Asatru is known by many names. Some of them are Heathenism or Heathenry, Odinism, and Theodism, and sometimes, Forn Siðr, and Vor Siðr. It is a modern incarnation based on the indigenous faiths of the tribal Germanic people of Northern Europe. There are significant numbers of followers in Scandinavia, Iceland, the United Kingdom, North America, and Australia. There is no exact count of adherents, as there is no Asatru central, but there are literally thousands of followers to be found through numerous on-line groups and lists or through national organizations.
Followers of Asatru are polytheist. They believe in the gods and goddesses that most folk associate with the vikings. This is an accurate, but limiting view, as our ancestors were also farmers, blacksmiths, farriers, traders, poets, and explorers, in addition to pirates.
There are two main "families," or "tribes" of gods: the Aesir and the Vanir. The Aesir comprise of Odin, Thor, Baldr, Tyr, Bragi, Vili and Vé. The Godesses have their own branch, the Asynjur, which include Frigga, Saga, and Eir. The Vanir, or Vanic gods, are Njord, Freyr, Freya, and Nanna. There are many other gods of each tribe, as well as other groups and individuals from outside these listed.
The vast majority of Asatrur today fall under the category of "re-constructionist." (Other groups such as "Wicca-tru", Norse or Northern Paganism, Northern Shamanism, or "New Age" Heathens do have a small footing in the lore, but generally are not considered Heathen. Some admit this, others are in denial. These are beyond the scope of this group.) That is, the very foundation of their beliefs are based in existing lore. How closely they stick to that knowledge base breaks them into different groups, both equally valid in their own right.
Universalists take the approach of a religion that can be adopted by any person regardless of lifestyle or heritage. They start with known facts and interprete them through their own personal lens. This can be anything from incorporating family traditions The result is a diverse community of people from all walks of life coming together in a faith that is very personal to the individual and pluralistic as a group.
Folkish Heathens view their path as not just a faith, but a way of life that includes beliefs and practices that are strongly based in the existing lore. To these folk, it is the community (ancestral, contemporary, and descended) that comes first. There is a strong sense of tradition, unity, and independence, and newer ideas reflect this. There is little to no "borrowing" from other religions. The result is a rich, unique culture steeped in tradition, new and old, that is not only very much alive today, but growing!
Followers of Asatru are polytheist. They believe in the gods and goddesses that most folk associate with the vikings. This is an accurate, but limiting view, as our ancestors were also farmers, blacksmiths, farriers, traders, poets, and explorers, in addition to pirates.
There are two main "families," or "tribes" of gods: the Aesir and the Vanir. The Aesir comprise of Odin, Thor, Baldr, Tyr, Bragi, Vili and Vé. The Godesses have their own branch, the Asynjur, which include Frigga, Saga, and Eir. The Vanir, or Vanic gods, are Njord, Freyr, Freya, and Nanna. There are many other gods of each tribe, as well as other groups and individuals from outside these listed.
The vast majority of Asatrur today fall under the category of "re-constructionist." (Other groups such as "Wicca-tru", Norse or Northern Paganism, Northern Shamanism, or "New Age" Heathens do have a small footing in the lore, but generally are not considered Heathen. Some admit this, others are in denial. These are beyond the scope of this group.) That is, the very foundation of their beliefs are based in existing lore. How closely they stick to that knowledge base breaks them into different groups, both equally valid in their own right.
Universalists take the approach of a religion that can be adopted by any person regardless of lifestyle or heritage. They start with known facts and interprete them through their own personal lens. This can be anything from incorporating family traditions The result is a diverse community of people from all walks of life coming together in a faith that is very personal to the individual and pluralistic as a group.
Folkish Heathens view their path as not just a faith, but a way of life that includes beliefs and practices that are strongly based in the existing lore. To these folk, it is the community (ancestral, contemporary, and descended) that comes first. There is a strong sense of tradition, unity, and independence, and newer ideas reflect this. There is little to no "borrowing" from other religions. The result is a rich, unique culture steeped in tradition, new and old, that is not only very much alive today, but growing!
“Keeper of the faith, Jörmundur Ingi, leader of Iceland’s pagans, stands in their Reykjavík burial ground. The old religion faded as the Vikings adopted Christianity. But change came slowly. Some became not-so-peaceful missionaries, seeking converts by the sword. Viking times are ancient history, yet something, Jörmundur thinks, lives on. ‘Cattle die, kindred die, every man is mortal,’ states an Icelandic poem. ‘One thing that never dies: the glory of the great deed.’”
Photograph by Steve Raymer Sisse Brimberg
Source: National Geographic
Photograph by Steve Raymer Sisse Brimberg
Source: National Geographic