Modern Heathens take great pride in personal independence, refusing to bow before distant authorities or divine masters. This is not surprising, many who follow Heathen practices do so out of personal choice full well knowing their decision will push them to the fringes of modern Western society. The choice to follow any polytheistic practice, in an age when monotheism is the norm, is a small yet fundamental act of rebellion. For whatever reason the initial decision is made those who continue on a path that guarantees social marginalization at best do so because their existential needs are not served by modern, conventional spirituality. This same spirit of defiance sounds out strongly in Heathen lore. The duty to resist oppressive circumstances is a powerful theme in Germanic Lore.To first understand the importance of resistance and rebellion one must first examine the cyclical nature of Germanic cosmology as presented in the Eddas. In the beginning of the sagas there was nothing but fire, ice, and a great void. One day the fire and ice boiled out into the gap, collided, and from the primordial void and chaos a new order emerged centered on Ymir. When Odin and His two brothers, Vili and Ve, struck down Ymir They used his body to create a new order where the Gods and humanity would flourish. Throughout the sagas They do battle with destructive giants and monsters like Fenris and the Midgard Serpent to keep Midgard and the Nine Worlds safe. In the Final Battle of Ragnarok the Gods take the field against their old foes one last time in spite of their pre-ordained doom. From the destruction of Ragnarok, as it was when fire and ice collided and Ymir fell, a new bright world will come from the ashes of the old.In each cycle of destruction and rebirth new, more prosperous worlds are built from the bones of the old ended in chaos and destruction. The new worlds are born because of an upset of the existing status quo. The great yawning void, which had existed for time unknown between the realms of fire and ice, had been the center of the existing order until the great elemental forces poured in and filled it. Ymir and the frost giants had lived in relative prosperity unchallenged until Buri's grandsons Odin, Vili, and Ve struck him down and used the body to create a new world(1). Ragnarok begins with a three year ice age ending with Surtr's immolation of the World Tree. Every great cosmic change is catalyzed by disruption of the existing order. These changes are used as the means to initiate greater, more meaningful transformation.Cosmic change does not come about for its own sake in the lore. While the lore is silent on the Gods' motives for slaying Ymir we can make some inferences from the lore. The primordial world in which the sons of Buri lived is described as extremely bleak. All that existed was Ymir, the cow Audumla who fed the giant, and a lot of salty ice(2). The new order built from Ymir's body is lush, fertile, and full of promise for the Gods, humans, and wights(3). Whatever the motive the end result was replacing the old, stagnant order with a new, more beneficial one for the Gods and the inhabitants of the Nine Worlds.
Beowulf's saga shows the same theme of liberation from oppressive circumstances. Following Grendel's first attack on the hall of Hereot the Ring-Danes did whatever they could to fight back and repel new attacks4. Conditions became quite grim:
"All were endangered; young and oldwere hunted down by that dark death-shadowwho lurked and swooped in the long nightson the misty moors; nobody knowswhere these reavers from hell roam on their errands."(5)In spite of all this they never stopped their war with Grendel, who "ruled in defiance of right"(6).When Beowulf left Geatland he did not come seeking wealth or riches but to volunteer for the battle with Grendel(7). He came with the blessing of the Geats(8) only requesting of Hrothgar that he do it himself with his men(9). The same theme re-asserts itself at the end of the saga when Beowulf, in the twilight of his years, personally seeks out and slays a dangerous dragon menacing his people at the cost of his own life.
The history of the people of the Old North is rich with stories of resistance and defiance of the mighty. The first and best examples come from the days when Rome ruled the world. In the first century AD Hermann of the Cherusci organized a coalition of tribes in defiance of Roman colonization of their lands. At Teutoburg Forest they destroyed the Roman army ending the first and only serious attempt by the Empire to conquer Germania. In the centuries that followed the Germanic tribes refused to let Rome rest fighting a series of bloody wars with the Empire. These were wars fought not by wealthy warrior-aristocrats or professional mercenaries but farmers, artisans, and merchants defending their homes and families. It is doubtful they had any serious hopes of destroying the Empire, a monolithic entity that cast a long shadow over the Rhine and Danube for centuries. What is clear is the fallout of the Empire's presence in the form of forced tribute, slave raids, punitive expeditions, and Rome's proxy wars reached a point where they could not be tolerated. In the face of deprivation, war, and slavery the Germanics consistently chose the risks of resistance over the certainty of submission.
The same defiance of oppression stands strong from the Empire's fall to the final Christianization of Scandinavia. Germanic tribes, facing conversion by force and coercion, refused to give up the old ways. With the exception of Iceland's conversion in 1000 AD every attempt to impose the Cross on the people was met with dogged, bloody resistance. From the Saxons' defiance of Charlemagne's invasion to Svolder when a coalition of Danes, Swedes, and Norse brought down the Christian tyrant Olaf Tryggvason and Stiklestad when an army of free common folk ambushed and slew the Christian king Olaf II the folk never gave up without a fight. When "conquered" they rebelled fiercely and often.
The message of resistance and rebellion is a powerful theme in the lore of the Northern world. When faced with oppressive conditions heroes, Gods, and ancestors alike pushed back, refusing to submit in the face of near-certain defeat. Many times when they made this fateful choice it was not with the certainty of victory behind them but as a challenge of impossible odds. Whether it is the Gods at Ragnarok, Beowulf facing the dragon, or the Cherusci at Teutoberg they chose defiance over submission and surrender.Also published at Ryan's Desk
1. Gylfaginning V, trans. by Arthur Gilchrist Brodeur2. Gylfaginning VI3. Gylfaginning VIII-IX4. Beowulf 170-178, trans. by Seamus Heaney5. Beowulf 159-1636. Beowulf 1447. Beowful 194-2018. Beowulf 415-4189. Beowulf 431-432
One form of meditation I would like to share is a form I like to call Rune Meditation. Similar to other meditations it involves focusing on breath, sitting upright with the added difference of using the runes once the mind has been quietened.
The use of runes is different to many forms of magic, they are tools of the mind and spirit and allow us deeper communications and meanings beyond what we see. In a way they are a way of us communicating better with our inner self or spiritual self.
Meditation is one way of initiating this form of communication.
RUNE MEDITATION GUIDE
In order to practice Rune Meditation firstly find a quiet place where each day you can meditate for more than 15 to 20 minutes, free from stress and daily thoughts. Then make a comfortable spot in which you can sit for longer than 15 to 20 minutes sitting upright..
Spend that time meditating for at least 20 minutes like I say, do this by relaxing and focusing on a relaxed breathing pattern. Do not force your breathing instead take steady long relaxing breaths that are comfortable with you..
Consciously as this happens slowly allow your body to fall deeper and deeper into relaxation until you are in a more quietened state of being. In another word a meditated mind.. When in this state pick one rune at random without looking from the rune bag in front of you until you find the rune that feels right. Select it and then take from the bag or from where the runes are located in front of you.
After picking relax and go further into the meditation while also focusing the mind on the rune in hand. While holding let yourself go deeper into meditation and allow images or visions to flow that may be caused by the rune, in another way allow the rune to con-veil messages to you about your spiritual path. This maybe in the form of images or visions, meaning of the rune chosen on your path to self discovery. It may be a premonition, it maybe about change, it maybe good news or bad, each meaning and interpretation is a inner viewing of your path in a way to your spiritual self.
Rune sorcery is nothing but invoking the energy from Nature that surrounds us and manipulating it to a sorcerer's desired effect. It is the science of magic, using the human mind. It differs from spiritual magic in that, spiritual magic deals with the unnatural knowledge of the Spirit world. It varies from divine magic as the latter focuses on the powers drawn form gods/goddesses.
A sorcerer aiming to employ rune sorcery may do so in two ways. The first is by using the knowledge of the runes to create sentences called castings. Casts are usually flexible, thus powerful. This may be difficult to master and takes a lot of time. The second way is by formulating a spell that can be used only for one intended purpose. Its inflexibility renders its less powerful. But this is easy to master. Learning spells can be comparatively easier than casting a new sentence. Due to this spells can be learnt from someone who is familiar with them or from books too.
A rune spell is cast by using the elements of the runes, based on which the power of creation exists. Without using at least one of the elements of the runes, rune sorcery cannot be carried forth.
Rune sorcery is an ancient form of sorcery that has evolved from the Norse deities of Ancient North. But it also incorporates the preceding forms of sorcery and is based on the 'younger futhork of the 18 Runes.' It was created by the Nordic masters. It now exists in the quantum ocean and is open to all who wish to learn it.
As much as the history of the runes is important, the ways of incorporating rune energy into our everyday lives is equally important. This is so because rune powers affects the creative energy found around us, and it can create an impact on the health, wealth and emotions of people, and change it for the better.
Rune sorcery is very similar to rune magic as both these help to empower the personality. The 'younger futhork of the 18 runes' is known to be the most powerful rune. So how does one go about exploring this kind of sorcery? The answer is quite simple. Simply combine the wisdom of the runes with the present laws of quantum physics and you will find the desired result. A profound experience with rune sorcery may also create a connection with the Norse gods.
Runes may be invoked in many different ways. Some of them include speech (in any or many languages), song (the most common way; instruments may of may not be used), writing (on special parchment or in dirt or in the air by using enchanted wands), gesture, dance, pictograms, manipulation of rune-marked stones, etc.
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Frigga is the All-Mother, wife of Odin. She is the goddess of the home, family, fertility, love, motherhood, domestic affairs and ease of transition (dying.)
Frigga is as powerful as Odin and is the only god/goddess allowed to sit in Odin's high seat Hlidskjalf when he is not there. She can look out over the whole universe from there. There is nothing she does not know. But she is called the silent Goddess for she does not speak of what she knows.
* Frigga's name means LOVE.
* She lives in Fensalir which means "Marsh Halls.
* Frigga's children are Thor, Balder and Hodar.
* Her stepchildren are Heimdal, Tyr, Vidan and Skljoldr.
* Her magical tool is the distaff.
* Her animal totem is the goose.
Frigga's Handmaidens are:
* EIR: Goddess of Healing.
* HLIN: Goddess of Protection.
* GNA: Messenger Goddess.
* FULLA: Fertility Goddess.
* Also: LOFN, SJOFN, SYN, GEFJON, SNORTA, VAN and VOR.
The constellation Orion's Belt is known as Frigga's Distaff. The rotating stars at night are her spinning wheel. It is said that Frigga uses her spinning wheel to weave the clouds. She also sits at her spindle weaving the destinies of men and gods alike at the beginning of each new year.
If you wish the ask Frigga about your destiny, first build a rapport with her and her Berkana rune. She may tell you. But be careful. She knows all the destinies of men, women and gods. She knew the destiny of her son Balder. She knew he would die, and try as she would, with all her powers, she could not stop it. Do you really want to know your destiny? Ask her.
Frigg was a goddess associated with married women. She was called up by women to assist in giving birth to children, and Scandinavians used the plant Lady's Bedstraw (Galium verum) as a sedative, they called it Frigg's grass).
In Scandinavia the blessing of Frigga is still invoked for birthing women with a white candle, with the Berkana Rune etched in its side. The candle is used as a charm to ensure a safe delivery.
Source: Ellis Peterson
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SOLAR RING OF THE WHITE RHYTHMIC WIZARD, 2011-2012
The White Rhythmic Wizard, Kin 214, 2011-2012 is the penultimate year before the great changing of the Aeon. This will be unprecedented, dramatic and climactic for many people for many reasons.
In terms of the Bolontiku, the nine Sirian Lords of Time and Destiny - this year represents the eighth "lha" or time lord, Awesome Blowing Six Turquoise Winds. As the name of this" lha" implies, its creative power is an unparalleled capacity to cleanse the world not only from the four cardinal directions, but from above and below as well. This represents an unprecedented cosmic cleansing of the Earth. But these are also turquoise winds - turquoise is the color of the dawn, so it is a cleansing in preparation of the dawning of the new Aeon.
THE ORACLE: WHITE RHYTHMIC WIZARD KIN 214I organize in order to enchant
Balancing receptivity
I seal the output of timelessness
With the rhythmic tone of equality
I am guided by my own power doubled "Do you suppose that you will enter the Garden without having suffered like those before you? They were afflicted by misfortune and hardship, and they were so shaken that even their messenger and those believers with him cried, 'When will God's help arrive?' Truly God's help is near." (Qur'an, Sura 2, verse 214)
Everything is occurring as prophesied. This verse from the Quran sums up the dire stress the world will undergo during the 2011-2012 solar galactic cycle of kin 214. But it also says, "God's help is near." Look to the skies for the Interdimensional assistance now on standby for Earth's great crisis.
This year's oracle is guided by its own power - Timelessness - doubled - so it might well seem like forever. Wizard represents the lost planet Maldek, and it could be that world events are now reflective of both this planet's end and its spiritual resurrection. But the Wizard also represents enchantment and receptivity. These are clues for how to survive and even transcend the world stress. Don't resist; be receptive. The enchantment of the world lies in the codes of the synchronic order, the fourth-dimensional order of reality that characterizes the new time that is dawning. So if you know these codes, practice them with a sincere heart and know you are opening the door to 2013 - the garden of enchantment of the new Earth.
The Rhythmic Serpent is the analog partner in this oracle while the Rhythmic Seed is the antipode. This means that the life force is to be maintained and cultivated in order balance and support the process of transformation. The challenge is to prepare the seeds of the new while so much of the old is collapsing and in chaos.
In the occult position below is the Blue Galactic Hand. The Blue Galactic Hand is guided by the Blue Galactic Monkey. This means the hidden powers to be drawn on are Galactic Accomplishment and Galactic Magic. These are signs of the Force that is now getting ready to come to the assistance of the Earth Wizards and their embattled planet.
The Day Out of Time, White Rhythmic Mirror, Kin 58 (29 x 2), is of course the second of the Clear signs on the sarcophagus lid of Pacal Votan and signifies the disincarnation of the great time traveler in AD 683. That it is the galactic signature of the Day Out of Time, July 25, 2012, symbolizes completely the death of the old 12:60 order. The fact that the 2013 Gregorian new year's day will be Kin 218, White Planetary Mirror, the galactic signature of the discovery of the tomb of Pacal Votan in 1952, signifies the resurrection into the new time that will occur by the mid point of the following Blue Resonant Storm Year, Kin 59, 2012-2013. Incidentally on Resonant 16, January 25, 2011 it was reported that the lid had been replaced on the sarcophagus of Pacal Votan, restoring it to the state it was when discovered in 1952. This event signified that the purification of the Earth was now in full force.
A note about the 20 Tablets cube position.
In the 20 tablets of the Sixteen Year Cube of the Law we are in the fifteenth (Eagle) position, the third stage of the Mystic Altar. We have left the Mystery of the Stone and are sailing by our own power into the ocean of cosmic consciousness. The Eagle represents the solar prophetic visionary power of the great planet Jupiter, characterized by the creative power of the mind. Identify with the Eagle, the archetypal Seer, who holds the third power of the Telektonon - Ton - the power of sound to become vision. This is an important clues for the possibilities of the supernormal powers aroused by our awakening into the higher, supermind of the cosmic reality of the Noosphere.
Rinri Code for the Eagle Cube position: Faith leads to success; fear and doubt lead to failure.
UR RUNE CODES, WHITE RHYTHMIC WIZARD, 2011-2012
Red Eastern Quarter: Way Of Wielding Power Descends To Earth
Codon 23, Mind's Release - Seventh Stage Of Way Of Wielding Power
This Rune resembles the Elder Futhark Rune, Elhaz, the Act of Making Sacred. As the seventh of the eight stage process of the Runes and Codons, Way of Wielding Power Descends to Earth represents (as do the other three Runes for this year), the first phase of the binary synthesis of the four CA Rune strands, in this case the third, Way of Wielding Power.
In this Rune, orange in color, we see a central staff with two side prongs at the top, similar to a trident. Such staffs represent a type of power as in the god Neptune, symbolizing his rule of the Oceanic realms of the cosmic unconscious. In the Hindu tradition, the Great Lord Shiva is often depicted holding a type of trident, and likewise in the Tibetan tradition the trident represents the spiritual conquest of the three egoic demons - ignorance, passion and aggression - and is often depicted in representations of advanced yogis or the wrathful forms of the Buddha.
In this case the central staff is conducting energy downward and the two prongs serve as supports that help transmit energy back into the Earth. The meaning of this is that all power, insofar as it is Earthly, comes from the Earth and should return to the Earth. This is the Act of Making Sacred, the investiture of power that maintains the Earth as the sacred vehicle of life as a cosmic phenomenon on this planet.
Codon 23, Mind's Release: Here we have the Temple/Meditation triplet in the position above, while the space (Earth) triplet is below This is an unusual circumstance where the one upward moving yang line is at the top, about to be released, and the five yin lines predominate. This is why the codon is called Mind's Release, for it refers to the release of the mind into space, bringing about a profoundly receptive situation.
In terms of the binary letters we have two space letters in the bottom and middle positions and a mind letter on top. When space is between space and mind it creates Mind's Release. This represents the mind arising from and being released into space - above the Earth. This is appropriate preparation for the changing of the Aeon.
White Northern Quarter: Cosmic Awareness Establishes Binary Order
Codon 31, Mind Attracting - Seventh Stage Of Way Of The Transcendent Fourth
In this Rune we see two luminous green parallel vertical lines contained within a circle representing the whole order of cosmic time. This image signifies the arising of the binary order of reality - yin and yang, mind and matter, night and day, male and female, etc. Here it is the power of transcendent consciousness that conceives the very basis of a continuous cosmic self-creation. So we perceive the intrinsic binary nature of reality as a complementary set creating an integrated whole, illumined by and taking multiple forms through time itself. This represents the first of the two-phase binary synthesis of the fourth UR Rune strand.
Codon 31, Mind Attracting: Here we have the Mountain Temple/Meditation triplet (above in Mind's Release) now in the lower position, while above in the telepathic dimension is the Joy (Ocean) triplet. This creates the image of a lake on top of a mountain, always an awe-inspiring phenomenon (as in Crater Lake, Oregon), or of the serene joy arising from the meditation that occurs in the temple. Meditative calm symbolized by the serenity of the mountain top lake is intrinsically mind-attracting, that is, conducive to contemplation and deep reverie. This characterizes the attitude we need to cultivate as we enter the ever-stormier waters of the Gregorian year, 2012.
This codon consists of the space binary letter below a time letter in the middle and a radiance letter at the top. When time is between space and radiance, that is mind attracting. Cultivate the mind; open your time to the inner space of the higher mind.
Blue Western Quarter: Cosmic Order Returns To Heart Of Heaven
Codon 39, Heart's Discipline - Seventh Stage Of Way Of The Irresistible Fifth
Here a small cross or plus sign is enclosed by a larger circle of time, both dark green in color. This seventh stage synthesis UR Rune is a signal of the elevation of the Cosmic Order into the "Heart of Heaven" - the Hunab Ku. This represents a release of the time of the present order of reality, dissolving it back into the galactic core, so that a new level of the Cosmic Order might descend. To experience this as a whole being requires the heart's discipline.
This quarter's Codon 39, Heart's Discipline, marks the first full quarter within the 2012 year. The Meditation/Mountain triplet appears yet again, and, as with the previous Codon, in the lower sensory position. Above is the Heart/Moon triplet that also represents water or flowing. This signifies the elevation of the heart through the process of meditation so that it becomes quiet and a purely reflective telepathic medium, receiving the commands of the Heart of Heaven. This discipline of the heart - the reining in the emotional body - is critical in a time of great transformation, assuring an absolute clarity of mind concerning what is going on and to keep from acting on any impulsive or conditioned emotional behavior patterns. This is the essence of self-cultivation.
In terms of the binary letters, this Codon is constructed of a space binary letter below, a radiance binary letter in the middle and another radiance letter on top. When radiance is between space and radiance, this is Heart's discipline. The meaning of this is that when the heart becomes disciplined by the power of space, an inner radiance arises, providing an illumination that is evident in the outer being.
Yellow Southern Quarter: Dynamism Resolved As Architectonics
Codon 47, Calling The Source - Seventh Stage Of Way Of Dynamic Construction
Here in the first stage of the binary synthesis of the sixth way, the dynamism of the image characterizing the first six stages becomes stabilized into an image resembling the capital letter "H." The whole process of dynamic construction has now become transformed into a highly balanced and architectural structure, hence "dynamism resolved as Architectonics." This signifies a whole new way of life based on balanced order, harmony, justice and a perception of universal symmetry. The first stage of attaining this new condition is "calling the Source" in order to receive the energy of the New.
The Codon 47, Calling the Source, as with the Codon 31, has the Joy/Ocean triplet in the upper position, the telepathic dimension, while below is the Moon/Heart triplet, moved back down into the sensory dimension, its natural position. In the traditional interpretation this represents water leaking out of a lake, hence the idea of exhaustion and of the necessity of staking one's life on one's will and destiny. While this might apply because of the exhaustion of the old order at the end of the Aeon, the higher interpretation is that of the heart deep within the ocean of consciousness. Here in the primal depths of the mind there is a calling out to Source, otherwise known as a "turning in the deepest seat of consciousness." This means that if one wishes to discard the old self, one must go into the depths of consciousness to effect a transformation in accord with the Great Change now occurring. This is a definition of spiritual survival for this time.
The codon is constructed of binary mind letters at the bottom and in the middle and a concluding binary radiance letter at the top. When mind is between mind and radiance that is calling the source. From within our mind we must ascend to the higher mind and there experience the luminosity and radiance of the original self, the Source of all creation.
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The study of comparative religion and appreciation of all faiths is my passion. I devote a lot of my time to do my personal research on the topic although this has nothing to do with my academic career. I'm a graduate mechanical engineer and now doing my masters by research in the same area. I believe that there is Truth in all the traditions and faith system. Its just veiled by the man made dogmas and wrong perceptions. If we turn to see the history of all religions we can see that this disharmony among religions started only when the original teachings of the great enlightened teachers were wrongly interpreted by later "so called" 'followers'.
This happened from Buddha to Moses to Jesus Christ to Muhammad (peace be upon all of them). We as a human race failed to give proper value and respect to their extra ordinary brilliance, intellect and inner understandings.
We now live in a time where certain faiths are tagged with certains conceptions or perceptoins which are mostly misconception. I would love to devote next few posts on the more common Misconceptions about Islam.
:: Misconception 1 :: Islam is `the religion of peace' because: the Arabic word Islam is derived from the Arabic word "Al-Salaam" which means peace.
It might seem strange to think of this as a misconception, but in fact it is. The root word of Islam is "al-silm" which means "submission" or "surrender." It is understood to mean "submission to Allah." In spite of whatever noble intention has caused many a Muslim to claim that Islam is derived primarily from peace, this is not true. God says in the Qur'an (translated):
[2:136] SAY (O MUSLIMS): WE BELIEVE IN GOD AND THAT WHICH IS REVEALED TO US AND THAT WHICH WAS REVEALED TO ABRAHAM, AND ISHMAEL, AND ISAAC, AND JACOB, AND THE TRIBES, AND THAT WHICH MOSES AND JESUS RECEIVED, AND THAT WHICH THE PROPHETS RECEIVED FROM THEIR LORD. WE MAKE NO DISTINCTION BETWEEN ANY OF THEM, AND TO HIM WE HAVE SURRENDERED. [Arabic "Muslim" means 'who have surrendered']
The text of the Qur'an makes it clear that God has clearly intended the focus of this way of life to be submission to Him. This entails submission to Him at all times, in times of peace, war, ease, or difficulty.
:: Ref: http://www.usc.edu/dept/MSA/notislam/misconceptions.html:: Image courtesy. Tag: Islam, Spirituality, God, Quran, Misconception, Comparative Religion[+] Please visit MysticSaint.Info For full multimedia experience and enjoy special music.
Blessings,
Sadiq
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Collegiate Dictionary defines Kindred as: A group of related individuals; Of a similar nature and character; Of the same ancestry. I would agree with that definition, but it is only partly true. The Asatru Kindred is the foundation for the new Asatru Nation, and as such, is the testing ground for the new tribes of our Folk. In the near future, the Kindred will prove to be the living entity that will survive the onslaught of Ragnarok.
In ancient times, our people survived as an extended family. As populations grew, these extended families joined together to form tribes. This tribe was, in essence, a group of extended families. Over the years they developed their own unique traits, value systems, heritage, traditions, religion, and other vital characteristics. As time wore on, and the people grew larger in numbers, these tribes joined with others of similar character and formed Nations. Again, this method served the people for many years.
During the late Viking Age, and with the coming of Christianity, things changed. The Christian Church was only able to assert its authority over the people by either bribing certain leaders of the Nations with promises of unlimited power and authority with the promise of Kingship, or they obtained the same ends with the use of force and treachery. So, one by one, the Nations submitted to absolute control of the Church through the clever manipulation of Kings.
To further assert this absolute control over the people, countries were formed. These were nothing more than geographical areas defined by lines on a map. They were, in effect, the geographical areas where the new Kings could wield absolute control. Any farther than that was claimed by a neighboring Kingdom. Over time, this led to the formation of towns and cities of such size that large numbers of people were needed just to serve the infrastructure of the Kingdoms. People left the ancestral farmlands to live in the cities and serve the Kings and their armies. Once the Folk lost their natural bond with the land, they lost their souls, and the power and influence of the Kings and the Church was absolute.
The ties which bound the tribes together common ancestry, religion, heritage and social structures were meaningless in the towns and cities. All that mattered is that you swore allegiance to the King and the country which he led. It goes without saying, that the great fratricidal wars of Europe and America could not have been fought without this artificial form of political control wielded by the Church and State.
Today, as Asatru asserts itself, we must learn from the lessons of the past. And to regain our freedoms, we must work hard to rebuild our ancestral tribes. The Kindred is vital to our success and survival as an indigenous people.
Sadly enough, although Asatru at this time is experiencing tremendous growth, many who return to their ancestral religion don't wish to join or found Kindreds. They prefer to worship the Holy Aesir and Vanir alone, or occasionally with a few others of like mind. They do not want to be bothered with commitments, or they do not want anyone depending on them, or they just do not have time for working with others. This article is not for them. This article is for those who are endowed with the spirit of Tyr and are willing to devote their lives to building the Nation of Asatru and serving the Folk. Sacrifice is what makes you an Asatruar, not convenience.
I hope that this article has been of some help in explaining both what one should do to form a Kindred, but also how an existing Kindred can avoid some of the mistakes that the Founders made back in the days when forming a Kindred was breaking new ground with no one to look to for advice and instruction.
As the Asatru Community grows, and it is at a rapid rate, the Folk will look to the Kindreds to provide them with a place to be with people of like mind and purpose; a place for spiritual growth, and a place to share common social values.
It is up to us to prepare for the future by promoting the formation and growth of healthy and vibrant Kindreds, and thus secure a future for our children on Midgard.
