Asatru religion?

Question

I am learning about this religion called Asatru. They beleive in several gods and godesses, and Valholla. I am a bit lost and would enjoy learning more. Can anyone help me on this?

Answer 1

I became Godhi (priest) of my first Asatru kindred in 1988. A lot has been written on the subject since then. Not every book written is intended to apply to every person or group. We a a polytheistic tradition, so there is a tolerance for differences of emphasis and expression. Freya Aswynn is popular with many of the women-folk, since she focuses on the feminine mysteries of the tradition. Her official site is www.aswynn.co.uk. If you would like to explore some aspects of seasonal rites and celebrations, The Hammerstead Blot Book ([e-mail]) offers some examples. There are other links there too. Google The Odinic Rite as well.

I have written much on the subject myself, but stopped publishing some years ago. The kindred we have today is much smaller, and my wife serves as our Gythja (priestess). Unlike some kindreds you will find, ours has been closed to new membership for quite some time. As with any religious order, you may encounter groups or people who are a bit strange or even worse. Beware of any who attempt to mask a neo-nazi or white supremacist ideology by our faith. They do exist and do not represent the greater Kindred.

Answer 2

Hail!

I am an Asatruar (follower of Asatru). We believe in the Norse gods and goddesses (Odin, Frigga, Thor, Sif, Tyr, Frey, Freya, Heimdall, etc.). Valhalla is the Hall of Odin, where some believe Odin's chosen go after they die. It's not a "Norse heaven," per se, as there are other speculated designations after death as well.

What do you want to know specifically? I can give you a few links to get you started:

http://www.thetroth.org/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asatru
http://www.religioustolerance.org/asatru.htm
http://home.earthlink.net/~jordsvin/

There are lots of groups on Yahoo! you can join as well. I'll star the question and hopefully Boar's Heart will come and give you some more info.

Answer 3

As people have already said, this is bull. There's nothing within asatru that would dictate such attitude. I'm afraid your friend had entirely personal, homophobic and racist reasons for not speaking with you anymore. Well, what can I say, if she's willing to forget your friendship over something like that, she never was a real friend to begin with. Tell her to take her racist and homophobe cr*p somewhere else and search for a real friend who will accept you as you are.

Answer 4

Ásatrú describes a variety of efforts to revive the indigenous, pre-Christian religions of the Teutonic tribes of Northern Europe. Organizations which identify themselves as Ásatrú usually base their lists of gods on Norse mythology and the Icelandic sagas as well as other scanty historical evidence.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asatru

Answer 5

They believe in the ancient Norse gods, it's a really neat religion...

Try contacting Lokasenna or Boar's Heart for more information...

Answer 6

We have several here that are Heathen ans Astaru. I think Boars Heart is lurking around here somewhere.
On a completely primal level...its a hot trad. LOL

Answer 7

Just study Norse mythology.

Answer 8

Until Boar's Heart gets here, try this:
http://www.thetroth.org/index.html

[If I was home, I'd just open up tonight's mead and I'm sure he'd appear...Midsummer! FTW!]

Answer 9

http://www.religioustolerance.org/asatru.htm

http://www.asatru.org/

http://www.runestone.org/AFA_Web2/flash/home.html

http://www.irminsul.org/as/asr.html

Isn't Google amazing?