I’d like to start this posting with a little about my background. My journey into heathenism began going back over 20 years ago when I placed my troth at Eormynsull’s roots. No, I won’t tell you my age because only those I personally know are privy to that info. I think however my chosen path started much earlier. As a youth and I mean really young, I was not even in my teens I had an interest in ancient cultures and mythology. This was coupled by my disinterest in Judeo-Christianity.
I studied the lore of Greece and Egypt and because I felt somehow cheated that my own people had no gods of their own. Thankfully, I kept searching for lore concerning my ancestors and chanced upon a book written by Colum Padraig about the Norse gods. I loved the tales of Thor and Odin, but I was especially impressed by the God Tyr and his self sacrifice of his hand in the jaws of the Fenris wolf. This book became one of my favorite reads, and I quickly devoured any material connected to the Norse pantheon. Eventually, I drew away from it as I became interested in occult arts such as tarot and astrology. By this time I was well into my mid teens and I also became interested in heavy metal music which is still one of my favorite genres along with goth and folk.
My first really concrete moment of truth came to me as an adult when I saw a reproduction of the Skane, Sweden Thor’s hammer pendant. I had no inkling of what it was but I purchased it anyway and whenever I wore it I felt protected for some odd reason. Yes, I knew the lore but I had never seen a hammer before other than my father’s tools. It was almost 2 years later when a friend of mine introduced me to rune magic books that I started to feel the tug on my consciousness and desire to learn more of my ancestors faith. By this time I had already read the works of Tolkien and was somewhat familiar with runes and made the connection between Anglo-Saxon folklore and Tolkien.
I wanted to practice Anglo-Saxon magic and study the faith of my ancestors more in depth and chanced upon a copy of Beowulf. I understood it was steeped in Christianity but here were definite ground workings of old customs and faith of the early Anglo-Saxons. I became involved in witchcraft but always felt the pull of the Norse gods/goddesses and walked away from this art to search further for what was calling out to my heart. I was versed in Celtic lore as I am both part Irish and Scottish, but I hungered for my Germanic faith as I am also so English, Dane, French and German.
The final truth happened to me a over 20 years ago when I came across the works of Kveldulf Gundarsson, Freya Aswynn and Edred Thorsson. Here was exactly what I was looking for and I dedicated myself to the gods in a ceremony to honour them and place my troth to my people, my gods and to myself. It was a few short years later at I found the book “Our Troth,” and I finally knew there was an actual name for my faith though by now I already identified myself as Heathen. So that is how I became an Asatruar.
These opening words from the song, “Song To Hall Up High” by my favourite Metal band Bathory have been inspirational to me in times that can be trying or moments when I feel connected to the all father Woden. They carry me and make me push harder to be my best and to prove my worth to my god and father. I have always looked to Woden for inspiration and strength and admire him for the sacrifice he made to obtain power and wisdom. I have been fascinated by the king/priest archetype it seems for ages and Woden is to me the greatest example I know. I strive everyday and consider the many things he has done for good or ill and look to him for strength.
Heathen Arts 