FATE
The most striking feature of the Heathen warrior in our lore is their valiant acceptance of fate and destiny. They do not waste time lamenting their preordained lot by the Nornir; instead, they move forward with steadfast resolve, knowing that their ǫrlǫg guides them as it must. They do not merely endure it, […]
Law Man
The Lawmen (Lǫgmaðr) of ancient Heathenry were not merely those who upheld the law of the people; they were also the final bulwark against the rise of tyrannical kings. It is noteworthy that as European monarchs consolidated power under Christendom, the position of the Lawman was gradually dissolved. Having regional districts led by influential individuals […]
The Herdrengr
The warrior is the man of action. He is the one who protects the people and sees to it that all are safe. He embodies the strength and courage needed to uphold his family and his folk’s honor and survival. This was not a role reserved for a specific class, or warrior class, of […]
Minjar
The word used in the ancient Norse tongue for a relic is minja (pl. minjar), which is defined as a remembrance, perhaps denoting the idea that the symbol laid upon an altar reminds us of our traditions and lore within the Heathen faith. Later, Christians also employed this term to refer to their own relics, […]
Rétta
The Old Norse term rétt signified a right or a claim to something. When a wrong or harm had been done, the aggrieved party could make a claim (rétt) against the wrongdoer. The offender, in turn, was obligated to perform rétta, literally “to make right” or “to straighten out” the situation. In practical terms, this […]
Nine Níðar
Every religion in the world has certain restrictions that generally serve in curbing wanton desires or malevolent tendencies. These taboos represent time-tested principles based upon human experience expressed through the folk-will. As stated, our eschatology— our beliefs in the afterlife— is retributive, with the powers of ǫrlǫg reaching beyond the borders of life and death. […]
Corporal Punishment
The notion of taking someone’s life for the commission of a crime is one of the oldest legal concepts in the world. Indeed, law-codes have existed in the past that placed this form of justice as the primary means of maintaining order, which we see today as more a mark of tyrants than a proper […]
Historic Law: the Oath Ring
A ring weighing two ounces or more should lie on the stalli in every chief Hof, and this ring should every Goði have upon his arm at every law-Þing at which he should be at the head of affairs, having first reddened it in the blood of a neat (cow) which he had sacrificed himself […]
Atonement
With any form of legal structure, transgression must have some form of redemption. When one makes mistakes there must be some way to make up for what you have done. In our religion this involves direct action, and thus we must make amends to those we have harmed, including the Gods. This comes […]
The Power of Clan
Any government can turn on its people, and we can’t promise a utopian vision or dictate how the world should be run. What we offer instead is a foundation you can rely upon, if built correctly. That foundation is tradition. For thousands of years, tradition has been the cornerstone of cooperation and the glue […]