Let's Think About it First -- Penultimate Draft

This is a more complete version of the entry I wrote previously titled "Let's Think About it First." Someday, I'll get around to thinking of a spiffier title. Incidentally, for commentary on this work, visit Boars Heart's LiveJournal,

INTRODUCTION

So, are you thinking about proclaiming yourself Asatru? How long have you been thinking about this? Because maybe, just maybe, you shouldn't.

I'm not trying here to set myself up as an expert. I do, however, believe I have a finger on the pulse of Asatru, and can provide some useful advice to the interested seeker. In the end, of course, this is just my opinion. Kinda like everything else I write. In the end, the decision is going to be up to you. I just hope that I manage to provide here some food for thought

First off, let me clarify something very important. While Asatru may have been revived in the same century as various other "neo-pagan" religions, there are some important differences. First and foremost: Asatru is not a religion you join and walk away from when the learning experience is over. Many new religions seem almost built around the idea that you can study it for a while, learn what you need, and move on to another new religion. Asatru is a destination, not a rest stop on the highway of life.

In the same vein, Asatru does not support plug and pray hardware. It is not a matter of picking up a book that is just like 50 other books on 50 other religious paths, inserting the names of deities into stock rituals, and naming yourself Asatru. Our religion is beautiful in its uniqueness. If you choose to study it, please recognize the value of that, and do not try to "wiccanize" it, cross-breed it with any other religion with which you are familiar, or re-write it to better fit your personality.

WHY NOT?

Proclaiming yourself Asatru is stating, explicitly or implicitly, that you have vowed to be faithful to the Regin. Walking away from those vows may be hazardous to your health. I encourage you to read the story of Thidrandi Whom the Disir Killed. When the time of Iceland's Christianization was approaching, a young man named Thidrandi went outside after dark, and was struck down by nine goddesses riding horses and bearing swords, who could not bear the thought of losing their worshippers. Your oaths are part of you in Asatru. I'm not saying you will be killed if you break those oaths, but they should not be made lightly. (I really wish I could truthfully use the phrase here "The graveyards of the world are littered with those who stopped being Asatru," because it sounds really cool. However, I haven't actually done any research into the mortality rates of those who leave heathenism behind. I guess I could get away with saying, "Of all those who turned away from the Aesir in Iceland a thousand years ago, none have survived.") At minimum, you might move on to some religion that has karmic retribution, and you'll end up with some seriously bad karma from breaking those oaths.

The following are a few very bad reasons for wanting to be Asatru:

1. Experience with Ralph Blum's rune set.
2. Wiccans don't have that bad-ass reputation.
3. Some god from another faith told you to.
4. You're rebelling against your parents, your society, your church group, or whoever.
5. Your favorite comic book was The Mighty Thor."
6. You had a vision, while on acid.
7. It seems more conservative than other pagan religions.

Now, none of the above are a reason NOT to become Asatru, either. Just because you toyed with Ralph Blum's rune book and accompanying clay discs is no reason to feel yourself banned forever from becoming Asatru. Enjoying The Mighty Thor isn't a bad thing, so long as you can differentiate between a comic book super hero and a divine entity. If you weren't rebelling against something, you probably would never have been considering another religion at all. Etc.

THINGS TO CONSIDER

Becoming Asatru should not be a decision you make overnight. It is a decision for a lifetime, more permanent (in these days) than marriage. You should think about it a great deal. There are a lot of points to consider:

1. Societal stigma. We have a Christian majority in the United States. You are going to have to choose whether to be open about your religion and face discrimination; or to be hidden about it, which is basically discriminating against yourself before anyone else gets a chance to. Are you willing to either live with one of these two options or move onto a remote mountaintop?

Also, it must be acknowledged that heathens have a bad reputation even among some other alternative religions. There are many stereotypes that lead to this, but one seems to be the most prevalent. Although the vast majority of Asatruar are not racist in any manner whatsoever, the perception of racism lingers. While the members of many other religions may have to face this to some extent, it is a greater problem for Asatru, simply because we do not have as established a reputation as many mainstream religious faiths. Can you handle assumptions being made about you, and do you have the strength to fight those stereotypes?

2. Established standards. Within Asatru there is a set belief system. This is not something the individual can alter. There is room for Unverified Personal Gnosis (UPG) around the edges, but if you are using UPG to defy the Lore, then you're not being Asatru anymore. Not to belabor the point, but it's not like the "anything goes" attitude of many branches of Wicca. Is the existing structure of the faith as revealed by the Lore acceptable to your sensibilities?

At their simplest level, Asatru values are summed up in the Nine Noble Virtues. You shouldn't stop there when considering heathenry as a religion, however. Read the Havamal, which is a much more in-depth explanation of our moral fiber. Can you live and prosper within a religious system which espouses these values?

3. Studiousness. Asatru is a reconstructed religion. In order to learn, you are going to have to read. A lot. If you're looking to be spoon-fed religious values, you're in the wrong place. Are you willing to put the time and effort into studying the Eddas, sagas, thattir, rune poems, historical texts such as Saxo Grammaticus's HIstory of the Danish People, etc. in order to have a basic understanding of the religion you wish to join?

In addition, with the above course of study, there will be times when one source contradicts another. You must be flexible and able to think through the different time periods reflected in the Lore, as well as the representations of beliefs from different geographical locations. Do you have the critical thinking skills at your disposal to do this, or will you become more and more frustrated as you read more and more contradictions?

4. Belonging. Asatru is about community. While your beliefs are ultimately between you and the Aesir and Vanir, if one doesn't have a support system in place it will be a lonely and difficult road. Yes, we pride ourselves on self-sufficiency, but we are not rugged individualists. Self-sufficient people form self-sufficient groups. Do you have the strength of character to walk alone until like-minded individuals can be found to join?

Even if there is a local group in your area, they may be selective about their membership. Criteria for membership will vary with each group. Are you willing to have to "prove yourself" to a group in order to have fellowship with other heathens? Do you have the strength, charisma, determination, and organizational skills to start your own hearth, hall or kindred?

5. Mount Fuji. Many New Age religions have adopted the idea that there is one great big source of divinity, and that all religions are just different ways to look at it (Confucius say: There are a million ways to look at Mount Fuji, and all of them are right). One hears it many different ways-- "All gods and goddesses are one. We just look at it differently," "The gods and goddesses are facets of God," and "The Great Goddess has many names." In Asatru we don't believe in a multiple personality disorder divinity (except perhaps Loki, and even he is an individual). Each of the Aesir and Vanir is a separate entity unto itself, with his or her own personality and idiosyncrasies. If you believe otherwise, then Asatru ain't for you. If you have adopted the Mount Fuji philosophy, are you willing to give it up?

A similar New Age belief is that while there are different gods and goddesses, all of the pantheons of the world are just different cultures' ways of looking at the same set of beings. For example, Odin equals Zeus equals Jupiter, Thor equals Hercules equals Dagda, etc. Again, Asatru do not believe this. Our gods are our own, and do not assume aliases when they go to their winter hideaways. If you walked into two different department stores and were approached by one salesperson in each, you would not assume they were the same salesperson in disguise and using different names. Are you willing to provide the same courtesy to the Aesir and Vanir?

6. Know thyself. Someday, when I'm old, crazy, and sick, I like to think that there will be someone around who knows me well to make any medical decisions for me. The idea of a complete stranger making those decisions is horrifying. On the same note, you should make sure that you know yourself before committing to ANY religion. You are capable of making this decision for yourself; ensure that you make the decision you truly want. Do you know yourself well enough at this point to make a permanent life-change?

Give the decision time. That way you can ensure that it's not a passing fancy, or temporary insanity, or anything else that's going to make you regret that decision further down the line. There is no race to enlightenment; you have your entire life to choose a faith. Are you mature enough to make this decision? Are you sure this is what's best for you? How long have you felt this way?

7. Other religions. If you could buy only one set of clothing for the rest of your life, you would for damned sure make sure that they fit you (or were a little large if you were planning on growing), were of good quality, and were in a style that you could live with for the rest of your life. There are a lot of religious options out there. Consider them and learn from them. Many of them are a lot easier to follow than Asatru. Perhaps one of them actually fits you better. You're dealing with lifelong oaths here; it's in your best interest to shop around, and make sure that the religion fits you best. Are you sure there is no other religion for you?

Remember that Asatru do not approve of the mixing of deities from other religions in with our beliefs. You can have only one set of gods to whom you are faithful. Anything else will lead to divided loyalties. Can you remain loyal and steadfast to the Northern European gods and goddesses?

Most importantly,

8. The Powers. This combines and expands upon many previous points. It's a very basic question. Do you like the Aesir, Vanir, Disir, landvoettir, ancestors, and worldview of heathenism? If you don't, then why are you still reading this?

HOW TO PREPARE

Still with me? Good. Now let's look at those things you can do to prepare yourself for becoming heathen.

1. Meet some heathens. If you're lucky, you may be able to find some in your local area, so that you can meet them in person. If not, travel to a local moot, public sumbel, or other event. As a last resort, go online. You may have already seen some heathens online; this may be how you became interested in heathenism to begin with. Online behavior, however is not the best means to judge a group of people, particularly a group to which community is so important.

Explain to these heathens why you wish to meet them. Have specific questions you are prepared to ask about their beliefs. Give them the respect of actually listening to the answers they provide, instead of hearing only what you want to hear. Observe what goes on at the gathering, and decide whether this is something that would interest you.

2. Begin your Studies. Now would also be a good time to being reading the Lore. I would highly recommend at minimum reading the Poetic Edda, Snorri's Edda, and some sagas (most translations of the sagas explain in their introduction the years which are covered in the story. Try to focus on sagas that occur before 1000 AD, the year Iceland was Christianized). Many of these are available at your local bookstore, library, or online at sacred-texts.com.

3. Think Like A Heathen. Begin thinking of things in terms of the heathen faith -- for example, think about how you should apologize to the landwights after mowing your lawn (loud noises and frightening things are anathema to them). When hosting a dinner party, think of it as throwing a feast. Consider how you utilize hospitality in throwing it. Consider your honor in day to day activities that wouldn't have made you blink before -- speeding, lying to telemarketers, etc. Think of ways that you can be more self-reliant. At first this is going to be little more than a mental exercise. Gradually, though, you will find that the thinking becomes first nature to you.

4. Get to Know the Powers. In Step 2, you began to study the Lore. Go back over those parts of it now that deal with the gods and goddesses. Learn everything you can about them. Think about their actions from the point of view of "Why did Odin do this?" or "How did Freyr know that?" You're moving here from an academic study to a personal understanding, and this will take some time.

Once you feel you understand them, try talking to them. After all, there's little point in being faithful to beings you're not willing to talk to. Listen as well, and you might hear a reply. (There are, I'm sure, heathens who are now throwing up their hands in disgust at this suggestion. However, rationalism has its limits. We ARE talking a religion here. A relationship with the gods can hardly be a silent one. Anyone who thinks that's New Age bull is welcome to do so.)

5. Consider It Again. You should now have a pretty good idea of what it means to be heathen. Now would be a good time to go back over the considerations mentioned earlier. Are you sure you want to do this? Talk to the heathens you met previously again, and ask your new questions that all this study and thought has brought forth.

At this point, you should be as ready as you ever will be to make a decision on whether to be heathen. If you still don't feel ready to decide, then either keep at the preparation steps above or move on. It's your decision, after all.

LAST THOUGHTS

It's a risky business, choosing a religion like Asatru. Hedge your bets and consider the above things, okay? I didn't do that; I felt "called." Lots of people feel called, but they don't always last as Asatru. I got extremely lucky that Asatru fits me so well, but most aren't so lucky. I'd never met another heathen in person when I chose this path. Again, I got lucky.

I sincerely hope that this article helps you in your decision making. I'm not trying to scare off anyone who is legitimately interested in heathenry. On the other hand, no one who is legitimately interested would let anyone or anything scare them off. Maybe someday we will meet and you can say "I'm heathen too! Isn't it great?!" Or even "I considered heathenry, but it wasn't for me." Please DON'T tell me "I used to be Asatru, but I left it for X." Just keep walking.

Posted: Mon - April 5, 2004 at 02:09 PM

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Let's Think About it First -- Penultimate Draft