Asatru Definitions.

[riverwind]

Pinched from Wikipedia because this says it better than I could.

[riverwind]

Again, from Wikipedia, the history part.

[riverwind]

Thanks Wikipedia, Beliefs and Practices.

[riverwind]

From Wikipedia, the Politics.

[riverwind]

Rather large, and I apologise, but as I noted above, this says it better than I could. I would add, however, that being Wikipedia, it should be viewed with the understanding that things may not be just right. For example, the Blot ( rhymes with Boat) was not clearly defined, in my opinion. I will go through and address these omissions as I find them. I did want to get up some information for everyone to see and it will give a decent description.

[summerhawk]

*Raises hand* Question. The Aesir...If I'm not mistaken - this is the...hmmm..."collective" Gods/Goddesses? Or maybe the elite of the them? Or just one group? Isn't there two distinct "groups" of Gods/Goddesses?

Ok. I guess that's more than one question. :-/

[mamalaiste]

Wonderful question Summer. I hope I'm not stepping on River's toes by answering what I have learned here.

According to the book I am currently reading, there are two distinct groups as you mentioned. The Aesir is the God group, I think with Odhinn being the leader. It was actually started after the original group of Goddesses called the Vanir. Vanir was led by Freyja, Queen of the Valkyries.

[summerhawk]

The Vanir!! I couldn't for the life of me remember what it was called! I did remember that Freyja was the "leader". As I recall, wasn't there some sort of "coupe" by Freyja? Or something like that.

The memory is the second thing to go, doncha know!

[riverwind]

No toes stepped on here, answer away.

The Aesir and the Vanir were indeed two separate groups at one time, before the war between them. The Aesir being the warrior/ warlike Gods and the Vanir being the nature/ fertility Gods.

After the war, the Vanir deities such as Njord, Frey and Freyr ( twin brother and sister), etc. became Aesir.

Only 4 of the Aesir were common to other Germanic tribes: Odin (Wodan), Frigg, Thor (Donar) and Tyr ( Tiw or Tiwaz).

Odin ( also known as Allfather) was the leader of the Aesir and Njord the leader of the Vanir.

More to follow tomorrow night......

[summerhawk]

To be continued!!!

You're such a tease!