News of the Asatru Folk Nation
Please make submissions of activities, plans, and other
news relevant to the Folkish Asatru community to me at
[email protected] (link at bottom of page).
Added 18 June
Odinic Rite Vinland's Osferth and Heidrun have announced the birth of their third child! Thorinn Magni weighed in at 9 lbs 6 oz, 21.5". Osferth writes, "...he has red-blond hair, blue eyes and a massive appetite! Sound familiar!?!"
Within the past couple of months Odinic Rite (Vinland) was recognized as a national branch by the Court of Gothar of the Odinic Rite. Osferth OR has also been legally recognized by the State of Ohio as a Gothi and is able now to perform Odinic handfastings. Wulfgaest AOR, who has been appointed Information Officer, has also applied for legal recognition.
OR(V) has begun publishing not only a Vinland edition of OR Briefing (see the review below), but also has made available The Book of Blotar: Authentic Rituals of the Odinic Rite. As ORB 160 explains, "It contains the twelve major monthly rituals as well as Rites of Passage, a Healing Blot, Sword Naming, Land Reclamation, Banner Consecration, short invocations, daily rituals, etc. It also contains an in-depth explanation of need and purpose of ritual, regalia, etc." (Available for $12 from Odinic Rite Vinland, P.O.Box 2022, Sandusky, OH 44871-2022). Chuck Basso's contributions were invaluable in getting the Vinland-produced edition out. More projects are underway so I'll keep you posted.
Wotan's Kindred of Washington reports, "FOR THOSE WHO DESIRE COMMUNITY- COME TO THE NORTHWEST!
"Seeking like-minded folkish Asatru couples, preferably with children, to help us form the 'Enhanced Community'. We are currently breaking ground on a Viking Hof to serve as a temple, community center, and school for our folk. We are also very interested to hear from European Asatruar who might like to join or become otherwise involved in our project. We have professionals who will assist you in finding suitable employment and housing!
"If you would like to find out more about this important effort for folkish Asatru, please contact Reinhold of Wotan's Kindred. Our e-mail address is: [email protected]. Please note that our e-mail will not be up and running until approximately June 21st, 1997. We hope to hear from you!"
Some bad news to report- the Odinist Prison Project, which had been operating in Pennsylvania and California, has suspended its activities. The workload had simply become too great for the limited time and resources of the volunteers involved. This is a valuable organization for our faith- I hope to have better news to report in the near future.
The Odinist Prison Project can still be reached at [email protected] . If you have time and energy to spend for a worthy cause, I urge you to contact them.
Steve McNallen writes, " The Aerospace Technology Guild of the Asatru Folk Assembly gathered at a camp site high in the mountains of California on Friday, May 30th, then- after a stop at a local planetarium- rolled down into the Nevada desert to launch rockets. Unfortunately, high winds kept us from getting off more than one shot to about three thousand feet altitude, but we took the opportunity to visit a nearby power spot where we toasted our ancestors.
"Back at the campground that night, we continued our Asatru fellowship under the trees and the glimmering stars. The next morning, after the usual toast to the Gods, the Folk, and the land wights, we returned to face another week of work, determined to schedule another expedition soon.
"The ATG, which explores the connection between our ancient religion and the pioneering spirit which will carry our Folk into the future, can be reached through the Asatru Folk Assembly, P.O.Box 445, Nevada City, CA 95959. The Guild publishes a modest newsletter titled SLEIPNIR.
In recognition of the strong bonds of kinship that link Asatruar throughout the world, three organizations which have played a key role in creating those bonds have announced the formation of a new international organization. The Asatru Alliance, the Asatru Folk Assembly, and the Odinic Rite have formed the International Asatru/Odinic Alliance, with particular praise being given Valgard Murray for his personal efforts.
Link: The statement of Heimgest DCG
World Tree Publications now offers an updated 16 page catalog free of charge on request. A wide array of Asatru oriented items are available- books and pamphlets to deepen understanding of our faith (including many offered originally by the Asatru Free Assembly), t-shirts to proclaim your faith to all, a wide variety of high quality Thor's Hammers to wear with pride, horns from which to drink mead in honor of the gods (can't brew? buy the mead brewer's handbook!), and much more. By Asatruar for Asatruar, I think of World Tree as our community store. Write to P.O.Box 961, Payson, AZ 85547 for the updated catalog.
Vor Tru Update (more below): The next issue should be out within a month or so. As I've said before, there is no finer resource for information on the faith, bringing together literary and archeological resources, providing in-depth research of a wide range of topics that bear on the faith, and reporting on Asatru today. The "Here and Now" section of itself promises to be of great value. Among the topics being considered for inclusion in that section are reports on Steve McNallen's West Coast Rune lectures, the Odinic Rite Vinland's formation, spears said to be the world's oldest found in Germany, Cheddar man, Kennewick man, a report on the Life story about religion on-line: Can Thor Make a Comeback?, and the final shipment of Icelandic Sagas from Denmark. There is no exaggeration in noting that Vor Tru is essential, and enjoyable, reading. Subscription information is below- don't miss this issue.
Raven Kindred of the Asatru Alliance continues to provide perhaps the finest Asatru website. With pages containing the Havamal and the Voluspa, an excellent introduction to the runes and more, there's always something interesting to check out. Particularly noteworthy is the genealogy page- ancestry and the ancestral faith are naturals.
In late May RK gathered at the Scottish Games at the Orange County fairgrounds, joined by Thorr's Hammer Kindred for a great time immersed in European culture.Link: Raven Kindred's Genealogy Page (with an e-mail link to the AFA's Genealogy Guild)
Speaking of Thorr's Hammer Kindred, Redbeard reports, "Congratulations to Doug and Marion, who married on board a Viking ship last month! Actually, a Viking Lines cruise ship, and they didn't even have to row!" All who remember Doug's singing at the Yulefest sincerely hope the dolphins are alright.
Eagle's Reaches/ AErnfolk have plans to irregularly publish a journal called HAERN, though it's on the back burner for now. They recently went on-line with a webpage and it is being regularly updated. Big visual upgrades are expected soon. Paal-Eirik Filssunu writes, "ER offers a free info booklet to those who write to our address at the Rafblad (the website). Also, a basic Grammar (Laerboek) of the folk language is available as a 'starting source' for our culture and speech". The website will soon include a news page for updates, and I'll try to keep you posted as well.
Lone Tree Kindred in Colorado continues to spread the word about the ancestral faith by distributing literature and maintaining close ties with the community. Ragnar's voice is among the most eloquent on alt.religion.asatru as well. The Lone Tree website also includes a page for the AFA's Seith Guild, which Ragnar heads (the Guild newsletter Earthways is available).
In Utah, Berserkr Kindred hasn't gone on-line yet, but they may be reached via the Asatru Alliance webpage e-mail addresses or at P.O. Box 70276, West Valley, UT 84170. They've continued holding study groups, most recently investigating the runes in-depth. They're also looking into fundraising ideas for the prison outreach program in order to supply incarcerated Asatruar with religious materials such as the Poetic Edda- I urge all to lend aid to these efforts. They've been working closely with Eagle's Kindred in preparations for this year's Althing- helping build axe targets for the Viking Games and so forth. And- beware!- they're practicing for the Games, so if you wish to compete with them you may want to limber up your axe-throwing arm with a bit of practice! (My wife will not be more accurate this year than me- I'll not overthrow the target if I have to use my left arm).
In Montana, the formational Wolfgar Kindred has plans for an eventful Summer. Write them c/o Dan Gilek, 1211 Main St. Suite 202, Billings, MT 59105 or send e-mail to [email protected] .
Nik Warrensson reports, "The New Zealand Asatru Fellowship and the affiliated group 'The Norsemen' are having a Solstice feast (I hesitate to call it a Midsomerblot because it's winter down here) and we are assisting in the building of a Gokstead Drakar replica. Which will then become a charter vessel. The man that is responsible is a Swede called Lars Forberg. It will be constructed in the Auckland Maritime Museum and will be open to the public." Nik and the NZAF may be reached by e-mail at [email protected] .(Asatru women- Nik's unattached at the moment....).
The Eagle's Kindred of Utah remains busy. They write, "Our big event of the year is Midsummer and it will be held on the 20th, 21st, and 22nd of June at Weber Memorial Park, 20 miles east of Ogden, Utah (this is the same place where we will be holding the Althing). Admission will be $15 per person or $25 per family. We will have workshops on Norse Lore, The Runes, and Norse Magic. All meals will be provided and there will be activities planned for the children. There will be hiking and canoeing for the older kids and there will be around-the-campsite activities for the younger children.
"On the 14th of this month, four of our Gothar are scheduled to start training to be Religious Volunteers at the Utah State Prison. The training will take place at the Fred House Memorial Building in Draper, Utah. At this time, we hope to obtain our credentials and clearances for ministering to our folk there.
"The Charter for our Boy Scout troop is due and we will be renewing that in the very near future.
"Plans are being laid for the first Asatru Private School. The Curriculum has been decided upon and we will be buying our teaching material from Oak Meadow School (www.oakmeadow.com). The curriculum will focus on the Waldorfme method of teaching developed by Rudolf Steiner around the turn of the century. This project will be a joint endeavor between The Eagle's Kindred and the Berserkr Kindred. As plans stand now, we will be starting up with eight students.
"The Eagle's Kindred is now ready to submit our Statement of Purpose, Articles of Incorporation, and By Laws to the general membership for ratification. Projected date of submission of the tax exempt application to the state and federal government is late July.
"Preparations for the Asatru Alliance Althing in September are in full swing. This is the first Althing to be held in the State of Utah and we are all dedicated to making it a memorable event.
"Apologies to everyone that would like to see another issue of our newsletter. We have been so busy in other areas that our limited resources have not allowed us the time to get one out. We hope to be able to get on track with the newsletter again in the next couple of months.
"Wassail,
Hraesvelg"
Periodicals and Publications
Vor Tru- Published by the Asatru Alliance, this is the finest religiously-oriented publication available. Each issue includes updates of Asatru today, and clearly it is a living faith. Each issue is also rich with explorations of the faith and of history, with some of the finest minds in the world today contributing their insights. Notable articles in recent issues have included Valgard Murrays' The Role of the Gothar In The Asatru Community and The Significance of the Blot, Robert Ward's The Hammer of Thor: The Function and Form of Mjollnir Among The Folk and The 20th Century CE Faces Faces from the 20th Century BCE: A look at some new evidence of our ancestors' travels east, Michael Moynihan's Of Wolves and Death: An Investigation of the Wolkhook and investigations of the rising Asatru culture, Robert Taylor's The Folkish Tribal Tattoo, and Markus Wolf's The Germanic Revival. Vor Tru sets high standards of intellectual excellence without becoming dry. In short, each issue is an exciting exploration of Folk and Faith- past, present and future. The next issue is in work and I'll let you know when it's available.
Vor Tru P.O.Box 961 Payson, Arizona 85547 $18 for 4 issues European airmail- $26 for 4 issues Australia and New Zealand airmail- $28/ 4 issues The Runestone- I read my first issue of The Runestone in 1986- even so, I was a Johnny-come-lately to a magazine that had been published since the early-70's. Needless to say, this was the pioneering publication of our faith, long before the New Agers discovered and sought to tame the ancestral faith. In all the years since it has remained faithful to the true spirit of Asatru, first as the publication of the Asatru Free Asembly and today as that of the Asatru Folk Assembly. And it has never lost its relevence to the living faith.
The Spring 1997 issue recently was published and included articles by Steve McNallen (I'd buy any publication just to read the ever-meaningful perspective of a man so rightly considered a founder of the resurgent faith) entitled The Final Faring: Preparing For Death, Ancestral Bones: More On The Kennewick Man and more, an engaging article by Sheila Edlund on ancestry and geneology, and L.B. Hailodin's Eons in Ice: Evolution and Environment. There are, as always, updates on the activities of the AFA, a vibrant organization I've recently joined (I was a member of the "old AFA" as well).
The Runestone P.O.Box 445 Nevada City, CA 95959 Quarterly $12 in U.S. $15 in Canada $18 overseas ($24 Airmail) Checks payable to the AFA ORBriefing- Published by Odinic Rite Vinland, this is essentially the same as that published by Odinic Rite but with a page devoted to the activities of the recently formed ORV. In a small newsletter form and intended for OR members and apprentices, though available to those with an interest in the OR, ORBriefing is a valuable publication.
ORB 160 was recently released. The cover story by John Thornborrow, The Re-Hallowing of England/ The Real Hallowing of England calls for just that, a reclamation of England's Odinist spiritual birthright after centuries of Christian alienation. There are, as one would expect given the intended readership, updates on OR activities throughout the world, including Arnbald OR's update from France. Also included are music reviews, poetry, and excerpts from Burnt Njal's Saga. Most importantly is the announcement by Heimgest DCG of the formation of the International Asatru/Odinic Alliance with the Asatru Alliance and the Asatru Folk Assembly.
ORB P.O.Box 2022 Sandusky, OH 44871-2022 $8 annually (6-8 issues) Wolf Age- Never ones to depict Asatru as Wicca with a dash of Norse flavoring, the AFA also publishes this quality magazine, dedicated to the adventurous spirit so centrally a part of the Faith. Subtitled Ancient Lore for Modern Warriors, it is that and more. As the description says, "The boldness of the Viking raider, the fury of the Germanic tribesmen, the ecstasy of the Celts- our modern world needs these figures of freedom more than ever!" Each issue causes the New Agers who seek to replace blot with bloat to cry the modern equivalent of "A furore nordmannorum, libera nos, domine!"
The Spring 1997 issue was recently published, a picture of Reinhold Clinton on the cover with the boar he slew with a spear. Articles included a look at Berserkers in Norse society by Gunnora Hallakarva and in the modern era by Steve McNallen, updates of news from Zaire (the Congo), Papua New Guinea, Burma, and Egypt, a look at the Swedish Rangers by Rickard Behrendt, a rune study, book reviews and more. Definitely a must have for all but PC Vikings and the faint of heart.
Subscription information is the same as The Runestone.
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