For a little over a year, I have been reading up on the Asatru Pagan religion. I am quite interested in it, and feel part of myself being beckoned to it. But I'm not 100% certain whether it's who I am or not. For example, Asatru has been called a warrior religion, but I am a devout pacifist. I have other concerns as well, but they aren't important to this topic.
I'm not asking for step by step instructions on how to tell. I understand that religion is sensitive and that it's hard to tell somebody how to find out if they are or aren't something. I'm just looking for other peoples stories, to see if I can find any inspiration or helpful information from them. I'd love to year your story, so share it with me!
Hey Ymmo, do you have any names of these other paths of Heathenism? I'm curious to see what there is out there.
From my understanding Asatru teaching is "Die fighting in something you believe", and no longer "Die fighting in battle" as it was when the vikings practiced it. So, if you die fighting for pacific ism, it would be valid.
The way to convert is through a Asatru Pagan Grove / Temple. Contact one for more information.
You don't need to find anyone to "convert." You don't have to be Asatru. Why not just say you worship the Norse/Germanic Gods whether or not you feel any particular form of that belief or any group is of use to you?
People are ultimately free to worship as their hearts dictate. So you have to do what makes sense for you. That being said when you identify with a religion, adherents of said religion may take issue with you if you don't share the same beliefs they do. This is why Christianity has dozens upon dozens and even more dozens of denominations.
So do what you feel called to do. While it may just be MY opinion on this matter, I think that anyone who honestly and with sincere respect who begins to worship and honor the Gods is welcomed by those same Gods.
What others may think... well there will always be people who will argue with you over nuances of labels. If you're concerned about calling yourself Asatru specifically, let me ask you this: do your worship and honor the Aesir? Do you honor your ancestors? Do you honor the land watter? These are touchstones of this religion. Additionally, do you believe in behaving so that you exhibit troth by your words and deeds? Is your religious worldview shaped by the Nine Worlds of Heathen Cosmology? If the answer is no to any of those then you definitely wouldn't be viewed as Asatru. And even if the answer is yes to all these, depending on an individual you may ask, and more nuances of belief and practices some may or may not consider you such either. There's lots of opinions out there. But if you are concerned with what other Asatru specifically might think, why not find others on line or in person to meet and talk with so you can increase your understanding? In that spirit, you may find this to be a handy resource: http://www.patheos.com/community/paganportal/2010/05/18/wyrd-designs-finding-others/
And on an aside... Asatru is first and foremost an agricultural religion. While the warrior is an aspect of the culture and religion, it is not the be all or end all of the religious worldview. Not everyone went out on war-parties, but everyone would respond to a threat and defend themselves, as well as their family and community. Otherwise there was a cultural concept known as froth, which was a concept of right behavior that was codified by law and long-standing acculturated tradition. When people behaved rightly, the froth or peace of the community was maintained. And members of that society and culture were granted sanctuary and protection so long as they did behave with froth. People who broke the froth were punished by a penalty fee, execution, or outlawry. If outlawed, the person was sent into exile, their lands were forfeit (and potentially their posessions as well). Should anyone of the community find them, they could be killed, tortured, preyed upon, etc. and there would be no repirsals because the outlawed person no longer received the protections of frith. The expression used towards police officers as keepers of the peace, derive from this cultural concept. There's a great article on frith here if you'd like to learn more: http://www.friggasweb.org/frith.html
Asatru is just one of the paths of Norse polytheism. It's quite typically American and very structured. There are many other ways, though, to hon our the Norse gods and goddesses without having to subscribe to all the dogma of Asatru.
Research different paths of Heathenry and find a path that suits you.
How Can I Tell if I Am Asatru?
