In the Vǫluspá, we learn that the Gods were loving—ástgir—when They created us. The component ást means "love" or "affection", thus rendering ástgir as "loving" or "affectionate". In Old English, the word would be ēstig.

This provides Germanic Pagans with a valuable insight into the nature of our Gods, specifically Óðinn, Hœnir, and Lóðurr—the three Gods responsible for our creation.

Image: Odin, Hoenir and Lodur create Ask and Embla - Lorenz Frölich (1895).

According to Aristotle, a quarter of the state's land should be dedicated to religious use:

"The expense of religious worship should likewise be a public charge. The land must therefore be divided into two parts, one public and the other private, and each part should be subdivided, part of the public land being appropriated to the service of the Gods ..."

Aristotle, Politics 1330a

Woden by Karol Michalec

The Gods were loving, ástgir, when Askr and Embla were created.

Special thank you to Survive the Jive for sending me free access to his course, Starting Heathenry, for review.

To preface, I was limited in what I managed to get through in the course due to religious commitments to my hearth, so what follows will solely be in reference to modules 1-3 only.

The course primarily focuses on what we know about rituals in Germanic Paganism using the historical sources as a reference, which is a foundation I agree with. It is also commendable that STJ makes it clear whether a statement made is his own personal opinion or interpretation, allowing you to make up your own mind on whether you agree or disagree.

If you are already adept in Germanic Paganism, the course may not be for you. However, complete newcomers to Germanic Paganism may find it helpful for the following reasons:

-Easy-to-follow format: The structure of the course is set out similarly to how you'd organise study notes. In addition, there is a transcript under each video, which is a nice option for those who prefer to read, rather than watch videos.

-Micro-learning structure: The course is designed using the micro-learning strategy, allowing those with limited time to get through it at a steady pace.

-Resource compendium: At the end of each module there is a list of historical sources relevant to the information shared in the module itself. I like this because I believe that the sources must be the framework Germanic Pagans build upon today, so it is nice to see that this method is also being used here.

Overall, I would say that this course is definitely designed for newcomers to Germanic Paganism as it is very "back-to-basics" by design. Learned Pagans may also find it helpful in compiling a compendium of sources as well.

A note I'd make light of is that in module 3, statements in regards to ritual seem to draw heavily from Mircea Eliade's work from the 20th century. Namely, The Sacred and Profane. Whilst Eliade has produced some interesting and thought-provoking work that modern Pagans may wish to draw upon today, I believe that an edit to the position put forth in module 3 specifically, should be clarified to be an that of an opinion influenced by Eliade. (This is independent of whether I myself agree or disagree with Eliade, but rather a clarification I believe should be made given that it draws upon modern philosophical interpretations that our ancestors may or may not have believed).

While it is true that you can find all of the information readily available online and in YouTube videos for free, it can become very time-consuming for those with a busy schedule. Additionally, some sources may also be hard to find in English. Starting Heathenry is an option for those who may want a streamlined course that you can pick up and get through in bite-sized modules.

Germanic morality triumphs over Abrahamic delusion. Song: ULTRA SUNN - Keep Your Eyes Peeled.

An epithet of Woden-Óðinn is Yggr ("Terrifying"). In what sense is Óðinn terrifying? Some may call Óðinn a god of war, and there is some truth to that. However, Óðinn's terrifying intensity cannot be described in the sense of vengeful or malicious rage. Óðinn, when completely engulfed in spiritual awareness, what we call "divine madness", appears terrifying to us.

Read the full article:
Odin's Self-Sacrifice: The True Meaning of Enlightenment

Environmental changes in Mesolithic to Late Neolithic Scandinavia

An interesting observation in the Population Genomics in Stone Age Eurasia paper by Allentoft et al (2022) is the significant environmental changes that occurred based on the lifestyle of different cultural groups that existed in Scandinavia across time.

In the Mesolithic, when Western and Scandinavian Hunter-Gatherer peoples lived, vegetation was dominated by primary forest trees (Tilia, Ulmus, Quercus, Fraxinus, Alnus, etc.). No significant deforestation took place, suggesting that the hunter-gatherer peoples of Scandinavia lived in a symbiotic relationship with nature.

By the Neolithic, during the Funnelbeaker culture phase (c. 4300-2800 BC) and the onset of agriculture in Scandinavia, forests were repeatedly cleared by fire to give room for pastureland, followed by regrowth. This suggests that the Early European Farmer inhabitants of Scandinavia created temporary open spaces of pasture before allowing them to regrow.

With the onset of the Single Grave culture (2800-2200 BC) and migration of semi-pastoral steppe herders into Scandinavia, permanent deforestation took place. Some forests did regrow, dominated by two primary forest trees, Tilia and Ulmus. This suggests that some forests were permanently cut down by these people to create open pastures for cattle.

In light of new evidence, it is curious to note the subsistence strategy of the East Scandinavian cluster, the population of Late Neolithic Scandinavians who primarily carried Y-haplogroup I1 and replaced both the aforementioned Funnelbeaker culture and Single Grave culture (who were technically in their Flint Dagger culture phase).

The East Scandinavian cluster relied on a hunter-fisher-pastoral subsistence strategy, which is interesting because it is a reflection of what we can infer their origin story is based on the most recent evidence: Scandinavian Hunter-Gatherer men primarily carrying Y-haplogroup I1 with Battle Axe culture wives, forming a unique culture whereby the men were patrilineal and followed the stone cist burial tradition of their fathers, who were ultimately hunter-gatherers (and, based on strontium isotope analysis, possibly from East Sweden. Perhaps Mälaren Valley).

The Declaration of Tradition now has over 210 signatures. As one of the primary authors of the DOT, it is pleasing to see Germanic Pagans using this as an established pillar to take collective action as a whole.

SIGN HERE:
declarationoftradition.com