First-Ever International Asatru Folk Assembly Gathering Set for Denmark!

We are proud to announce the first-ever international Asatru Folk Assembly gathering, to be held in Odense, Denmark, on August 3-4!

This event is open to all AFA members anywhere in the world. We would be really thrilled if a number of you would join us for this historic occasion. If you're not already an AFA member...maybe the time has come!

Odense, of course, was the site of ancient Asatru gatherings, especially those associated with Odin - the name itself is derived from "Odin's Ve," or "Odin's sacred enclosure." Obviously, the tourist attractions of the area would be of immense interest to all who follow our faith.

More details will be forthcoming. For now...start thinking about packing your bags and checking ticket prices into Copenhagen!

Steve McNallen

Asatru Folk Assembly
runestone.org

The Essence of Asatru - Part One

Here is the essence of Asatru as practiced in the Asatru Folk Assembly:

The world is good.  Prosperity is good.  Life is good, and we should live it with joy and enthusiasm.

We are free to shape our lives to the extent allowed by our skill, courage, and might.  There is no predestination, no fate, no limitations imposed by the will of any external deity.

We do not need salvation.  All we need is the freedom to face our lives with courage and honor.

We are connected to all our ancestors.  They are a part of us.  We in turn will be a part of our descendants.

We are also linked to all our living kin  -  to our families and to every man and woman rooted in the tribes of Europe.  These latter are our “greater family.”

More to come tomorrow!

Steve McNallen
Asatru Folk Assembly
http://runestone.org

"Revolution is the art of communication" applies to Asatru, too!

"REVOLUTION IS THE ART OF COMMUNICATION"  -  Robert Heinlein, in  his classic The Moon Is a Harsh Mistress

This is as true of spiritual revolution as it is of political or social revolution.  Those who would change things must communicate!

What have you communicated today?

The Asatru Folk Assembly...We want to make a difference!




 Steve McNallen

Asatru Folk Assembly
http://runestone.org

The Spiritual Intent of the "Mother of all Moots" Refined

The Asatru Folk Assembly's last major annual West Coast event, Midsummer 2012, had the spiritual intent of "Awakening."  The power of the entire gathering's "meta-ritual" was focused toward the spiritual awakening of those attending, in addition to the goals of the AFA. 

The magical intent of "MoM" is a refinement of this  -  the principle of Awakening, as specifically expressed through the rune Berkano.  We will strive to benefit our participants (and the AFA as a whole) with the gifts of creativity, growth, germination, and the birth of new good things! 

"Mother of all Moots"  -  it's not just a gathering, it is a working of might, of personal and collective spiritual evolution.

Steve McNallen

Asatru Folk Assembly
http://runestone.org

Northern Runes Radio at Asatru Folk Assembly's "Mother Of All Moots"

You’ve probably heard Northern Runes Radio (http://northern-runes.blogspot.com/), the awesome Asatru podcast masterminded by Daniel Updike from Edmonton, Alberta. Well, Dan is driving down all the way from Canada with his wife and a car full of his kindred members just to be at MoM. 

We're proud to have Dan as our Folkbuilder for Canada.  He will give a presentation on "The Benefits of Daily Spiritual Practice"  -  and will also perform a blot, as required by his participation in the Clergy Course.  Quite a splash for a man who's attending his first AFA gathering!

Mother of All Moots  -  If you're an AFA member or friend, you need to be there.  You an register on the AFA web site at http://www.runestone.org.

Hail the Gods!
Hail the AFA!

Steve McNallen
Asatru Folk Assembly

April 9 - Day of Remembrance for Asatru Martyr, Jarl Hakon!

 Asatru has countless heroes who died in defense of our native faith.  One of these was Jarl Hakon.

Hakon Sigurdson joined forces with the king of Denmark to conquer Norway and defeat its king, Harald Finehair, a Christian.  In return, Hakon was made jarl (or “earl”) over the western part of the country.

 Jarl Hakon was a devout follower of the Gods and a defender of the traditional freedoms that went with Asatru.  He brought back the ancient rights of chieftains and farmers, rebuilt the temples that had been destroyed, and allowed the folk to once more to follow their ancestral way.  Peace ruled the country, and the people prospered.  Even the crops in the fields seemed to respond to the restoration of freedom and holiness.  This period lasted many years, then a dispute broke out with some of the residents of the Trondelag area.  Hakon lost support as the inhabitants sided with newcomer Olaf Tryggvason, who was later to become king and renew the persecution of Asatru.  Jarl Hakon was eventually murdered.

Hail Hakon, hero and martyr!  May we so lead our lives that we, too, accomplish great things!

Steve

Asatru Folk Assembly
http://runestone.org

Today is Tuesday! Hail Tyr! Hail Asatru!

Tyr, or as the Saxons call him, Tiw, rules this day of the week even though it has a thousand years since our ancestral lands succumbed to the outsider faith!  Yet what else would we expect from such a hardy God?  He who sacrifices his hand to the Wolf does not quail before the centuries.  And, as Tiw, his constancy is connected with the North Star which still rides high in the Northern sky.  We of Asatru, too, are loyal; we, too are constant in our devotion.  So shall it be, always.

Hail Tyr, on Tuesday!

Steve

Asatru Folk Assembly
http://runestone.org