How to Practice Asatru As a Beginner
If you’re a novice to Asatru, you’re probably wondering how you can get started. It’s important to remember that Asatru is a religion of nature, rejecting racism and militarism while emphasizing the honor of one’s self and the people who came before. Here are some basics of Asatru that you need to know as a beginner. After all, it’s only natural to want to get started as soon as possible!
When you make a purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases..
Asatru is a religion of nature
If you’ve ever wondered what paganism is, Asatru might be the religion for you. This ancient Nordic religion emphasizes harmony with nature and the search for balance in your life. There are no dogmas or prescribed scriptures, though you’re encouraged to read the Eddas by Snorri Sturluson. And unlike other religions, Asatru practitioners do not pray to gods, considering them friends who do not judge humans. In fact, the religion is compared to Unitarian Universalism, which focuses on spirituality rather than religion.
The central rite of Asatru is called the blot, which means sacrifice in Old Norse. It’s a ceremony that takes place outside, and the offerings are usually alcohol. The blot can be performed as often as you’d like. In Iceland, there are four major blots held each year, the most important of which is the Thorrablot, a mid-winter festival. Other festivals include Jolablot, which is held on the winter solstice, the summer solstice, and the veturnattablot, which occurs on the first day of winter.
In the 19th century, Asatru became widely known as the religion of the Vikings. Its basic beliefs have roots in pre-Christian Norse culture, and many of its members self-identify as heathens. In general, heathenry refers to a range of contemporary religions rooted in various northern European polytheistic traditions. There are no clergy or central authority in Asatru, and there are no dogma or central authority.
Although Asatru is a religion for beginners, this religion is not for everyone. The authors emphasize that learning Asatru is about personal development and connecting with the deities. There are plenty of ways to learn more about Asatru, and most original sources are Public Domain. The book does not contain any specific beliefs, but it does provide food for thought and pathfinding. If you’re interested in pursuing this path, I highly recommend it.
It rejects militarism
Asatru is a faith that rejects militarism, but this does not mean that it is anti-militaristic. It is a religion with many stances and values, and some people even consider it a political religion. As a beginner, you can be an ally or a detractor depending on your goals and ideals. For example, as a beginner, you may want to consider the stance of the Asatruarfelagid. They are also known as landinu.
Asatru was only recognized as a religion by the state in 1973, after many students and practitioners had been meeting for several years. The first high priest, Sveinbjorn Beinteinsson, served as the first Allsherjargodi of the Asatruarfelagid, and the association formally organized a worship service on the First Day of Summer. This is a unique Icelandic holiday that marks the end of winter and the beginning of summer.
It rejects racism
While the religion of Asatru has many critics, it rejects the notion of racism. One such critic is a prominent Asatru leader named Mark Thomas Clinton. He once sponsored a leading Holocaust denier, David Irving, to speak at a 1992 Siegfried Society meeting. The Asatru leader also has an eight-word slogan that states “No one should be excluded because of their race or ethnic background.”
Although McNallen helped create the Asatru Free Assembly, the faith’s original founder, John McNallen, has since changed it considerably. He took the Icelandic magick and the meta-genetic tone of Else Christiansen’s Odinic Rite and eschewed racism. He also argued that Asatru was a religion for the Northern European people, not just people from Iceland.
The Asatru Folk Assembly is an example of such a community, which has been in existence for decades. Although a relatively fringe group in Minnesota, the group has since expanded to other states. Recent events in the United States have highlighted the rising influence of white nationalists and other racist groups. The violent “Unite the Right” rally in Charlottesville, Virginia, and the riots at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6 have further pushed the notion that race is fundamentally different.
The Asatru church, with 700 members, also emphasizes the interconnectedness of all things. Its members are environmentally conscious, and they oppose violence, militarism, and glorification of blood. Despite its diverse membership, some neo-pagan groups and Aryan Nation gangs practice Asatru. So, how does Asatru reject racism?
It emphasizes honoring yourself and those who came before you
Asatru is a modern religion influenced by ancient Germanic practices. It emphasizes the importance of piety, honoring one’s ancestors, and the preservation of the past. Beginners should practice deeds that honor their ancestors and the world in which they live. They should also honor the Gods who came before them.
The primary gods in Asatru are warriors of the Aesir race. They are physically observable beings, and unlike the gods of today, they have their own motives and thoughts. They are on a quest to redeem the spiritual world from the material world. The chief god, Odin, is on his mission to bring the world back to order by defeating the Jotun.
While Asatru was only recently recognized by the state, a small group of practitioners and students had been gathering for some time. It was only in 1973 that a formal congregation was formed. The group had met for several years, and Sveinbjorn Beinteinsson led the effort to create a public place for Asatru to flourish. This congregation was named after the First Day of Summer, a yearly celebration marking the end of winter and the beginning of summer.
Asatru emphasizes the interconnection of all things, and a reverence for nature. Practitioners are ecologically conscious and avoid militarism and glorification of blood. While Asatru has many adherents in North America and Europe, it is still relatively new and growing. For beginners, this is a good time to learn about Asatru.
It is based on Old Norse mythology
If you’re interested in exploring the world of Old Norse mythology, you should start with a book like Asatru for Beginners, a new publication from Rockridge Press. Although only 116 pages, the book is packed with information and includes a glossary and bibliography. The book’s introductory chapter asks, “What is Asatru?” and gives a quick, concise overview of the ancient religion. It also discusses the many forms that Asatru has taken throughout the centuries.
Asatru is a revival of the Norse pantheon. It is based on the Norse mythology of the Yggdrasil Tree and Yggdrasil, the Tree of Life. Although the religion is not part of the recorded history, it is largely influenced by the culture of ancient Scandinavia. Hence, there are many myths and legends about this religion that are now popular with modern people.
The Asatru religion celebrates the Old Norse pantheon of deities and gods, many of whom are morally ambiguous. The religion spread to Iceland during the Viking Age when Norwegian farmers were in search of new pastures. The Icelandic people were still worshipping Old Norse deities until the year 1000, when pressure from the Norwegian crown led them to abandon heathenry and embrace Christianity.
It is difficult to understand the old Norse mythology as a beginner, especially when you don’t know the language. There are no clear translations of these texts, and the author condenses the main ideas about Old Norse literature into two and a half pages. It is, however, not nearly enough for the general public. There are many important details that you should know about the old Norse mythology before diving into it.
