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221 views24 pagesThe Runestone Undated
The-Runestone-Undated
Uploaded by
SimpliciusCopyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF or read online on Scribd
Whetspett, in the lelandic hafeiatetur style
It reads Sator arcpo tenet opern rotas' and BREN beater exe om your trans
Gunnlaugur SE Bnem Whetspett, in the lelamdic hofeatetur style,
It remds ‘sacar arzpo tenet opere. rotns' and ps a. beater cream your irons
Gunnlaugur SE Biem THE RUNESTONE is a journal of the ancient, yet ever new, religion
known as Asatru- It is dedicated to that religion and to the values
of courage, freedom, and individuality which are associated with it.
THE RUNESTONE is the official journal of the Asatru Free Assembly and
is published six times a year. Subscriptions are $9 per year (U.S.),
$12 per year (Canada) and $15 per year (Overseas airmail). Write to:
AFA, [Link] 1754, Brackenridge, TX 76024.
STAFF FOR THIS ISSUE:
Editor: Stephen A. McNallen; Production: Maddy Hutter
Calligraphy: Mari Funai:
GUIDELINES FOR SUBMISSIONS:
The AFA welcomes contributions from our readers. Material submitted
will be considered for publication but returned only if requested and
accompanied by sufficient postage to cover costs. For a capy of com~
plete guidelines for subwissions, please send a $.A.S.E. to the AFA
at the above address.
DEADLINES FOR SUBMISSIONS:
Submission date: November 15 Publication date: January {
January 15 March 1
March 15 May 1
May 15 duly 1
duly is September 1
September 15 November 1
MAILING:
THE RUNESTONE is sent out by Bulk Mail in the U.S. Since the post
office does not forward or return bulk mail, do let us know as soon
as possible if you change your address. If you do not give an addres
change, the AFA loses the cost of all the Runestones we send to the
wrong address and you lose those issues!
FZ
3 Fens SS
SS eZ
DOU p= $$
EDITORIAL
The Asatru Free Assembly has al-
ways been a fast-moving, and often a
fast-changing, organization. we try
to stay ever-responsive to our envir-
onment, as well as to our spiritual
impulses. As a result we're intro-
ducing some major modifications with-
inthe AFA.
Ours is a freedom-loving Folk.
Independence and a reluctance to be
organized (much less regimented) are
our hallmarks. Time and again our
ancestors demonstrated those traits in
the ancient days when we were free
tribespeople; time and again we have
seen these same forces at work among
our brothers and sisters today. Rather
than fight that inherent tendency, we
have chosen to obey our deepest in-
stincts and work in harmony with them.
What this means, in practical terms,1s
that much of the AFA’s structure has
to be decentralized. We can't just
give lip service to freedom, we have
to practice it.
As a result, there are profound
changes taking place in our kindred
set-up and especially in our member~
ship policy. “We consequently are NOT
accepting AFA members at this time.
Remember, you don't have to belong to
achurch, or any other organization,
to follow the Gods!
Another change is that all our
publishing operations are being picked
up under the banner of Nineworlds Pub-
lications. This will relieve AFA of
some tax and bookkeeping -related
Problems and will increase efficiency
by consolidating operations. Since
The Runestone will be published by
Wineworlds rather than by the AFA, it
will be free to speak out more clearly
on topics such as impending legislation
without endangering our tax-exempt
Status. None of this changes our es-
sential nature or our dedication to
our Gods and Folk, of course. We're
still here - for freedom, and for As-
gard!
CONTENGS
CALENDAR
WALBURG AND YOU
by Stephen A. Mcallen. . . 3
GUILDS/KINDREDS
WHY HERITAGE
by Fjorgyn see. eS
SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL GERMANIC STUDIES
by Stephen A. McNallen. . . 8
SIGRBLOT AND HOW TO MAKE IT
by Stephen A. McNallen . . .10
OVERCOMING FEAR
by Stepnen A. McNallen . . .13
TALK BACK!
by Prairie Wind... .. . .14
REVIEW: THE WELL AND THE TREE
by Maddy Hutter... . . . .16
MooT POINT
0 Sees SES
¥, <4 (> Da
( pM mY COREY
HUGIN TS Now OUT! Yes, the first issue
0g the AFA's newest publication is now
available. See our ad in this issue
on the notice in our publications gLyer
§0r subscription information and a des~
eniption of the magazine. CALENDAR
March 20 - SUMMER FINOING. This is the Spring Equinox ~ winter is officially
‘over! You can celebrate this by planting a seed. or by picking up litter so the
greening grass can be seen. Honor Frigga, mother of tne Gods, by doing deeds
which tevitalize and protect the Earth.
March 28 - RAGNAR WODBROK DAY. Ragnar was one of the greatest of Vikings and a
Toyal follower of Asatru. He lived fully and died laughing, for he knew he would
soon be feasting with Odin in Valhall. This date 1s chosen’ to honor him because
he sacked Paris on this day in the year 845. Mork today on the virtue of cour-
age - see our article in this issue on that subject!
April 9 - SUMMARSDAY/SIGRBLOT. “Summer's Day" is the first day of summer in the
Ste Teelandie calendar, and was celebrated with Joy for anticipated prosperity
and for the onset of warmer weather. In other places throughout the Nordic world
mid-April was the sacrifice to Odin for victory, the sigrblot. Look elsewhere in
this Runestone for suggestions on flow to offer just sucha sacrifice:
April 30 - WALBURG. Better known in Germany as Walpurgisnacht, this holy day is
famedTor a’ little-known Goddess of our Fole. Some think Walourg ts Frigga or
Freya under another guise. The mood is somber, with undertones of the earth as
the resting place of fallen heroes. Honor the day, and the fallen ones who
sleep in the soil, by pouring out a cup or horn uoon'the ground in their memony
and to symbolically nourish them in their long rest. The heavy atmosphere of
Walburg 1s balanced, however, by the next day, which is
May 1 - MAY DAY. This is a light-hearted day celebrating - and that's definitely
The-word! - Nature's resurgence. The Goddesses of life and liveliness, of fert-
ility and fullness, are lustily praised. Have fun today. Go barefooted in the
grass. Take a picnic lumch to the park and offer toasts of wine or ale to Frigga
and to Freya.
Das Edelweiss
P.O. Bax 3062
Cavina, Ca. 91722
We have not forgotten our Brothers
ana Sisters, Das Edelweiss still
lives and we still sell the finest
Mead Horns, Celtic ana Nordic jew-~
eiry, ritual accoutrements and
related hoaks available. Sena us
a self addressed & stamped
envelope for information. Please
let us know what your interests
and needs are. To the person newly Interested in Asatru, it's apparent that we have a re-
Iigious calendar quite different from what he or she has known before. Yule
they'll recognize, and Ostara sounds (and feels) like Easter. But Waiburg? nat
this holiday, really?
In answering that question we need to know more about the name itself. Wal-
burg is a Goddess - specifically, a Teutonic deity a lot like Frigga, whom Asa-
folk in ancient Scandinavia identified with the Earth - our "Mother Earth", in
fact. t may help tothink of Walburg as Frigga, our beloved mother of the Gods,
under a different name.
That very name is a clue to her nature. If we translate it as meaning some-
thing like "stronghold of the slain" - and since we know she's considered to be
Connected with the idea of the Earth as the source of \ife - we get a rather
Clear picture of what Walburg is all about. To me, she calls to mind the earth,
the soli itself, as 3 resting place for the dead. ‘But beyond this, Walburg sym-
bolizes a sort of collecting area, not just for the bodies of the past, (the
fallen warriors, for example) but also for the actions of the past (their deeds
and the ramifications thereof) - a state where the things that have been done
can rest, germinating like seeds in the soil, before bursting into our awareness
again. Seeds under the ground, actions that haven't praduced their significant
effect yet, and souls waiting between incarnations to be born again (We sort of
have that in Asatru, but that's another subject!) all deal with the essence or
Idea of Walburg.
Now Walburg, remember, is April 30th. Contrast what we know about it with
the spirit of the very next day, May Day! This latter celebration is all about
the renewal of things in the spring, the breaking forth and blossoming of the
life that has lain concealed. If Walburg is potential energy, seeds germinating,
Pregnancy, and actions pending. May Day Is energy of motion. Seeds sprouting.
birth, and deeds being fulfilled. The two days are opposites, and the fact that
they fall one after the other is significant. One is incomplete without the
other.
By understanding Walburg - by feeling it, too - we can better appreciate
the return of spring and the greening-otthe garth. Both holidays, and both as~
pects of life, are important. By "tuning in" to the concepts behind them, we
can better experience the cycles of the year and take pleasure in the fact that
we are indeed part of Nature.
@ Stephen A. McNallen - Guilos -
THE BREWING GUILD (c/o the AFA) is on
The-verge of producing a mead making
handbook. You should be able to onder
ftom them soon, on you can pick one up
at Agthing & -"where the BG wilt host
the héghly acclaimed mead contest.
last year’s competition was remembered
as a great success. . . except by
those wha drank too much mead; they
don't remember anything about it (Just
kidding, golks!i.
THE WARRIOR GUILD, WoL Publications,
~Box 1768, Lynn, MA 01903, has chad-
Lenged its members with a set of Shitts
Quatigication Levels based on the Four
Duties of the Wannion. Candidates gon
initiation at Adthing § are being urged
to step forward, and new and more de-
manding pre-initiation requirements
have been drawn up. A pre-Althing mus-
ter £8 being considered.
THE CONTINUING CLAN, c/o Chenye Foltette,
~0,8ox 118f, New faven, CT 06505, the
AFA'S chitdnen and parent guidd, will
4ponson an open forum at ALthing on
how to educate both oun chéfdnen's ed-
ucatons and the communities at Large
about Asatnu, The guild will be intro-
ducing its gist badge activity, on
knots, in the upcoming Bifrost.
TE BACK TO BASICS GUILD, P.0.80x 961,
Pauson, AT 45547, Ras issued its inst
newsletter, titled Nerthus. It's chock
full of antic£es on increasing your
tomato yield, city gardening, compost-
dng, and mone. The guild not only puts
out’a publication, but also coordinates
@ seed and herb eXchange as well as a
seed distnibution project.
THE SHAWAN/COMPUTER GUILD, 884 South
ews Stheet, Lakewood, CO £0226, has
published volume 2, number t 06 Mdmin
Speaks. Articles in this issue cont
inue to stxees the "hard vintues",
S2nuggle-and-overcome phitosophy
that makes this approach to shamanism
40 palatable. Indications axe that
MS witt now be at Least a quarterty.
kindreds
WULFING KINDRED (P.0.B0x 56374, Han~
wood Wetghts, TL 60656) has been mect-
dng negularty and enthusiasticatey to
hanon the Gods. Az their Yute feast
members were each presented with a
tony of the Poetic Edda; cartier ban-
quets have featured antelope meat and
other defectables. A batch of dark
ate was started at the New Year's ev
ent 20 be neady for thecr February
14 gathering, and mead is bubbling in
the vat for Atthing #.
ARIZONA KINDRED (P.0.B0x 961, Payson,
S47] Rosted a success sue yuee
feast at their hog, on temple, site.
Continual work on this building has
Produced a wonderfully decorated
Structure that is the gixst of its
kind in the modenn age. The kindred
4tsel§ 48 growing rapidey, having net-
ted six new families in 1986.
THORR'S HAMMER KINDRED met in eanty
ebxuany to discuss various projects
and devefopments in the AFA. The kin-
dred is working on several Long-term
Programs which wilt serve AFA members
generally and promote interest in THK
25 well. Redbeand, in particutan, has
been working cLosegy with Arizona’ Kin-
dred on their hog construction.
LAGUGIBA KINDRED (P.0.B0x 256, North
Hightands, CK 95660), sent a represent-
ative up to the Spirit Lake, Idaho
anea, to where some of the kindred mem-
bens wite be eventuatly moving. Rit-
uals were done to spinatuatty Link with
the Land, and a videotape 0f the cenre-
monies wilt be shown at the February
15th meeting.
HOME KINDRED (c/o the AFA) is contem-
plating with pleasure the possible
netuan of Bob and Kelty to Texas and
a£l sorts of ideas ane being developed
anound that eventuality. On a s£ightly
more modest scate, Jacob and Rachael
Set up an onange juice stand in the
gxont yard and racsed 60¢ 066 thear
Baptist neighbors, which was promptly
donated to the AFA! (Yes, it was thecn
idea.) Why Heritage
Outside the sturdy long-house, in a remote region of the Northlands, the
wind was unrelenting in its cold fury. Snow had piled in drifts high enough to
bury a giant. Grim winter had settled full force on this Yule Eve.
The interior of the hall was bright with torchlight, and tapestries had been
hung with care; ale and good cheer flowed freely among the kinsmen of Erik Erik-
son, for it was his homestead.
Erik pushed back his ornately carved chair, and announced that the time had
come to begin the tales of great men, the deeds they had performed, and to boast
of the folk.
Skald Bjorn, as was customary at such gatherings, had been given the honor
of beginning the telling of tales. The magic of his fingers caressing the golden
strings in circling swirls was outdone only by the deeds of the men of which he
sang.
As he began his lay of the wandering, one-eyed Stranger, there came a loud
pounding at the door. The silence that followed was lost to the howling wind
outside.
Hefting his war-axe, Erik approached the large oaken doors with caution.
As he opened them he beheld a solitary frost-giant of a man standing knee-deep
in snow. The stranger's cape and garments appeared ragged, and his ice-encrusted
beard glistened in the orange-red glow of the torchlignt.
The visitor boldly requested faod and lodging. Erik eyed him for a brief
moment. "This man has the stature and breadth of a sturdy yeoman, yet the eyes
of a seasoned warrior", thought Erik silentiy. He motioned with bis hand, bidding
the stranger to enter. The newcomer, stepping inside as the doors closed heavily
behind him, stomped his snow-covered boots, and brushed clean his blue woolen
cloak.
Erik spoke: "Welcome to the homestead of Erik Erikson". The stranger nodded
his thanks. “And who do I have the honor of being host to this Yule-eve?*"Erik
inquired?
With an air of importance, the guest imtoned his name: "I am Rolf Sigurd-
son" and he continued to recite his lineage back many generations.
Erik, on hearing all of what Rolf said, laid aside his axe, flinging his
arms wide in welcome. Distant kinsmen of Rolf were also related to Erik's own
blood-brother, Arnulf. Rolf also explained that he was travelling to the coast,
there to join others of his kin, who would be sailing south to go a-viking. Erik told Rolf that it would be his honor and the honor of his household
to be host to one of such lineage, for Rolf's kin were known throughout the
Worthiands to be men both courageous and oatn-true. Rolf was given the finest
garments that Erik's house had to offer, choicest cuts of meat, and a place of
honor among Erik and his folk. Erik knew that he need not fear for cunning or
treachery from Rolf, for his iineage spoke for ttself, and he appeared to be a
man who would indeed uphold the honor of his name.
Stating who you are, and the type of person you are, used to be a much
simpler task than It 1s in aur own time. Today there is'no short cut to con-
vincing someone that you are of good and true character. Our modern, md-
bile society has contributed greatly to the disintegration of both the family
and the Folk.
We who live in the midst of the "me society" are bombarded daily with pre-
conceived and pre-decided goals that we are expected to fulfill: a new car,
bigger house, the \atest designer clothing and the seemingly endless accoutre-
ments of the so-called good life. We are endlessly being told to grab all the
gusto we can, wnile we can, for the ever-present now! We are encouraged in
many subtle ways, not to worry about the future (for we won't be here anyway),
or waste our time studying the past (that's dead), but to live for our own sei-
fish gratifications. But for those of us with children, we will be here to-
marrow - in the minds, bodies and spirits of our progeny.
We all have an obligation to keep our heritage alive, in both its personal
and Folk aspects. We must provide our children with the answers to the quest-
fons they may ask, such as "Who am 12", "What purpose is there to life?", or
“How shall I live my life?” If we faii to answer these legitimate questions,
we can be confident that others will provide them - the Guru from the East, the
culture distorter, the commissar or someone else of ill or alien intent. There
are, luckily, many ways in which we can begin to do something positive to cir-
cumvent such’ possibilities.
For example - when I was a very young girl, a new television series was
being aired. As it turned out, it dealt with the exploits af a great-great
uncle of mine. He was an honored Southern hero of the War between the States
who fought the Union troops with great ingenuity and physical courage. De-
scribed as a small wiry man to be reckoned with, he provided the Northern army
with endiess embarassment, loss and aggravation. When the war was over he con-
tinued to be an honest and forthright individual who raised a fine family while
contributing to the war-ravaged community of the South in which he lived.
Because of my mother's knowledge of her family, [ began to understand even
at that early stage in my life who my people were, and who I was. This even-
tually led to my further realizing that [ was a. link in a long chain of con-
tinuity reaching far back in time, Never afterwards was I to feel myself to be
an alienated atom, floating in a timeless vacuum of my existence. I was in-
stead a part of a great heritage. I shared the same blood as my antecedents,
and most probably the same physical features and inner emotions. I felt an
imperative to live up to their standards and qualities as best i could, to up-
hold my family honor, and perhaps do something to add to that honor as’ an in-
spiration to my descendents yet to follow.
Over the years, my understanding of heritage has grown far beyond that of
my own family or even that of my country. Today it extends to that larger
heritage of our Folk and its culture. And it is these birtnrights that help
me answer those big questions of where we as a people are destined and what
type of legacy I feel compelled to leave for my children's children's children.
6 We all can do a great deal to provide ourselves, our children and our posterity
at large an understanding of our history and roots. Qur heritage begins close
to home and extends far beyond the immediate. As we pass it on to our child-
ren, they can only benefit by such knowledge and continue to grow into strong,
intelligent men and women of whom we can be proud.
You can start today. Write or call that great aunt you haven't seen in
decades, and find out more about your family from her. Build a family shrine.
Locate a book dealing with your favorite hero or heroine, and read it to your
son or daughter. Create a family tradition of your own.
Our Folk have struggled, fought and survived on a thousand epic journeys,
explorations and battlefields. Many Americans today are the descendents of
those who braved the hunger, the loneliness, the danger and privations of this
country's revolution, the trailblazing of the wilderness, the settling of the
West and perhaps even our new challenges of outer space. Many of us in more
recent times have had family members who survived the Great Depression and man-
aged to hold hearth and family together through some trying and adverse con-
ditions. We are all, in some manner, descendents of people of whom we can be
proud.
Our heritage is flowing in our blood today and will flow in the veins of
our descendents to come. It is like a great subterranean river of time flow-
ing from the past, into the present and on to the future.
Lay the cornerstone! Build with pride! We all have so much to learn of
ourselves, of our roots, and of our Folk heritage. Let's get busy!
@ Fjorgyn
: Promoting
Celtic Nordic
q values 3 knowledge
LOOKING FOR INSTRUCTORS
Viking Wood Art
Presents
CUSTOM HAND CRAFTED WOOD PRODUCTS
SEND SASE FOR
MORE INFORMATION
+ WALL PLAQUES + cocks
+ WALL PORTRAITS WALL SYSTEMS,
MICHAEL CARTWRIGHT
4 1306 E. UNIVERSITY
SAPULPA, OK 74066
Send for Free Brochure
TELEPHONE (6191 245-6183,
VICTORVILLE, CALIFORNIA 92302 Support your local
ermanic studies
I hope your grandchildren will be able to learn about tneir heritage - but
T wouldn't bet on it.
Why? Simply because Germanic studies - anything to do with the Norse or
Anglo-Saxons or their cousins on the European continent - are evaporating from
college campuses like raindrops on a hot sidewalk. The problem includes not just
our ancient past, but our more recent history as well. Consider, by way of ex-
ample, the number of books published by various academic departments at Indiana
University, smack in the American "heartland":
African and Afro-American 54
Asian 4a
Russian and East European 44
Jewish 36
Native American 28
British 20
Middle Eastern "1
Latin american 10
Germanic? Sorry, there weren't any - British is as close as you get. By the
way, one third of the people in Indiana are of German descent.
It's important to stress that this example isn't extreme. It's typical of
what one finds in American academia today. It's not just the books. With less
exposure on college campuses, and with fewer professionals studying our languages,
literature, and nistory, we are in trouble. Something has to be done - but what?
The Runestone recently queried a college prafessor and AFA supporter on this
matter. He quickly put his finger on the problem:
“until students start wanting to study these things no specialists in these
fields will be hired by the universities. To get students in such programs could
be accomplished through two main avenues: either sending the youth to study or
enrolling ourselves in schools and asking for such programs. . . Money for the
departments is dependent on the number of students It gets taking its courses.
Also, the departments hire specialists in the fieids they think will "sell* to
the student body."
Practical advice boiled down to this - "Call or write your local university
Ask them if they have courses in Germanic (German/Scandinavian/Anglo-Saxon) lang-
uage, culture, and religion. If they do, enroll. If they don't, ask them why -
since such studies used to ba fairly standard in any college curriculum!"
Whether or not you, personally, live near a college you can use your influ-
ence to interest people of college age in their heritage and, perhaps, urge them
to pursue this knowledge in the halls of higher education.
8 Ultimately, that's what it will take: ordinary people signtng up for courses
and urging athers to do so, and, for the more ambitious, interesting young folks
in an academic career in Germanié studies (Imagine getting PAID to explore and
promote our native culture!). It's not an easy task, but it is one that wil
pay us back many times over!
@ Stephen A. McNallen
‘JOURNAL DEVOTED To THE KDICENOUS
CULTURAL HERITAGE & RELIGIONS OF
NORTHERN EUROPE. EMPHASIS ON NORSE
AND GERMANIC HEATHENTSM. PUBLISHED
SEMI-aMWUALLY. $3.00/ye., USA &
CANADA; $4.75 OVERSEAS; $2’ SAMPLE.
ser: ar 1.75 BOREAS, ?.0. BOX 8657, UNIVERSITY
Subscription $7/ye Sample $ DopEAs B0- BOK 8657. UH
quarterly craft/Pagan magazine
featuring a wide variety of artic!
poetry, reviews, herbs and a children’s
column:
Available from the Rune-Gild
NEW!
James Chisholm: Grove and Gallows: Germanic Heathenism in
the Greek and Latin Sources. [Source material that
ranks just below the Eddas for the understanding of
the true essence of our Elder Troth..........-$15.00]
Edred Thorsson: Futhark (inscribed).. weno nee 38.95)
Edred Thorsson: The Runic Magic of the Armanen. (Rune-
magic based on the ideas of Guido von List....$35.00]
Edred Thorsson: The Galdrabok. [16th Century Icelandic
Grimoire with calls to Odhinn.........++.+04+085.00]
Edred Thorsson: Sigurdhr, Rebirth, and Initiation
(Germanic psychology and "reincarnation" $25.00]
Robert Zoller: Towards a Germanic Esoteric Astronomy
(Germanic star- and sky-lore (astrology)......$15.00]
Robert Zoller: Skaldic Number Lore. [Exploration of the
secrets of Germanic numerology...... ++ +84.50
Order books directly from:
The Rune-Gild
PoB 7622
Austin, TX 78713 (USA)
Make all checks payable to "The Rune-Gild.“ Add $1.00 ($2.00
overseas) for each book ordered for postage and handling. The sigrblot, or "sactifice for victory", was performed by the Vikings in
April before setting off on the summer season of conquest and wealth-seeking. 1%
was offered specifically to Odin, one of whose nicknames is Father of Victory.
This is a nice historical tidbit, you may be saying - but what's it got to
do with us, today? We don't live In'the Viking Age. Most of us don't even own
a sword, much less use one to earn our living or increase our warlike reputation.
We don'é have battles, so why do we need a sacrifice for victory?
Our Ilves are full of challenges like getting a job, passing a tough college
course, landing a lucrative contract, winning a strenuous athletic competition,
or wooing a suitor-beseiged mate. Clearly, we face plenty of battles, even if
they don't Involve swinging axes. And if we're going to fight, we waft to win,
rig
The sigrbiat ts still relevant today. Odin's still our God, and we are still
nis peopTerWorritual by itself is going to solve all your problens, of cours
Ror should it. We don't want victory handed to us in a patronizing manner by
Some would-be cosmic master. We want ta deserve all the rewards we get. aut a
sigrblot is a practical took that can help you earn your particular victory.
(ow
As presented here, the sacrifice for victory will add to your spiritual "power
reservoir". It establishes your connections with that mighty God and mysterious
force we know as Odin. On a more day-to-day level, it forces you to clarify your
goals and to consider the obstacles to their attainment. In short, it's a wise
move. How do you do it?
Sitting on the floor betore your house altar, or in a secluded outdoor site
such as a clearing bn a wood of on 2 high hilltop, still your mind and turn your
Thoughts away from the events and distractions of the day. Focus instead on the
things for which you need victory = the particular battles that you face in the
months to cone. Try to clearly visualize your triumph. See the obstacles to
your victory (which you have carefully identified In'the course of ravicoal an-
alysis) being demolished and swept aside as you Claim the rewards which are justly
yours. Waving pletured the favorable outcome, having understood the hurdles or 1
opponents in your way, and having vanquished them in your mind's eye, you are
ready for the outward part of the ceremony.
Standing now before your altar - a large boulder will do If outdoors ~ take
a deep breath. Raise your arms overhead in the elnaz position (like this:Y )
and take another breath, feeling the tingle of power as you contact the realms
of the Gods. Say these words, which you can memorize beforehand or simply ap-
proximate; it's the Intensity and devotion that really matters -
“Odin, Father of Victory! I stand before you even as did my noble forefathers
and call on you. They and I are united, and you and I are united, with mighty
Donds. Let my power be magnified and ay will never fail, that victory be mine!* Cother invocations to Odin appear in various works published by the AF
may be used to supplement this one If desired.]
+ they
Now take a horn of intoxicating drink and raise it overhead. & fancily dec-
orated drinking horn filled with home-brewed mead would be ideal, but if you don't
have that, use any suitable cup or mug filled with some other form of alcohol.
se what you have, but use it with sincerity and dignity.
As you hold it high, say
“Odin, I offer you this sign of our friendship. My sacifice is not this
drink but rather the will and loyalty and deeds which are mine t Tak
those gifts, High One!" vary cme = te giv oe
Offer it to odin with all intensity, Then lower tne horn or cup, holdin
out in front of you while you call Odin's blessing into it - ° Up
“FILL this fluid with your power, that it may aid my victory!*
Visualize a stream of dazzling energy flowing into the cup, filling it with
shining might.- the might of Odin. When it is charged with the God's blessing,
Faise it to your lips and drink it. Feel the searing potion as it settles inside
you, and as the favor of the Father of the Gods becomes yours.
Set dows the horn now, and raise your arms as you did before. Call out to
Odin with the words
“Father of Victory! May your Blessing inspire me and strengbhen me as I
strive for success in my struggle! Odin Hail!*
The rite done, seat yourself again and gradually shift your awareness to the
everyday world around you - let yourself “come down", so to speak.
There's nothing really weird or sinister about a simple rite like this one.
Youre just doing a little communicating - and if you can't talk to the Gods, just
who the heck can you talk to? Odin is complex, and often aloof, but approach
him with feeltng and determination and you will’ benefit.
Few things are more satisfying than victory. Don't be an “aiso-ran® in life
(much less a spectator!). Settle for nothing less than winning, and use your
Spiritual capabilities a5 vell as your mental and ohysical ones iy Life's contests.
The sigrblot 1s one more way of serving your ends, and those of the Gods, in the
modern worTd.
@ Stephen A. MeNallen HAIL THE RING~GIVER
To a car's Hall
Came a skald,
Though he knew it not yet.
Dressed in beggar's rags
On Yule night
And beyged food and drink.
The gracious carl welcomed him.
Sat he within and listened
For he was a guest
And knew not how to act.
When after blot
Came the mead in flowing horns
And warriors made boasts
And toasted the Gods
Then stood forth the beggar
And offered to Odin a tale
And such was the telling
That the Hall rafters rang with praises
Of those within.
A fair shield maid came forth
A ring gave and of the beggar
Made a skald.
@ Dean G, Asher +44
OVERCOMING FeAR
Courage is one of the most important virtues in Asatru - and that simple
fact places quite a burden on us. Ne all know about the heroes of ancient times,
how they lived boldly and mastered even the fear of death itself, but we find it
hard to really identify with them. It's one thing to toast valiant souls like
Ragnar Lodbrok - but how can we live as fearlessly as he did?
Overcoming one's fears - foar of failure, of embarassment, of snakes, of
injury, of dying - can be a terrific challenge and a truly spiritual quest.
ur reiigion demands that we train ourselves in defeating this emotional enemy,
and it gives us toals to help us do so. The exploits of our Gods, as described
in the myths, include plenty of inspiring examples of courage. Thor is espec-
ially known for fearlessness of the more blustery kind, while Tyr exhibits the
quieter courage of sacrifice and endurance. Other Gods and Goddesses also have
much to teach us in pursuit of this virtue.
Likewise, the heroes of the wonderful stories we call the sagas can be an
ongoing inspiration and motivation. Tough, battle-scarred Egil Skallagrimsson -
agile Skarphedin - intrepid Gunnar - fierce Freydis - all these stand before us
when we read the tales of our great ancestors. These exeeptional mortals, along
with the Gods and Goddesses themselves, provide us with models for vanquishing
fear and replacing it with behavior of the most noble sort.
However, there is a pitfall we have to avoid. It's all too easy to look at
these elevated examples and say, in effect, "I can never approach the bravery.
and determination of these mighty beings. I'd be better off accepting myself,
with ali my shortcomings, and just learn to adjust to my fears and failures".
That's an excuse. True, it may be too much to expect to find a Ragnar Lodbnok
lurking in every breast, but we owe it to our Gods - and to our ancestors and our
descendants - to be the best we can. Maybe we can't all be Viking chieftains,
but we can all be better than we are now, and most of us can be better than we
ever thought possible. Until you try, you cannot know your personal limitations!
Fear can be an awesome force, but the key to overcoming it is to remember
that it's just another emotion, like love, hatred, anger, or any of the others.
All these can be controlled by developing three character traits: firmness, calm-
ness, and self-discipline. Master these, and you will be in charge of your re-
action to fear. Not easy? Well, no - it's actually quite difficult. There
isn't any reliable shortcut. Luckily, these three things can be practiced every
day of your life.
Sure, it doesn't always seem that simple. Some fears are very complex ones;
these we occasionally dignify with psychiatric jargon and call phobias. Don't
be intimidated by them. Rather than hire an expensive therapist, invest in some
introspection. Work at understanding your fear, and at understanding yourself.
(Often a mate or close friend can help, pointing out things that aren't apparent
to you!) Even ‘full-fledged phobias can yield to persistence.
Here are some positive steps to help you in your personal fear-banishing
program:
13 1. Study and understand your reactions to the emotion of fear.
2: Control your fear by developing self-discipline, firmness, and calmness.
3. Keep an orderliness in your thought process. Don't exaggerate danger or
adversity in your own mind.
4. If you fear doing certain things required in your daily life, force your-
self to do these things until you can control this reaction.
5. Endurande - of fatigue, pain, stress, and hardship ~ is closely connected
to courage. Keep your body and mind in good shape and strive to improve
your physical and mental stamina.
You may want to set aside a period of reflection each day to take stock of
just how you're doing on each of these points.
Regardless of what approach you use, remember that you're in charge. The
Gods and Goddesses of Asatru can help, but the real work is Up to you. No matter
what your present situation, you can live a freer, happier life by getting rid
of your fears. Now's the time to start!
@ Stephen A. McNallen
Talk back!
This anticke arrived in our office as an open Letter designed to stimutate
action on the part of people who follow unconventéonat retégions. Even if you
don't consider yoursels a Witch (most Asagoth don't}, and even if "the oecutt”
4 Something you're not entirely comfortable with, there's an important message
here gon abl of us. We urge you to dake Prainie Wind's advice to heaxt, and
§ight for our freedom to be different!
Editon -
Are you aware that fundamentalist Christians, through an extensive letter
writing campaign ("Citizens for Sound Minds"), have forced major corporations
to bend to their will? These people are upset that the cartoon show "Dungeons
and Dragons" portrays "the occult" in a positive way. Six of the sponsors of
this cartoon show (General Mills, Ralston Purina, Lego Toys, Kellogs, Quaker
Oats, Nestle) have agreed to drop their advertising entirely. The Hershey corp-
oration has agreed to cut back, and so has McDonalds.
Do you see the "occult" as positive? Do your children watch TV? 00 you
have any of the above corporations’ products in your home? Do you want your
television viewing, or any part of your life, regulated by what another relig-
fous sect deems "correct"?
No? Really? So what are you doing to counteract their campaigns? 1 can
hear it now. . . "I just can't write good letters” or “I never know what to say".
Believe me, your punctuation is not tne fssue here! I have been unfortunate
enough to read some of these relfgious-right campaign letters. Most sound vir-
14 tually illiterate. But Congress, and major corporations, realize that anyone
concerned enough to write is someone worth listening to!’ By their numbers alone,
they are getting laws passed favoring their dogma, and are convincing big bus-
{ness to knuckle under to their demands.
We have to fight back! Now is the time to write to each of your senators
and representatives in Washington. Let them know that you are aware that bills
have been presented in the past to limit freedom of religion. Bring up the Bill
of Rights. Do some research at your local library and quote our "Founding
Fathers". Let them know that you will not stand for religious intolerance.
Point out that you are a voter and a taxpayer, and tell them you will be keeping
track of such bills and their voting record.
You do not have to state that you are a Witch or a Pagan. You can write
as a concerned citizen who is interested in preserving the rights of all citizens
of this country.
It's time we showed Congress and industry by the number of our letters, and
our tenacity, that we are parents, consumers, voters and taxpayers, too - and
That we are no longer going to sit idly by and be treated as an evil.
But It is going to take some time and effort on your part. Are you willing
to spend an hour or so of your day and a couple of dollars in postage to fight
for your rights and those of your children?
What frightens me as much as the militancy of the Christian right is the
apathy of the people they attack! No one is gaing to fight our battle for us.
And ten letter writers do not a movement make. Each and every witch an pagan
must do his or her part. Don't rely on our “Top Guns" to carry the full load.
An army can have a lot of generals, but without the infantry it's not going to
get far!
It's time all of us stopped being apatnetic. People who definitely consider
themselves our faes are on the march. Will we fight for out freedoms?
Blessed Be!
Prairie Wind
THE FEBRUARY ISSUE OF NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC, as many of you will have noticed,
contains favorable references to Asatru in Iceland and even features 3 full-
Page photo of Sveinbjorn Beinteinsson. This renarkably non-sneering approach
1s good news for us all, but it will be especially so If we react appropriately
to it.
National Geographic has a letters column. I would like you, our readers, to
examine the article in question and send the magazine a few paragraphs cheer-
ing the piece in general, and mentioning that Asatru is alive and well in the
U.S., 00. ‘It wouldn't hurt to give our address, either. This is really
quite an opportunity for us. We can gain a lot in the way of legitimacy, and
even in numbers, if we take full advantage of this situation. Let's do it! BOOK REVIEW
NE WELL & ee
he Spee
I first noticed this book tucked away in the backlist section of 2 university
press catalog, the subtitle "World and Time in Early Germanic Culture" sounded
spiendid, so i ordered a copy just to take a closer look. What a find! The Well
and the Tree is certainly one of the most significant books we have found dealing
with the worldview and philosophy of the eatly Germanic peoples.
++
Sy
=
Written by Paul C. Bauschatz, an English and Linguistics professor at the
University of Maine, the book presents and develops the idea that Germanic cult-
ure was dominated by its own distinctive concepts of time and action quite dif-
ferent from those of classical Greece, medieval Christian Europe, or indeed of
the present day. The early Germans’ experience was strongly influenced by its
sense of the past, says Bauschatz. In fact, time was perceived to be binary
(past and nonpast} rather than tripartite (past, present, and future), the con=
cept described by Augustine and persisting to this day.
Fundamental to this book is the view that to understand the early Germans,
We must set aside our preconceptions and avoid forcing our modern day (i.e.
Christianized) semantic "baggage" on to a culture so very different from our own.
Baushatz's aim has been to look beneath the known actions, events, and culture
of the early Germanic people to the underlying conceptual realities.
Where do the well and the tree come in? The myth or symbol of Yggdrasil,
the tree of the nine worlds, and Urth's Well, the nourishing water source for
the tree, is the motif used throughout the book to explain and reinforce the
concepts and action described by Bauschatz. Briefly, the tree depicts the worlds
of men, giants, Gods and indeed all action, whereas the well offers the susten~
ance of the past to feed the events of the tree. There is constant interplay
between the present (or nonpast) experience of the tree and the accumulated past
action inherent in Urth's well.
With this basic dichotomy of the well and the tree presented, Bauschatz goes
on to survey the culture and language in support of his thesis. ‘There is a chap-
ter on burials and rituals (including a piece on the sumbel), one on Beowulf,
and others on action, space and time, and language. The book is well-written,
‘thorough and well-documented.
But this is not a book only for academics and scholars of the period. Saus-
chatz has penetrated to the heart of the early Germans and as he reflects on
their attitudes and the poignance of their struggle with the influences of Christ-
Sanity, he has words of wisdom for all of us who try to live our lives, in part,
as these ancestors of ours. Concluding his introductory survey of the'well. and
the tree motif, the author discusses the pervasive power of the past upon the
Present reality of man's experience. The lines that follow this review are of
special significance to Asafolk even today.
16 The Well and the Tree is not light reading. The chapter on language was -dif-
ficuTt (and I've studied Latin, Greek, Anglo-Saxon and Middle English as well as
modern French) and many sections require close attention. But since you don't
have to read it in a day, and books like this go cut of print so fast, you really
should get this one for your collection. It's a fascinating, sympathetic study
of our people and, incidentally, a very attractively presented volume,
@ Maddy Hutter
There are, in addition, aspects of existence that are by their very nat-
ures governed by events beyond our knowing: battle, honor(oaths), etc.
When and how such influence comes upon us, we may never be certain. We
can, however, at least partially prepare ourselves for such involvement.
For all men, clearly, the most significant moment of existence comes at
the instant of death, the point at which man joins existence beyond this
world. The wise man prepares himself for this instant when his indiv-
idual life and the power of wyrd will be in closest conjunction; he
attempts to place his life most directly in the main current of the flow
of wyrd. He must act in accordance with prescribed codes of conduct re-
ceived from the past; by so doing, he will protect his reputation and
insure himself good fame. His actions will be governed by what he knows;
therefore, the wise man seeks to discover all he can. The force of past
events, which surges so meaningfully into present life, offers him some
information about the nature of wyrd itself, but man, as he lives within
the realm of the tree, fails in Knowing the past fully. As he values
himself, however, he will strive to learn. He will attempt to associate
himself directly with all he knows to be good and wise. By so doing,
he will place himself in the most auspicious light so that he will die
well; the moment of death is the moment of greatest significance in all
of ordinary life.
The Well and the Tree by Paul C. Bauschatz
(Available from Nineworlds Publications)
LECTURES ANYONE? Let's tat to peopte
about Asatnu! 1% individuals on groups
anywhere in the country witt arrange
fox a public appearance, we wil come
and give a presentation’ on our religion.
The only cost to such a Sponsor woutd
be expenses. In each case, we'd want
to work closety with you to spread our
message to the largest possible number
0g peopee. Cate (817) 559-7288 on write
us, and we'll discuss the possibilities! | HUGIN is a journal of Asatru spec-
ulation and comment, spiced with a
WRITER'S GUIDELINES ARE AVAILABLE. 14 generous dash of outrage and icon-
you've been thinking about writing an oclasm. You, too, can get a semi-
anticke gon The Runestone, you may want annua! helping of heavy-duty thought
£0 took over cur quedecines describing provocation from this very un-
just what we're Looking for. Drop us official publication of the AFA by
@ Line and we'Le send you a copy. Sending $4 to the Asatru Free
Assembly, P.0.80x 1754, Brecken-
17 L_tidges Tx 76024. "Woot Point” is oun Letters coum. We reserve the right to edit
Submissions. Please addness your Letters speci{icatty to "Woot Point”,
and s4gn your name on initials just as you want them to appean in print.
Let ws hean gaom you!
Dear Steve:
A series of questions that I would like you to answer-what is Odinism's
definition or explanation of the following:
1) D0 you believe that the universe is dead or activated by a Cosmic Mind,
spirit or consciousness?
2) Do you believe that man/woman's origin remains a mystery or that they
are in truth descended from the apes? My belief is, that at this point in time,
our origins are completely unknown. To me, the theory of evolution just repre-
sents @ scientific dogma that has replaced a religious one.
3) As Odin fs not a “creator* God but was brought into being when the
universe was formed, therefore, is he, in the terminology of the Gnostics, a
Demiurge?
4) Are the "Gods" (Aesir) personifications of Nature? Transcendent ideals?
Projections of our collective unconscious? Are they higher realities? Are
they manifestations of a spiritual energy fiéld in contact with us through our
genetic structure?
5) Is Odinism a mystery religion, whereby the initiates following a secret
ritual gain access to Nigher knowledge and achieve inner or psychic transform-
ation?
I would appreciate answers to the above questions because if we are ever
to escape from the web of the Levantine mentality then we must possess unambig-
uous metaphysical definitions of "reality" and the eternal now. +
Sincerely,
Thor Martel °
Theology time!
1) The universe 6 alive (though not necessarity wetlt}, underginded and ani-
mated by an a££-encompassing Wortd Soul.
2) A theony of evolution makes sense and aft the evidence points to our devet-
opment grom eartien Lige forms on this planet. On the other hand, this descent
and the gneat truths of natural sefection do not necessariey tell the whole
Atony. The entére process may well be a purpose sul and directed one, ingZuenced
by the waned soul mentioned above.
18
i Seen aseeeee
et
3] Aa I understand Gnostic philosophy, Odin would quatigy as a "deminnge” onty
if it assumed that the universe was cheated by a God who atso made Odin. I sus-
peet that the cosmos came about by natural processes rather than by the actions
0g Some God.
4) ALL of these things are accunate ways of describing the Gods. The ginst three
(personigications, ideals, and projections) ane too Limiting by themselves; the
Last two higher realities and spéritual energy
