By: Shawn Rowland
In 1976, a man by the name of Tom Germaine who now calls himself Garman Lord set the foundations for the rebirth of the ancient religion of the English folk. Slow going as it was, at some point in the 80�s his form of Heathenry called Theodism was born. Now, years later, the inspiration of Theodism and the already growing Scandinavian Asatru which formed in the late 60�s and early 70�s mixed and formed a more democratic faith most popularly held by the organization called The Anglo-Saxon Ealdriht. This Anglo-Saxon Heathenism has grown in many unexpected ways and has spawned several organizations and is one of the leading Heathen expressions of modern tribalism and family values. AS Heathenism is genetically and culturally very closely related to the Scandinavian/Icelandic religion of Asatru and together they make up the majority of Germanic Heathendom with smaller groups rediscovering their own tribal ways(such as the Goths, Lombards, and Frisians). We are related in that we have the same Gods, same mythology, and same sense of ethics and esoteric mysteries.
The people who made up Anglo-Saxon England and brought with them their ancestral polytheism were drawn mainly from the Angle, Saxon, and Jutish tribes from the Germanic continent. Later on others such as Frisians, Swedes, Norwegians, and Normans(the Norman invasion of 1066)further added their genetic and cultural milieu into the mix. However, from about 400 c.e.-700 c.e., and possibly as late as the 10th century, the early English had their own faith which was quite opposite of the growing Christianity, and far more tolerant. It is from this wellspring of natural spiritual development which we claim our right to practice the faith of our ancestors. We hold that while anyone can join irregardless of race, gender, sexual orientation, or nation of origin, that those of who are indeed descended by blood and culture from the English folk have a duty to uphold our legacy, embrace our heritage, and make viable and true what would have been if not the Christian crusaders had forced their faith on our folk.
If someone of our stock wishes to claim Buddhism or Islam or even alien worship, that is their right as a free individual, however, we believe that it is right and true to follow the faith of your forebears. Now, our faith, due to growth in wisdom, science, custom, social changes, etc., may indeed change to suit the times but the fact remains that such ancestral faiths are outgrowths of a natural and spontaneous understanding of the cosmos and the divinity within ourselves and without in the cosmos. Shinto, the natural faith of the Japanese, is not the same as it was 1000 years ago, and how it is now will probably change in another 1000 years. This is human nature, and the healthy development of our understanding of spirituality and our places within the cosmos.
In modern AS Heathenry, this is no different. We look to the heroic tales, mythology, and historical accounts of our forebears for their ancient spiritual wisdom, ethical teachings, and an understanding of how to truly celebrate the glory of life in our culture, custom, and worship. This does not mean however that we look away from modern examples of wisdom or custom, or are opposed to science or technology. The way we see it is that science will explain the physical laws of this universe, and how everything works, but that does not explain the why, or other hidden mysteries that those who experience them cannot deny. Nor are we going to look the gift of technology in the mouth. The Gods aided our evolution, and granted us a unique self-awareness and complex consciousness that was key to the development of technology that makes life easier, more enjoyable, and ever more fascinating. It is in the spirit of our brave and steadfast ancestors that we accept life on its own terms and play the gamble of life.
I mentioned above that the inspiration for this spiritual rebirth comes from the acceptance of our ancestral roots. This is also something very important to the modern Heathen. While we do not loathe or denounce our current global consumer culture, we feel it is misapplied and are more than a bit disappointed that things have gone this far. To the modern Heathen, it is a boon to extend the hand of global unity and work together for technological, scientific, and medical purposes. In fact, it is a great boon. It is also a boon to work together for solid and dependable products that can be shipped and used worldwide as in the example of democratic free markets. It is entirely another issue altogether for generation after generation to become wholly disassociated with their root culture(s), or leave their own in dismay for another, foreign ideal, or to turn their backs on anything good and right and embrace rampant and soulless consumerism and the �McCulture� that is filtered throughout several of the world�s �civilized� nations.
To combat this, the modern Heathen embraces their roots and follows that progress until the modern day to better understand how things came to be, how they came to be, and if indeed for them, the Heathen worldview is consistent and correct. By understanding where we came from, and where we are going, we can work for a better future that will be guided by traditional values, tribal ethics, and the proper respect and love of our fellow humans that come with embracing one�s ancestry, culture, and native deities. Further on this, we can utilize the technology and media of today to create new forms of spiritual culture based on the old ones. A mythological comic for children, widely available Tafl board games, Anglo-Saxon cookbooks, clothing based on tunic and knotwork designs, furniture with dragonheads and god-posts, a new philosophical birth based on polytheistic metaphysics, the potential is endless. It is nothing short of a revolutionary spiritual rebirth of the English, their culture, and their descendants!
So, just what is Anglo-Saxon Heathenism anyway? Below I will describe several of the factors that makes an Anglo-Saxon Heathen, just that.
� Polytheism: This is the belief in and worship of a multitude of Gods and Goddesses. This belief is tolerant of, but sharply opposed to, monotheism, duotheism(as in Wicca), atheism, and materialism. Heathen beliefs concerning the Gods range from real beings that are highly evolved souls and our spiritual ancestors(which is the vast majority), to psychological archetypes, universal principles, mixtures of these and some in-between. Some of the deities are Woden(Odin), Thunor(Thor), Frea(Freyr), Frige(Frigga), Sibbe(Sif), Freo(Freyja), and many others!
� Cultural Inheritance: This is belief in the importance of all humans embracing their own unique heritage and legacy. There is a good deal of freedom in this belief. It must be noted that embracing one�s heritage does not mean shunning other�s cultural expressions or spiritual teachings, but rather putting our own first unless someone of their own accord does indeed feel personally displaced within their birth culture. In this case, that person is free to find their true spiritual home with our best wishes.
� Tribal Ethics: Our ethics are based on a tribal model of thought. We do not claim rational superiority in this, nor do we wish to foist our ethics on others as do some universalist faiths. Our values are called by their Anglo-Saxon name of Thews. We do not have a �10 Commandments�, and much of our ethical wisdom comes from deep research of our tales and our folk�s history. However, a list of thews has been created for such a purpose as introductions like this. They are called the 12 Atheling(noble) Thews(virtues): 1)Boldness(courage) 2)Steadfastness 3)Troth(loyalty) 4)Givefulness(generosity) 5)Guestliness(hospitality) 6)Sooth(truthfulness) 7)Wrake(vengeance) 8)Evenhead(equality) 9)Friendship 10)Freedom(self-reliance) 11)Wisdom 12)Busyship(self-discipline).
� Frith: Frith is an Anglo-Saxon word that has no real equivalent in modern English. The easiest definition is �peace�, but frith goes beyond peace. Frith is the assurance of protection by your fellow folk, and your governmental superiors, and your food and goods providers. Frith is the web of oaths being fulfilled to honourable completion. Frith is the shieldwall protecting the folk from unwholesome forces. Frith is the connection of reciprocity and love between man and Gods.
� Oaths: Oaths are a very important subject. Simple promises or I.O.U�s do not fall under this. An oath is a contract of honour and an act of love. Now that love might be for one�s self, one�s community, another(as in marriage or adoption), but oathing is quite a serious buiness and if failed, could wreak havoc on one�s personal luck and good name, or even adversely affect their family and tribe.
� Wyrd and Orlaeg: Wyrd is best described as the ultimate duty and debt of all that is. It is the layering of thoughts, words, and deeds into the Wells of life. It is the cosmic bond between all things. It is�well�just plain Wyrd. Orlaeg is a part of Wyrd, but plays more of an active role in our own affairs. Orlaeg means �forward moving law� and �primal layers�. Orlaeg is to the Heathen, what karma is to the Hindu. There is personal orlaeg, family orlaeg, tribal orlaeg, wordly orlaeg, and so on and so forth. It all layers down into the Well of Wyrd.
� The Soul: As in all religions, the soul in Heathen belief is eternal. However, unlike many other beliefs, the form of the soul, and personality, is in flux and changing just like in normal life. The reason for this, is because the Heathen soul has different spiritual aspects to it, and is not one consistent being. In fact, souls can even grant measures of their own luck or moods to their descendants. The different parts of a soul in modern Heathen belief are: 1)Lich-the human body. 2)Hyge-the intellect. 3)Mynd-the memory(both hyge and mynd share in the creation of human emotions). 4)Willa-the will, desire, drive. 5)Aedhem-the breath of life, animating principle. 6)Hama-energy form/body of the soul(aura). 7)Orlaeg-one�s personal �law�. 8)Maegen-spiritual energy possessed by all living things(possibly non-living as well), also contains one�s luck 9)Fetch-guardian spirit, teller of deeds at death, ancestrally inherited in some cases, usually in the form of an animal or opposite sex. 10)Mod-the self, the totality of being. 11)Wod-the seat of passion and ecstatic inspiration, the genius, the daemonic, the fuel for magical and esoteric endeavors.
� Cosmology: The Heathen cosmos is a multi-realm cosmos. All of existence came from the void of all potentiality known as Ginnungagap where primal forces which would be recreated as Nifolham and Muspell(Ice and Fire) intermingled and gave birth to the primal cow(force of life and energy), Audhumbla, and the primal ettin(force of matter and potential), Ymir. In the ice of Nifolham, Audhumbla licked free the first God, and his name was Buri. From these three beings came all others. Later on, the Gods Woden, Willi, and Weh(descendant of Buri) slayed Ymir as the first cosmic sacrifice for the attainment of right and order. From his carcass and other elements, they forged the nine worlds and the great world tree, the cosmic pillar, Eormensyll. The realms of the cosmos are as follows: 1)Nifolham(misty home) 2)Esageard(home of the Esa gods) 3)Eotenham(home of the Ettins) 4)Aelfham(home of the light elves) 5)Middengeard(home of humanity) 6)Helham(home of the dead, usually to be reincarnated, some places here are like paradise, some are torturous, all are based on one�s deeds and honour) 7)Muspell(home of the fire ettins and Surtr) 8)Sweartaelfham(home of the dark elves and/or dwarves) 9)Wanaham(home of the Wenna gods) 10)Wyrdesburne(the Well of Wyrd, home of the three Wyrdae)
� Enclosures: Heathens believe in a structure of enclosures that dictate human society as good and lawful, protected by the Gods, and to some degree, holy. Whatever is outside of that human society, either lies in the �wilds� and is not of human custom and therefore not holy(i.e. not wholesome), or of the Gods and partakes of a divine nature that is both �wild� and �ultra-good�. This comes mainly from our words weoh, halig, and unhalig. What is weoh partakes of that part of divinity which is awesome, utter glory, madness inspiring, and a bit frightening. Halig is the ancestor to the modern word holy. To our ancestors, what was holy was healthy, right, good, lawful, and human acceptable. What was unhalig, or unholy, was dangerous, unhealthy, and an outlaw. It should pointed out for interest sake, that Heathen idols are also called weohas, or �holders of weoh�, seats for the Gods during worship.
� Wights: Wights are any being at all to be specific, but in most heathen contexts, they refer to beings other than humans, animals, or Gods. We have a variety of spiritual beings ranging from our dear ancestors, to wood imps, water spirits(nicor), dwarves, elves, and of course, the Waelcyrgie(Valkyrie). The following wights are the most common: 1)Ylfe-elves, though they are not the common conception thereof, no, these elves are great shining beings of goodly power and wisdom. 2)Cofgodas-house spirits, usually pretty wild, but often very helpful when treated right and kindly. 3)Idesa-female ancestral spirits that look after and guide their descendants. 4)Dweorgh-the dwarves of myth and legend, also possibly dark elves, noted for making many shapes and forms of human bodies for the Gods to infuse with soul. 5)Huldrafolk-woodland spirits, usually female and beautiful, but with backs of wood. 6)Ettins-powerful and ancient beings usually depicted as giants, wise and many are friends of the Gods, but their chaotic nature make them unsuitable for human companionship. 7)Landwihta-land spirits, guardians of elemental forces. 8)Mare-the spiritual form of a nightmare. 9)Nicor-dangerous water spirits. 10)Puca-crafty and devilish imps. 11)Hrisi-a type of ettin which is fair and of good form, but basically quite dumb and controlled by material desires. 12)Thyrsi-giants not to be confused with Ettins, usually very ugly, demonic, and destructive. 13)Unholda-evil wights that are opposed to the goddess Holda. 14)Waelcyrgie-daughters and shield maidens of Woden, furious spirits of rage, but also lovers and wisdom givers to the chosen warriors of Woden.
� Holy Tides: Heathens have holy days of celebration just like anyone else. The only difference is that some of our days are based on the celebration of life and are determined by the seasons and agriculture. Yule is probably best known as this is one of the most blatantly stolen holy days from the past. An eternal tree, gifts for children, sacred ham, a Yule log burning, wreaths, mistletoe, celebration of the coming new year, all of these were ancient heathen customs stolen by Christian folk when they could not stop people from celebrating them. Yule is from Dec.21st-Jan 1st. Another holy day taken from us by the Christians, is Ostara, modern-day Easter. On this day, the goddess Eostere was worshipped and the life of Spring welcomed in. Eostere was also identified with rabbits, eggs, and hunting games, sound familiar? Walburgis, celebrated on the eve of May 1st is a celebration of magic, witches, and wizards. Our religion embraces the mystical side of life and sees it as good and having its place. May 1st itself is a celebration of the Spring maiden overcoming the Winter hag, and dancing around the maypole for fertility and crop success. Midsummer, on June 21st, is a fire festival and is a celebration of the sun and the driving away of ill-luck. It is considered good luck to go skinny dipping on Midsummer. Hlaefmaest is the harvest festival of the year and occurs around the beginning of August or September depending on where you are at. Winterfylleth is the welcoming of the winter-time and offerings are made to the ancestors and great hunts are made to ensure enough meat for the coming season. It is a celebration of the past, and of survival. We celebrate through blot(blessing ritual), symble(toasting ritual), and husel(grand sacred feasts).
� Magic: Heathens accept magic, but not all practice it. The ancestral forms of magic are through using the runes, and our native shamanism and mediumship known as seidhr and spae. Through the runes we can divinate, galdor(chant), create talismans, send prayers to the Gods, and re-create our own luck. Through seidhr and spae we can make herbal remedies, read omens in nature, speak to the dead and the Gods through mediumship, cast sympathetic spells, heal through nergy work(like reiki), and meditate with what the Hindus call Kundalini power. Only true Heathens should delve too deeply into the mysteries of our folk, but our wisdom is always available to those who seek.
� Culture: Our culture is the English culture, and out spiritual culture is English, supplemented by the common works of Icelanders, Scandinavians, and continental Germans. We also share some common history and culture with the Celtic Brits such as the Scots, Welsh, and Irish. We hold dear expressions of our legacy like Tolkien�s Lord of the Rings, English cuisine, and English folk music.
I hope you have enjoyed this introduction. For more in-depth information on Anglo-Saxon Heathenism, visit The Anglo-Saxon Ealdriht at: http://www.ealdriht.org/