Vidar's Gothi

Reader Astrid asked about the practice of Faring Forth. This is where we visit the other of the Nine Worlds without having to die first. It is an interesting activity and others may want to know about it, so this is what you need to know to get started.

I went to the Quiet Place and there sat in commune with the silence.

Most Asatru people have an inclination to help those who need it. That's why I am saddened by the plight of the non-combatants stuck in the war-stricken areas of the Middle East and Africa. Religious extremists wage war on everybody, and the families who just want to live suffer.

We have a long history of not getting along with Christians. Frankly, the members of that religion have earned the animosity we feel. Between treachery and open hostility over the centuries, they have sought to destroy us. However, the average Christian doesn't really understand that. Put simple, they aren't all bad.

We hear a lot about fundamentalist Christians wanting to assert themselves over the running of the United States. This makes it a surprise when a state legislative body invites a pagan to offer up a blessing to start its work session. This is exactly what happened in the Iowa House on April 8th.

In the Asatru religion, we often focus on personal issues rather than worldly ones, but the Eddas tell us that the World will suffer greatly in the Final Battle. They talk of how Surt the Fire Giant will cause the World to burn. The fires only end when the rising seas quench them and those who sheltered underground emerge to rebuild. What if this is a longer game and not the flash fire typically assumed?

Today, March 20, 2015 is the Vernal Equinox; that day in Spring when the daylight hours and the night-time hours are equal. In the United States, and other places, this is the official start of Spring. What does it mean to an Asatru person? That varies.

The resent poll about Daily Rituals and Affirmations prompted a question from reader Astrid. The request was that I elaborate on these topics as they relate to Asatru. That sounded like a good idea, so here we go.

One source of stress for new Heathens is that the Christians will belittle your religion. They will tell you that you are just connected to some fringe group and that you will eventually need to grow up. That's just a tool they use to make themselves seem normal. The U. S. Department of Veterans Affairs would disagree with them.