Vidar's Gothi

Last weekend, I attended the Central Iowa Pagan Pride gathering in Des Moines. It was a great gathering ; I met some great people and there were wonderful conversations. One of the topics that came up was that we sometimes encounter people who want to be part of our groups but are just too toxic. I thought this required more thought.

World news has been filled with the so-called Brexit; the United Kingdom vote to leave the European Union. Since the decision to leave, ethnic violence and national identity have popped up as some of the primary motivators for voters who wanted to leave. As Asatru people, we can both understand this, and at the same time must avoid falling into this pattern.

Many people struggle to keep their thoughts under control. They worry about the things in their lives, and often worry about imaginary things that will never come to pass. This is why Odin has two Ravens, one that flies straight to its task and another that meanders all over. If you have this, whether occasionally or all the time, you are losing some of your potential, but you can get it back.

Most Asatru people really like history, in particular the history of our ancestors. There is nothing wrong with that, for the most part, but there is a hidden danger. Looking for and overcoming that danger can help us as a group and can help each of us as individuals.

It will soon be Memorial Day in the United States (29th of May this year). This is a day or remembrance of those who have fallen in battle defending the freedoms so many enjoy. Many people will also take time to remember other loved ones who have passed from the Middle World. What does this mean for the Asatruar?

I went to the Quiet Place and I listened... The Leathershod was there. He looked at me and then looked into the distance. I followed His gaze as best I could and this is what I saw. There was a map of the world with territories mapped out. An area marked in brown was noted as the land owned by Asatruar. As time passed, the ownership spread. Before long, we owned much of the north-central United States, north-western Europe, and much of the Australian coast.

This year's Central Iowa Pagan Pride Festival will be held in Des Moines, Iowa on August 27th. You can read about it on their Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/iowa.pride/.

Many Asatru people like the idea of being able to hold their own in a Viking-style combat situation. The thought swinging the sword or ax around or blocking the attack of an opponent with a shield just seems like fun. Unfortunately, most neighborhoods don't have Viking-style martial arts schools. In the Internet age, that is less of a problem thanks in part to the folks over at Hurstwic.

With a title like "The Sea of Trolls" and vaguely Viking-like ship painted on the cover, you expect at least a Norse feel to the story. Nancy Farmer does do that, to some degree, but also does a lot of other stuff. The northern parts of the story are mostly acceptable, but they show a very narrow and stereotypical view of those Vikings.

The Vernal Equinox happens in the Midwest on March 19, at 11:31 in the evening. This is the time when the relative tilt of the Earth's axis is at an angle so that the length of the day and the length of the night are even. Though weather may choose to ignore this detail, it is the official start of Spring. So, what are you going to do about it?