Odinism

Odinism is a form of Asatru that some choose to follow when they are called by Odin.
In Asatru, Odin is the "Allfather" who created man, the "Valfather" who is lord of
the slain, he is the God of the spoken word and ecstatic and Scaldic poetry as well
as the Raven God of the Runes.

To gain the wisdom of The Runes Odin sacrificed himself to himself by hanging from the World
Tree Yggdrasil for nine nights. At the end of this ordeal he took the Runes up screaming.

As Raven God he has two Ravens named Hugin "Thought" and "Mugin" Memory. They traverse
the nine worlds each day returning they perch upon his shoulders to whisper all they
have seen and heard in his ear.

Odinists are often solitary like the Wanderer himself though there are plenty Odinist
Kindreds. Oaths are taken and a moral code of conduct followed. These actions are layed
out in the Havamal and the "Nine Noble Virtues", Truth, Honour, Courage, Discipline,
Fidelity, Self-reliance, Hospitality, Industriousness and Perserverance.

Focused on Swordcraft, Runework and a deep personal relationship with Odin himself most
practitioners literally give themselves to him. One of the ways this is done is through a
Rite called "The Marks of Joy" another is by "Going On The Tree".

When one is given to Odin it is his right to take them at will and it is their hope
that when he does they shall be seen worthy of the greatest honour, a seat at the feast
beside him in Valhalla served by a host of Valkyries.