Lewis Stead

The Ravenbook

and all Americans by definition share a

culture. Also, while I admit I would think it doubtful that people

from outside of our own cultural heritage would be attracted greatly

to Asatru, if they are it is for a reason and they should be welcomed

and not shunned. It proves the worth of our religion and way of life

that it is so strong that one would leave his own cultural path behind

to take up ours.

As far as culture is concerned, the ancestry of the ancient North is

alive and well in modern America. A thousand years ago settlers

sailed to Iceland to avoid the growing influence of powerful kings and

centralized government. This centralization of power was one of the

things which Roman Christianity brought with it. Two hundred years

ago, we in America rebelled against our king for much the same

reasons. Our culture is much more profoundly influenced by the

Vikings than most would care to admit. Our law is based on English

common law, which in turn has roots in Norman and Saxon law. (Both

the Saxons and Normans were descended from Germanic tribes.) Our

culture is based on many of the same ideas which the Northmen held

dear: the importance of the individual and the belief that individual

rights outweighed collective rights. Thus, it is my assertion that we

are all descended, at least in part, spiritually from the ancient

Norse.

ORGANIZATION

Scholarship offers us little help in determining how organized the

ancient religion of Asatru was. We know that there was a large temple

at Upsulla, and we know that some areas had taxes which were clearly

intended to support the religion. We also have abundant evidence of a

much less organized system in which people met in sacred groves or

built their own Hofs and thus became a Gothi (Priest) or Gythia

(Priestess). Such temples were generally maintained by the family

after the builders death, the title being more or less inherited by

whomever was lord over the land.

Today, most kindreds are independent. The Ring of Troth is the

largest organization and is highly structured in governing, but very

unstructured in beliefs or practices. They offer clergy recognition,

charter kindreds on three levels, depending on how organized the group

is, and have a system of regional stewards to coordinate local

activities. There are also many smaller organizations, either

regionally based or formed from groups with other links, such as The

Raven Kindred Association or Skergard.

The Priesthood

The clergy of Asatru are known as Gothi (Godman/Priest) or Gythia

(Godwoman/Priestess). These are honorary titles only. Being called

Gothi does not mark any administrative or religious power or rank

within Asatru as a whole. The Gothar are those who have chosen to

take on more responsibilities. Anyone in Asatru can reach the Gods

through their own prayers or blots without being a Gothi.

As to what makes one a Gothi, the requirements would vary from group

to group. Some might have written criteria, while others might leave

it up to the persons heart. The true test of a Gothi is not one of

credentials, but of whether the folk take one seriously or not.

Certainly a Gothi is one who has a long term relationship with the

Gods and Goddesses. One does not, for example, simply read this book

or practice the religion for a few months and then proclaim oneself

Gothi, to do so would invite scorn and laughter. A competent Gothi

should have studied the Eddas and Sagas and know the history of our

religion. He or she should also know a bit about the runes, and the

other mysteries of our tradition. One should also note that this is a

public office and the Gothi of old had responsibilities as leaders of

the community. Most importantly one must be sincerely dedicated not

only to the Gods, but to the duties and calling of being a religious

leader. Theres no push to move to a higher level of the Priesthood

as there are in religions or magickal orders with degree systems and

if you do not feel compelled to take on the responsibilities of being

a Gothi or Gythia, there is no need for you to and much to say that

you should not.

Most persons who were given the title Gothi in the old days were

dedicated to a single God. The title most often formed their last