Frequently Asked Questions

 Valley Oak Kindred

What is Asatru

            The term means True to the Aesir, to the gods and goddesses of Old Norse and Germanic cultures. Other common terms are Vor Tru - Our Faith, or Forn Sed - “ancient ways”.  Our ancestors didn’t have a term for their religion, the religion was merely part of everyday life.

            Most would recognize our deities and customs from the Viking Age. This is when most of the myths and customs were written down, during the turbulent time between Viking and Christian and the painful transference from pagan to Christian.

Is Asatru part of Wicca?

            No, definitely not. 

            There are some basic fundamental differences that would be very difficult to adapt and merge these two belief systems.  For example: in Wicca there is a Moon Goddess and a Sun god, reflecting a southern European world influence. In Asatru our Sun is a Goddess and the Moon is a god. * In Wicca, there is a common viewpoint that all Goddesses are merely aspect of the primary feminine cosmic force. In Asatru, we view our deities as distinct, separate individuals. Some of which you wouldn’t invite to the same party! * Wiccan, and most pagan rituals, have a Sacred Circle. A boundary in which to work magic and worship. It is considered separate space that cannot be breached except through a “cut” doorway.  Asatru rituals contain a “Hammer Hallowing” making the area sacred and honoring the land wights (spirits) but it isn’t considered a Circle or impassable.

In Wicca/general paganism a variety of deities are used from various cultures.  In Asatru only Teutonic/Nordic deities are called upon and worshipped.

Asatru: Odin, Freya, Thor, Frigga, Frey, Heimdall, Hel, Loki, etc.

Wicca/Paganism: Pele, Diana, Pan, Zeus, Mother Earth, Amatersu, Brigid, Hecate, Apollo, Hunting Brother, etc

            Wicca and Asatru are viewed as incompatible for meshing and are seen as two different religious paths.

            While Wicca is considered a pagan religion, not all pagan religions are Wiccan.

Is Asatru Racist or Nazi Oriented?

            There are a few groups that have zeroed in Asatru having come from a Teutonic origin and have twisted it to their racist belief systems, using sacred symbols and deities from Asatru.  Just as some groups have bent Christianity into their racist belief systems. 

            These groups usually call themselves “Folkish”, meaning they focus on family and the Folk. Most Folkish groups usually racist and homophobic at their core, sometimes sexist as well.

            Our Kindred (group) is an open kindred: a non-discriminatory group: Age (with permission of parents if under the age of majority), handicap, ethnic origin, national origin, or gender.

Isn’t the Swastika an Evil Symbol?

            In the 1930s to present the Swastika has been utilized by hate groups. First the Nazis of Germany prior and during World War II, the symbol became hated and feared. Groups and individuals that follow that ideology have continued to use the Swastika in the same manner.

            In truth, the swastika is one of the oldest symbols in existence. It’s not the “Broken Cross” that Christian fundamentalist warn parents about. Long before there were nations, mankind used the swastika to represent cosmic power: the sun, lightning, the four directions, etc.

            You can find examples of the swastika all over the earth dating back to the cave. Hopi Indians considered it a good luck symbol, the Buddhist use it to this day as a sacred symbol and Americans considered it a good luck symbol as well until the late 1930s.

            Not all Asatru that wear the swastika are Nazis.

Who are the Gods and Goddesses of Asatru? Isn’t Asatru Sexist with all the Powerful and Warlike Male Gods?

            The Gods and Goddesses of Asatru are the Aesir and the Vanir. In addition there are wights (spirits), Valkyries (Choosers of the Slain), Etins (giants), Elves, Dwarves, and monsters. 

            The deities are: Odhinn (Odin, Wodan), Frigga, Thor, Freya, Loki, Freyr, Heimdall, Sif, Baldur, Aegir, Ran, Skaldi, Ullr and many more.

            Although a lot of focus has been on the male deities of Asatru (usually by male monks), there is a very strong feminine side to Asatru.  When Odin is away on travels it is Frigga, his wife, that takes the High Seat of authority, not one of his brothers or fellow gods.  Freya chooses half of the slain heroes for her hall in Asgard, Odin gets the other half.

Are there Commandments or a Bible in Asatru?

            No, there are no “sacred” scriptures in Asatru. Even the Poetic and Prose Eddas, the collections of poems and myths of the Teutonic deities are viewed with a cautious eye, having been written after Christianity encompassed the land and people.

            Many Asatru use the Nine Noble Virtues as guideposts but they aren’t set in stone and we don’t believe that they came from Odin or Frigga directly.

Courage                                                                    Truth
Honor                                                                          Loyalty
Hospitality                                                                 Discipline
Industriousness                                                         Self-reliance
Perseverance

What are some of the Holidays or Rituals in Asatru?

            Most of the holidays and rituals are based on the seasons and cultural observances of the Germanic peoples.  Recognizing the changing of the seasons meant life and death to our ancestors in that their lives depended on the harvest, the fishing and hunting seasons, and the ability to know when each time was upon them.  Celebrations of the changing seasons, petitioning the deities for the change to come, to be fruitful, were common rituals.

            You’ll find similar holidays in the pagan community with a few exceptions. For example: a very important holiday to the Asatru was Yule at the Winter Solstice and Halloween wasn’t recognized.  We also observe special days that honor heroes from our past.

            Some rituals are: blessing of food, a Hammer Hallowing (making a space sacred), child naming (equivalent of a baptism/naming), wedding, funerals, honoring land wights (spirits), and, of course, honoring the Gods and Goddesses or a particular deity.

Is there Magic in Asatru?

            Yes but not as usually perceived in the Wiccan religion.  There are shamanistic workings called Seidhr (altering consciousness to communicate with deities/spirits), and petitions to the Gods and Goddesses, asking their aid or blessings. Runes, magical symbols (also used in writing) are used in magical workings, divination, and self exploration.

            In the past there were practitioners of the ethnic religion of the Germanic peoples that did not practice magic or divination and that’s true for today as well.

Is Loki like the Christian Satan?

            No. Loki has more in common with the Native American Trickster God, Coyote than with the Christian concept of the devil. Loki is mischievous and sometimes malevolent but there are also lessons and gifts that come from each of his “pranks.” The amazing weapons and magical items the gods have come from Loki’s tricks.

            It is true that one of Loki’s “pranks” cost the beloved God Baldur his life and Loki prevented Baldur from being restored.  In punishment he was chained tightly with a poisonous snake hanging overhead, dripping stinging poisonous venom on Loki’s face.  The epic battle of Ragnarok will happen when Loki breaks free and leads the giants and the dead against the Gods but even this will have results that will eventually be seen as beneficial. Most of the Gods and the Earth are destroyed but some of mankind and Gods survive. Baldur is restored and leads the young gods and goddesses in reforming the Earth and restoring mankind to a renewed land.

Are there Covens in Asatru?

            No. Organization and worship begins with individuals and families that may gather in groups called hearths, garths, kindreds and other terms found in history. These groups may or may not be part of a larger organization. 

How do you join Asatru?

            If you feel that you are Asatru, that you are drawn to the Germanic customs, ethics and the deities, then you probably are. If you say you are Asatru and your behavior and manner are consistent with a belief in the Aesir, you will be seen as Asatru by others. Most feel a strong calling by one particular deity over others but not everyone does and others have been called by one God or Goddesses and then find other deities calling at other times.