Volunteering for the Ukraine

As you may have heard, Ukraine is accepting foreign volunteers in their fight to drive off Russian invaders. For those either passionate about defending the underdog, or just wanting a chance to prove themselves, this sounds like a promising opportunity. The question becomes, should you go?

The Official Site: https://ukrforeignlegion.com/ The International Legion of Territorial Defense of Ukraine

To the Gods, life is a dynamic balance between Fire (chaos) and Ice (order). A rigid regime, such as we see with dictators, pushes too much toward order, thus disrupting the balance. Many believe that Vladimir Putin's regime is a totalitarian dictatorship. If so, then we should be opposed to it.

But that doesn't mean it is a good idea for you personally to go to war. The Gods also value wisdom and intelligence, and you need to make your decision based on your particular situation. You must be realistic about modern war and the way a mysterious bullet from a great distance can suddenly end the cold and discomfort you were just griping about.

In my case, I feel the urge to go. Likewise, many decades ago, I had the urge to enlist in my country's army. A childhood illness had damaged my heart and made me unfit for service then. My heart is still damaged and I'm much older. If I joined the Ukraine Foreign Legion, I would either be slowing my unit down, or need to be left behind with any equipment I carried. Basically, I would be in the way more than I would be a help. I need to find other ways to help.

Your Situation

Only you can make the decision about your situation. Obviously, you can consult with your family and friends, but the decision to try must be yours. There are some things to consider, though.

If your family or others are dependent on you for their survival, you probably should not go. We all have different responsibilities, and taking care of a family is high on the list. It may not just be your family; your community may need you because of an important service you provide.

If, like me, you would just be in the way when you got there, you may not want to go. There are other ways to help, if you can. There are verified charities to which you can contribute, for example. The Today website has an article called "How to help Ukraine: 15 verified charities working to help Ukrainians amid invasion" which you can find here: https://www.today.com/news/news/5-verified-charities-working-help-ukrainians-invasion-rcna17590

If, however, there is nothing standing in your way, then consider if you are willing to make the sacrifice. Once you are there, you are there until the end. It takes courage and commitment to go to war. Many have done it before, though. If you survive, you will be changed, mentally, physically, and spiritually.

Something that may help your decision is to think about why you are not in your nation's military right now (assuming you aren't). Did you not believe in their mission? Did you think it would be too difficult? Did you not meet their entrance criteria? Regardless of the reason, why would that reason not apply in the Ukraine?

Odin and Thor

Before going to war, you should probably consult with your favorite God. Commonly consulted Gods would be Odin and Thor, but Their approaches to war are known to be different. Depending on your attitude toward the matter, you may want to lean more toward one or the other.

Thor is the Defender. He will think of you as a comrade in arms, though somewhat small. To Him, you are part of the team and are just as valuable as the other parts of the team, even if you have to suffer an honorable death.

Odin, on the other hand, is the long-term strategist. To Him, you are a piece in the long game. If sacrificing you, even in an unpleasant, ignoble way, will gain a greater advantage, He will do it. Now, He is likely to feel bad about it for a moment, but then He will need to move on to the next move.

If you ask either of these two Gods for guidance or help in going to war, they will likely help, but the help will be different. Thor will want you to go on the adventure to prove your worth and to do great things. Odin will want you to be in the right place at the right time to do the needed thing. In both cases, you will either achieve a worthy death or an interesting story.

Of course, there are other Gods. If you have a relationship with one of Them, you should rely on that connection for guidance. Frigga would be worried about the children. Freya collects half of the fallen heros. Frey would be concerned with the wheat fields and how they are used to feed the world. Even Vidar is concerned that if the war is not halted here, it may expand and lead us closer to the Final Battle.

So, after some consideration, follow your own path. If you choose to go, I hope the Gods look after you. Make your ancestors proud.