ÁSATRÚ FOR BEGINNERS

By Astrology and Numerology Academy

Everything You Need to Know to Start Practicing Asatru and Discovering the Magic of Norse Paganism, Viking Mythology and the Poetic Edda.

Are you curious about Asatru, but don't know where to begin? Or maybe you want to learn more about the myths and legends surrounding our Northern Gods?

Either way, by the time you've finished this book, you will be well on your way to embracing the Viking Spirit and all it has to offer.

Asatru is the religion of pre-Christian Northern European tribes, ancestors of modern Scandinavians and other Germanic peoples, who practiced it before the introduction of Christianity to Europe. Asatru is based on Norse paganism and mythology. It embraces a complex heathen worldview that includes the belief in several deities, concepts about death and the afterlife, an understanding of cosmology, and magic and runic beliefs.

In Asatru for Beginners, best-selling author Melissa Gomes takes you on an enlightening and entertaining journey into Norse paganism. You will emerge from this guide with a solid footing in the basic principles of Asatru as a modern way of life. Melissa shares her own experience in discovering the Norse gods and goddesses, as well as ways to incorporate them into your everyday life. She provides a thorough introduction to mythology and its importance to Asatru, followed by an exploration of the magical practices that make up its core. Melissa's passion for the subject shines through every page of this book. Whether you have been studying Asatru for years or are just starting out, be prepared to learn something new

Yet, the true essence of Asatru and heathenry is within ourselves. It is how we live our lives - by following the virtues of honor, courage, and integrity daily. Our connection with those who have gone before us strengthens our bonds with each other as Heathens. The Asatru religion is an experiential one. Symbols are powerful, and how we use them can define us as a people and can shape our Pagan path:

In Asatru for Beginners, you'll learn all you need to know to start working with the Norse gods and goddesses as a pagan, including:

-The origins of Asatru and Norse Paganism
-A brief history of Asatru or Heathenism in modern times, with an in-depth look at the modern Asatru movement
-Information on Norse cosmology, including the Nine Worlds of Yggdrasil and the cosmological significance of the sun and moon gods
-Details about each god and goddess in Norse Mythology
-How to honor and work with the Norse

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lulu.com
• Release date: Aug 5, 2023
• ISBN: 9781446777459

Book preview

ÁSATRÚ FOR BEGINNERS

A complete guide to Nordic Paganism

Astrology and Numerology Academy

©Copyright 2022  Astrology and Numerology Academy-  All rights reserved

The content within this book may not be reproduced, duplicated, or transmitted without direct written permission from the author or the publisher.

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Please note that the information contained within this document is for educational and entertainment purposes only. All effort has been executed to present accurate, up-to-date, and reliable, complete information. No warranties of any kind are declared or implied. Readers acknowledge that the author is not engaging in the rendering of legal, financial, medical, or professional advice.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Introduction

Chapter 1: What is Ásatrú? Why is it so Popular?

Chapter 2: The Origin of Ásatrú

Chapter 3: The Ásatrú Values

Chapter 4:  The Nine Worlds of Ásatrú

Chapter 5: Ásatrú and Nature

Chapter 6:  Ásatrú and Heathenism

Chapter 7:  Ceremonies and Rituals in Ásatrú

Chapter 8:  Runes and Magic in Ásatrú

Chapter 9:  Sacred Tools Used to Practice Ásatrú

Chapter 10: Reconstruction of Ásatrú

Chapter 11: Modern Day Ásatrú

Chapter 12:  Modern Ásatrú Practices

Chapter 13:  Modern Ásatrú Symbols

Chapter 14:  The Spread of Modern Ásatrú Across the World

Chapter 15:  Follow Ásatrú in Five Steps

Conclusion

Introduction

Asatru is a polytheistic religion and the foundation for practical life in accordance with Norse- and Teutonic heathen beliefs, known as Heathendom. The religion is practiced primarily by those who identify as Europeans, not necessarily by the people of any particular ethnicity. Many aspects of Asatru are based on knowledge learned from the Vikings or Germanic people - including language, clothing, and architecture - but there are also many differences between Asatru and other practices of which modern Heathens should be aware

Asatru believes that the Norse/Germanic tribes were indigenous people before being conquered and converted by Christians who originally came from Scandinavia and Germany. This is called the Viking Invasion that occurred roughly a thousand years ago, in which Scandinavian raiders, traders, and settlers began to spread all over Europe. The Asatru religion is strongly tied to the folklore of these people. Of note, Minoans, the ancient Greeks who lived in Crete between 1750-1450 B.C., were influenced by the basics of heathen theology and passed on to the Mycenaeans. We have many stories involving these early pagans.

The Norse and Teutonic peoples were polytheistic, worshipping several deities instead of one god, like Christianity. The Germanic people saw a close relationship between the gods and goddesses and humans, and they had sacred roles to play. There were male and female deities, some revered for their character traits and physical attributes. The gods or goddesses are known as the Aesir and Vanir, respectively. The Aesirare were distinguished by their strength, bravery, skill at warfare, and leadership, while the Vanir represented magic, fertility, and peace. The central god or goddess in a Heathen religion is the Æsir'sOthin (pronounced oht-in). He is well known for his wisdom and skill at poetry, his long beard, and wide-brimmed hat.

Our society is ruled by the laws of nature, even more than we realize. We humans follow a set of rules that compel us to act with certain inborn emotions, guiding our thoughts and behavior at deeper levels. Asatru believes these laws should be honored and respected. The customs or rules of the ancestors should be followed because they have been handed down over generations.

Our lives are in harmony with the natural world and serve to enhance it. This can be seen in the larger rhythms of nature, including the seven-day week, lunar phases, and agricultural rituals. We are all aware that certain aspects of nature cannot be altered, e.g., a sunset may not be changed as it is set into motion by the rotation of the Earth on its axis. However, other aspects of nature can be modified at our will or require adjustments - if needed - to fulfill our ends or desires.

The cycle of life and death is necessary to maintain the world's natural order. There are certain times of the year - particularly winter - when the Aesir or Vanir leave for the Summerlands (also called Heaven or The Blessed Isles) where there is prosperity, abundant food, and happiness. This also applies to humans who die, as they will be able to enter into this realm to live forever.

Why Would Anyone Worship These Gods? A straightforward answer might be that we can learn from them, just like an elder of a family provides valuable advice to those willing to listen.

Asatru is more than a religion. Many view it as a philosophy, lifestyle, or even a worldview. Unfortunately, some people only know  what other people have told them, which leads to misconceptions and misunderstandings. The truth is, there are a lot of misconceptions about Asatru, ranging from its history to what it believes or doesn't believe. This a book is here to help.

Chapter 1:

What is Ásatrú? Why is it so Popular?

Defined by the belief in the ancient Norse gods, Asatru is also referred to as Heathenry and its practitioners are called Heathens.  It is a modern pagan spirituality based on the traditions, folklore, and mythology of Northern Europe, particularly Scandinavia. Around 1,000 years ago, Scandinavians and other peoples in Northern Europe converted to Christianity but for many, the gods and spirits of the old pre-Christian religions were still important. People continued to tell stories and, in some ways, continued to venerate them. Eventually, some of the stories about the ancient gods and spirits were written down by historians and antiquarians interested in preserving knowledge of the past. These texts have since been used in modern times to revive a spirituality centered around the Norse gods.

Asatru is a modern Icelandic word originally used by Danish scholars in the 19th century when referring to the pre-Christian religion in Scandinavia. In its Danish and Swedish forms, it is spelled asatro while in Norwegian, it is spelled åsatru. The Scandinavians all pronounce the word differently, but in English, the Icelandic way would a phonetical sound like ow-sa-troo. The word is a combination of the Norse word áss (god, spirit. Plural: æsir) and the word trú (belief). Asatru means belief in the æsir, and people who believe in the æsir can be referred to as Asatruar, with the Icelandic plural suffix ar at the end of the word. The word came into use in the English language, especially in the United States, in the 1970s, under influence of Iceland. In modern English, most heathens use it in the sense belief in the æsir, but some also emphasize trust in the æsir.

Though Asatru is an ancient language, it was near extinct after Christianization hit Europe. Many were forced to follow a different religion and the ancient ways nearly disappeared. However, they made a comeback in the 1970s as the revival of Germanic Paganism was celebrated once more. In Iceland, on the Summer Solstice of 1972, it was recognized as an official religion once again. Shortly after, Asatru groups formed in the United States.

The religion is similar to the ancient ways of Norse culture, before Christianity. Asatru is true to the Aesir. Asatruars believe that gods are living beings who take an active role in the world. Much of the Asatru beliefs are based on Old Norse mythology. There are three types of deities within Asatru: the Aesir, the Vanir, and the Jotnar. The Aesir is the primary focus of worship of the deities, though worshipping the other two branches is also accepted. Some of the gods and goddesses include:

Odin, the one-eyed father figure who learned secret wisdom by hanging from Yggdrasil for nine nights.

Frigg, the wife of Odin and goddess of marriage and motherhood with a