Heathens/Asatruar: Fulltrui oath?

Question

I consider myself to be a Thor's man, though I've never taken a formal oath (other than my general profession of kinship and loyalty to all the Aesir and Vanir). I talked it over with Thor, and I feel perfectly justified in calling myself a Thor's man. I mean, you don't have to take an oath to your best friend to be a best friend, right?

But as far as fulltrui oaths go, what do they entail? Does anyone have any online examples? (I'm lookin' at you, Boar's Heart. :) )

Thanks for any help.

Answer 1

"(I'm lookin' at you, Boar's Heart. :) )"

And here I is, B'rer Rob. :-)

First, some history: back in the late 80's or early 90's, Harry Harrison, author of the Stainless Steel Rat, published the "Hammer & Cross" alternate history trilogy, in which much was made of being oathed to various Norse godhs as one's "Patron" deity, with associated rites and occupations. Blacksmiths, for example, were Thor's men like yourself. Asatru was still in its formative stages, and just as the eightfold year and Hammer rite were adapted from Wicca in the early years of the Reawakening, rather a lot of heathens jumped all over the books and the idea of oathing to a particular godh as "Patron" gained wide acceptance among Asatruar. That's the back story.

However, if one goes back to the Sagaic accounts, there IS mention made of local cults . . . the Cult of Thor and the Cult of Freyr were both popular in the Icelandic settlement, and some, like Egil Skallagrimsson, followed the Cult of Odhinn. So there's ample historical evidence for the idea of a *local* or *familial/kinclan* relationship with an individual godh. The "godhmadhr" or "godman" was responsible for conducting blotar and so forth for his region or extended kinclan, and referred to that deity as their "friend and *fulltrui*" (fully trusted one). Hrafnkel Freyrsgothi was such a man, at least at the beginning of his saga. IOW, it IS a historical practice . . . but not as widespread as Harrison suggested.

In the fulltrui relationship, an oath is made upon an oath ring during a blot dedicated to the deity one seeks as fulltrui. The content of the oath is personal, and there is no set format, but I don't have to remind YOU, I'm sure, of how serious an oath is in our Folkway. :-)

For me, keeping the fulltrui oath I have with Freyr means that he is always honored first at my harrow, whomever among the Elder Kin I'm bloting to (for example, on Mothersnight I typically conduct a Friggasblot, Freyjasblot, and Sunnasblot over the course of the vigil, but Freyr "officiates" at all of these and is asked to bless the blotar) and that he is looked to and trusted as the "Luckgiver" of my hearth and stead. There are other, smaller and more specific oaths that have arisen over time, but that's the main one: you declare that you will consider them your fulltrui and look to them for the Luck of your house, and honor them with regular blotar at the Holy Tides.

In fulltrui, one simply dedicates one's Folkway to that deity, from then on. I consider each of our Regin to represent a Way, or Path. To make the Oath is to accept that Path to spiritual development---with Freyr, it is the Path of Tilth, and I am His fertile and fecund Soil. For Odhinnsmen, it is the Path of Ordeal, of initiatory and secret gnosis. For a Thorsman . . . I would guess it to be the Path of Frith, in all that that means to us, but I'm just guessing, really. Strength is Thor's greatest attribute, but it is strength in defense of clan, and that's what frith means.

If you feel comfortable calling yourself a Thorsman, you ARE one. For me, our principle of "gift for a gift" was my guiding motivation . . . Freyr having made himself real to me, and led me home to the folkways of my ancestors, it seemed to me that the only gift that would suffice in return was . . . me. :-)

Hope this helps. I do tend to ramble a bit, lol.

Answer 2

Boar's Heart has provided a thorough and authoritative answer to your question. One who cannot reference the sagas is of limited knowledge -- at best -- since they are the repository of law and tradition.

I can add only that one's relationship and interaction with a specific deity is a highly personal matter. As you know, the Gothar speak only on behalf of lore and tradition, not as representatives of the High Ones. Trust your feelings and perceptions in these matters. We are guided from within, since it is that by our affinity with a certain As or Van they have begun to express themselves through us. They are more than just friends; they are family (Voluspa, st. 3).

Answer 3

sorry Rob, I'm clueless. Someone will know

Answer 4

I was asking myself the same question. Thanks Boar for this explanation!