Heathenry is a revival of pre-Christian Germanic religion with Asatru being the most well known branch. Below is a brief listing to Asatru and heathen organizations with bases in Europe, Spain and Australia. All of the information for each group was found on their respective websites.
Heathen Beliefs and Practice
There is no set standard of beliefs in heathenism; however, there are commonalities. Groups and individuals worship Northern European deities including those from Norse and Anglo-Saxon pantheons. Knowledge of Germanic folklore is strongly encouraged.
Some heathens follow the standard neo-Pagan wheel of the year of eight festivals as some of these are of Germanic origin. Other heathens try their best to reconstruct their rituals to match the timing and content of ancient rites as much as possible. While heathen practice varies around the world, adherence to an ethical code and reverence for ancestors are common threads.
Scandinavian Heathen Groups
Asatruarfelagid is formally recognized by Iceland's government as a religious organization. Their purpose is to keep alive the old beliefs and practice of the Norse. Their website is written in Icelandic, but the homepage has the option of converting to English.
Forn Sidr is based in Denmark. They are officially recognized as a religious group by the Danish ministry of religious affairs. Their goal is to present Asatru as an alternative to other religions and return faith in the old ways.
Sveriges Asatrosamfund is also known as the Swedish Asatru Assembly and is dedicated to the practice of Asatru in the context of modern life. They are open to anyone interested in Northern European myths and belief. The site has several pages that can be viewed in English.
Heathen Groups in Australia and Spain
The Assembly of the Elder Troth is an Australian-based group is dedicated to honoring revivalist Northern tradition while encouraging personal growth in the modern world. They welcome individuals and groups from different heathen backgrounds.
Gotland Forn Sed is based in Catalonia, Spain, and open to all who are interested in Asatru. Their focus is on reconstructing Viking belief. Many of the pages on their website have the option to be viewed in English. There are also links to affiliated heathen groups around the world including France and Brazil.
Heathen Organizations Based in the UK and Germany
Eldaring is a German Asatru organization. Their main website is in German and does not have English conversion. English speakers who want to learn about Eldaring can visit the regional kindred of Schleswig-Holstein homepage.
The Odinic Rite is a group is based in UK but also has branches in Canada and the USA. From their website, they describe the main principles of their group as "Faith, Folk, and Family" and are devoted to promoting the indigenous religion of Northern Europe.
Heathens for Progress was founded to work towards legal rights of Pagans. They host online forums and public events for those interested in heathenry. They are a diverse group that promotes tolerance of Paganism throughout the United Kingdom.
Odinshof was founded in 1987 and is based in England. They're dedicated to presenting the Northern tradition to the general public, purchasing ritual land and training clergy.
The Growing Heathen Revival
Just as Asatru is growing in the USA, it appears to be doing the same throughout many parts of the world. The inclination to revive the religion of pre-Christian Northern Europe speaks to many as a way to connect with not only their ancestors but a rich body of lore.
To learn more about this revival of heathenry, visit the articles below or the websites of each of these organizations listed here. They are part of a growing movement that enriches the lives of their followers.
More articles of interest:
- Heathen Organizations Based in the USA: A Listing of Asatru and Other Germanic Religion Revival Groups
- Asatru - Northern European Reconstructionism: Beliefs and Practices of Modern Heathens
- Odin's Journey for the Runes: The God Sacrifices Himself on the World Tree for Wisdom
Sources:
- Smith, MIchael J. Ways of the Asatru: Beliefs of the Modern, Northern Heathens. Harvest-Moon Publishing, 2003.
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