The field of mathematics known as “chaos theory” holds that seemingly insignificant actions can, under the right conditions, produce incredibly large results. The example most commonly used is that of a butterfly which flaps its wings and sets in motion a chain of events culminating in a hurricane a thousand miles away. Obviously, we can never know if a butterfly’s wings created a huge storm, but the basic idea - that unnoticed incidents can trigger gargantuan responses - is not only believable but, according to chaos theorists, mathematically certain.
So what does this have to do with Asatru?
In recent issues of AFA Update you and I have discussed the other end of scale. We have touched on public relations breakthroughs, marketing campaigns, and similar plans dealing with the “macro” rather than the “micro.” In this issue, I’d like to put away the telescope and drag out the magnifying glass. Let’s consider how the tiny things we do in our everyday lives can make a big difference - and what that has to do with our spreading Asatru.
Suppose, one day, you decide to wear your Thor’s hammer on the outside of your shirt rather than tucked out of sight. You’re walking down the street when a woman sees your hammer, asks you about it, and is given the address of the Asatru Folk Assembly website. A month later, she gives that URL to a friend who visits our site. This friend in turn mentions it to a multi-millionaire, who is so impressed that he leaves his entire estate to the AFA. Within five years, Asatru has a million adherents from coast to coast and is making significant, long-term changes in the culture of the United States….all because you decided on a whim to wear your hammer where it could be seen by passers-by. You’d never know what you had done, any more than we can blame a butterfly for starting a hurricane, but nevertheless you are ultimately responsible.
Suffice to say that Wyrd’s web is tightly woven.
We cannot predict which of our tiny, daily deeds will bear fruit next week or next century. But we can increase the odds by doing many such deeds, any one of which might make a difference in the long run. I try to build a lot of such occurrences into each day. I wear my hammer proudly. I don my “Odin’s Folk” tee shirt at the gym, or maybe the tie-dye one with runes on it that my son found at the thrift store. I drop comments in public dealing with heritage or the ancestors, just so see if anyone will bite. And of course, when I send out this AFA Update, I’ll wriggle many pairs of wings - amazing how this list has grown! - excluding bad addresses and those who delete these words unseen .
I have no illusion that any of this is going to bring the AFA a million dollars. But then, it might! At the least, it contributes however slightly to building a new culture, one more influenced by Asatru.
I hereby invite you to join in Operation Butterfly. I know many of you are already making these little efforts - but if we do it more deliberately, more often, we can have a greater impact. Who knows what a few hundred of us can do if we try? Get out there and stir that pot of chaos! Vibrate the Web of Wyrd! Flap the wings of your Will and let the storm arise!
Steve McNallen
Asatru Folk Assembly
http://runestone.org
Wednesday, August 31, 2011
Second Thor Movie Set for Release in 2013!
"Thor 2" is set to hit theaters on July 26, 2013. This time we'll be ready!
The Thor movie that came out this summer stimulated a lot of discussion among those of us following Asatru. On a more positive note, it stimulated questions from people who wanted to know more about Thor. We need to be prepared to answer these questions in a systematic manner, and to be able to respond with well-targeted news releases that can get our side of the story some attention! Two-fold goal: to correct false impressions given in the film, and providing a resource for members of the public who are interested on a deeper level.
http://tinyurl.com/3uzfue3
Steve McNallen
Asatru Folk Assembly
http://runestone.org
The Thor movie that came out this summer stimulated a lot of discussion among those of us following Asatru. On a more positive note, it stimulated questions from people who wanted to know more about Thor. We need to be prepared to answer these questions in a systematic manner, and to be able to respond with well-targeted news releases that can get our side of the story some attention! Two-fold goal: to correct false impressions given in the film, and providing a resource for members of the public who are interested on a deeper level.
http://tinyurl.com/3uzfue3
Steve McNallen
Asatru Folk Assembly
http://runestone.org
Wednesday, August 24, 2011
Links on Self-Sufficiency and Such
Build It Solar
Plans, tools and information to help you build renewable energy and conservation projects. Hundreds of projects -- from changing a light bulb to building a solar home. Design information and tools for building renewable energy projects. An Experimental section for backyard inventors. Nothing For Sale here -- just free ideas, plans, and information.
http://www.builditsolar.com
How to protect yourself from a flashmob
Given the increasing number of racially-motivated flash mobs, in which European-descended people are usually the victims, this is a useful article.
http://tinyurl.com/5wsgwmq
Passport to Survival
A plan for a year's supply of food based on only four items: wheat, powdered milk, salt, and honey. Many "hard times" scenarios will require that sooner or later we'll all end up growing our own food, but a year's supply of food will get you by while you're planting a garden (assuming you don't have one already).
http://tinyurl.com/3nbffhf
Warming is driving species to higher latitudes and higher ground
A warming climate is driving animal species to higher latitudes and higher ground at a rate far faster than previously believed, researchers from Britain and Taiwan reported Thursday.
The study was released by the journal Science, which is publishing the findings this week. It not only indicates faster changes, but also points more directly to climate change as the cause than did previous studies, said Chen, a researcher at Taiwan's Academia Sinica.
http://tinyurl.com/3l7td5l
Steve McNallen
http://runestone.org
Plans, tools and information to help you build renewable energy and conservation projects. Hundreds of projects -- from changing a light bulb to building a solar home. Design information and tools for building renewable energy projects. An Experimental section for backyard inventors. Nothing For Sale here -- just free ideas, plans, and information.
http://www.builditsolar.com
How to protect yourself from a flashmob
Given the increasing number of racially-motivated flash mobs, in which European-descended people are usually the victims, this is a useful article.
http://tinyurl.com/5wsgwmq
Passport to Survival
A plan for a year's supply of food based on only four items: wheat, powdered milk, salt, and honey. Many "hard times" scenarios will require that sooner or later we'll all end up growing our own food, but a year's supply of food will get you by while you're planting a garden (assuming you don't have one already).
http://tinyurl.com/3nbffhf
Warming is driving species to higher latitudes and higher ground
A warming climate is driving animal species to higher latitudes and higher ground at a rate far faster than previously believed, researchers from Britain and Taiwan reported Thursday.
The study was released by the journal Science, which is publishing the findings this week. It not only indicates faster changes, but also points more directly to climate change as the cause than did previous studies, said Chen, a researcher at Taiwan's Academia Sinica.
http://tinyurl.com/3l7td5l
Steve McNallen
http://runestone.org
Summoning the Gods: An Important Book for Asatru
I highly recommend Collin Cleary's Summoning the Gods for all of us who follow Asatru. The first part includes updated versions of articles Cleary wrote in issues one and two of the journal Tyr. They deal with the nature of the Gods and their presence in a cynical world, and show how we can learn to perceive the divine in nature. This approach is a much-needed counter to the atheism now popular among many of our younger generation. Cleary tells us to let the Gods speak for themselves, rather than projecting our expectations on them, and I have incorporated some of his suggestions in my spiritual exercises. Several of my blog posts over the last month or two have been on this subject. Cleary's writing has greatly influenced my thinking on these matters.
Other chapters focus on the nature of Odin, the mechanics of personal transformation, philosophical speculations on the runes, and more. All these topics are discussed with the kind of philosophical sophistication that Asatru needs if it is to gain respect in academia.
Summoning the Gods can be ordered from Amazon: http://tinyurl.com/3fjdxtk.
Steve McNallen
Asatru Folk Assembly
http://runestone.org
Other chapters focus on the nature of Odin, the mechanics of personal transformation, philosophical speculations on the runes, and more. All these topics are discussed with the kind of philosophical sophistication that Asatru needs if it is to gain respect in academia.
Summoning the Gods can be ordered from Amazon: http://tinyurl.com/3fjdxtk.
Steve McNallen
Asatru Folk Assembly
http://runestone.org
Tuesday, August 23, 2011
Folkish Summer Hallowing - An Asatru Affirmation!
Our work for Asatru sometimes takes Sheila and I all over the country. Last weekend, we were guests at the Folkish Summer Hallowing, hosted by the Irminfolk in Pennsylvania. We were overwhelmed with their hospitality from the moment of our arrival Friday afternoon until our departure on Sunday.
On Saturday I gave a talk in which I stated that we European-descended folk are an indigenous people. Our "Holy Land" is not the Middle East, but Europe. In the long discussions that followed, I emphasized once again the need for community. Indeed, community is very much on the mind of the Irminfolk, just as it is with us.
Another special guest at the event was our long-time friend and musician Robert Taylor. His band Changes, consisting of Robert and his cousin Nicholas Tesluk, entertained us with beautiful and stirring songs in the "apocalyptic folk" genre. It had been many years since Robert and I saw each other, and we spent a lot of time catching up on our lives. The band Grafvolluth, led by Paul Guhring, provided an overwhelming sonic experience of the Odinist black metal variety.
One of the best things about the gathering was an opportunity to meet Folkbuilder Pat Hall and a slew of other AFA members. Sheila and I were once again impressed with the kind of men and women the AFA is attracting. Pat and her partner, Hunter Yoder, gave a workshop on hexology - the spiritual and magical use of hex signs, both the traditional ones found in Pennsylvania Dutch culture and innovative ones that incorporate runes and other Germanic symbols. Their web site, http://zaubereigarten.com/, has samples of their wonderful art.
Irminfolk is a vibrant organization, with many young married couples, and babies everywhere. Sheila and I made many friends, and we look forward to a long and productive relationship between our two organizations.
Steve McNallen
Asatru Folk Assembly
http://runestone.org
On Saturday I gave a talk in which I stated that we European-descended folk are an indigenous people. Our "Holy Land" is not the Middle East, but Europe. In the long discussions that followed, I emphasized once again the need for community. Indeed, community is very much on the mind of the Irminfolk, just as it is with us.
Another special guest at the event was our long-time friend and musician Robert Taylor. His band Changes, consisting of Robert and his cousin Nicholas Tesluk, entertained us with beautiful and stirring songs in the "apocalyptic folk" genre. It had been many years since Robert and I saw each other, and we spent a lot of time catching up on our lives. The band Grafvolluth, led by Paul Guhring, provided an overwhelming sonic experience of the Odinist black metal variety.
One of the best things about the gathering was an opportunity to meet Folkbuilder Pat Hall and a slew of other AFA members. Sheila and I were once again impressed with the kind of men and women the AFA is attracting. Pat and her partner, Hunter Yoder, gave a workshop on hexology - the spiritual and magical use of hex signs, both the traditional ones found in Pennsylvania Dutch culture and innovative ones that incorporate runes and other Germanic symbols. Their web site, http://zaubereigarten.com/, has samples of their wonderful art.
Irminfolk is a vibrant organization, with many young married couples, and babies everywhere. Sheila and I made many friends, and we look forward to a long and productive relationship between our two organizations.
Steve McNallen
Asatru Folk Assembly
http://runestone.org
Tuesday, August 16, 2011
AFA Photo Gallery
Folks, we've put in place a Photo Gallery for AFA events, Kindred events etc.
People have started adding photos from our recent Midsummer in the Sierras 2011, please go check them out, and if you like, create an account and add your own photos.
If you have any trouble logging in, contact webmaster@runestone.org
The Photo Gallery can be found at: www.runestone.org/photos
People have started adding photos from our recent Midsummer in the Sierras 2011, please go check them out, and if you like, create an account and add your own photos.
If you have any trouble logging in, contact webmaster@runestone.org
The Photo Gallery can be found at: www.runestone.org/photos
Monday, August 8, 2011
Asatru Awakening - Presentations at Midsummer, Part 3
David James is one of the true Asatru elders in America. The fact that he was a special guest at Althing 1, in 1980, gives you an idea of his experience! David hasn't stopped thinking or writing about our faith in the decades since then. His spirit has remained true to the Aesir, the Vanir, and our Folk.
The Asatru Folk Assembly has had the pleasure of his company at the last three "Midsummers in the Sierras." Last year he was taken ill and missed most of the event, but this time he was back with two important presentations.
On Friday, in a talk titled "Old Worth and New," David spoke of our ancient values. Referring to The Germanization of Early Medieval Christianity by Dr. James Russell, he contrasted the ways of our ancestors with the Christian worldview. He noted that "The Christians have paved over our ground, but we keep poking through...The rubble still litters our lives in ways of which we are unaware." David distinguished between good intentions and right action: "It's not Will unless it ends in Deed!".
Later, on Sunday, David stimulated us with thoughts on "Composing Liturgy and Poetry." He began by urging us to drop Latin-based words in favor of those of Teutonic origin, and to be sparing with adjectives. Too many adjectives, he said, weaken the power of the language. David then gave several suggestions on poetic techniques. The study of Old English, he suggested, provided excellent practice in composing sentences that deliver a punch.
Inspired by his talk, I mentioned a poem by Jorge Luis Borges titled "Hengist Wants Men," which I found relevant to the topic. We googled it immediately, and Folkbuilder Coordinator Brad Taylor-Hicks read it aloud for us on the spot! You can find it here: http://tinyurl.com/3z2vkrg .
David James is one more reminder of the excellent minds - and spirits! - within the AFA.
Steve McNallen
Asatru Folk Assembly
http://runestone.org
The Asatru Folk Assembly has had the pleasure of his company at the last three "Midsummers in the Sierras." Last year he was taken ill and missed most of the event, but this time he was back with two important presentations.
On Friday, in a talk titled "Old Worth and New," David spoke of our ancient values. Referring to The Germanization of Early Medieval Christianity by Dr. James Russell, he contrasted the ways of our ancestors with the Christian worldview. He noted that "The Christians have paved over our ground, but we keep poking through...The rubble still litters our lives in ways of which we are unaware." David distinguished between good intentions and right action: "It's not Will unless it ends in Deed!".
Later, on Sunday, David stimulated us with thoughts on "Composing Liturgy and Poetry." He began by urging us to drop Latin-based words in favor of those of Teutonic origin, and to be sparing with adjectives. Too many adjectives, he said, weaken the power of the language. David then gave several suggestions on poetic techniques. The study of Old English, he suggested, provided excellent practice in composing sentences that deliver a punch.
Inspired by his talk, I mentioned a poem by Jorge Luis Borges titled "Hengist Wants Men," which I found relevant to the topic. We googled it immediately, and Folkbuilder Coordinator Brad Taylor-Hicks read it aloud for us on the spot! You can find it here: http://tinyurl.com/3z2vkrg .
David James is one more reminder of the excellent minds - and spirits! - within the AFA.
Steve McNallen
Asatru Folk Assembly
http://runestone.org
Friday, August 5, 2011
Asatru Awakening - Midsummer Presentations, Part 2
Last time, I described my own presentations at the Asatru Folk Assembly's "Midsummer in the Sierras".
Stephen Pollington is a well-known expert on the Anglo-Saxons, and we brought him all the way from England to talk to us about this particular Germanic culture. Now, some think that Asatru is based solely on Scandinavian belief, but that's not the case. Yes, we use the Norse cultural models, simply because that was Asatru's most developed historical expression. After all, where would the revival of our ancestral faith be without the Eddas? Our interests include all of the Germanic world. The word Asatru, after all, means roughly "those true to the Gods" - and I take that to mean all the Gods and Goddesses of the Teutonic world.
But I digress. Stephen gave three remarkable Power Point presentations to an eager audience. (In person, Pollington is very personable and is completely comfortable with being called "Steve," but since I am also a Steve, I'll refer to him as Stephen.) The first one was titled Hall and Hoard: Display and Status in the Meadhall. It dealt with the meadhall as an institution in Anglo-Saxon culture. Essentially, the meadhall was a place for social interaction, with emphasis on access to power and politics. In this environment status was everything, and high status was displayed through intricate jewelry and accessories worn by those who had the wherewithal to do so. Stephen showed us many examples of this and showed how this all worked into the broader theme.
Stephen's second talk carried the title Hall and Harrow: Art and Material Culture - A Glimpse into the Iron Age. Despite the secular-sounding label, it focused on religious and spiritual themes sure to capture the attention of all of us who follow Asatru. To choose one example that I'll never forget: The famous Sutton Hoo helmet has a most interesting feature. One eye...and only one eye...contains gold foil behind each of the garnets lining the eyepiece. The other eye also has garnets, but no gold foil. The resulting visual effect is that of a one-eyed, aristocratic warrior - Woden himself - moving among his folk. You can imagine the possibilities for Asatru ritual!
Our final gift from Stephen was a session on Runes in the Anglo-Saxon Tradition. He approached this not from a magical perspective, but a more scholarly one. He included an excellent survey of runic artifacts, with an emphasis on the Anglo-Saxon Futhorc and its development as language changed. Stephen paid special attention to how the transition from tribe to nation-state, and the shift to literacy, affected the balance of political and social power in Northern Europe.
Heady stuff, and well received! For more on Stephen Pollington and his works, visit his web site at http://www.stevepollington.com.
Steve McNallen
Asatru Folk Assembly
http://runestone.org
Stephen Pollington is a well-known expert on the Anglo-Saxons, and we brought him all the way from England to talk to us about this particular Germanic culture. Now, some think that Asatru is based solely on Scandinavian belief, but that's not the case. Yes, we use the Norse cultural models, simply because that was Asatru's most developed historical expression. After all, where would the revival of our ancestral faith be without the Eddas? Our interests include all of the Germanic world. The word Asatru, after all, means roughly "those true to the Gods" - and I take that to mean all the Gods and Goddesses of the Teutonic world.
But I digress. Stephen gave three remarkable Power Point presentations to an eager audience. (In person, Pollington is very personable and is completely comfortable with being called "Steve," but since I am also a Steve, I'll refer to him as Stephen.) The first one was titled Hall and Hoard: Display and Status in the Meadhall. It dealt with the meadhall as an institution in Anglo-Saxon culture. Essentially, the meadhall was a place for social interaction, with emphasis on access to power and politics. In this environment status was everything, and high status was displayed through intricate jewelry and accessories worn by those who had the wherewithal to do so. Stephen showed us many examples of this and showed how this all worked into the broader theme.
Stephen's second talk carried the title Hall and Harrow: Art and Material Culture - A Glimpse into the Iron Age. Despite the secular-sounding label, it focused on religious and spiritual themes sure to capture the attention of all of us who follow Asatru. To choose one example that I'll never forget: The famous Sutton Hoo helmet has a most interesting feature. One eye...and only one eye...contains gold foil behind each of the garnets lining the eyepiece. The other eye also has garnets, but no gold foil. The resulting visual effect is that of a one-eyed, aristocratic warrior - Woden himself - moving among his folk. You can imagine the possibilities for Asatru ritual!
Our final gift from Stephen was a session on Runes in the Anglo-Saxon Tradition. He approached this not from a magical perspective, but a more scholarly one. He included an excellent survey of runic artifacts, with an emphasis on the Anglo-Saxon Futhorc and its development as language changed. Stephen paid special attention to how the transition from tribe to nation-state, and the shift to literacy, affected the balance of political and social power in Northern Europe.
Heady stuff, and well received! For more on Stephen Pollington and his works, visit his web site at http://www.stevepollington.com.
Steve McNallen
Asatru Folk Assembly
http://runestone.org
Thursday, August 4, 2011
Asatru Awakening - Presentations at Midsummer 2011, Part 1
One thing you can expect at any Asatru Folk Assembly gathering is a variety of lectures, workshops, and discussions. This Midsummer was no exception!
I gave four presentations. The first one, on Thursday evening, was titled "Finding the Gods in Nature." As my recent blog posts show, this is one of the main themes of my recent spiritual development. We must become aware of the holiness in nature. We can do this by seeing things in nature as complete in themselves, rather than just as "resources." Additionally, if we refuse to project our expectations on natural phenomena and just let them "speak for themselves," we can become open to something holy that lurks behind mere appearances. In my talk, I related some of my personal experiments at doing this.
My second talk asserted that European-descended men and women everywhere are "indigenous Europeans." Our ancestors have been in America for a couple of centuries, but they were in Europe for forty thousand years. Europe shaped our bodies, our minds, and our spirits; we are forever a part of Europe, and Europe is forever a part of us. We need to realize we are a people, part of a lineage that transcends space, time, and mortality. "Only when we realize we are a river will we stop drowning in puddles."
If we are a people, then we must think about our community...Hence, the third talk. I examined the definition of community and explored what makes men and women join one. An AFA community begins when two AFA members meet each other and share a drink or a meal. From that simple beginning, they can grow to any size. Kindreds have their benefits (community)and their down sides (not necesarily being guided by the AFA Declaration of Purpose, often incapable of cooperating well with those outside their kindreds). We are developing the Northern California AFA Community, with the intention of using it as a model for others scattered across the country, and eventually around the world.
Finally, I gave an informal talk on the runes and other Germanic systems as means of self-transformation. Everyone knows about runes as a divinatory system, but there is less awareness of runes as a tool for personal evolution. I also shared information on techniques I have developed, based on the myth of Odin's mead-theft.
The topics of these four presentations are all connected. The first and last topics - seeing the Gods in nature and personal transformation, respectively - are strictly spiritual, but have implications for us all. Any progress we make as a group will depend upon our spiritual power. European-descended folk as an indigenous people dovetails neatly with the development of community, for it is as people native to Europe that we come together.
In a future post I will describe other presentations at Midsummer in the Sierras, so you can see what a very rich gathering this was!
Steve McNallen
Asatru Folk Assembly
http://runestone.org
I gave four presentations. The first one, on Thursday evening, was titled "Finding the Gods in Nature." As my recent blog posts show, this is one of the main themes of my recent spiritual development. We must become aware of the holiness in nature. We can do this by seeing things in nature as complete in themselves, rather than just as "resources." Additionally, if we refuse to project our expectations on natural phenomena and just let them "speak for themselves," we can become open to something holy that lurks behind mere appearances. In my talk, I related some of my personal experiments at doing this.
My second talk asserted that European-descended men and women everywhere are "indigenous Europeans." Our ancestors have been in America for a couple of centuries, but they were in Europe for forty thousand years. Europe shaped our bodies, our minds, and our spirits; we are forever a part of Europe, and Europe is forever a part of us. We need to realize we are a people, part of a lineage that transcends space, time, and mortality. "Only when we realize we are a river will we stop drowning in puddles."
If we are a people, then we must think about our community...Hence, the third talk. I examined the definition of community and explored what makes men and women join one. An AFA community begins when two AFA members meet each other and share a drink or a meal. From that simple beginning, they can grow to any size. Kindreds have their benefits (community)and their down sides (not necesarily being guided by the AFA Declaration of Purpose, often incapable of cooperating well with those outside their kindreds). We are developing the Northern California AFA Community, with the intention of using it as a model for others scattered across the country, and eventually around the world.
Finally, I gave an informal talk on the runes and other Germanic systems as means of self-transformation. Everyone knows about runes as a divinatory system, but there is less awareness of runes as a tool for personal evolution. I also shared information on techniques I have developed, based on the myth of Odin's mead-theft.
The topics of these four presentations are all connected. The first and last topics - seeing the Gods in nature and personal transformation, respectively - are strictly spiritual, but have implications for us all. Any progress we make as a group will depend upon our spiritual power. European-descended folk as an indigenous people dovetails neatly with the development of community, for it is as people native to Europe that we come together.
In a future post I will describe other presentations at Midsummer in the Sierras, so you can see what a very rich gathering this was!
Steve McNallen
Asatru Folk Assembly
http://runestone.org
Wednesday, August 3, 2011
Links - Cheap Power, Gardening, Saving Bucks on Gas
Here are some useful links -
A South-Facing Window is Already a Solar Collector
http://tinyurl.com/3aru6fq
Simple Solar Parts 1,2,3
DIY devices for heating and disinfecting water, and cook food.
http://tinyurl.com/3z7qqra
Nine Steps to Starting a Survival Garden
It doesn't get any simpler than this.
http://tinyurl.com/bq9hpa
Survival Gardening with Heirlooms (Free E-Book)
Written by folks who sell heirloom seeds; lots of useful information.
http://tinyurl.com/42tll7y
Eleven Tips to Save You Money on Gas
Good for your wallet, good for the environment.
http://tinyurl.com/35np86
Steve McNallen
Asatru Folk Assembly
http://runestone.org
A South-Facing Window is Already a Solar Collector
http://tinyurl.com/3aru6fq
Simple Solar Parts 1,2,3
DIY devices for heating and disinfecting water, and cook food.
http://tinyurl.com/3z7qqra
Nine Steps to Starting a Survival Garden
It doesn't get any simpler than this.
http://tinyurl.com/bq9hpa
Survival Gardening with Heirlooms (Free E-Book)
Written by folks who sell heirloom seeds; lots of useful information.
http://tinyurl.com/42tll7y
Eleven Tips to Save You Money on Gas
Good for your wallet, good for the environment.
http://tinyurl.com/35np86
Steve McNallen
Asatru Folk Assembly
http://runestone.org
Tuesday, August 2, 2011
Midsummer 2011 - Asatru Breaks Through!
Last weekend's Midsummer gathering of the Asatru Folk Assembly was a time of demolishing obstacles - not physical obstacles, but psychological ones that have frozen us, kept us from action at a time when action is more important than ever.
For some time there has been a feeling of apathy, of impending catastrophe all across America - not just in the Asatru movement, but in many areas of American life. People are still stunned from the economic ripples of 2008. Countless people have lost their jobs or their homes, or both. No one know what the future holds for the country, and especially for the middle class. Everything is in flux.
Many of us react to this stress by shutting down - by turning inward, cutting off communication, absorbed by our personal struggles. This is the worst thing we can do! At a time like this, we need to be reaching out to our fellow AFA members. I want the AFA to be part of the solution for all the men and women in our organization.
I came to Midsummer energized, optimistic, and determined to turn this attitude around. And guess what - I found myself surrounded by AFAers ready for exactly that! I spoke on three main topics: perceiving the Gods in nature by changing our mode of awareness...the fact that we European-descended men and women are a people; that we are in fact indigenous European peoples...and a call to build and expand AFA community all across the United States and wherever our members were found. It was idealistic, ambitious and (dare I say) even visionary, but the AFA members at Midsummer were up to the task! They were ready to be challenged and eager to take charge of their fate. You will begin seeing actions toward these noble ends in the days to come, and we invite you to jump in there with us and keep the momentum strong.
I give humble thanks to all the many people who contributed to the success of this event. It would have been impossible without the capable and energetic folks who performed the countless duties that go into such an endeavor. Indeed, I sincerely thank all those motivated enough to make the trip to northern California in an economic environment where that was something of a sacrifice. Your dedication produced the most successful, most inspiring AFA gathering in recent history.
More to come later, telling you about what we accomplished!
Steve McNallen
Asatru Folk Assembly
http://runestone.org
For some time there has been a feeling of apathy, of impending catastrophe all across America - not just in the Asatru movement, but in many areas of American life. People are still stunned from the economic ripples of 2008. Countless people have lost their jobs or their homes, or both. No one know what the future holds for the country, and especially for the middle class. Everything is in flux.
Many of us react to this stress by shutting down - by turning inward, cutting off communication, absorbed by our personal struggles. This is the worst thing we can do! At a time like this, we need to be reaching out to our fellow AFA members. I want the AFA to be part of the solution for all the men and women in our organization.
I came to Midsummer energized, optimistic, and determined to turn this attitude around. And guess what - I found myself surrounded by AFAers ready for exactly that! I spoke on three main topics: perceiving the Gods in nature by changing our mode of awareness...the fact that we European-descended men and women are a people; that we are in fact indigenous European peoples...and a call to build and expand AFA community all across the United States and wherever our members were found. It was idealistic, ambitious and (dare I say) even visionary, but the AFA members at Midsummer were up to the task! They were ready to be challenged and eager to take charge of their fate. You will begin seeing actions toward these noble ends in the days to come, and we invite you to jump in there with us and keep the momentum strong.
I give humble thanks to all the many people who contributed to the success of this event. It would have been impossible without the capable and energetic folks who performed the countless duties that go into such an endeavor. Indeed, I sincerely thank all those motivated enough to make the trip to northern California in an economic environment where that was something of a sacrifice. Your dedication produced the most successful, most inspiring AFA gathering in recent history.
More to come later, telling you about what we accomplished!
Steve McNallen
Asatru Folk Assembly
http://runestone.org
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