Ásatrú

[[Image:Mjollnir icon.png|right|thumb|200px|[[Mjolnir]], the hammer of [[Thor]], is one of the major symbols of Ásatrú.]]
{{Otheruses4|the reconstruction of [[Norse paganism]] in particular|a more general overview|Germanic Neopaganism}}

'''''{{lang|is|Ásatrú}}''''' ([[Icelandic language|Icelandic]] for "[[Æsir]] faith", {{pronounced|auːsatruː}}, in [[Old Norse]] {{IPA|[aːsatruː]}}; Norwegian '''''Åsatru''''', Swedish '''''Asatro''''', Danish '''''Asetro''''') is a [[Neopagan]] movement inspired by [[Germanic polytheism]], in particular the [[Norse paganism]] as described in the [[Edda]]s and as practiced prior to the [[Christianization of Scandinavia]].

There are two main strains of ''Ásatrú'', originating near-simultaneously in Iceland (''{{lang|is|[[Íslenska Ásatrúarfélagið]]}}'', 1972) and the USA ([[Asatru Free Assembly]], 1974). While the [[Neopaganism in Scandinavia|Scandinavian branch]] emphasizes [[pantheism|pantheist]] spirituality rooted in medieval and contemporary [[Scandinavian folklore]], the [[Neopaganism in the United States|American branch]] postulates a "[[native religion]] of the peoples of [[Northern Europe]]" reaching back into the [[paleolithic]].<ref>"Asatru reflects the deeper religiosity common to virtually all the nations of Europe." ([http://runestone.org/home.html Asatru Folk Assembly]); " Ásatrú is thousands of years old. It's beginnings are lost in prehistory, but as an organized system, it is older by far than Christianity. Strictly speaking, since Ásatrú is the religion which springs from the specific spiritual beliefs of the Northern Europeans, it is as old as this branch of the human race, which came into being 40,000 years ago." ([http://asatru.org/ Asatru Alliance])</ref> [[Neopaganism in Germany|In Germany]], the term ''Asatru'' is used in the wider sense of [[Germanic neopaganism]].

==Terminology==
{{wiktionary}}
''{{lang|is|Ásatrú}}'' is an [[Icelandic language|Icelandic]] (and equivalently [[Old Norse]]) term consisting of two parts. The first is ''{{lang|is|Ása}}-'', genitive of ''{{lang|is|Áss}}'', denoting one of the group of Norse pagan gods called {{lang|is|[[Æsir]]}}<ref>>Zoega (1910): "one of the old heathen gods in general, or especially one of the older branch, in opposition to the younger ones (the [[Vanir]])"[http://www.northvegr.org/zoega/h037.php]</ref>. The second part, ''{{lang|is|trú}}'', means "faith, word of honour; religious faith, belief"<ref>Zoega (1910)[http://www.northvegr.org/zoega/h442.php]</ref> (archaic English ''[[:wikt:troth|troth]]'' "loyalty, honesty, good faith"). Thus, ''{{lang|is|Ásatrú}}'' means "belief / faith in the Æsir / gods".

The term is the Old Norse/Icelandic translation of ''{{lang|sv|Asetro}}'', a [[neologism]] coined in the context of 19th century [[romantic nationalism]], used by [[Edvard Grieg]] in his 1870 opera ''[[Olaf Trygvason]]''. The use of the term ''Ásatrú'' for Germanic paganism preceding 19th century revivalist movements is therefore an [[anachronism]].

''{{lang|is|Ásatrúarmaður}}'' (plural ''{{lang|is|Ásatrúarmenn}}''), the term used to identify those who practice Ásatrú is a compound with ''{{lang|is|maður}}'' (Old Norse ''{{lang|non|maðr}}'') "man"<ref>irrespective of sex[http://www.northvegr.org/zoega/h284.php], see [[Mannaz]].</ref> In English usage, the genitive ''{{lang|is|Asatruar}}'' "of Aesir faith" is often used on its own to denote adherents (both singular and plural).

Because ''Ásatrú'' implies a focus on polytheistic belief in the [[Aesir]] usage of the term in Scandinavia has declined somewhat. In Scandinavia, ''forn sed'' / ''forn siðr'' "old custom", ''Nordisk sed'' "Nordic custom" or ''hedensk sed'' / ''heiðinn siður'' "pagan custom" are preferred.<ref>"We prefer to refer to our faith as 'den forna seden' (The Old Way) rather than Asatru." ([http://www.asatrosamfundet.se/ Sveriges Asatrosamfund])</ref> In both the [[Anglosphere]] and [[German-speaking Europe]], it is widely used exchangeably with other terms for [[Germanic neopaganism]].<ref name= "Germanic Spirituality">{{cite paper| author =Linzie, Bil| title =Germanic Spirituality| version =| publisher =| date =July 2003| url =http://www.northvegr.org/northern/book/spirituality.pdf| format =[[PDF]]| accessdate =February 2007 }}</ref>



==History==
Ásatrú originated as a second (or third) revival of Germanic paganism in the 1960s and early 1970s. The ''Íslenska Ásatrúarfélagið'' was founded on summer solstice, 1972, and was recognized as an official religion by the Icelandic government in 1973, largely due to the efforts of [[Sveinbjörn Beinteinsson]]. Around this time, [[Stephen McNallen]], a former [[U.S. Army]] [[Airborne forces|Airborne]] [[U.S. Army Ranger|Ranger]], began publishing a newsletter titled ''The Runestone'' independently of the ''Íslenska Ásatrúarfélagið'' in the [[United States]]. He also formed an organization called the ''Ásatrú Free Assembly'', which was later renamed the [[Ásatrú Folk Assembly]] which is still extant. [[Else Christensen|Else Christensen's]] ''[[Odinism]]'', which is sometimes identified with the term ''Ásatrú'', originated around the same period. An offshoot of McNallen's group is the ''Ásatrú Alliance'', headed by Valgard Murray, publisher of the "Vor Tru" newsletter. The ''Ásatrú Alliance'' held its 25th annual "[[Althing]]" gathering in 2005.<ref name= "AA Althing Report">{{cite web| last =Murray| first =Valgard| authorlink =| coauthors =| title =AlThing 25 Report| work =| publisher =| date =| url =http://asatru.org/Althingreport.html#top| format = HTML| doi =| accessdate =February 2007 }}</ref>



The Icelandic government has recognized the ''[[Íslenska Ásatrúarfélagið]]'' as an official religion shortly after its inception. Other Scandinavian governments have begun to recognize Germanic Neopagan organizations as religious communities with official status from the 1990s (Sweden: ''[[Sveriges asatrosamfund]]'' 1994; Norway: ''[[Åsatrufellesskapet Bifrost]]'' 1996; ''[[Foreningen Forn Sed]]'' 1999; Denmark: ''Forn Siðr'', formed in 1997, recognized in 2003<ref>[http://www.fornsidr.dk/dk/60 Forklaring til Forn Siðr´s ansøgning om godkendelse som trossamfund.]</ref>).Spain: in June 2007 Spanish government has recognized Asatru, ''[[Comunidad Odinista de España-Asatru]]''

Groups and practitioners also exist in [[Austria]], [[Germany]], [[Switzerland]], [[UK|Britain]], the [[Netherlands]], [[Belgium]], [[France]], [[Italy]], [[Portugal]], [[Russia]], [[Australia]] and [[New Zealand]], [[North America]], Central America ([[Mexico]]), and South America ([[Argentina]], [[Brazil]], [[Chile]]).

Ásatrú is a religion officially recognized by the governments of [[Iceland]] (since 1973), [[Norway]] (since 1994), [[Denmark]] (since 2003), [[Sweden]] (since 2007) and [[Spain]] (since 2007). The [[United States]] government does not officially endorse or recognize any religious group, but numerous Ásatrú groups have been granted [[Non-profit corporation|nonprofit religious]] status going back to the 1970s.<ref name= "Well of Mimir">{{cite paper| author =Linzie, Bil| title =Drinking at the Well of Mimir| version =| publisher =| date =2000| url =http://ragngautr-kindred.org/library/modern/drinking-at-the-well-of-mimir.pdf| format =[[PDF]]| accessdate =February 2007 }}</ref>

==Beliefs and practice==
''Ásatrú'' groups and the individual ''Ásatrúarmenn'' have no standard means of practice.
The ''[[Íslenska Ásatrúarfélagið]]'' (as of 2007) defines ''Ásatrú'' as belief "in the [[Scandinavian folklore|Icelandic/Nordic folklore]], the spirits and entities the folklore represents, in addition to gods and other beings from the Nordic [[pantheism]]."<ref>The Icelandic version has "''Ásatrú'' is a pagan tradition based on tolerance, honesty, magnanimity and respect for nature and all life." (''Ásatrú eða heiðinn siður byggir á umburðarlyndi, heiðarleika, drengskap og virðingu fyrir náttúrunni og öllu lífi.'') [http://web.archive.org/web/20061205064006/http://asatru.is/ (2006)]</ref>
The US [[Asatru Folk Assembly]] defines it as "an expression of the native, pre-Christian [[spirituality]] of Europe."

===Blót===
{{main|Blót}}
Many Ásatrú groups celebrate with [[Blót]]s. Historically, the Blót was an event that focused on a communal sacrifice at various times of the year for a number of purposes. Families and extended family organizations would gather to participate in the communal event.

Modern blots are celebrated several times during the year. Ásatrú communities (kindreds, hearths, mots) have different approaches to the frequency of blots and their means of celebrating them.

===Symbel===
{{main|Symbel}}
[[Symbel]] or [[sumbel]] is a ritual drinking feast. A [[Drinking horn|horn]] is passed around over a course of a number of rounds. The purpose of a Symbel is usually agreed in advance. The three main things which a symbel deals with is : toast, brag or boast. The act of speaking over the horn symbolize taking publicly spoken words into the body. Within asatruar symbels as devoted to toasting gods, ancestors and friends.

===Goðar===
{{main|Goði}}
A '''[[Goði]]''' or '''Gothi''' (plural '''goðar''') is the historical [[Old Norse language|Old Norse]] term for a [[priest]] and [[tribal chief|chieftain]] in Norse paganism. '''Gyðja''' signifies a priestess. Goði literally means ''"speaker for the gods"'', and is used to denote the priesthood or those who officiate over rituals in Ásatrú. Several groups, most notably [[the Troth]] have organized clergy programs[http://www.thetroth.org/clergy/]. However, there is no universal standard for the Goðar amongst organization, and the title is usually only significant to the particular group with whom they work.<ref name= "Gothar">{{cite web| last =Murray| first =Valgard| authorlink =| coauthors =| title =The Role of the Gothar in the Asatru Community| work =| publisher =| date =| url =http://asatru.org/gothar.html| format =HTML| doi =| accessdate =February 2007}}</ref>

===Kindred===
A '''[[Kindred]]''' is a local worship group in Ásatrú. Other terms used are garth, [[stead]], ''sippe'', ''skeppslag'' and others. Kindreds are usually grassroots groups which may or may not be affiliated with a national organization like the ''Ásatrú Folk Assembly'', the ''Ásatrú Alliance'', or the ''Troth''. Kindreds are composed of [[hearth]]s or families as well as individuals, and the members of a Kindred may be related by blood or marriage, or may be unrelated. The kindred often functions as a combination of extended family and religious group. Membership is managed by the assent of the group.<ref name="Kindred">{{cite web| last =Murray| first =Valgard| authorlink =| coauthors =| title =The Asatru Kindred| work =| publisher =| date =| url =http://asatru.org/thekinrd.html| format =HTML| doi =| accessdate =February 2007}}</ref>

Kindreds usually have a recognized Goði to lead religious rites, while some other kindreds function more like modern corporations. Although these Goði need only be recognized by the kindred itself and may not have any standing with any other Kindred.

==Politics and controversies==

Ásatrú organizations have memberships which span the entire political and spiritual spectrum. Many adherents are solitary practitioners who practice their religion alone with their family or a small local community, and are not involved with organized ''Ásatrú''. Despite the wide divergence of beliefs and politics, the sole common denominator amongst adherents of ''Ásatrú'' is the goal of reconstructing and practicing the historical pre-Christian religion of the [[Poetic Edda|Eddas]].

===Folkish Asatru, Universalism and racism===
{{main|Neopaganism and the New Right}}
{{see|Integral Traditionalism|Metagenetics|Tyr (journal)}}
While Ásatrú is generally a tolerant religion, it is sometimes erroneously identified with [[neo-Nazi]] and "[[white power]]" organizations which also use the same symbolism.<ref name="Gods of the Blood">{{cite book | first =Matthias | last =Gardell | authorlink = | coauthors = | year =2003 | month = | title =Gods of the Blood: The Pagan Revival and White Separatism | chapter = | editor = | others = | edition = | pages =269-283 | publisher =Duke University Press | location = | id =ISBN 0822330717 | url = }}</ref> The three largest American ''Ásatrú'' organizations have specifically denounced any association with racist groups.<ref>'''From the ''[[Asatru Alliance]]'s'' Bylaws:''' "The Alliance is apolitical; it is not a front for, nor shall it promote any political views of the 'Right' or 'Left'. Our Sacred temples, groves and Moots shall remain free of any political manifestations." [http://asatru.org/bylaws.html]</ref><ref>'''From the ''[[Asatru Folk Assembly]]'s'' Bylaws:''' "The belief that spirituality and ancestral heritage are related has nothing to do with notions of superiority. Ásatrú is not an excuse to look down on, much less to hate, members of any other race. On the contrary, we recognize the uniqueness and the value of all the different pieces that make up the human mosaic." [http://runestone.org/flash/home.html]</ref><ref>'''From ''[[The Troth]]'s'' Bylaws:''' "Discrimination on the basis of race, gender, ethnic origin, or sexual orientation shall not be practiced by the Troth or any affiliated group, whether in membership decisions or in conducting any of its activities."

[http://www.thetroth.org/organization/bylaws.html]</ref> A dividing issue is whether a person is "Folkish", meaning that an emphasis on ancestry and ancestor worship is a part of their belief system.


===Discrimination charges===
{{main|Religious discrimination against Asatru}}

Inmates of the "Intensive Management Unit" at [[Washington State Penitentiary]] who are adherents of Ásatrú in 2001 were deprived of their [[Mjolnir|Thor's Hammer]] medallions.<ref>[http://www.prisonerlife.com/articles/articleID=3.cfm Walla Walla's Suppression of Religious Freedom]{{Verify credibility|date=July 2007}}</ref>
In 2007, a federal judge confirmed that Ásatrú adherents in US prisons have the right to possess a Thor’s Hammer pendant. An inmate sued the Virginia Department of Corrections after he was denied it while members of other religions were allowed their medallions.<ref>[http://www.firstamendmentcenter.org/news.aspx?id=18629 First Amendment Center: Va. inmate can challenge denial of Thor's Hammer]</ref>

The United States Department of Veterans Affairs does not list any Ásatrú symbols as available [[USVA emblems for headstones and markers|emblems of belief for placement on government headstones and markers]].<ref>[http://www.cem.va.gov/cem/hm/hmemb.asp Available Emblems of Belief for Placement on Government Headstones and Markers - Department of Veterans Affairs]</ref> According to federal guidelines, only approved religious symbols — of which there are 38 — can be placed on government headstones or memorial plaques. [[Ásatrú Folk Assembly]] have demanded such a symbol.

In the Georgacarakos v. Watts case Peter N. Georgacarakos filed a pro se civil-rights complaint in the United States District Court for the District of Colorado against 19 prison officials for "interference with the free exercise of his Ásatrú religion" and "discrimination on the basis of his being Ásatrú".<ref>[http://www.kscourts.org/CA10/cases/2005/08/05-1180.htm Georgacarakos v. Watts]</ref>

== See also ==
{{commonscat|Asatru}}
* [[Germanic Neopaganism]]
* [[Polytheistic reconstructionism]]
* [[Norse mythology]]
* [[Scandinavian folklore]]
* [[Finnish Paganism]]
* [[Íslenska Ásatrúarfélagið]]
* [[Religious discrimination against Asatru]]

==Notes==
{{reflist|2}}

==External links==


===Neutral descriptions===
*[http://www.religionfacts.com/a-z-religion-index/asatru.htm Ásatrú (Germanic Paganism)] - ReligionFacts
*[http://altreligion.about.com/library/faqs/bl_asatru.htm Asatru (Norse Heathenism)] - AltReligion
*[http://www.religioustolerance.org/asatru.htm Ásatrú (Norse Heathenism)] -Religioustolerance

=== Podcasts / Newsletters===
*[http://ravencast.podbean.com Ravencast Podcast]
*[http://spokenlore.podbean.com Spoken Lore Podcast]

===Organizations===
{{splitsection|Germanic neopaganism}}
{{multicol}}

;[[Neopaganism in Scandinavia|Scandinavia]]
*Denmark
**[http://asetrofaellesskabet.dk// Asetrofællesskabet]
**[http://www.fornsidr.dk/ Forn Sidr]
*Iceland
**[http://www.asatru.is/ Ásatrúarfélagið]
*Norway
**[http://www.forn-sed.no/ Foreningen Forn Sed]
**[http://www.bifrost.no/ Åsatrufellesskapet Bifrost]
*Sweden
**[http://www.fornsed.se/ Nätverket Forn Sed]
**[http://www.asatrosamfundet.se/ Sveriges Asatrosamfund]

;[[Anglosphere]]
*Australia
**[http://www.aetaustralia.org/ Assembly of The Elder Troth]
*Canada
**[http://www.asatru.ca/ The Canadian Ásatrú Portal]
*New Zealand
**[http://www.asatru.org.nz/ New Zealand Ásatrú Fellowship]
*[[Neopaganism in the USA|USA]]
**[http://www.asatru.org/ Ásatrú Alliance]
**[http://www.runestone.org/ Asatru Folk Assembly]
**[http://www.groandi.org/ Galdragildi]
**[http://www.idhavellihof.org/ Iðavelli Hof]
**[http://www.thetroth.org/ The Troth]
**[http://www.urglaawe.org/ Urglaawe]
*[[Neopaganism in the UK|United Kingdom]]
**[http://www.odinistfellowship.co.uk/ The Odinist Fellowship]

{{multicol-break}}
;Continental [[Germanic Europe]]
*[[Asatru in Germany and Austria|German-speaking]]
**[http://www.eldaring.de/ Eldaring]
**[http://www.ggg.de.vu/ Germanische Glaubens-Gemeinschaft]
**[http://www.nornirsaett.de/ Nornirs Ætt]
**[http://www.vfgh.de/ Verein für germanisches Heidentum]
*[[Dutch-speaking area|Dutch-speaking]]
**[http://www.hetrad.nl/ Het Rad]
**[http://odinist.nl/ Odinic Rite Netherlands]
**[http://www.hagal.be/ Werkgroep Hagal]
**[http://www.traditie.be/ Asatrú-Werkgroep Traditie]

;[[Latin Europe]] & [[Latin America]]
*Argentina
**[http://www.runestone.com.ar/ Asatru Folk Assembly - Sitio Oficial en Español]
**[http://geocities.com/tribudeheimdallr/ Tribu de Heimdallr / Heimdallr's Tribe]
*France
**[http://www.lesfilsdodin.com/accueil.htm Les Fils d'Odin]
*Italy
**[http://www.comunitaodinista.org/ Comunità Odinista]
*Spain
**[http://www.odinismo.com/ Circulo Odinista Europeo]
**[http://www.asatru.es/ Comunidad Odinista de España-Asatru]
**[http://gotfornsed.org/ Gotland Forn Sed]

;[[Slavic Europe]]
*Czech Republic
**[http://www.asatru.cz/ Heathen Hearts society]
*Russia
**[http://www.asatru.ru/index1.htm The Mysteries of the North]

{{multicol-end}}

{{paganism}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Asatru}}
[[Category:Ásatrú| ]]
[[Category:Germanic neopaganism]]
[[Category:New religious movements]]
[[Category:Neopagan traditions]]

[[af:Ásatrú]]
[[ang:Ēsetrōþ]]
[[ar:اساترو]]
[[bg:Асатру]]
[[ca:Odinisme]]
[[cs:Ásatrú]]
[[da:Asetro]]
[[de:Ásatrú]]
[[et:Ásatrú]]
[[el:Αζατρού]]
[[es:Asatru (religión)]]
[[fr:Asatru]]
[[it:Ásatrú]]
[[nl:Ásatrú]]
[[no:Åsatru]]
[[nn:Åsatru]]
[[pl:Ásatrú]]
[[pt:Asatrú]]
[[ro:Asatru]]
[[ru:Асатру]]
[[simple:Asatru]]
[[fi:Aasainusko]]
[[sv:Asatro]]