Resources
What is Heathenry?
Modern heathenry has been described as many things by many different heathen groups. This is completely natural as only each group can set their own thew and steer their folk into whatever direction they see fit. Rúnatýr Kindred reflects this as well. The Kindred is ever changing and dynamic and reflects the values and ideals of its membership as well as unifying us as a regional folk. Kindreds throughout the world will vary based upon locality. What this means is that local and national laws and societal mores play a large part in shaping the make-up of the folk, as does the seasonal tides, layout of the land beneath our feet and the way we approach the building of honourable bonds of worth between mankind and the holy powers. This was equally true of the ancient heathens. Each tribe, kindred, theod, goðord, sippe, sitte, etc. formed the basis of their worldview through observing the natural world around them and utilizing societal relationships to shape that world into a thew that was representative of that people. Though there were many similar cultural traditions that were shared among all forms of pre-Christian indigenous Germanic folkways.
Some of these would have been the importance of forming a right relationship with the regional holy powers, Goddess(es) and lesser regional powers, known by many as wights, vaettir, tomten, etc. These relationships were based upon gift giving, such as among good friends, by way of sacrifice (blót) or squandering (sóa). Sometimes these forms of honouring are very personal to each modern heathen and cannot be classified, though the underlying current is that building honourable bonds of worth can greatly improve your luck and that of your kin. Forms of ritual drinking were also common. Today we often hear of symbel, where a group of people gather to honour in word the greatness of their holy powers, ancestors or their friends in attendance. At times participants will boast of their accomplishments or make oaths to bolster their renown among their folk. When these oaths made are completed, much luck can be had by those in attendance as each person present were witnesses to those words and saw them committed to deed and fulfilled. At times, very sad times, oaths are not completed which have the opposite effect on the folk. Broken words, broken bonds, sully the renown of all who were present and therefore their luck. In times such as those it is imperative that a form of restitution be made, at times referred to as scyld, to somehow repair some of the damage done to the character of those who were there when the oath was made.
The Rúnafolk take the building and preservation of their good luck and renown quite seriously, though that does not mean that there is no place for a good laugh among friends, among folk. We invite many heathens and non-heathens of good repute to join us in open symbel so that they may experience the essence of heathen life and possibly make a true connection to the folkway. Our blóts are also open to the public, although much importance is put upon the sacredness of what the blót means to our folk, so respect for our holy powers and luck of our Kindred are to be upheld at all times. We live a life of hospitality and the enjoyment of good food and drink as these aspects of heathen culture are the foundation upon which all else is built. We recomend that you take the time to read our constitution to get a better sense of our thew.
Recommended Reading List/ Library
Here are some books and articles by the father of heathen reconstructionism, Bil Linzie
- Investigating the Afterlife Concepts of the Norse Heathen: A Reconstructionist's Approach revised (PDF)
- Reconstructionism's Role in Modern Heathenry (PDF)
- Germanic Spirituality (PDF)
- Uncovering the Effects of Cultural Backgroundon the Reconstruction of Ancient Worldviews (PDF)
Other titles
- The Road to Hel, H.R. Ellis Davidson (PDF)
- Culture of the Teutons V. 1, Vilhelm Grönbech
- Culture of the Teutons V. 2, Vilhelm Grönbech
Here are some titles from our lore (all PDF)
- The Poetic Edda, Benjamin Thorpe translation
- The Prose Edda of Snorri Sturlson, Arthur Gilchrist Brodeur translation
- Tacitus' Germania
Additional resources (external sites)
- Wednesbury Shire
- - This site contains much information regarding Anglo-Saxon heathenry and can be a great resource for any modern heathen
- Asatru Lore
- - This forum is dedicated to the reconstruction of ancient heathen folkways and promoting a scholarly approach to heathenry. Very recommended as a source for information and sources. (Be forewarned if you do sign-up use the search button lots, don’t present UPG as proof and above all read more, post less)
- Temple of our Heathen Gods
- - This is the site of Jotun’s Bane Kindred located in the Heartland of the US. They have done much for the promotion of modern heathenry worldwide. They are a folkish kindred and the views of their membership reflect this philosophy. They have an interactive forum as well as a substantial library.
- Frithling Society of Newfoundland
- - This is the site of the Frithling Society of Newfoundland and is doing wonderful things for heathenry on the east coast as well as establishing good thew for Newfoundland heathenry.
- Heathen Freehold Society of B.C.
- - This is the site for the Heathen Freehold Society of British-Columbia. They have an interactive and informative forum dedicated to growing heathenry in western Canada.
- Upper Canada Pagan Gathering
- - This is the site for the Upper Canada Pagan Gathering which features Midgard Festival. This festival is wonderful for all who attend and has a great deal of heathen ritual such as a blót, symbel and informative heathen workshops.
- Raven's Knoll
- - This is the site for Raven’s Knoll a campsite located in Eganville, Ontario dedicated to providing sacred land for all pagans. Austin Lawrence, co-owner along with his wife Maryanne Pierce, is an oathed Gođi with the American Vindland Association and has a Master’s degree in anthropology. He is well respected by our folk and considered our regional Gođi as we consider Raven’s Knoll to be his Gođord
- Kaleidoscope Gathering
- - This is the site for the Kaleidoscope Gathering, which is local festival for pagans and pagan-friendly folk. If ever you can make it out to this festival you are doing yourself a favour. It is held at Raven’s Knoll and as such plays host to many heathens groups from across Canada.
- Three Rivers Festival: ADF Canada East Regional Gathering
- - This is the site for the ADF (modern Druidic) Three Rivers Festival. Although it is a mainly celtic and druidic event, many local heathens participate in the gathering in good spirit.
- Axenthof Thiad: ALLE UNRIUCHTE THING FORMITHA
- - This is the site for the Axenthof Thiad, a Frisian Theod with very interesting articles.
- Swain Wodening’s Blog
- - This is Swain Wodening’s blog. The articles are well written and informative.