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Shield Maidens of Midgard, Zagreb, is Croatian first
official pagan organization. It started off as an idea of forming an
Odinistic society, but it was soon expanded into all European paganism
(Nordic, Celtic, Slavic…). The objects of the Organization is studying
cultures, traditions, legends, religions and societies across Europe
before Christianity. One of our goals for this year was making an informative
website about Viking mythology. We hope you will be enjoying the results
after reading the following introduction to the concept of paganism:
I have been faced with a challenging task to write an intro into this
Odinist society.
To be read by those who are eager to learn more of what still resides
in this world.
All the directions they have to partake until they find their own calling
in this world.
To the rest of you (referring to religious fanatics of any faith),if
you are reading this with an attempt to slender against us I will try
to explain our attempts.
This is a polytheistic society, and we see the world as a web of many
religions and recognizing the worship of many Gods. We do not deny the
existence of other Deities, but we also do not confuse or compare with
our own. We are not refusing other systems because they are wrong, but
rather we are choosing Odinism for it best symbolizes the way of life
we lead and the values we posses. We will not talk ill of anyone's belief
and we merely ask for the same amount of integrity.
Our will to form this society was not intended to say that we are some
kind of experts in the ways of Asatru but rather that we are simply
believers in the Old Gods and will welcome all of those who are true
to the Aesir .
We are not forcing anyone to agree with us, nor are we saying our belief
holds more truth. It is a personal matter left upon the individual to
choose. There is only one rule we persist on ,and this we find to be
crucial .
YOU MUST CHOOSE BY YOUR OWN WILL THAT WHICH YOU WILL HOLD SECRET.
We have seen many of our Odinist friends, bringing people closest to
them, into this Odinist circle .Lead by loneliness in their faith and
belief, or any other selfish motive, and not seeing they are making
the same mistake that most religions are guilty off. You can not force
a personal belief on an individual. If he doesn't feel a personal connection
to our ancient Gods, then this should not be his faith.We do not need
sheep's to follow our path, for sheep's can not bring progress, and
they will teach us nothing. They are mere repeaters of another's will
.Its is better to be a lonely wolf, battling your way through the wilderness
of life, then a sheep living a safely in it's flock .
Faith comes with in. It can not be learned, it can not be forced. You
can not be guided by a God who hasn't called upon you.
On the other hand, Odinism is not a secret religion or one open only
to "initiate" those we find fitting by our own standards.
We are open to all outsiders who are truly interested.
Odinists recognize man's spiritual bound with Nature. The Gods are everywhere
and in everything .They are apart of all life that surrounds us. Each
of you can feel their presence in the unsoiled nature even if some wont
admit it. That tranquility ,beauty and purity that whispers to your
soul. We believe that the cosmos is a living entity ,which we are apart
of f. The sun is the heart of all life, and its warmt flows through
our veins and the moon is a great gleaming nerve-center from which we
quiver forever. This is all literally true, as we use to know and I
pray we will once again remembe.We do not rule over the forces of Nature,
we can not alter its will. But we can condemn it and by that condemning
ourselfs to extinction.
It is also very important to understand that the Gods
are real and living beings. They are not mere personifications of natural
forces, nor do they dwell only in our minds. Those divinities who we
call "Gods" (i.e., the Aesir and Vanir) are also "personal
deities" who take an active interest in the affairs of mankind,
and seek relationships with their followers. This is important to remember
when we perform ceremonies or pray to the Gods. The Gods are living
beings and offer us benefits because we are their friends and companions.
They should always be treated with respect.
We are starting a society who we wish would be more like a kindred.
It is hard in now days to form a bound between people as in the old
times when people lived in small communities and have been apart of
each others day to day life's.
For those who will wish to join this society will have to know you are
making a commitment to the members of the group. The first duty owed
to our kindred's would be regular attendance. The kindred cannot function
if people do not attend. The next duty we have to our kindred is loyalty.
Another duty we have to our kindred is helping the other members of
those kindred. This could include the simple willingness to give a ride
to events, but also on a deeper level to really be their for each other
in times of need.
Odinism is not for everyone as I already emphasized. There are virtues
one has to posses or strive to achieve to be an Odinist. This virtues
are not written in stone, they are mere guide lines for those who strive
to be more .To see beyond the mortal flesh. To live up to the standards
the God's hoped for us. To be their chosen warriors and maidens and
not the monsters of their worst nightmares.
Each of us holds inside the memory of times ago. The noble times of
just wars and amazing bravery. Oaths of love and devotion between two
lovers and promises they never broke. Friendships lasted forever, brotherhoods
were more then a word spoken.
Today we can only dwell on such innocent times and hope people will
remember this world was not always so gray and godless.
It starts with you. One can make a difference and lead as an example.
I strongly believe one day the God's will come back to us and even though
we have turned our back to them so many times,and almost destroyed all
this nature and life they created for us to injoy.And the air will be
sweet again,and water will be christal white.Wolfs will roam freely
once again and the eagles will fly once again in the beautiful clean
sky.And we will live with the Gods once more.And the Earth will bread
with full lungs.
So these are some guide lines to what virtues we look in a fellow kinsmen.
1.Courage
2.Thruth
3.Honour
4.Fidelity
5.Discipline
6.Hospitality
7.Industriousness
8.Self Reliance
9.Perserverance
We took this values from the Odinic Rite,for they truely represent all
we strive for.
We could have written in our own words but why alter when it is all
said.It is only normal that as Odinists many groups share the same thougthts
and goals and these virtues can be found in the Havamal.
We do not believe in rules. For each person is different and the same
laws can not apply for such a vast range of different personalities.
We are not born to obey other people. We can only obey the laws of nature
and logic, and follow the heart that we posses.
What laws of men have done to us is made us question or own view off
right and wrong believing we can not survive without legalism. We are
not evil. Humans posses such beauty and complexity within, but we are
afraid to unleash it.
WE HAVE PUT IN OUR OWN MINDS THAT WE NEED TO BE CONSTRAINED,THAT WE
FEAR FREEDOM OF CHOICE OF HOW WE WOULD LEAD OUR LIFES.
Our faith deals not in legalisms and rules nor in unchecked chaos and
relativism. We instead acknowledge the existence of right and wrong,
good and evil, but we deal with actions according to basic philosophical
concepts that are applied by the keen intellect of Odin, the simple
common sense of Thor, and the solid honor of Tyr--the gifts of the Gods
to us.
Asatru posits that the basic place of moral judgment is within the human
heart and mind. We as human beings with the gift of intelligence are
sensible and responsible enough to determine right from wrong and act
accordingly.
You are allowed to hate and love who ever you want. Stand your ground,
by stand it alone .Don't let others fight for your own belief .Speak
your mind but speak it for yourself ,not for others to hear or admire.
Be honest in your words and in your deeds and you can never lose yourself
and your worth.
To those who's nobility has gone to sleep I put now for you some unwritten
laws that can help you remember those unselfish parts of you that once
lived.
THESE ARE POEMS OF THE SOUL THAT WISH TO BE SUNG BY ALL MANKIND BY STILL
THEY ARE DEEP ASLEEP IN EACH OF US WAITING TO BE AWOKE BY A WISPER ,,,,,,,,,,,,,
1. Chivalry is a high code of honor which is of most ancient Pagan origin,
and must
be lived by all who follow the old ways.
2. It must be kenned that thoughts and intent put
forth on this Middle Earth will
wax strong in other worlds beyond and return... bringing into creation,
on this
world, that which had been sent forth. Thus one should exercise discipline,
for "as
ye plant, so shall ye harvest."
3. It is only by preparing our minds to be as Gods
that we can ultimately attain
godhead.
4. "This above all... to thine own self be true..."
5. An Asatruar's word must have the validity of a
signed and witnessed oath. Thus,
give thy word sparingly, but adhere to it like iron.
6. Refrain from speaking ill of others, for not all
truths of the
matter may be known.
7. Pass not unverified words about another, for hearsay
is, in large
part, a thing of falsehoods.
8. Be thou honest with others, and have them know
that honesty is
likewise expected of them.
9. The fury of the moment plays folly with the truth;
to keep one's
head is a virtue.
10. Contemplate always the consequences of thine acts
upon others.
Strive not to do harm.
.11. Dignity, a gracious manner, and a good humor
are much to be admired.
12. Courage and honor endure forever. Their echoes
remain when the
mountains have crumbled to dust.
13. Pledge friendship and fealty to those who so warrant.
Strengthen
others you so desire and they shall strengthen thee.
14. Have pride in thyself and seek perfection in body
and in mind. For
it has been said, "How canst thou honor another unless thou give
honor to thyself
first?"
15. Those who seek the Mysteries should consider themselves
the select
of the Gods, for it is they would lead the race of humankind to the
highest of
thrones and beyond the very stars.
Originally these words are taken the Magical Rites
from the Crystal Well, Ed Fitch and Janine Renee .
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