My Goal
June 15, 2010 ( Updated May 25, 2012)
This blog is for those who are lone practitioners of the Old Germanic and Scandinavian religions or those who have joined, tried to join, kindreds or Asatru organizations, and been disillusioned by their rules or message. I will not judge you here! My message is a simple one: Love the Gods and Goddesses as they love us! All ideas and thoughts are open for discussion without judgment or ridicule. I ask only that we speak to each other with respect.
I am, like you, a lone voice calling out in the dark trying to make sense of our religion and how it affects us, our friends, and our families. I hope that you will join me here in discussion and friendship! I am a Godi in the sense that I speak to the Gods and Goddesses, and relate to others what they impart to me. I do not feel that I preach to anyone, I am simply trying to show others the path that has been shown to me. I answer to no kindred, group, or organization, and therefore have few biased opinions. Well, other than the fact I don't like organized religion.
I consider myself not to be an expert on our lore, or our religion, but well versed enough to be called a Kennari . ( Teacher ) What I am trying to teach is a simple lesson : We should listen to what the Gods and Goddesses are teaching us as individuals, and not just accept what the experts tell us is the meaning of our lore to be a blanket truth that covers us all. For the truth, and the way, lies within each of us, and is sacred to each individual.
My duty to the Gods and Goddesses is to teach those who are just entering our Asatru religion, and to make them feel comfortable, and at home in this new environment. I like to think of my site, and blog as, " Germanic / Scandinavian religion 101 ". Though what I am teaching may be rudimentary to established folk in our religion, I believe that there is a little something for everyone on my site. I have added poetry and short stories over the last year, and also, " Mead of Wisdom", and recurring articles called Scandinavian / Germanic Cultural Heritage. I hope that my efforts will help all those in our religion.
I dedicate this blog to Sveinbjorn Beinteinsson, the mentor I never met. From him I have learned a lifetime of lessons !
" To teach is to learn twice. " - Joseph Joubert
Glenn Bergen
Go with Odin' s wisdom, Freyja' s love and Thor' s protection!
The Triad
November 23, 2010
Nothing in this life has meant more to me then when the Great Triad of Aesir Gods and Goddesses called to me all those years ago. My life had lost meaning, and substance. I could not see past my own needs and selfishness. Then, over time, I felt a great awakening of introspective thought, inner strength and love that I had never felt before. It took a while for me to hear the voices that went along with these changes. They were faint at first but over the years grew in intensity until I knew for sure who the Gods and Goddesses were behind the whisperings that I heard. They were Great Odin, Mighty Thor and Magical Freyja. Being an Agnostic, at first, I tried to ignore their calling. Tried to deny their words of wisdom, friendship and love, but over time what they showed me was too powerful to deny any longer. Finally, I gave myself to them mind, heart and soul. They became a part of me like my arms and my legs. From Great Father Odin I gained patience, wisdom and the ability to look past today and see what my tommorrows could be. He also taught me that the past cannot be changed and therefore should be reconciled with and learned from but not dwelled on. From Mighty Thor I learned that strength does not come from might alone but from the honor gained from doing what is good and right. He has been a constant companion and friend to me for years. I think I owe the most to Magical Freyja, whose bright spirit and heart of gold has changed me from a bitter person to one who can now see what love truly is. My favorite poem describes her best:
In your light I learn how to love.
In your beauty, how to make poems.
You dance inside my chest,
where no one sees you,
but sometimes I do,
and that sight becomes this art.
- Rumi
Everything I am, and everything I will become is guided by Their hands and Their wills. I owe Them everything but can never repay Their guidance, love and understanding. Because of Them I am a better person and can see others for their better selves. I have no understanding of why they have done all this for me and probably never will. But I will, for the rest of my life, work to honor them by trying to bring our religion to new heights and in new directions. I do this for one reason and one reason only, love. They have given me a great gift and this is my gift in return.
" A person is only as good as what they love. " - Saul Bellow.
Glenn Bergen
Go with Odin's wisdom, Freyja's love, and Thor's protection !
What is a Follower of the Old Ways ?
June 15, 2010 ( Updated May 25, 2012 )
What is A Follower Of The Old Ways ? It is the antithesis of every association or organization in religion. In essence we are an anti - organization organization. We are comprised of those who are tired of being given all kinds of rules as to how to love and honor our Gods and Goddesses. We are lone practitioners we do not need anyone telling us to follow them to a more perfect religion. Each individual should be allowed to express their love for the Gods in their own way, not the way they are told by some organization or association.
Rules: Yes there has to be some basic rules even here.
1. You must consider yourself to be a follower of the old Germanic / Scandinavian Gods and Goddesses.
2. You must love and honor the Gods.
3. You must never dishonor the Gods.
4. You must respect the opinions of all other members, whether you agree with their views or not. Remember they are independent also !
5. Racism will not be tolerated !
6. We treat all other religions with the same respect that we deserve from them.
Membership Dues: None ! It does not cost anything to love and honor the Gods. And Their love for us is Their gift in return.
Publications: None! This is not a money making operation but a religion. If you are looking for magazines I would suggest The Publisher, s Clearing House.
Gothi or priests : Leave your title at the door. We are all equal here and we address each other simply by name or as friend. We are lone practitioners and have no need of any hierarchy.
How do I join? Well if your here, and if you meet the above ( not very stringent ), criteria you already belong.
Our goal is simply to talk about our religion and to make all lone practitioners aware that just because they honor the Gods alone they are not alone at all. There are a lot of folk out there just like you who are just looking for people to discuss our religious issues with. So come join us in discussion and friendship !
"He who asks is a fool for five minutes, but he who does not ask remains a fool forever." -Chinese proverb
Glenn Bergen
Go with Odin' s wisdom, Freyja' s love and Thor' s protection !
This blog is for those who are lone practitioners of the Old Germanic and Scandinavian religions or those who have joined, tried to join, kindreds or Asatru organizations, and been disillusioned by their rules or message. I will not judge you here! My message is a simple one: Love the Gods and Goddesses as they love us! All ideas and thoughts are open for discussion without judgment or ridicule. I ask only that we speak to each other with respect.
I am, like you, a lone voice calling out in the dark trying to make sense of our religion and how it affects us, our friends, and our families. I hope that you will join me here in discussion and friendship! I am a Godi in the sense that I speak to the Gods and Goddesses, and relate to others what they impart to me. I do not feel that I preach to anyone, I am simply trying to show others the path that has been shown to me. I answer to no kindred, group, or organization, and therefore have few biased opinions. Well, other than the fact I don't like organized religion.
I consider myself not to be an expert on our lore, or our religion, but well versed enough to be called a Kennari . ( Teacher ) What I am trying to teach is a simple lesson : We should listen to what the Gods and Goddesses are teaching us as individuals, and not just accept what the experts tell us is the meaning of our lore to be a blanket truth that covers us all. For the truth, and the way, lies within each of us, and is sacred to each individual.
My duty to the Gods and Goddesses is to teach those who are just entering our Asatru religion, and to make them feel comfortable, and at home in this new environment. I like to think of my site, and blog as, " Germanic / Scandinavian religion 101 ". Though what I am teaching may be rudimentary to established folk in our religion, I believe that there is a little something for everyone on my site. I have added poetry and short stories over the last year, and also, " Mead of Wisdom", and recurring articles called Scandinavian / Germanic Cultural Heritage. I hope that my efforts will help all those in our religion.
I dedicate this blog to Sveinbjorn Beinteinsson, the mentor I never met. From him I have learned a lifetime of lessons !
" To teach is to learn twice. " - Joseph Joubert
Glenn Bergen
Go with Odin' s wisdom, Freyja' s love and Thor' s protection!
The Triad
November 23, 2010
Nothing in this life has meant more to me then when the Great Triad of Aesir Gods and Goddesses called to me all those years ago. My life had lost meaning, and substance. I could not see past my own needs and selfishness. Then, over time, I felt a great awakening of introspective thought, inner strength and love that I had never felt before. It took a while for me to hear the voices that went along with these changes. They were faint at first but over the years grew in intensity until I knew for sure who the Gods and Goddesses were behind the whisperings that I heard. They were Great Odin, Mighty Thor and Magical Freyja. Being an Agnostic, at first, I tried to ignore their calling. Tried to deny their words of wisdom, friendship and love, but over time what they showed me was too powerful to deny any longer. Finally, I gave myself to them mind, heart and soul. They became a part of me like my arms and my legs. From Great Father Odin I gained patience, wisdom and the ability to look past today and see what my tommorrows could be. He also taught me that the past cannot be changed and therefore should be reconciled with and learned from but not dwelled on. From Mighty Thor I learned that strength does not come from might alone but from the honor gained from doing what is good and right. He has been a constant companion and friend to me for years. I think I owe the most to Magical Freyja, whose bright spirit and heart of gold has changed me from a bitter person to one who can now see what love truly is. My favorite poem describes her best:
In your light I learn how to love.
In your beauty, how to make poems.
You dance inside my chest,
where no one sees you,
but sometimes I do,
and that sight becomes this art.
- Rumi
Everything I am, and everything I will become is guided by Their hands and Their wills. I owe Them everything but can never repay Their guidance, love and understanding. Because of Them I am a better person and can see others for their better selves. I have no understanding of why they have done all this for me and probably never will. But I will, for the rest of my life, work to honor them by trying to bring our religion to new heights and in new directions. I do this for one reason and one reason only, love. They have given me a great gift and this is my gift in return.
" A person is only as good as what they love. " - Saul Bellow.
Glenn Bergen
Go with Odin's wisdom, Freyja's love, and Thor's protection !
What is a Follower of the Old Ways ?
June 15, 2010 ( Updated May 25, 2012 )
What is A Follower Of The Old Ways ? It is the antithesis of every association or organization in religion. In essence we are an anti - organization organization. We are comprised of those who are tired of being given all kinds of rules as to how to love and honor our Gods and Goddesses. We are lone practitioners we do not need anyone telling us to follow them to a more perfect religion. Each individual should be allowed to express their love for the Gods in their own way, not the way they are told by some organization or association.
Rules: Yes there has to be some basic rules even here.
1. You must consider yourself to be a follower of the old Germanic / Scandinavian Gods and Goddesses.
2. You must love and honor the Gods.
3. You must never dishonor the Gods.
4. You must respect the opinions of all other members, whether you agree with their views or not. Remember they are independent also !
5. Racism will not be tolerated !
6. We treat all other religions with the same respect that we deserve from them.
Membership Dues: None ! It does not cost anything to love and honor the Gods. And Their love for us is Their gift in return.
Publications: None! This is not a money making operation but a religion. If you are looking for magazines I would suggest The Publisher, s Clearing House.
Gothi or priests : Leave your title at the door. We are all equal here and we address each other simply by name or as friend. We are lone practitioners and have no need of any hierarchy.
How do I join? Well if your here, and if you meet the above ( not very stringent ), criteria you already belong.
Our goal is simply to talk about our religion and to make all lone practitioners aware that just because they honor the Gods alone they are not alone at all. There are a lot of folk out there just like you who are just looking for people to discuss our religious issues with. So come join us in discussion and friendship !
"He who asks is a fool for five minutes, but he who does not ask remains a fool forever." -Chinese proverb
Glenn Bergen
Go with Odin' s wisdom, Freyja' s love and Thor' s protection !
