Reconstructing Our Law
In order to fully reconstruct the law of our religion, we must first determine how that law has worked throughout the millennia, and then explain how we can utilize it today. The primary function of law is to limit human behavior in a way that develops social and spiritual cohesion and thus allows us to […]
Damnation
There has been a popular notion within the New Age movement that the concepts of morality and damnation in the afterlife are the inventions of Abrahamic religions and have nothing to do with ancient polytheist systems. When one examines these systems it is easy to discern the truth that most of the religions in the […]
Lawmen
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 […]
The Þing
No legal system can effectively function without some authority to administer and interpret the laws therein. Any “law” created by people with no plan to reinforce it with a judiciary is useless, and the system is no better than anarchy. Laws must come with consequences, which must be applied justly and fairly by a court […]
War
War differs from peace in many ways. Most of the laws we have considered address peacetime and deal with wrongdoings at home. Yet war requires its own principles. There must be rules of conduct to keep soldiers disciplined and to govern how disputes are settled in combat. Humanity has long recognized the frenzy of battle, […]
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 […]