/asatru/ - Asatru / Heathenry / Paganism

I'll be crafting my first set of runes. Any tips on where to get supplies?

>>8949

Getting comfy. Probably going to play some music with friends and have a fire outside.

>>8951

If you don't have a decent multitool/swiss-army-knife I recommend getting one but it's not necessary; a junk pocketknife can do a lot of things especially the ones with saws.

As to wood: I've never made a set of runs but my hammer pendant came from a tree in my backyard.

I still have half of the piece and I plan on making a hammer pendant for my friend who wears a metal one It's because he's a metal head though, I can't say much about his beliefs and he does go to church but I think there's still hope to make him folkish yet

>>8949

I honestly don't know. I'm a citycuck until I am able to move, so sadly no roaring bonfires. The best thing I can probably do is break my addiction to the internet. Does anyone have suggestions for those who can't enjoy nature?

Mostly rest and introspection. I'm celebrating Yuletide from the 22nd until Sacrifice Day on January the 2nd (to make it a proper 12 days of Yuletide.)

I'm going to open with a Mother's Night ritual on the 22nd to kick things off.

A lot of time will be spent reading up on some Heathen books I've been meaning to get to, as well as doing more self-directed study in my career of choice.

I'll also indulge in some entertainment that I haven't been able to during the work year ( like vidya, etc.)

Sacrifices will consist of beers, meads and specific gifts to the gods and goddesses. (Usually I give jewelry to Freya, a weapon to Odin, and a bottle of high quality whiskey to Thor. Though I have also sacrificed my own artwork in tribute to them with good results.)

Also thought about engaging in a psychotropic based ritual during this period, but will probably wait till next year.

>>8955

There's gotta be some outdoor parks where you are. Though obviously a "New York Central Park" type of park ain't gonna cut it.

There are a couple of parks in my city that have nature trails that bend the line between public park and outright wilderness. Those are the places to seek out in your position. That, or a nearby national forest reserve of some sort. Or, if you're particularly adventurous, you can go driving around looking for secret outdoor places off the beaten path.

Plus, during the dark of winter, you'll more than likely have such places to yourself due to most people not caring for the cold.

>>8957

What literature would you recommend to someone who knows nothing about the culture or religion?

>>8978

I'd start with this first:

http://www.amazon.com/Norse-Myths-Pantheon-Folklore-Library/dp/0394748468/ref=sr_1_sc_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1449870959&sr=8-1-spell&keywords=kevn+crossly+holland+the+norse+myths

It's flawed; the cosmology explanation at the beginning is obsolete, but you're not here for that.

What it offers is an entertaining and easy to digest prose retelling of the Norse myths from the Prose and Poetic Edda. It gives you a basic overview that will allow a more smooth transition to these:

http://www.amazon.com/Poetic-Edda-Lee-M-Hollander/dp/0292764995/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1449871190&sr=8-1&keywords=poetic+edda

http://www.amazon.com/Edda-Everymans-Library-Snorri-Sturluson/dp/0460876163/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1449871220&sr=8-3&keywords=prose+edda

There are many different versions that emphasis different qualities (i.e. poetic rhythm over precise translation accuracy, etc.) but these are versions a lot of people start off and are fine with. You can explore more versions on your own if you wish.

After that, you can take in a good sizable chunk of the Sagas to get a picture of society and life during those times interspersed with local mythology:

http://www.amazon.com/Sagas-Icelanders-Penguin-Classics-Deluxe/dp/0141000031/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1449871449&sr=8-1&keywords=the+icelandic+sagas

There are many more sagas, but this will give you more than enough of a taste of them in general.

In addition, the following will give you a comprehensive lowdown and terms to compliment what you have read already:

http://www.amazon.com/Myths-Northern-Europe-Ellis-Davidson/dp/0140136274/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1449871917&sr=1-1&keywords=gods+and+myths+of+northern+europe

http://www.amazon.com/Dictionary-Northern-Mythology-Rudolf-Simek/dp/0859915131/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1449871557&sr=8-1&keywords=a+dictionary+of+northern+mythology

And will also give you a good transition to the next phase: now that you've digested a sizable chunk of the primary myths, it's time to go deeper into the worldview of the Germanic people:

http://www.amazon.com/Germanization-Early-Medieval-Christianity-Sociohistorical/dp/0195104668/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1449871664&sr=8-1&keywords=the+germanization+of+early+medieval+christianity

http://heathengods.com/library/bil_linzie/

http://www.angelfire.com/nm/seidhman/reincarnation2.pdf

http://www.angelfire.com/nm/seidhman/reconstruction-c.pdf

http://www.heathengods.com/library/road_to_hel/index.htm

http://www.heathengods.com/library/culture_of_the_teutons/index.htm

The aforementioned works will begin to explain to you the Heathen worldview beyond the typical surface level interpretations of the myths.

I think the above oughtta be more than enough to get someone started who is starting from square one. After all of these, you can pretty much go where to wish, be it Beowulf, the Nibulunglied or wherever:

http://www.heathengods.com/library/

>>8982

Right back at ya.

Judging by the current business level of the board, I take it everyone is getting their Yule on?

>>9031

There's something wrong with the board, it's not bumping new activity. I thought maybe it was just me since I was posting so much on a slow board, but apparently it's other people too.

>>8949

Because Thor is responsible for rain, it makes sense to offer him alcohol made from crops i.e. beer. However, I want to offer mead because I haven't brewed either and beer seems too industrial to purchase. What do you think, /asatru/?

>>9033

I just realized this. The catalog seems to be functioning, however.

>>9037

Anecdotally, I think Thor would be cool with any alcohol that is high quality and has a traditionally masculine character.

Plus he's a god who is associated with the working class (though him being a god and all, I wouldn't take a chance with Bud or PBR or Milwaukee's Best), so I think a good strong beer (like Warsteiner or a Sam Adams lager) or whiskey (like Maker's Mark or Rebel Yell), or even potent moonshine oughtta please him.

>>9038

>>9033

Okay, so I'm not going crazy. What's going on though? I'll see if I can send a report to the board owner or something.

>>9043

It's just the faulty 8chan database working at maximum overdrive. We have to wait for the new software release soon.

Tonight is Mother's Night.

Who else is doing an all-night vigil till the sun comes up?

>>9095

At midnight, I went to the shore of the half-frozen lake near my house, prayed to the gods and my ancestors, and poured out a shot of rum for each of them, and then set another shot on fire.

It felt a little clumsy to speak out loud into the frozen air, but words came. I thanked Freyja for her guidance, my ancestors for the strength they gave me and for waking me up, and I thanked vili for helping whites overcome their problems with intellect and thor for helping us overcome problems with strength, and thanked them all for giving us the tools so that we'd never have to rely on miracle and luck to save us.

I'll do something at sunrise too.

I went outside and offered a horn of mead to Odin tonight mixed with my blood. The mead I made myself one year ago and spiced with Hazelnuts I drank half then poured the rest into the roots of the largest tree I could find (this tree also had many branches as well). I then got drunk as fuck. I plan on offering a blot on the 25th since we get a full moon and one more on New year's eve all with the same mead I brewed. I also plan on reading the havamal during the days of Yule

>>9099

>>9098

Held a private Blot and Sumbel at the altar in my room. Invoked the gods, goddesses, spirits and ancestors, and performed toasts, boasts and prayer as I made offerings of beer, oatmeal and crackers.

Spent the rest of the night reading Voluspa, Havamal, and Vafthrudnismal; after which I just sat in quiet contemplation and introspection as I watched the Yule candle burn through the night. My cat came into my room later, and judging by her purring and restfulness, things appeared to have went well.

At sunrise, went outside, praised the gods, and left my offerings, and took in the day. Shortly after I proceeded to crash. Overall a very satisfying experience.

Planning on having another vigil for Yuletide Eve, where I will offer an edible pork product of some sort, and swear my oaths for the new year.

On Sacrifice Day will be the third and final vigil, and when I will offer mead and specific gifts to the gods and goddesses.

>>9098

>It felt a little clumsy to speak out loud into the frozen air, but words came.

I feel you, that's how it always is. You think you're not a wordsmith, but once you are in the midst of the ritual, something magical happens that you can't quite explain.

>>9099

>mixed with my blood

Intense. how did you go about doing this?

>>9106

A razor and some alcohol swabs.

Maybe some of you remember me, I am the edgelord who cut himself during the bloodmoon and had an intense time walking to the spot I picked.

This time I was finished around 3:33 AM (I only know because I found a screenshot of my phone the day after that). I went to the same spot again, only it was much brighter outside so it was much less "scary". I still held my bottle of mead like a club (lol) but that might be because I was already quite drunk after visiting birthday party.

I was equipped with 3 band aids, a Swiss army knife, a torch (the electric kind, English sucks) even though I didn't need it, a bottle of mead I bought at a Christmas market and 2 coins (silver form the German Empire, 1 of then I carry around all the time, the other only at special occasions. I need one more).

When I reached my spot, I faced one direction and started talking, Normally I'd pick 3 gods I'd address (usually the same too), but this time I was quite emotional (tears were shed due to me having a niece and my land being overrun by immigrants) and talked to all of those who would listen. At the moment I though that it might be a good idea, as I couldn't afford to be picky and, so I thought at that moment, neither could those who would be willing to listen to me.

Nothing rhymed in my speech as I'm unfortunately an awful poet and everything was improvised. When I thought I made my point, I opened the bottle, took 9 sips and spilled the rest on the ground near a tree. After that I cut my left middle finger at the top and spilled a few drops of blood on the ground and headed back straight into my bed.

Sorry for the kind of long text, but I also write this partially for me.

>>9111

That sounds really really nice. Would you wind sharing the hallucinations, or is that too personal?

>>9113

>>9115

While I do recall that runes were often stained with the carver's own blood for more power and potency, what is the precedent for sacrificing one's own blood independent of this context?

>>9115

I could see other people around the fire, they were dressed in white and on either side of me. It wasnt just flashes either, it was pretty constant. At the time it seemed perfectly normal, it was only after the fact that I realised how strange it was.

Im not bullshitting either. Never hallucinated before in my life, and ive pulled all-nighters before.

>>9119

Correct me if I am wrong but does not Blot just mean Blood much like Blut? I always figured that. I sacrifice a small bit of my own blood because I cannot sacrifice any animals. I only took part in one sacrifice involving a live pig. Most of the times I just use Mead I made myself mix with my blood. I always wear my hammer and pour from a horn though.

>>9128

Tonight I did the same I went to the biggest tree near me (a tree with three trunks and many branches) I offered my mead mixed with my blood and offered some Stollen (It is a German fruit cake made from honey, preserved fruit, and nuts) I made last night. Called out to Odin and Thor and invited them to partake in my libations. I then said "Til ars ok fridar" then drank half a horn then spilled the rest onto the roots of the tree.

>>9119

My reasoning is as follows:

I share the blood with all of my forebears. It connects all of them with each other and with me. The mead was intended for them, so I spilled them with it. I didn't mix them, but I might I might do that the next time as think it's a good idea.

It also is a little challenge, at least for me. For cutting oneself, you need to overcome some hesitation. It's the same with turning on the cold water in a shower for example.

>>9129

>Stollen

Now that's interesting and I never considered. I mean really interesting. It is usually said, that the Stollen is representing the baby Jesus, the powdered sugar being the cloth it is wrapped in.

Considering the whole story evolving around birth was hijacked by Christians, maybe one can assume this also was the case with the Stollen? Anyway, it's great idea I think. You basically offered something representing a Baby

>>9121

Did they just sit, or was there some kind of communication happening?

>>9141

They stood and stared into the fire. No talking or anything like that.

>>9141

So are you saying the Stollen was Stolen? Lolz

We did our usual things: gathered the family, decorated a tree, exchanged gifts, and cooked a pig. They are still pretty early in their recovery from Semitic monotheism, so rather than try to drag them into a full-scale Yule blot, throughout the week I sprinkled some assorted anecdotes about the ancient European folkways associated with Yule.

I reckon Yule as beginning on the 21st and running through the 1st, so I will make a more proper and elaborate offering on the final night.

>>8949

>We have a Yule Moon which happens to fall on the 25th this year, but I have mixed feelings about putting in a lot of effort on the christcuck high holiday.

It's ours anyway. Woden is the reason for the season.

My grandmother went blind years ago, but will still occasionally see random things here and there, somehow. She pointed out the full moon to us on the evening of the 25th. We were visited by ravens in the yard. You really can't make this shit up.