I have some questions relating to Asatru...

[GKDAIR]

Sorry I have so many topics, its so hard finding answers to my questions in an active forum. I've only found a couple that are somewhat active. This included

Anyway, I discovered this yesterday and really started researching it. I've felt called to pagaism for some reason and I honestly feel as if this is the right path.

My questions are more aimed at Asatru but if anybody knows the answers then you could help me

1) How exactly do I go about worshipping these gods? I read somewhere that they didn't like people praying to them, so what am I exactly supposed to do? Could I still have an alter or something and honor them?



2) The afterlife is all confusing to me, as the norse had like 6 places people go when they die. I'm not sure what to believe in this reguard, so what do most Asatru or Pagans believe happens when you die, and I will go from there.

3) I've read that you can only be Asatru if you have nordic roots. I have german roots in me so i'm covered, but do most Asatru believe that really anybody can believe in their gods?

[Juniperberry]

Sorry I have so many topics, its so hard finding answers to my questions in an active forum. I've only found a couple that are somewhat active. This included

Anyway, I discovered this yesterday and really started researching it. I've felt called to pagaism for some reason and I honestly feel as if this is the right path.

My questions are more aimed at Asatru but if anybody knows the answers then you could help me

You'd probably get more answers if you asked for this to be moved to the Asatru SIG.

1) How exactly do I go about worshipping these gods? I read somewhere that they didn't like people praying to them, so what am I exactly supposed to do? Could I still have an alter or something and honor them?

You could go outside with a beer, introduce yourself (i.e. John, son of Mary and Adam, descended from Robert E Lee) then take a drink and share (pour out) some with the gods.

It's a little more in depth than that, but it's a start. Going to www.asatrulore.org will help a lot.

2) The afterlife is all confusing to me, as the norse had like 6 places people go when they die. I'm not sure what to believe in this reguard, so what do most Asatru or Pagans believe happens when you die, and I will go from there.

The best bet is just to hope you join your ancestors where ever they may be. In the meantime, try and be a person worth remembering so that your family will carry your name forever.

3) I've read that you can only be Asatru if you have nordic roots. I have german roots in me so i'm covered, but do most Asatru believe that really anybody can believe in their gods?

Not true. There are folkish heathens that say this, but it really has nothing to do with anything. Either you believe it or you don't, but it's a modern social view and not inherent in the "religion".

[cigfran]

...it's a modern social view and not inherent in the "religion".

Why the quotes?

[Juniperberry]

Why the quotes?

Because while it has the trappings of religion, there are some heathens that don't consider it as such. Its a patchwork quilt of beliefs and folklore more so than anything organized and there isn't a religious vs secular structure. It also probably wouldn't have been considered a religion by those who actually lived it, it was just the way things were done and permeated all parts of life.

So..."religion".

[cigfran]

Because while it has the trappings of religion, there are some heathens that don't consider it as such. Its a patchwork quilt of beliefs and folklore more so than anything organized and there isn't a religious vs secular structure. It also probably wouldn't have been considered a religion by those who actually lived it, it was just the way things were done and permeated all parts of life.

So..."religion".

Some don't. But some do... such as those who coined the name in the first place: http://www.patheos.com/blogs/wildhun...arfelagid.html

[Juniperberry]

Some don't. But some do... such as those who coined the name in the first place: http://www.patheos.com/blogs/wildhun...arfelagid.html

Yes, by saying some don't I thought it went without saying that some do. You seem offended (or defensive?) by my use of "religion". Do you prefer that all heathens consider it a religion? If so, why?

[Ula]

1) How exactly do I go about worshipping these gods? I read somewhere that they didn't like people praying to them, so what am I exactly supposed to do? Could I still have an alter or something and honor them?

Acknowledge them and their acts, blots, work that they would find appealing. I have an altar and an ancestor wall.

2) The afterlife is all confusing to me, as the norse had like 6 places people go when they die. I'm not sure what to believe in this reguard, so what do most Asatru or Pagans believe happens when you die, and I will go from there.

I can only think of four myself. Two are for those who die in battle, one for at sea and Helheim. Yes I believe my afterlife will be in one of those places.

3) I've read that you can only be Asatru if you have nordic roots. I have german roots in me so i'm covered, but do most Asatru believe that really anybody can believe in their gods?

Historically, Asatru would cover Norse/German/ Anglo-Saxon. You definitely covered. Some gods my have variations on spelling like Wotan for Odin, Donar for Thor. I think anyone can come to the gods if they choose.