Heimdall often counters Loki, even following him as a seal once.  I have always felt this means that he can, for a short time and in specific ways, do what Loki does to oppose him.  What do others think?

Hi, all. I subscribe to cracked.com on facebook, because they post some funny articles, but today they posted this:


"7 'Ancient' Forms of Mysticism That Are Recent Inventions"

They list #1 as "The Viking Religion" with a link to asatru.org, and then proceed to say this about it:

Quote: "Vikings are awesome, as are the myths of pre-Christian Scandinavia that come with them. There are giant hammers, eight-legged horses and Ragnarok, in which the universe is kicked to death by fire and the bad guys pilot a ship made of corpse fingernails. It's like one giant, eternal '80s metal album cover. But for many people -- those who feel a deep connection to Norse culture, want to join a prison gang or are just angry at their parents for making them get up early for church when they were young -- Scandinavian paganism is alive and well, known as Odinism or Asatru by modern followers.

You're begging us now, "Please, Cracked, don't tell us that all of that stuff about Thor and his hammer, Odin, Loki and other Marvel properties are horseshit made up to sell some books!" Unfortunately, our dedication to the truth is only seconded by our dedication to killing your dreams. Pretty much everything we know about Scandinavian paganism comes from the Eddas, two books compiled in the 13th century by a guy with the hilarious, Muppet-like name of Snorri Sturluson.

But wait, the 13th century's still pretty old, right? Yes, but there's a problem here: Snorri wrote the books several hundred years after Scandinavia had been Christianized. Oh, and Snorri himself wasn't exactly a true believer: he declared that the "gods" he was writing about were just dead heroes who got talked up later.

That would be bad enough, but Snorri's collections also contained elements that seem to be cribbed from the hot new religion, like Odin sacrificing himself by hanging on a tree and getting pierced by a spear. In fact, some buzzkill scholars have even suggested that Ragnarok itself is no more than a retelling of the end of paganism under Christianity, or even a co-opted version of the Biblical book of Revelation. Basically, Snorri was working at the end of a 200-year-old religious telephone game, and we've just got no way of knowing what was in the original version and what was the result of one guy saying, "You know what religion needs? More giant hammers." End quote.



I posted a comment on facebook and am about to on cracked as well, calmly making some corrections and clarifications as to our sources and the fact we *know* snorri christianized a lot of his writings... Perhaps others will join me, in defending Asatru? Nobody expects Cracked to be a source of scholarly research but I feel comparing us to prison gangs and Marvel is just wrong.

Cheers

In doing some research about grief and loss of both death and loss of relationship, someone suggested Freya.  This resonated for various reasons but I have little experience with Freya.  Has anyone else bloted to Freya for this purpose and have any advice?

http://ravencast.podbean.com/2011/03/14/episode-50-asatru-ritual-class-and-discussion-by-gary-golden/

Episode 50 - Asatru Ritual Class and Discussion by Gary Golden

Gary was kind enough to invite us to record his class on Asatru ritual in the lore. We were thrilled to do so and also was able to witness a very cool discussion after the class as well. The subject mostly focused upon the the sections within the saga about Blot and other formal ritual structures. The discussion was typical of having many heathen types with multiple opinions. On everything.

This is the second and companion part to Gary's ECT class. You will want to download the Gunnall paper and have that handy. (http://ravencast.podbean.com/2010/10/04/handout-for-groves-and-sacred-spaces/)

We also now have a Facebook page! Friend us and spread the virus... er... legend of Ravencast and our name everywhere. (http://www.facebook.com/pages/Ravencast-The-Asatru-Podcast/140041176062322)

Heilsa All,

The East Coast Thing is an Asatru community-building event in the Poconos of Pennsylvania. We have over ten years of Asatru fun, games and worship.  ECT is a family-friendly place where Asatruar gather in frith to honor the Aesir and Vanir, exchange ideas in classes and workshops and renew the bonds between kindreds and individuals. While the event is open to all individuals, the focus is on Asatru and the Northeast Asatru community.

This year we will have nine individual Ve's to be constructed by the creative heathens from the East Coast community. All children have attended FREE to date via the Kids Fund.
Tons of academic and fun classes, challenging Viking Games, Kuub Tournaments, Brewing and Skaldic Contests.  Guarantees of many horns to be shared by the fire.

Milford, PA, August 24th - 28th 2011

http://eastcoastthing.com/

Also check out our Facebook page:
http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/East-Coast-Thing/318560213828

Please feel free to send this email far and wide.

Wes Thu Hal
David Carron - Ombudsman for the Troth

http://www.ravennorth.org - Raven Kindred North
http://ravencast.podbean.com - Ravencast: The Only Asatru Podcast
http://spokenlore.podbean.com - Spokenlore - Weekly Saga Readings
http://www.thetroth.org - The Troth
http://www.eastcoastthing.org - ECT

In association with local notable and good friend erynn999, Diana and I proudly present: something to do this Saturday night!

Diana Paxson (dpaxson, author of Taking Up the Runes, Essential Asatru, Trance-Portation, and a stack of fiction books as long as your arm, will be at Edge of the Circle Books in Seattle THIS SATURDAY, October 16th, from 4-6 PM for a book signing.

Whoever's left standing at the end of the affair will help us decide where we're going for dinner--a pubmoot may well break out! Have there been any stories that we wouldn't tell you because "you'd have to get us drunk"? This may be your chance!

dpaxson has been a strong influence in modern paganism and heathenry for over twenty years, involved in organizations at all levels. Currently, she serves as Clergy Coordinator for The Troth, as well as editing its magazine Idunna and substantiative contributor to Our Troth. On the local (San Francisco Bay Area) scene, she runs the open heathen group Hrafnar as well as too many other things to list here.

Our apologies for the short notice! I hope you'll be able to join us.

-- Lorrie [x-posted to: personal LJ and badheathens]

Heilsa All!

At Ravencast - Ravencast.podbean.com

Episode 46 - Groves and Sacred Spaces

This is the second of the several recorded classes from the East Coast Thing 2010.

Gary Golden had an excellent lecture regarding Groves and Sacred Spaces. He talked about his practical experience in creating a dedicated ritual space with his Grove and the lore that he looked at in the creation thereof. This is a wonderfully meaty class and we strongly recommend following his journey through the lore via the previously uploaded document files. You will not regret that effort.

More tasty goodness is on the way from ECT as I struggle through the editing.

You can also hear Gary talk about his class on Raven Radio as well.  (http://www.ravenradio.info/)

Wes Thu Hal
David Carron - Ombudsman for the Troth

http://www.ravennorth.org - Raven Kindred North
http://ravencast.podbean.com - Ravencast: The Only Asatru Podcast
http://spokenlore.podbean.com - Spokenlore - Weekly Saga Readings
http://www.thetroth.org - The Troth
http://www.eastcoastthing.org - ECT

There's an article up on a local newspaper here In Phoenix about the downfall of a notorioius white supremicist gang.  I was sadden to see a particular line stating that the group adhered to a neopagan religion called Asatru and Odinism.

I made a brief comment on the article (comment by Lisa) and would urge others to do the same.  Luckily, The New Times is a fantastic paper that actually listens to readers and would likely follow-up.  I wish I had time to write a better response, but alas, my lunch break is just about over.

Article is here:

http://blogs.phoenixnewtimes.com/bastard/2010/09/vinlanders_vanquished_phoenix.php