On Odinic Spirituality…”The Odisbook”
“ The height of Odinic spirituality has always been the use and study of symbols and metaphors , which shall be explored throughout this book .
The symbol , whether it be an actual pictograph such as a rune , or poetic phrasing in the lore , manifests itself on so many levels for the observer that they very inspiration it brings is considered a gift from the divine .
The very name Odin means ' inspiration or ecstasy , " both of which denote the “ eureka ' moments one may enjoy while exploring the symbols . It is also found in the name of the well that Odin drew his powerful runes from which is called Odroerir " The Stirrer of Odr , " which as we have seen the odr is the inspiring force we receive from the Gods .
We gain this from reading the lore , performing our sacred ceremonies , and contemplating the wisdom of the runes.
Each time we engage in these activities various levels of truth and enlightenment may be revealed by the various symbols employed . Books and essays from other followers may help you in cracking the codes of symbology found within the Heathen belief , but ultimately this exploration is your own , and nothing can beat the feeling you get from figuring it out for yourself .
My hope in breaking down some of the symbols is to help get you started on this road to discovery , but in the end what you gain from the symbols is entirely up to you .
One thing that must always be kept in mind is that Odinic spirituality is nothing more than the search for a happy , fulfilled life .
Our Gods want us to enjoy the existence they have bestowed upon us as our most precious gift , which we must never take for granted . Odin tells us that " everyone should be joyous and generous until his hour of death , ” and we typically view the Gods and Goddesses as being filled with laughter and joy.
Our morality does not consist of vague taboos or an endless list of Commandments — it is direct and to the point , so we know that when we have done wrong we must make amends .
Thus there is no place for guilt or fear of ineptitude , for we can judge our own actions as much as the Gods can .
Have honor , celebrate the blóts ( ceremonial offerings ) , protect your family , and live your life to the fullest; hen you will always measure up in the eyes of the Gods of your blood .
You may stumble , you may fall , you may make the worst mistakes imaginable , but as long as you work to make things right in the end , you are always welcome home . And the Gods are our home , for they are the lifeblood of our folk .
Imagine the most perfect ideal of a loving parent to a child , with all the compassion , love , forgiveness , and patience that one would have , and then expand it to a level of divinity and there you have our relationship with our Gods . So , there is no place in Odinism / Ásatrú for dour , angry deities ; no hate - filled decrees to kill those who do not think like us , and no concept that we of the North are some superior chosen people . "
Our path is forever one of improvement , of enlightenment , and of struggle . Our reaching for divinity consists of our own spiritual practice towards bettering ourselves and our folk through upward evolution . Even in the midst of the fiercest conflict we will take the time to remember the miracle and joy that is life , for it is life that we hold highest in our hearts “.
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