Ásatrú

Ásatrú​

Ásatrú is a celebration of life!
The Æsir, Vanir and Véttr are companions in life, whether you believe in them or perceive them as personifications of the forces and phenomena of nature and the mind.

Ásatrú is open to all interpretations, and welcomes all forms of theism and atheism. Actions show a person’s worth, and the vast majority of people are thoughtful and considerate.

Life isn’t always easy and playful, and it’s a gift to know that others have had the same challenges and longings as you, yesterday, the day before yesterday and a thousand years ago. That’s why there are Æsir, Ásynja and Jǫtunn who represent all your feelings and experiences – even those that in other faiths are “taboo” or “sinful”; Ásatrú isn’t a philosophical construction, but based on real experiences.

The Æsir aren’t here to watch over you or judge you, don’t answer prayers as in other faiths, but can be persuaded to aid you, or stand by your side, with a toast in their honor.

Blót – an offering – is a tactile way of expressing a wish or a promise. Whether your blót is received in a parallel world, or you simply enjoy giving and performing a ritual, is up to your own belief or experience. No one interferes with that.
Traditionally, the “gate” to Ásgarðr is water or fire, but if you’d rather bury your blót or offer in a completely different way is entirely up to you. Perhaps you would just raise a toast to the Ása or Ásynja that suits your mood and wishes.

Ásatrú has no organization, no holy book, no clergy, no consensus, no prohibitions, and no requirements.
The rituals are yours to decide, depending on what works for you.
When Christianity came to the North, it became known as “Inn Nyi Siðr” (the new ways), and thus Ásatrú – which had no name – became “Forn Siðr” (the old ways). Ásatrú (or Asatro) is a fairly new name.

Ásatrú isn’t an unchanged continuation of the religious traditions of the Viking Age, as we do not know exactly how the faith was experienced and practiced a thousand years ago – though, obviosly, many take inspiration from the old Norse culture and present folklore.

In modern times, it has become necessary to register Ásatrú as an official religion in order to be allowed to perform certain rituals that have formal significance, such as marriage, naming and burial.
Here you can find links to the state-recognized Ásatrú organizations in the Nordic countries: Gatherings.

Note that even these organizations do not interfere with what and how you believe, and are open to adapting rituals, etc. to your personal wishes.

Ásatrú “temples” are traditionally outdoors, in harmony with nature, but in Iceland the Ásatrúarfélagið (Ásatrú community) has designed a temple that opens in stages.

The “Hof Ásatrúarfélagsins” temple is designed by the Icelandic architect Magnús Jensson, who is also a member of the Ásatrúarfélagið.