author: Manny Olds

History: Ásatrú is the modern revitalization of the indigenous religion of Northern Europe.

This religion was almost completely displaced by Christianity in the Middle Ages. Although the religion was no longer practiced, many aspects survived in the culture. The old religion left as its rich legacy much of our traditional legal and ethical systems and our folk customs.

Icelanders never forgot their old religion, and in 1972, Ásatrú was recognized as a legitimate religion by the Icelandic government. Since the early 1970's, the religion has been in a period of rapid growth in Europe, North America, Australia, and New Zealand.

Ásatrú in North America was formally organized in 1973. Since then, a number of independent kindreds and other organizations have been formed (in North America and elsewhere).

Organization

Ásatrú worship groups, called kindreds (also godhords, hearths, garths, or fellowships), are essentially autonomous. Some kindreds are associated with national or regional organizations which usually operate as federations of kindreds. There is no central authority.

Role of Ministers

Ásatrú religious leaders are commonly called "gothi" (male form) and "gythia" (female form). Gothis/gythias are selected by the kindreds or communities that they serve; kindreds may have one or more gothis/gythias. Each kindred has its own notion of what role a gothi/gythia plays, but generally gothis/gythias develop and lead rituals and handle kindred administrative chores. All gothis and gythias are expected to be familiar with the lore and to be able to lead ceremonies.

Basic Beliefs

Although there are many variations in beliefs and practices within this faith, Ásatrúers all share a defining personal loyalty to, or "Troth" with, the gods and goddesses of the North, such as Odin, Thor, Frigga, the land wights (spirits), and many others; a deep respect for their Germanic religious, cultural and historical heritage; and a strong determination to practice the moral principles followed by their predecessors.

Ásatrúers take their knowledge of the gods and the universe from "the lore" (the Prose Edda, the poems of the Poetic Edda, heroic and family sagas, the historical record, and folklore); from science (history, anthropology, linguistics, archaeology, etc.); and from their own analysis, insights, and revelations.

Ásatrúers believe that they are working with the gods, as kin, to improve the human condition in this world and to oppose ill-behaved beings (Thurses or Jotuns) and the disorder and destruction that they represent.

Ásatrúers are true polytheists and know all the gods as real entities with separate and distinct, rounded personalities. Some Ásatrúers are called most strongly to the worship of one or more particular gods within the pantheon.

Ásatrú spirituality is not separate from everyday life, but informs it. Ásatrúers see Earth as living, or speak of her as personified by a deity.

Magic is not part of Ásatrú worship. In fact, many Ásatrúers don't believe in magic at all. Others, however, practice various kinds of workings (such as rune divination) as a supplement to their religious practices.

Death and the Afterlife

Ásatrúers believe that your fate in the afterlife is based on how you lived, how you died, and the disposition of your remains. Some go to dwell in the hall of one of the gods in Asgard. Some go to Hel, a pleasant if somewhat dull place, to await reincarnation or the end of this world cycle. Some continue to inhabit this world as guardian spirits for the land or for their families.

Worship

Ásatrú worship may be a group observance or a private offering.

A blót (rhymes with "boat") is an offering of food or drink, commonly mead or ale, to the gods. A blót can be as simple as pouring out a bottle of beer to the gods in your backyard, or it can be an elaborate community ceremony. However, the intent is always the same. An exchange of gifts creates a bond between two people. In a blót, Ásatrúers thank the gods for their gifts and offer gifts in return. This celebrates and strengthens the bond between the gods and humankind.

A sumbel is a series of ritualized toasts. The participants sit in a circle, and a vessel of drink (a drinking horn full of mead is traditional) is passed around the circle at least three times. Words spoken in sumbel are witnessed by gods and humans alike and carry great weight. The rite of sumbel can be a profound experience that creates bonds of community among those who share in it.

Ásatrúers regard the gods as honored senior kin, so they offer them their best. It is customary, but not required, to use alcoholic beverages in blót and sumbel and to share feasts of meat and grain.

Asatruers hold blóts and sumbels to mark seasonal holidays and observe life cycles (such as births and weddings) and as needed to give thanks and request assistance. They also commonly hold public ceremonies to witness important oaths.

The most common ritual objects are a patch of ground where offerings may be placed in contact with the earth; a drinking horn; a Thor-hammer; an offering bowl; an oath ring; and various god-icons such as a statue, spear, sword, spindle, or Brisingamen (golden necklace). Those who practice rune magic will have a set of rune tiles that they have cut themselves.

Most Ásatrúers also have copies of several books, including editions of the Prose Edda and the Poetic Edda, Heimskringla, and various other sagas and references. There is no sacred text in Ásatrú, however.

Holidays

Different kindreds observe different holidays. There are, however, three nearly-universal observances.

Yule is the only really universal Ásatrú holiday. Typically runs from December 21 (Mothers Night) and lasts for 12 days or more. This is the most important holiday of the year. Many traditional Yule symbols have been absorbed by the Christian celebration of Christmas: evergreen trees, Yule logs, holly, etc.

Ostara is typically observed around the spring equinox with decorated eggs, outdoor festivals, and bonfires. This holiday celebrates the earth's reawakening after the long, fallow winter.

Winternights is typically observed at the beginning of Autumn. This holiday celebrates the harvest and contemplates the beginning of a more enclosed part of the yearly cycle.

There is generally no specific god or goddess associated with a particular holiday. Each group or individual honors those that seem most appropriate to them.

Standards of Conduct

Ásatrúers are expected to
honor the gods with regular offerings;
respect and honor the land and the family;
live "trú" according to a strict moral code based on honor, courage, and hospitality;
keep all promises and sworn oaths;
take bold and decisive action when called for;
set high goals for themselves;
be autonomous and yet interdependent with the rest of the Ásatrú community; and
take responsibility for their actions and the consequences of those actions.


Source Books
The Poetic Edda, The basis for the Norse Myths as we know them.
The Prose Edda , by Snorri Sturluson.
The Germania, by Tacitus. Translated by Anthony Faulkes. Contains valuable first century C.E. description of Vanic worship.
Heimskringla, the Lives of the Norse Kings, by Snorri Sturluson. Lots of very valuable information in this collection of histories, including accounts of oath-takings.
Gods and Myths of Northern Europe, by Hilda Roderick Ellis Davidson. Surveys all of the myths, and has references to even the least known deities.
Rites and Religion of the Anglo-Saxons, by Gale Owen. Excellent reference for the Anglo-Saxon branch of the old religion.
Teutonic Religion, by Kveldulf Gundarsson. Describes the modern form of the religion, with sample ceremonies for all sorts of occasions.
Our Troth, online book on the gods and practices, at http://www.thetroth.org/ourtroth/index.htm
Ravenbok, online book on the gods and practices, at http://www.webcom.com/~lstead/Ravenbok.html


Online Resources
The Troth, http://www.thetroth.org/. Good introductory material, including Our Troth, an online book on the gods and practices.
Raven Online, http://www.webcom.com/~lstead. Good introductory material, including Ravenbok, online book on the gods and practices.
Anglo-Saxon Eldright, http://ealdriht.heathengyldas.com/. A guide to a form of Asatru based on the Anglo-Saxon model, rather than the Icelandic.
D.L. Ashliman's Germanic Folklore pages, http://www.pitt.edu/~dash/ashliman.html. Good source material and good links.
Squirrel's Asatru Pages, http://www.squirrel.com/squirrel/asatru/. This is a mine of carefully selected Asatru links. The site features links to the lore online, both in the original languages and in English.
Irminsul Aettir, http://www.irminsul.org. Includes a database of local contacts.
Ontario Consultants for Religious Tolerance, http://www.religioustolerance.org/ocrt_hp.htm, . This web site has a lot of good, sensible information on religion in general and various specific religions, including Asatru. It's good to get some perspective--there is a lot of company out here on the fringe.


Notes on the Author Manny Olds is the Holder of the Clipboard of the Reeves Hall of Frigga's Web. Frigga's Web is an organization dedicated to advancing Frigga's goals of community and frith. The Reeves Hall creates and distributes material to help heathen organizers and organizations (including writeups like this one). Manny is also a founding member of Vingolf Fellowship, a mid-Atlantic Asatru group whose mission includes outreach and education as well as worship.
For More Information


Frigga's Web Association
P.O. Box 179,
Herndon, VA 20172-0179
http://www.friggasweb.org/

Reeves Hall of Frigga's Web
P.O. Box 75476
Washington, DC 20013-0476
http://www.reeves-hall.org/

Vingolf Fellowship
http://www.vingolf.org

Land of Confusion
http://www.land-of-confusion.org/

Answer 2

I read this book and it seems like a good comprehensive overview for a beginner and is highly rated on Amazon.com.


Exploring The Northern Tradition: A Guide To The Gods, Lore, Rites And Celebrations From The Norse, German And Anglo-saxon Traditions by Galina Krasskova and Swain Wodening.

Answer 3

I am actually checking it out now. "Living Asatru" was the first Asatru book I read. it is small but puts you in the right direction. Then there is "Nordic Gods and Heroes" This book is a must since it is stories about the Gods.

Check out Asatru websites, they have long list of books to check out.

Answer 4

I'm not I was just going to express how well things to be going in here this afternoon and how peaceful everybody is being. Then I clicked on your question and saw your hateful addendum. Bummer.