The Northern Folkways

Vanatru - Norse Witchcraft
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Perhaps the first true "Witchcraft" was practiced by the followers of the
"Vanir" a race of Norse Gods and Goddesses said to be older than the "Aesir".
As the Gods of "This World" they are mainly seen as governing the cycles of
the Earth, birth, growth and death, ever renewing.

The Vanir are called upon for peace, prosperity and love. In the spring
Ostara is honoured as the Dawn Goddess who is awakened to bring the birds,
rabbits and first flowers to "Midgard" the World of Men.

In May, Frey and Freyja are honoured as the Lord and Lady who bring love
and fruitfulness to the Earth. At harvest The Vanir are thanked for their
bounty. Frey as God of the Elves (male ancestral spirits) and Freyja as
Queen of the Valkyries and the Disir (female ancestral spirits) are honoured
at this time as the vegetation dies so too are the ancestors remembered.
For riches and wealth Njord, the God of the Sea is called upon as he is known
to give his gifts freely.

Norse Heathenism - Asatru
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Usually favored by those who's heritage lies in the lands of northern Europe.
Countries like Norway, Sweden, Iceland, England, Denmark, The Scottish Islands
and the Faeroes as well as Holland and the surrounding areas.

This is an animistic religion, that is everything has a spirit and these
spirits are known as Wights.

The cosmology of the nine worlds is depicted as "The World Tree" at the top is
Asgard, the World of the Aesir, at the base is Midgard, the World of Men and
below the roots in Hel, the Land of the Dead. Apart from these are Ljosalfheim,
The Land of The Elves, Swartalfheim, The Land of The Dwarves, Jotenheim, The
Land of The Giants lies in the East, and Vanaheim the land of The Vanir is in
the West. Muspellheim is the land of fire to the South and Nifhelheim is the
land of ice to the extreme North.

The World was made by Odin and his brothers from the body of the slain Giant
Ymir. They made Man and Woman from an Ash and an Elm tree giving them breath,
thought and form.

There are two races of Gods, the Aesir and the older, Vanir that after a great
war now live in harmony. They worship the Gods Odin the Allfather, Frigg Queen
of Asgard, Thor the Thunderer, Frey and Freyja The Vana Gods.

Personal and Family Honour are held above all else, a great man has a far-famed
reputation of great deeds and is truthful in all dealings. The only forms
of sin are seen as secret murder and dishonour by breaking a sworn Oath.

Blots are held to honour the Gods through the year and Symbels, (Drinking
Rituals) are given in memory of heroes and heroic deeds as are oaths taken at
those rites. These drinking rites are the precursors of our modern Toasting.

Magic is usually only practiced in the form of Rune magic and Runic divination
but Shamanism is also inherent in the form of Seid Craft.

Ancestor worship is important as are lives lived filled with worthy deeds.
Frey is the King of the Elves (Male ancestral spirits) and Freyja is the Queen
of the Valkyries and the Disir (Female ancestral spirits).

They are all worshiped with a Rite called a Blot wherein drink, usually mead is
blessed and the folk are sprinkled with it, it is then offered to the Gods and
the spirits of the dead.

As the lore is the basis for the whole of the spiritual path of the Norse and
Asatru is well known as the "Religion with Homework" there is much to read from
the sagas and the Eddas.



Anglo-Saxon Theodism
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In 1976 Garman Lord had the idea to reform modern society to conform
closely with that of prechristian Saxony and with it he founded the
Witan Theod. Shortly after this idea was taken up in 1989 with the
founding of the Winland Rice Theod by Ealdoraed Lord.

A Theod is a society in which, after a year of Thrallship, likened to
self-appointed slavery to build character and prove self worth members
swear oaths to those higher up than one's self. All the folk in the
Theod are bound together in this web called an "Oath Ring".

Members of a Theod are forbidden to ever do things for the furtherance
of themselves, rather they seek to further all other members of the
society who in turn do the same for their benefit.

Anglo-Saxon lore and language factor incredibly strongly into the
Theodish way of life. In regards to religious practice, they are very
much like Asatruar.

Choosing a Magical Path

How to choose a Magical Path

The decision to pursue a study in Magic itself very often leads to choosing
what is called a "Magical Path". This is an important decision as you will
only flourish if you are working on the path that is best for you. Choosing
the wrong path is not irreversible, but leads to delays and wastes time.
Review the different ways to find your path and the overviews of the many
paths themselves before undertaking to devote yourself to any.

One way to determine your new path is through the stories and "mythologies" of
different regions. Are you in love with Beowulf? The Lord of the Rings? Do you
love the "Clash of the Titans" or read the Odyssey? Have you read the Kalevala
5-6 times? The path those stories belong to could the one for you.

Music is also something to consider, are you the only one you know addicted to
Latin music? Is Celtic or harp music always playing in your car? Do Buddhist
tapes make it out of your yoga room and into work with you? Are you ever awaiting
the release of the next Viking Metal Epic? Ask yourself if your taste in music
may be a key to your true spirituality as music itself comes to us through the Soul.

Do you practice yoga? Are you in Karate? Do you take German Longsword classes?
Do you read voraciously? Are you forever wandering the forests touching every
tree and searching for Fairies? Do you have a favored Cleric character in D&D?
Have you had the urge to take up belly dancing for reasons other than fitness? Do
you recycle everything? Often what you already do is a key to what path your soul
wants to take. Action logically leads to action so pay close attention to your own.

What is your innate personality like? Are you peaceful and quiet? Are you drawn
to the Military? Do you want to change your environment through magic? Do you
feel that life is to be lived for the moment and everything is to be experienced?
Are you no nonsense and highly analytical? Do you prefer a scientific approach?
The type of personality that you have is a major point to consider when choosing a
religious path. You must find a good fit as you will probably fail at trying to
change your personality completely to fit any religion. This in fact may be why
you were dissatisfied with your birth religion in the first place and it is
best not to make that mistake in choosing your new path.

Is there a New Age store or Magic Shoppe in your area? A pagan pride day? Even
large bookstores have "Metaphysical" sections in which you can browse. These
places and the people you meet there may give you some ideas.Notice what you like,
what you gravitate toward. What do they have in common? Do you just love all the
trinkets involved in Wiccan spellcasting? Are those African art carvings and masks
calling to you, whispering secrets? Must you beat on every drum you see or are the
Tibetan singing bowls your fascination? Does the very flame of a lit spell candle
shine into your very heart?

The Internet is by far one of the greatest tools you can use when finding you path
as well as a help along your way. There are a wealth of sites devoted to the
dissemination of information and groups you can join. Any path you can think of has
links somewhere on the web. Through the many message boards you can find other
like minded people with which to share your thoughts and ideas.

Sitting in a quite darkened room with soft music, chanting, lying on the beach and
listening to the waves, climbing a mountain and wandering through the forest are all
excellent ways of getting to a point where you can quite yourself and take yourself
out of the hurried rush of everyday life long enough to listen to your heart and soul.
Listen carefully and you may be reached by the Gods. It may sound hokey but the Gods
have called many people this way and there is a good chance that by following this
simple exercise several times that you may hear their voice as well. Take a small
note pad to record anything you may hear or any impressions you may get while on this
meditative journey. Look over these notes in quiet moments that you may have.
What may at first seem like silliness may in time be seen for what it is really worth.
The Icelanders conducted a practice called Utisetta (Sitting out) wherein they would
go to a wild and remote location and sit on a blanket over night. Any animals seen to
come into their vicinity and show themselves were considered their spirit guides.
The voice of Odin, God of Wisdom and secrets was heard through the rustling of
the leaves.

Other Things to Consider
Do you want to work alone or with a group? This will determine whether you will work
and study as a solitary practitioner or seek out a group, Kindred, Coven, Grove, Hearth
or Magical Society. Are you introverted and a self learner? Do you blossom and come
into your own when in a group context? Are mountains of book and your own intuition
all you need or do you seek the knowledge of others as well to help you grow?