Odinism and Philosophy

By Vidar AOR Modern Odinism often lacks an in depth philosophical worldview, through no fault of our own of course, since our renewed faith hibernated for so many centuries. Searching for wisdom and truth, it is imperative that we learn the traditional branches of philosophy, make comparative studies where possible and work towards not only a stronger New Awakening, but a New Enlightenment as well. When it comes to heathen truth what is our true metaphysics? Ontology? Epistemology? Ethics? Metaethics? Logic? Aesthetics? Existentialism? And since ours is an indigenous organic faith, we can have, (once again), both science and spirituality.

The Polar Egoic Structures and Their Influence Upon The Path To Enlightenment In Men and Women

By Eowyn OR In our journey towards enlightenment, the biggest battle we face is control of the ego. Note that I say "control" and not annihilation. There has been an erroneous drive in spiritual conditioning through blatantly- and at times, deliberately manipulative and irresponsible psychological language- to suggest ego annihilation is necessary for evolution; this has caused great harm to those seeking enlightenment. The mind and ego are incredible forces within our intelligence and mental activity is the centre of consciousness: every thought creates a new centre of identification and what we describe as the ego is actually a flow of conscious or semi-conscious events, which can operate in a relatively integrated way.

Back to the Land: The Path to Self-Sufficiency

By Asbrandir AOR In writing this article, it is my aim to start an on-going discussion on the idea of living in a community attempting to live as self-sufficiently as possible. I shall say now that I myself have just begun learning about this path and I can only do my best to explain my thoughts and ideas here. This is an open discussion, where ideas, positive energy and of course constructive criticism are readily accepted.

Traces of Germanic Deities in the “God” of Beowulf

By Jim AOR In examining references to the Christian god in Beowulf, we can discern the presence of pre-Christian Germanic deities. Many academics today minimize the etymology of certain terms found in Beowulf and many translators use their poetic license to dilute the Heathen meanings of these same terms. Yet we can see in many ways the presence of Wyrd, the Norns, and sacral kingship in Beowulf. These implied uses of pre-Christian deities reinforce the idea that the church had not “won” in England in the early middle ages and still had to compromise with the Odinic spirit of the Anglo-Saxons.

Exploring the Blot – Part 3: Artefacts

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By Mark Puryear As a ceremonial religion, Odinism utilizes various implements in the worship of our deities. These items are sacred symbols embodied within the very strata of our ancestral belief system, which allow us to connect to the ritual purpose of communication with the Gods on a deeper spiritual level.

Exploring the Blot – Part 2: The Sacred Verse

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In ancient societies poetry was an incredibly important factor of religious expression, especially in Teutonic Europe where Skaldic and Eddic art forms were highly valued and praised among the folk. In fact, every piece of lore that has survived from the pre-Christian era in this region was written in verse. Therefore, it would be safe to say that this practice was also used in the writing of prayers (boenar) and blotar as well. When we consider the fact that the Hindus, our Indo-European cousins, have retained their sacred verse forms and meters (Anustup, Mahapadapunkti, etc.) in liturgical hymns and prayers for thousands of years, it is easy to see that the same would have been the case for us, had it not been for the Christian invasions.

Exploring the Blot – Part 1

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By Mark Puryear The word “blot” is an Old Norse term designating a sacrifice or offering. It is etymologically linked to English “blood”, which was its original meaning; since in ancient times animal and even human sacrifices were performed to the Gods and Goddesses, with their blood being a central object of observance. This may be shocking to some, but what many should know is that every race in every land on earth has practiced some form of blood sacrifice at one time or another..

The Soul of England

By Juleigh Howard-Hobson AOR They lay close to what we were told to know Of where they would be. Each knight, each horse, all Asleep within the hollow hill. Although We were told the old tales, told to recall Them, record them, remember…

Animal Tracks

Winter is a great time to spot animal tracks in mud or snow, but they can be seen all year round and it is great to look at an animal track and know which animal made it.

Change: The Myth of the Giant Maiden

By Hervor OR Once upon a far and distant time, when the Gods were young – ere the First War was fought, or a wall built round Asgard – when we all lived in the forest and nobody lived anywhere else, the lad, Thor, sat on a shining summit of the Sacred Mountain, and looked out over the Earth.

Positive Energy

Today I would like to talk to you about positive energy, and no I am not trying to sign you up to a new energy company with dual fuel discounts, no, today I want to talk about a mindset, the way in which we as Odinist can and do influence Wyrd's web, that web which connects all things, all matter, all life. The Great Web of Wyrd

Einherjar 987 AD

By Juleigh Howard-Hobson AOR To claim the future's birthright as their own The einherjar, reborn on old blood lines To old families all, came back. Winds had blown Bitter change since they last entered time: No more tall Thor poles guarded…