By now, hopefully, you have taken stock of the year past and thought
about what you want to accomplish in the one to come…and that brings
up the question of oaths, or at least resolutions, for the new year.
I list the two separately because they are very different things.
In ancient times, our people swore oaths on the Yule boar as he was
led around the hall. Today, we may use only a loaf of bread baked in
the shape of a boar, but the oath is no less binding than if a live,
snorting, squealing boar had been brought into your dining room! And
oaths, as you know, must be taken very seriously. I have noted that
in modern times, many swear oaths when they would gain better
reputation by staying silent…
Resolutions are the common fare in American culture, and they are much
less binding than oaths. This does NOT mean that they are to be taken
casually or halfheartedly, but there is relatively little loss of
spiritual might if one fails to attain them. They can be a useful
tool for developing the will and making progress toward the high level
of attainment that should be the long-term goal of all of us.
When you make your choice, you don't want to be lacking in wisdom!
Light a candle for Wisdom as you wrap up this Yule season, and turn
your face toward the new year!
Happy New Year, everyone!
Steve McNallen
Asatru Folk Assembly
http://runestone.org
This series is sent as a service to the Germanic religious community, and its contents do NOT duplicate those of the AFA’s booklet, The Twelve Days of Yule in Word and Deed.
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