Asatru facts for kids
Asatru (Icelandic: Ásatrú) is a religion which involves the worship of ancient Germanic spirits and Gods. It got its official legal establishment in the 1970s in Iceland by the efforts of Sveinbjörn Beinteinsson and other Icelanders who had rejected Christianity and had been performing "Launblót" (secret offering) to the old pre-Christian Nordic Gods and Goddesses, a practice that has been known in Iceland since "Kristnitaka" (Christianization of Iceland). The name comes from two words in a language called Old Norse. It means "faith in the Æsir." The Æsir are the Germanic gods.
A person who practices Asatru is called an Asatrui (pl. Asatruar), and is sometimes referred to as a heathen. Sometimes Asatru is also called Wodanism, Wotanism or Germanic paganism.
Common books that describe the knowledge in depth include the Sagas and the Eddas.
Gods and Goddesses
Asatru is a polytheistic religion in which various goddesses and gods are worshipped. The most prominent are Thor, Odin, Freyja, Frigg, Freyr, Tyr, Loki, and Heimdall.
Festivals
Major holidays revolve around the changing seasons with Yule being the most important. It is celebrated in late December and continues for twelve days.
Festival | Date |
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Disting | First new moon in February |
Ostara | 21st of March |
Walpurgis Night | 30th of April to 1st of May |
Midsummer | 21st of June |
Freyfest | 21st of August |
Fallfeast | 21st of September |
Harvestfeast | 31st of October |
Yule | 19th of December to 1st of January |
Images for kids
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A modern replica of a Viking Age pendant representing Mjölnir, the hammer of the god Thor; such pendants are often worn by Heathens.
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Outdoor altar to mark Yule 2010, set up by the Swedish Forn Sed Assembly in Gothenburg, Västergötland
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Heathen ritual space marked out by an engraved wooden pillar, located on The Wrekin in Shropshire, England
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A 2011 Heathen blót in Humlamaden near Veberöd in Lund, Sweden
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A 2010 outdoor altar at the Springblót at Gamla Uppsala, Uppland, Sweden
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A Heathen altar for the Yule feast in Gothenburg, Sweden. The painted tablet at the back depicts Sunna, the two larger wooden idols Odin (left) and Frey (right). In front of them there are the three Norns, and in the front row a red Thor and other idols. In front of the cult images are two ritual hammers.
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The Swedish Asatru Society holding a 2008 blót near to Österlen in Scania
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Altar for Haustblót in Bohus-Björkö, Västergötland, Sweden. The big wooden idol represents the god Frey, the smaller one next to it represents Freyja, the picture in front of it Sunna, and the small red idol Thor.
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A Heathen baby naming ceremony in British Columbia, Canada in 2010