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Published On: Apr 26, 2006 10:02 PM
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Published On: Apr 26, 2006 10:02 PM
How Faithful is Faithful?
You know you're in for a rant of sorts when I
start out by saying "Asatru literally means 'Faitfhful to the
Aesir.'"
Warning: bumpy road on this one. It's one of those entries where I'm trying to figure things out.
Warning: bumpy road on this one. It's one of those entries where I'm trying to figure things out.
Asatru literally means 'Faithful to the Aesir.'
So what does that mean?
Is it enough to worship no other deities, to perform blots and sumbels in respect of the gods at various times during the year?
Worshipping no other deities is a passive activity -- it is a lack of action, rather than an action taken. It was not a lack of action which brought us to where we are, and simply not performing an action will not keep us here. Performing rituals a few times per year isn't enough by itself. What is required to be faithful to the Aesir?
It seems to me that being faithful implies some sort of contract. You agree to do certain things, and in return you receive certain things.
What do we give? We give devotion to the gods. We don't just give them a few minutes to an hour every few months. That doesn't do it. We give our lives to them, and our deaths. Every moment of our lives should be a testimonial in and of itself of our devotion. I know what that sounds like -- it's one of the things I think the Christians have right, in theory. We don't just acknowledge the gods when we want something; that's not how it works. We provide for ourselves, and don't treat the gods like fairy godparents.
We receive a lot more than we are required to give. First and foremost, we receive the gods themselves -- the knowledge that they are there, and that they know of our existence. We matter to them, as they matter to us. By being faithful, we learn to live honorably, and receive honor.
We know the behavior that is expected of us. The Havamal lays it out. By taking actions in keeping with that, we are honoring the wishes of the gods. If we look at the gods as our ancestors, then this is easier to see -- it's like making your parents happy by following their moral code and values. That's devotion -- being willing to sacrifice your ability to do whatever you want to obey a moral code.
The gods honor us with their attention, or their lack of objection to our worship. We try to honor them in return. A gift demands a gift. Do not fail to provide that gift. They give us themselves; can we give any less?
Is it enough to worship no other deities, to perform blots and sumbels in respect of the gods at various times during the year?
Worshipping no other deities is a passive activity -- it is a lack of action, rather than an action taken. It was not a lack of action which brought us to where we are, and simply not performing an action will not keep us here. Performing rituals a few times per year isn't enough by itself. What is required to be faithful to the Aesir?
It seems to me that being faithful implies some sort of contract. You agree to do certain things, and in return you receive certain things.
What do we give? We give devotion to the gods. We don't just give them a few minutes to an hour every few months. That doesn't do it. We give our lives to them, and our deaths. Every moment of our lives should be a testimonial in and of itself of our devotion. I know what that sounds like -- it's one of the things I think the Christians have right, in theory. We don't just acknowledge the gods when we want something; that's not how it works. We provide for ourselves, and don't treat the gods like fairy godparents.
We receive a lot more than we are required to give. First and foremost, we receive the gods themselves -- the knowledge that they are there, and that they know of our existence. We matter to them, as they matter to us. By being faithful, we learn to live honorably, and receive honor.
We know the behavior that is expected of us. The Havamal lays it out. By taking actions in keeping with that, we are honoring the wishes of the gods. If we look at the gods as our ancestors, then this is easier to see -- it's like making your parents happy by following their moral code and values. That's devotion -- being willing to sacrifice your ability to do whatever you want to obey a moral code.
The gods honor us with their attention, or their lack of objection to our worship. We try to honor them in return. A gift demands a gift. Do not fail to provide that gift. They give us themselves; can we give any less?
Posted: Sun - April 11, 2004 at 01:29 PM