The Odin Brotherhood
Encyclopedia
The Odin Brotherhood is a secret society
of men and women who practice a religion called Odinism
or Asatru
. These traditions belong to Germanic Neopaganism
.
The Odin Brotherhood believes that it preserves the ancient Norse warrior religion honoring the Norse pantheon of gods in Asgard
. This society focuses on self spirituality instead of one universal truth and warrior
ethics instead of pacifism
. Formal membership is said to be exclusive, passing on only by word of mouth.
. The Aesir was the pantheon of gods and goddesses ruled over by Odin
. Odin
was known as “All-Father”, ruling the earth and heavens with many other gods and goddesses.
The common belief was that these gods lived amongst humans and participated in everyday life. “Asatru stresses that .... Thor
, Odin
, and others are friends, never masters”.
Although the belief in the Norse gods and goddesses largely died off with the spread of Christianity
, the Odin Brotherhood claims that the old practices continued as a secret society
.
Since 1973 the governments of Iceland, Denmark, and Norway have officially recognized Odinism/Asatru. Today, Odinism is practiced primarily in Scandinavia, Germany, Britain, North America and Australia/New Zealand. Small communities are also found in many other countries, including Austria, Switzerland, France, Italy, Portugal, Poland, and Russia. Active groups are also found in Argentina, Brazil, Mexico, and Chile.
is self-initiation and the initiate believes he becomes the "blood brother
" of the gods. Conducted after a calling in a dream
, the ritual is conducted only at the solstices.
The initiation rite of the Odin Brotherhood involves solitude, a diet of bread and ice, a white shroud, a dagger, and a fire. The ritual is based on the "marking with the spear" ceremony described in the Ynglinga Saga
by Snorri Sturluson
.
Material describing the initiation of the Odin Brotherhood is available. Recently, more circulation of material has allowed more “Lone Wolves”, as they are called, to initiate themselves into the Odin Brotherhood by their own means.
. "Hard Polytheists," they believe that the gods are distinct, separate real divine beings not psychological archetypes or personifications of natural forces. Hard polytheists reject the idea that "all gods are one God" The Odin Brotherhood believes that monotheism
, "the belief in one totalitarian god, is preposterous and absurd." The Botherhood insists that "no single, superordinary, ineffable entity controls all realities."
The gods and goddesses of the Odin Brotherhood, which include Odin
, Thor
, Frigg
, Heimdall
, Balder
, Bragi
, Vidar
, Tyr, Freyja, and the other beings in the Norse
pantheon, are viewed as powerful entities that are finite in nature. Human in shape, the gods are physical beings that inhabit "hidden corridors" in the universe. Believing in direct contact with the gods and goddesses, the Odin Brotherhood teaches that the deities typically communicate with humanity through a system of "messengers and spies."
Followers also believe in self-spirituality, normally hostile to the idea of universal truth. Along with that, they believe that the gods they honor walk among humans on Earth and appear in the realm of nature. “Man is not free to exploit an objectified nature, Asatruers maintain, but shares a sacred environment with other soul-bestowed beings.”
Along with these beliefs, members of the Odin Brotherhood look to their sacred text of the “Eddaic Verses” (also known as the “Poetic Edda
”). These texts describe the lives of the gods and goddesses.
Secret society
A secret society is a club or organization whose activities and inner functioning are concealed from non-members. The society may or may not attempt to conceal its existence. The term usually excludes covert groups, such as intelligence agencies or guerrilla insurgencies, which hide their...
of men and women who practice a religion called Odinism
Odinism
Odinism is a type of Germanic Neopaganism.Odinism may also refer to:*Norse paganism** the cult of Odin- See also :*Odinist Fellowship*Odinic Rite*The Odin Brotherhood*Wotanism, a Völkisch / White Nationalist movement*Wodenism...
or Asatru
Ásatrú
is a form of Germanic neopaganism which developed in the United States from the 1970s....
. These traditions belong to Germanic Neopaganism
Germanic Neopaganism
Germanic neopaganism is the contemporary revival of historical Germanic paganism. Precursor movements appeared in the early 20th century in Germany and Austria. A second wave of revival began in the early 1970s...
.
The Odin Brotherhood believes that it preserves the ancient Norse warrior religion honoring the Norse pantheon of gods in Asgard
Asgard
In Norse religion, Asgard is one of the Nine Worlds and is the country or capital city of the Norse Gods surrounded by an incomplete wall attributed to a Hrimthurs riding the stallion Svadilfari, according to Gylfaginning. Valhalla is located within Asgard...
. This society focuses on self spirituality instead of one universal truth and warrior
Warrior
A warrior is a person skilled in combat or warfare, especially within the context of a tribal or clan-based society that recognizes a separate warrior class.-Warrior classes in tribal culture:...
ethics instead of pacifism
Pacifism
Pacifism is the opposition to war and violence. The term "pacifism" was coined by the French peace campaignerÉmile Arnaud and adopted by other peace activists at the tenth Universal Peace Congress inGlasgow in 1901.- Definition :...
. Formal membership is said to be exclusive, passing on only by word of mouth.
History
When the Vikings were raiding over most of Europe , they honored what was called the Aesir and the VanirVanir
In Norse mythology, the Vanir are a group of gods associated with fertility, wisdom and the ability to see the future. The Vanir are one of two groups of gods and are the namesake of the location Vanaheimr . After the Æsir–Vanir War, the Vanir became a subgroup of the Æsir...
. The Aesir was the pantheon of gods and goddesses ruled over by Odin
Odin
Odin is a major god in Norse mythology and the ruler of Asgard. Homologous with the Anglo-Saxon "Wōden" and the Old High German "Wotan", the name is descended from Proto-Germanic "*Wodanaz" or "*Wōđanaz"....
. Odin
Odin
Odin is a major god in Norse mythology and the ruler of Asgard. Homologous with the Anglo-Saxon "Wōden" and the Old High German "Wotan", the name is descended from Proto-Germanic "*Wodanaz" or "*Wōđanaz"....
was known as “All-Father”, ruling the earth and heavens with many other gods and goddesses.
The common belief was that these gods lived amongst humans and participated in everyday life. “Asatru stresses that .... Thor
Thor
In Norse mythology, Thor is a hammer-wielding god associated with thunder, lightning, storms, oak trees, strength, the protection of mankind, and also hallowing, healing, and fertility...
, Odin
Odin
Odin is a major god in Norse mythology and the ruler of Asgard. Homologous with the Anglo-Saxon "Wōden" and the Old High German "Wotan", the name is descended from Proto-Germanic "*Wodanaz" or "*Wōđanaz"....
, and others are friends, never masters”.
Although the belief in the Norse gods and goddesses largely died off with the spread of Christianity
Christianity
Christianity is a monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus as presented in canonical gospels and other New Testament writings...
, the Odin Brotherhood claims that the old practices continued as a secret society
Secret society
A secret society is a club or organization whose activities and inner functioning are concealed from non-members. The society may or may not attempt to conceal its existence. The term usually excludes covert groups, such as intelligence agencies or guerrilla insurgencies, which hide their...
.
Since 1973 the governments of Iceland, Denmark, and Norway have officially recognized Odinism/Asatru. Today, Odinism is practiced primarily in Scandinavia, Germany, Britain, North America and Australia/New Zealand. Small communities are also found in many other countries, including Austria, Switzerland, France, Italy, Portugal, Poland, and Russia. Active groups are also found in Argentina, Brazil, Mexico, and Chile.
Initiation
The initiationInitiation
Initiation is a rite of passage ceremony marking entrance or acceptance into a group or society. It could also be a formal admission to adulthood in a community or one of its formal components...
is self-initiation and the initiate believes he becomes the "blood brother
Blood brother
Blood brother can refer to one of two things: two males related by birth, or two or more men not related by birth who have sworn loyalty to each other. This is usually done in a ceremony, known as a blood oath, where the blood of each man is mingled together...
" of the gods. Conducted after a calling in a dream
Dream
Dreams are successions of images, ideas, emotions, and sensations that occur involuntarily in the mind during certain stages of sleep. The content and purpose of dreams are not definitively understood, though they have been a topic of scientific speculation, philosophical intrigue and religious...
, the ritual is conducted only at the solstices.
The initiation rite of the Odin Brotherhood involves solitude, a diet of bread and ice, a white shroud, a dagger, and a fire. The ritual is based on the "marking with the spear" ceremony described in the Ynglinga Saga
Ynglinga saga
Ynglinga saga is a legendary saga, originally written in Old Norse by the Icelandic poet Snorri Sturluson about 1225. It was first translated into English and published in 1844....
by Snorri Sturluson
Snorri Sturluson
Snorri Sturluson was an Icelandic historian, poet, and politician. He was twice elected lawspeaker at the Icelandic parliament, the Althing...
.
Material describing the initiation of the Odin Brotherhood is available. Recently, more circulation of material has allowed more “Lone Wolves”, as they are called, to initiate themselves into the Odin Brotherhood by their own means.
Beliefs
The Odin Brotherhood embraces polytheismPolytheism
Polytheism is the belief of multiple deities also usually assembled into a pantheon of gods and goddesses, along with their own mythologies and rituals....
. "Hard Polytheists," they believe that the gods are distinct, separate real divine beings not psychological archetypes or personifications of natural forces. Hard polytheists reject the idea that "all gods are one God" The Odin Brotherhood believes that monotheism
Monotheism
Monotheism is the belief in the existence of one and only one god. Monotheism is characteristic of the Baha'i Faith, Christianity, Druzism, Hinduism, Islam, Judaism, Samaritanism, Sikhism and Zoroastrianism.While they profess the existence of only one deity, monotheistic religions may still...
, "the belief in one totalitarian god, is preposterous and absurd." The Botherhood insists that "no single, superordinary, ineffable entity controls all realities."
The gods and goddesses of the Odin Brotherhood, which include Odin
Odin
Odin is a major god in Norse mythology and the ruler of Asgard. Homologous with the Anglo-Saxon "Wōden" and the Old High German "Wotan", the name is descended from Proto-Germanic "*Wodanaz" or "*Wōđanaz"....
, Thor
Thor
In Norse mythology, Thor is a hammer-wielding god associated with thunder, lightning, storms, oak trees, strength, the protection of mankind, and also hallowing, healing, and fertility...
, Frigg
Frigg
Frigg is a major goddess in Norse paganism, a subset of Germanic paganism. She is said to be the wife of Odin, and is the "foremost among the goddesses" and the queen of Asgard. Frigg appears primarily in Norse mythological stories as a wife and a mother. She is also described as having the power...
, Heimdall
Heimdall
In Norse mythology, Heimdallr is a god who possesses the resounding horn Gjallarhorn, owns the golden-maned horse Gulltoppr, has gold teeth, and is the son of Nine Mothers...
, Balder
Balder
Baldr is a god in Norse mythology.In the 12th century, Danish accounts by Saxo Grammaticus and other Danish Latin chroniclers recorded a euhemerized account of his story...
, Bragi
Bragi
Bragi is the skaldic god of poetry in Norse mythology.-Etymology:Bragi is generally associated with bragr, the Norse word for poetry. The name of the god may have been derived from bragr, or the term bragr may have been formed to describe 'what Bragi does'...
, Vidar
Vidar
In Norse mythology, Víðarr is a god among the Æsir associated with vengeance. Víðarr is described as the son of Odin and the jötunn Gríðr, and is foretold to avenge his father's death by killing the wolf Fenrir at Ragnarök, a conflict which he is described as surviving...
, Tyr, Freyja, and the other beings in the Norse
Norse
Norse may refer to:In history:* Norsemen, the Scandinavian people before the Christianization of Scandinavia** Norse mythology** Norse paganism** Norse art** Norse activity in the British IslesIn language:...
pantheon, are viewed as powerful entities that are finite in nature. Human in shape, the gods are physical beings that inhabit "hidden corridors" in the universe. Believing in direct contact with the gods and goddesses, the Odin Brotherhood teaches that the deities typically communicate with humanity through a system of "messengers and spies."
Followers also believe in self-spirituality, normally hostile to the idea of universal truth. Along with that, they believe that the gods they honor walk among humans on Earth and appear in the realm of nature. “Man is not free to exploit an objectified nature, Asatruers maintain, but shares a sacred environment with other soul-bestowed beings.”
Along with these beliefs, members of the Odin Brotherhood look to their sacred text of the “Eddaic Verses” (also known as the “Poetic Edda
Poetic Edda
The Poetic Edda is a collection of Old Norse poems primarily preserved in the Icelandic mediaeval manuscript Codex Regius. Along with Snorri Sturluson's Prose Edda, the Poetic Edda is the most important extant source on Norse mythology and Germanic heroic legends, and from the early 19th century...
”). These texts describe the lives of the gods and goddesses.
Odin Brotherhood in Today's society
Although the existence of the Odin Brotherhood is known, the identity of its members is a secret.The Valknut
The Valknut is a Norse symbol normally represented in Asatru culture. “It is formed in modern times through combination of ON valr, ‘the dead’ or ‘the slain’ and knut, ‘knot’.” It is composed of three interlocked triangles. Another interpretation of the three triangles refers to the legend of “Hrungnir’s heart”: the stone heart of the god Hrungnir with three pointed corners. Another belief is that the three triangles represent the nine worlds of Norse mythology united by the Yggdrasil (or the world tree).Primary Sources
- The Prose EddaProse EddaThe Prose Edda, also known as the Younger Edda, Snorri's Edda or simply Edda, is an Icelandic collection of four sections interspersed with excerpts from earlier skaldic and Eddic poetry containing tales from Nordic mythology...
- The Poetic EddaPoetic EddaThe Poetic Edda is a collection of Old Norse poems primarily preserved in the Icelandic mediaeval manuscript Codex Regius. Along with Snorri Sturluson's Prose Edda, the Poetic Edda is the most important extant source on Norse mythology and Germanic heroic legends, and from the early 19th century...
- Ynglinga sagaYnglinga sagaYnglinga saga is a legendary saga, originally written in Old Norse by the Icelandic poet Snorri Sturluson about 1225. It was first translated into English and published in 1844....
External links
- Odin Brotherhood
- PDF files of an Odin Brotherhood text in English, Portuguese, and Spanish.
- 80 Free books on Odinism and Asatru
- Casey Sanchez. "Prisoners of BeliefSupreme Court Ruling Boosts Odinist Inmates".
- Pagan religion Asatru gains kindred among prison population AP, via The Post and Courier, USA July 24, 2006
- Valknut – A Norse Viking Symbol