Asatru
Asatru (Icelandic: Ásatrú, Norwegian: Åsatru, Swedish: Asatro) is a religion which involves the worship of ancient Germanic and Scandinavian Viking spirits and gods. It received official legal establishment in 1970s in Iceland through the efforts of Sveinbjörn Beinteinsson and other Icelanders. The current recognized national organization of Asatru in Iceland is Ásatrúarfélagið. The name is derived from two Old Norse words. It means "faith in the Æsir," the Old Norse gods.[1]
A person who practices Asatru is called an Asatruar, and is sometimes referred to as a Heathen. Asatru is also called Wodanism, Wotanism or Germanic paganism.[2]
Common books that describe the knowledge in depth include the Sagas and the Eddas.
Gods and Goddesses
Asatru is a polytheistic religion in which various goddesses and gods are worshiped. The most prominent are Thor, Odin, Freyja, Frigg, Freyr, Tyr, Loki, and Heimdall.
Asatru Media
- Amulet Thor's hammer (copy of find from Skåne) 2010-07-10.jpg
A modern replica of a Viking Age pendant representing Mjölnir, the hammer of the god Thor; such pendants are often worn by Heathens.
- Samfundet Forn Sed Sverige Altare vid Julblot 2010-12-19.jpg
Outdoor altar to mark Yule 2010, set up by the Swedish Forn Sed Assembly in Gothenburg, Västergötland
- Alfablot at boulder with flash.jpg
An álfablót ritual held at Getsjön in Västergötland, Sweden, in 2009
- SyriathPillarWrekin.JPG
Heathen ritual space marked out by an engraved wooden pillar, located on The Wrekin in Shropshire, England
- Detail from G 181.jpg
A detail from Gotland runestone G 181, in the Swedish Museum of National Antiquities in Stockholm. The three figures are interpreted as Odin, Thor, and Freyr, deities which have seen their veneration revived among modern Heathens.
Images of the deities Frey and Freyja constructed by the Rúnatýr Kindred in Canada in 2011
- Neopagan graveyard from the other side.JPG
Heathen cemetery in Gufuneskirkjugarður, Reykjavík, which was established in 1999
- Forn Sed Sverige Tingsblot 2011 Rådsgydja o Rådsgode.jpg
A 2011 Heathen blót in Humlamaden near Veberöd in Lund, Sweden
- Vårblot 2010 offergåvor.jpg
A 2010 outdoor altar at the Springblót at Gamla Uppsala, Uppland, Sweden
