ASATRU ALLIANCE "PRE-THING" AN OUTSTANDING SUCCESSThe Pre-Althing gathering of the Asatru Alliance, hosted June 13-15 by Calasa Kindred in northern California, was a resounding affirmation of the Asatru spirit.
Delegates and guests were greeted with a banner-lined road leading into the twenty-four acre site, and the spaceous meadows and wooded patches provided plenty of room for camping. A thunderstorm on the night of the 12th kept the fire danger down, lowered the temperatures into an unseasonably mild range, and refreshed the wildflowers.
Counting children and babies, a total of at least forty-five people attended the event.
The purpose of the Pre-Thing, as the name indicates, was to discuss major business that would be put before the Althing of the Asatru Alliance next September. The idea began as a "Regional Thing" for Alliance kindreds in California, but blossomed into a more general meeting that drew representatives from as far away as Colorado and Wisconsin.
Friday was given over to setup and socializing, punctuated by a simple ritual of greeting and dinner. At each meal, the food was blessed by a different gothi, with the idea of spreading duties and participation among all the kindreds. Informal discussions around the campfire topped off the day.
Saturday was our work day as Valgard Murray opened the Althing with a Tyr-blot and the blessing of weapons, Steve McNallen gave the Thing invocation, and we got to business. The major item on the agenda was the preamble and by-laws of the new International Asatru/Odinic Alliance. Delegates argued wording back and forth, and finally breezed through the last few points. The resulting version will be forwarded to the Odinic Rite for their input.
Three kindreds planning to petition for admission to the Alliance at the next Althing introduced themselves and answered questions regarding their accomplishments.
That evening, the sumbel witnessed the usual range of toasts, as well as a poem based on Laxdaela Saga, and a rendition of one of Josef's songs praising Odin. Later, Michael and Annabel played a number of traditional Celtic tunes on bodhran and fiddle.On Sunday, Steve served as gothi as we offered blot to Odin. It was, after all, Father's Day, so why not honor All Father? At one point in the rite, participants named a male ancestor in whose memory they gave blot. More music and the singing of some of Odin's names by the Folk gave the blot an added dimension. Immediately afterward, Barbara and Joel were married using the wedding ritual developed long ago by the Asatru Free Assembly. Breakfast- featuring the traditional mysteries of Spam- celebrated Father's Day, Odin's gifts, and the wedding simultaneously.
Later the Thing was called to order only to be swiftly adjourned; informal planning and discussion followed.
By late afternoon all the delegates and guests had departed, but the memories, and the accomplishments, remain strong!
Steve McNallen
In this time of renewal and growth in the Asatru Folk Nation, another birth to celebrate! Megan Kathleen was born to Stinar and Monica, weighing in at 7 lbs 2 oz ("just over one half stone"). Stinar writes, "The birth was assisted and hallowed by using birth runes and a Hammer hallowing, just as labor began, as well as another hallowing just after she was born." Folk and Faith live on, from the dawn of time and into the future, and Megan Kathleen is part of this eternal greatness.
The Arizona Kindred reports...Regarding the proposed legislation to remove religious protection for prisoners [SB206- the proposed amendment of the Religious Freedom Restoration Act],it is clear that the establishment monotheistic religions are already well-entrenched and the reversal of this law will not affect them in any way. The sinister ramifications are this; a closed door policy for any new religions whose adherents seek the right to practice their beliefs behind the walls, making those of us who are engaged in the prison ministry perhaps powerless to minister to our Folk.
Now I'm pretty cynical when it comes to politics and the course of politics in Vinland, but some of you may see fit to let these Senators know that the repression of religious freedom is not very American and perhaps a chilling portent of the future....
While we're on the subject of prisoners and Asatru, I thought I would let you know that the Arizona Kindred has filed a lawsuit in federal Court against the State of Arizona for religious discrimination against our Asatru inmates.
First of all, Asatru inmates are subject to their religious mail and World tree shipments being stolen, tampered with, lost, returned, trashed- well, you get the picture. Also, Asatru inmates are subject to constant cell searches where their religious materials are again confiscated and sometimes lost.
Prisoners are not allowed to legally possess runes, although most do anyway. It's funny that Wiccans can have runes, American Indians can have their medicine bags, Catholics their beads, etc., but Asatruar cannot have runes.
Also, in most prisons in Arizona, they are not allowed to gather for religious purposes. If three or more men are found talking they can be prosecuted for gang activity.
In spite of all of this, I actively minister to over 100 Asatru inmates in Arizona alone, we publish an inmate newsletter, we have several fully functional (yet underground) Kindreds in the Arizona prisons, and in general, the religion of Odin has found fertile ground. I would guess that there are many thousands whom we haven't as yet made contact with. I will keep you all posted as to the progress of our suit.
Valgard Murray Valgard has asked that it be noted that the State of Arizona has announced that all law libraries in the Arizona State prisons will be closed down on 14 July, thereby stifling any chance in the future for a prisoner to file any legal challenge without the services of a high-priced lawyer or a useless public defender.
Arizona Kindred is continuing with the suit, which has been set before a judge. They could use the help of any lawyer or paralegal as someone to send court documents to for proof reading and general comments. He writes, "We ask no more than that, but since we will not have the benefit of a law library soon, we would appreciate any such help." Arizona Kindred continues constructive work to build the Faith- lend a hand.
Eagle's Reaches/AErnfolk reports...Ymir Thunarsson, Wodensgodi amd Elder Hof warden of Eagle's Reaches/AErnfolk, and wife Hulda have produced new hand-sewn variants of the folk-flag "Ryksfaan", including a version displaying the sacred broadsword AErnfang in the middle of the banner.
Ymir at present continues as he can to work for the North American Folk Community (amerykergemaegen), having recently been involved as a mayoral candidate in his home town of Roanoke, Texas.
Eagle's Reaches/AErnfolk remains independently on track towards the preservation and promotion of the folk religion (folketru) and the long-term establishment of national ethics, rites, and cultural heritage, enabling ER to span generations and achieve longevity as a North American national culture.
ER is presently operating as the Folk agency of the North American Folk through the Elder Hof in Texas, and the Florida Branch near Tampa.
"AErnfolk Rafblad" ("Eagle's Reaches Electric Page") is currently available by Link c/o tripod.com.
In the near future, ER shall be hosting an IRC (Internet Relay Chat) room on Tripod. Updates shall be posted.
Haalgjum Heill/In the Hallows prosper!
Paal-Eirik Filssunu
RELIGIOUS FREEDOM RESTORATION ACT DECLARED UNCONSTITUTIONAL BY THE SUPREME COURT
THE U.S. Supreme Court declared today that Congress had exceeded its authority in passing the Religious Freedom Restoration Act of 1993. The Act, implemented to limit the ability of the Government to restrict religious practice, had recently been under fire within the Senate by those who sought to remove prisoners from its protection. (Thanks to Ragnar Schuett of Lone Tree Kindred for passing on news of these developments).Link: Article on yahoo.com news
Valgard Murray of the Asatru Alliance writes, "With RFRA gone, I don't see much chance for our Federal suit against the State of Arizona over freedom of worship for over 100 Asatru cons in the Arizona prison system to have an easy victory. We will have to rewrite all of our motions, etc.
I also see our advances in the Federal Prison System as being in danger as well as many States. You don't really think that these prison bureaucrats recognized Asatru because it was the right thing to do- they were complying with the "Law"....Now I suppose Congress could jump right up and pass a slightly different law which didn't step on the jurisdiction of the Federal Court, but I doubt it. We will most likely see the true colors of the "system" now.
We're just going to have to tell the men and women behind bars that we're just going to have to sort things out and count our losses after this reversal takes effect.
In kinship
Valgard
MIDSUMMER CELEBRATION AT WOTAN'S KINDRED
Lowering clouds and pattering raindrops couldn't dampen the enthusiasm of Wotan's Kindred in Camas, Washington on June 21. The event- a part of the cycle of festivals sponsored by the kindred since 1991- drew about 28 men, women, and children determined to honor Sunna and Balder at Midsummer.A singing of the Wotan's Kindred anthem was followed by the customary rocket launching, courtesy of Steve McNallen and the Asatru Folk Assembly. The missile was swallowed by tall trees, but the point was made; Asatru is a matter of the present and the future as much as it is an inheritance from the past.
The Viking Games were periodically interrupted by downpours, so the next hours saw an alternation between the throwing of the axe, spear and hammer on the one hand, and quieter pastimes on the other. In the end, Kurt was declared the overall winner, and claimed his prize- a razor sharp boar spear made by Cold Steel.
The thirteen women, ranging from middle-aged mothers to infant Haley, made flower garlands for their hair, then gathered privately to weave a daisy chain imbued with mystical significance in honor of Hulda and Sunna. The men, meanwhile, discussed the boar hunt and its meaning for warrior initiations. Afterwards, men and women came together to hear Dr. Brian Regan's reading from Beowulf.
After a sumptuous dinner, the company processed down to the torch-lit stone circle for the Balder-blot. Here, eight huge boulders surrounded a massive horg and a tall wooden statue of Thor. The blot, the jumping over the needfire, and the serpent dance were powerful; live music added greatly to the effect.
Next, it was time to burn the Viking ship. The vessel, approximately fifteen feet in length, bore the simulated body of Balder. It was pushed, burning, into the large pond as flames licked the sky and reflected with perfect symmetry in the mirror-like water. All stood mesmerized, turned inward to the realms of spirit, as the purifying fire worked its magic.
At the top of the hill, a nine-foot diameter sunwheel awaited the celebrants. Blazing, it lit the ground and sky. It didn't roll into the pond as planned, but the participants were still so moved by the ship burning that no one much cared!
A sumbel followed, led by Steve McNallen of Calasa Kindred. The horn went three rounds, and the Folk responded with excellent toasts to bring the power of the ancestors into the present. Finally, as the hour approached midnight, the guests began to head homeward. Sunna and Balder had recieved our gifts, and we had been nourished from the Folksoul. Now, it was time to return to the other parts of our lives, there to make our visions and ideals a reality!
In the Federal Corrections Institute at Florence, Colorado, the Woodpile Kindred is in "a wait and see mode about the Supreme Court decision [overturning the RFRA], right now they have no idea how this will affect them, they are hoping the decision will not eliminate the few freedoms they have and are going to continue to do what they can to be able to practice their faith and beliefs", writes a friend on the outside. She also notes that even with the RFRA in force the Asatru inmates have "been singled out terribly in the prison system." When asked what Asatruar outside the walls can do for our kinsmen within she writes, "The number one thing these guys need is for followers of Asatru to correspond with them about the faith", adding that "many of the guys have been introduced to Asatru while they have been incarcerated and are thrilled to meet people of the same beliefs on the outside." Most try not to give much thought to life after being released- thinking about freedom only makes it harder to endure imprisonment- but one will be released in August and will form a Kindred in the town where his wife now resides.Scott Tolley, the Gothi/Lawspeaker of the Kindred has written, "We hold weekly kindred meetings, study groups, rune classes, and we celebrate all the seasonal Blots. We are a formational kindred of the Asatru Alliance. We have only been 'legally' practicing our religion in the Bureau of Prisons for a couple of years now, but we have come a long way in that time, and we continue to grow and to achieve more religious freedom throughout the B.O.P. in the years to come. We are a warrior breed, we will not lay down and be beaten by the system. The administration fights us every step of the way, but it is a battle that we are proud to partake in. Odinists throughout the B.O.P. are finally getting the recognition that we deserve."
The Kindred's e-mail address is [email protected] (on the outside, of course, with messages forwarded inside). Gothi Scott Tolley can be reached at...
G.Scott Tolley 04181-046 P.O.Box 6000 Florence, CO 81226
Lone Tree Kindred of Colorado reports that Ragnar Schuett attended the Asatru Alliance Pre-Althing as the Kindred's representative. He writes, "I thank both Steve and Sheila for the great hospitality that they showed, as well as all the hard work that they put in it and making sure everything went as smoothly as possible. And perhaps within the same vein, the whole atmosphere was very relaxed and friendly. I had a lot of fun. I might not be able to remember everyone's names that I talked to but it'll be great when I see them again! The kids come to mind right now as I write this, the whole event seemed more like a family gathering than anything to me." He adds that the event was productive and has lit a renewed fire in him, the reaction of all of the delegates I've spoken with to what was at root a community gathering.
Wotan's Kindred reports continued progress in the establishment of a geographical community for Asatru families in Washington. About the Hof, Reinhold reports, "Saturday we finally broke ground when a giant Hitachi crane dug out the squared off site we had placed near our pond."Thorgren Odden our builder has planned it to be built according to multiples of the magic Norse number nine. This is in keeping with ancient Hofs in Denmark and Iceland. The length is 27 feet, and the width is 18 feet. The pitched roof will be about 10 feet high.
"The outside will look like white stucco, but actually will consist of a material called Drive-it. The building will have black timbers placed against the walls both for decoration and support. The timbers will also be set to form runes.
"The concrete slab should be poured within the next two weeks, and the lumber will be ordered shortly."
He adds, "The other bit of news is to announce that on October 19, 1997 Wotan's Kindred will host our Winternights gathering. Steve McNallen will be among the honored guests. This would be a great chance for any couples thinking of moving to the Northwest and joining our growing Asatru community to check us and the area out. All those interested please let me know in advance."
Osferth OR(V) reports that the Odinic Rite (Vinland) has officially been recognized as a religious corporation by the state of Ohio, and when enough funds are raised an application will be made for Federal tax exempt status.He adds, "We're now ironing out details of a certification programme for OR Gothis". Updates to follow.
1997 [email protected]
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