Terminology
Asatru is a modern version of the pre-Christian Nosre Religion. The name Asatru gets its meaning from the Old Norse word Asa, which refers to the Norse gods, and the word tru, meaning "faith". Therefore, Asatru means "Religion of the (Norse) gods."
Synonomous terms for Asatru include Germanic Neopaganism, German Heathenism, Odinism, Heithni, Forn Sed, or Heathenry.
The original ancient form of Norse religion is often referred to as Germanic religion, Germanic paganism, or Norse mythology.
Synonomous terms for Asatru include Germanic Neopaganism, German Heathenism, Odinism, Heithni, Forn Sed, or Heathenry.
The original ancient form of Norse religion is often referred to as Germanic religion, Germanic paganism, or Norse mythology.
Beliefs
Ancient Norse paganism and Asatru are polytheistic.
In the Viking age (800ad-1000ad), there were four main deities, with earlier gods remembered as minor deities and other magickal beings varied in importance. Many of these gods are worshiped today by followers of Asatru
In the Viking age (800ad-1000ad), there were four main deities, with earlier gods remembered as minor deities and other magickal beings varied in importance. Many of these gods are worshiped today by followers of Asatru
Gods
There are three different types of Norse gods:
The four main Asatru deities are:
More often people believed that life went on for a time after death but was inseparable from the body. If men had been evil in life, they could persecute the living when dead; they might have to be killed a second time or even a third before they were finished. Some records imply that the dead needed company; a wife, mistress, or servant would be placed in the grave with them. On the whole, beliefs in afterlife seem rather gloomy. The dead pass, perhaps by slow stages, to a dark, misty world called Niflheim (Niflheimr).
Modern Asatru beliefs about the afterlife also vary. One Asatru website states:
We believe that there is an afterlife, and that those who have lived virtuous lives will go on to experience greater fulfillment, pleasure, and challenge. Those who have led lives characterized more by vice than by virtue will be separated from kin, doomed to an existence of dullness and gloom. The precise nature of the afterlife - what it will look like and feel like - is beyond our understanding and is dealt with symbolically in the myths. There is also a tradition in Asatru of rebirth within the family line. Perhaps the individual is able to choose whether or not he or she is re-manifested in this world, or there may be natural laws which govern this. In a sense, of course, we all live on in our descendants quite apart from an afterlife as such. To be honest, we of Asatru do not overly concern ourselves with the next world. We live here and now, in this existence. If we do this and do it well, the next life will take care of itself. Practices Old Norse/Germanic Religion
In the old Germanic religion, the central practice was animal and human sacrifice, conducted in the open or in groves and forests. Roman authors repeatedly mention the sacrifice of prisoners of war to the gods of victory.
One detailed description of a sacrificial feast is given in a saga about a king of Norway, in which cattle were slaughtered, blood was sprinkled inside and out, the meat was consumed and toasts were drunk to Odin, Njörd, and Freyr. Sacrifices of a more private kind might include the sacrifice of an ox to a god or smearing an elf mound with bull's blood.
Women known as Volva had prophetic gifts. They visited homes, practiced divination and foretold children's destinies. They were probably linked with the Vanir (fertility deities).
Temples were rare but wooden temples seem to have been built in later periods. A major religious center was at Upsala, in NE Sweden.
Asatru (Modern Neopaganism)
Communities of Asatru are called Kindreds, Hearths, or Garths. Priests are called Gothi; priestesses Gythia.
A central Asatru ritual is blot, which means sacrifice and may be connected with the word "blood." In place of traditional animal sacrifice, followers of Asatru offer mead (honey-wine), beer or cider to the gods. The liquid is consecrated to a god or goddess, then the worshippers drink a portion of it and pour the rest as a libation.
Another major practice is sumbel, a ritual toast in three rounds. The first round is to the gods, starting with Odin, who won the mead of poetry from the Giant Suttung. A few drops are poured to Loki to ward off his tricks. The second round is to ancestors and other honorable dead, and the third round is open.
Asatru holidays center on the seasons and are similar to other Neopagan holidays. The major celebrations are:
- Aesir - the gods of the clan/tribe, who represent order, creationism, kingship and more. These include, but are not limited to, Thor and Odin.
- Vanir - gods controlling fertility of the Earth, and forces of the Earth. These include Freyja and Freyr.
- Jotnar - giant gods who are constantly at war with the Aesir and represent destruction and chaos.
The four main Asatru deities are:
- Odin - God of poetry, magic, riches, and the dead. Ruler of Valhalla (the underworld). Gave his name to Wednesday (originally "Odin's day").
- Thor - Sky god who wields a lightning hammer, protects the law and community, and controls the weather. Gave his name to Thursday (originally
"Thor's day"). - Freyr - Fertility god seen as the founder of the royal Swedish rulers.
- Freyja/Freya - Goddess of fertility, beauty, love. amd the matron of families. Sister of Freyr. Known by many names(including Odin's wife, Frigg.) Gave her name to Friday (originally called "Freya's Day").
- Njord - father of Freyr and Freyja, god of ships, sea and lakes
- Tyr (Germanic Tiu) - god of battle, sacrifice, and justice (gave his name to Tuesday)
- Ullr - god of death, winter, and hunting
- Loki - the trickster
More often people believed that life went on for a time after death but was inseparable from the body. If men had been evil in life, they could persecute the living when dead; they might have to be killed a second time or even a third before they were finished. Some records imply that the dead needed company; a wife, mistress, or servant would be placed in the grave with them. On the whole, beliefs in afterlife seem rather gloomy. The dead pass, perhaps by slow stages, to a dark, misty world called Niflheim (Niflheimr).
Modern Asatru beliefs about the afterlife also vary. One Asatru website states:
We believe that there is an afterlife, and that those who have lived virtuous lives will go on to experience greater fulfillment, pleasure, and challenge. Those who have led lives characterized more by vice than by virtue will be separated from kin, doomed to an existence of dullness and gloom. The precise nature of the afterlife - what it will look like and feel like - is beyond our understanding and is dealt with symbolically in the myths. There is also a tradition in Asatru of rebirth within the family line. Perhaps the individual is able to choose whether or not he or she is re-manifested in this world, or there may be natural laws which govern this. In a sense, of course, we all live on in our descendants quite apart from an afterlife as such. To be honest, we of Asatru do not overly concern ourselves with the next world. We live here and now, in this existence. If we do this and do it well, the next life will take care of itself. Practices Old Norse/Germanic Religion
In the old Germanic religion, the central practice was animal and human sacrifice, conducted in the open or in groves and forests. Roman authors repeatedly mention the sacrifice of prisoners of war to the gods of victory.
One detailed description of a sacrificial feast is given in a saga about a king of Norway, in which cattle were slaughtered, blood was sprinkled inside and out, the meat was consumed and toasts were drunk to Odin, Njörd, and Freyr. Sacrifices of a more private kind might include the sacrifice of an ox to a god or smearing an elf mound with bull's blood.
Women known as Volva had prophetic gifts. They visited homes, practiced divination and foretold children's destinies. They were probably linked with the Vanir (fertility deities).
Temples were rare but wooden temples seem to have been built in later periods. A major religious center was at Upsala, in NE Sweden.
Asatru (Modern Neopaganism)
Communities of Asatru are called Kindreds, Hearths, or Garths. Priests are called Gothi; priestesses Gythia.
A central Asatru ritual is blot, which means sacrifice and may be connected with the word "blood." In place of traditional animal sacrifice, followers of Asatru offer mead (honey-wine), beer or cider to the gods. The liquid is consecrated to a god or goddess, then the worshippers drink a portion of it and pour the rest as a libation.
Another major practice is sumbel, a ritual toast in three rounds. The first round is to the gods, starting with Odin, who won the mead of poetry from the Giant Suttung. A few drops are poured to Loki to ward off his tricks. The second round is to ancestors and other honorable dead, and the third round is open.
Asatru holidays center on the seasons and are similar to other Neopagan holidays. The major celebrations are:
- Summer Finding (spring equinox, March 21) - dedicated to Ostara
- Winter Finding (fall equinox, September 21)
- Midsummer (summer solstice, June 21)
- Yule - the most important holiday; starts on the winter solstice (December 21) and lasts for 12 days
- Courage
- Truth
- Honor
- Fidelity
- Discipline
- Hospitality
- Industriousness
- Self-Reliance
- Perseverance