While presenting the structure of a vital Heathenry we need to look at the nature of the souls who inhabit that landscape. We have already shown that the runes and sovereign skills are the inheritance of Jarl. There is no split-personality insistance that poverty, neediness, and emptiness are signs of spiritual virtue. The Mysteries and the Holy are really revealed to those who have an active connection to past achievement and present vitality.
Rigsthula stanzas 26 to 32 describe the home and people to where Rig strode and guested. There was a southward-facing door which according to Hollander's notes was an omen of good luck. There is a ring on the doorpost. The interior is well-kept and furnished compared to the earlier homes that Rig visited. We are shown that the parents of Jarl, Father and Mother, are in love. Father and Mother 'gazed at each other.' (stannza 27) Hollander interprets, 'With their fingers playing'(stanza 27) as being signs of privelaged idleness. I think they were holding hands. Father is maintaining his weapons and they are both well-dressed. There is ample food.
"there was wine in a crock + + + + were the cups gold-plated;
they drank and chatted + + + + till the day was ended."
(Stanza 32)
The visit from Rig is followed by the birth of Jarl.
"A son bore Mother, + + + + in silk they swathed him,
sprinkled him with water + + + + and called him Jarl,
Was his hair flaxen, + + + + and fair his cheek,
his eyes awfully + + + + like an adder's, blazed."
(stanza 35)
Note that sprinlking with water is a Heathen custom of blessing that precedes the adoption of the custom by christianity. Hollander's notes poin out that flashing eyes were a sure sign of nobility, according to Tacitus.
Stanzas 36 to 38 give the developing and applied sovereign skills of Jarl and the previously given return of Rig to teach the young Jarl runes. This was fortunate and successful for Jarl.
"He made himself master + + + + of manors eighteen,
gan share his wealth + + + + and shower it on all:
silver and gold + + + + and slender steeds;
squandered arm rings + + + + and scattered gold."
(stanza 39)
This ethical statement of the successful being generous is important to the balance maintaining considerations of Teutonic lore. The Old English account of a Scandanavian adventure, 'Beowulf' is raich in events of shared wealth as an aspect of courage and nobility. We will look at this again later.
Saturday, August 26, 2006
Sunday, August 13, 2006
THE TREE, SHINING FIELD, AND GEM-ROOF.
Timber, Tapestry, and Table.
The transformative reawakening to the Deities, Nature, and Kindred is what we aspire toward. We have had enough of degeneration. Now we reach back into a better time of remembrance to take it up and bring it forward. It is in this 'pastness' that the power flows to charge the present and create a better future. For an academically sound analysis of this mythic reality see "THE WELL AND THE TREE : World and Time in Early Germanic Culture." by Paul C. Bauschatz. This book is probably still out of print so for a more available and erudite analysis see, "THE NORTHERN DAWN : A History of the Reawakening of the Germanic Spirit. Vol I : From the Twilight of the Gods to the Sun At Midnight." by Stephen E. Flowers, Ph.D.. This is available from Runa-Raven press.
The Kindred.
Our first quote in literature is from "THE POETIC EDDA". The usual appearanc on a printed book page uses the skaldic format of spacing between sections of meter. Since blog sites compress empty spaces together I will insert a few + signs to show where there should be a line of space.
"Out of woodlands + + came Rig walking
came Rig walking + + and taught him runes,
His own name gave him + + as heir and son,
bade him make his own + + the udal lands,
the udal lands + + and olden manors."
Rigsthula. (stanza 37; Hollander translation)
The runes represent the Mystery of Being. They are symbols that embody, instruct, and bring forth the Power of that Mystery for our benifit. They were discovered through Shamanic Initiation by Odin. Another God who knows and teaches runes is Heimdall and may represent a progenator, teacher, and benefactor to a prospering humanity. Another name for Heimdall is "Rig". Thus the title, "Rigsthula".
It is important that we know runes were taught to Jarl and Konungr and that the Mysteries and Power were mastered by them as part of their province of victorious and generous living. This needs to be prefaced with an account of the Rigsthula. The story describes the three types of humanity in terms of their characteristics and social function. Rig, or Heimdall, through visits with poverty-stricken thralls, working farmers, and the sovereign wealthy engenders three children. The first is Thrall, the second, Carl, and the third Jarl. It is obviously Jarl that we should aspire to become. This Eddic primary source was used (along with many other Indo-European sources) by Dumezil in postulating the Triple Function of European and other world cultures. However the Dumezilian theory concentrates on producer, warrior, and Sovereign more so than the particular divisions found in the Rigsthula.
Before going any further and giving the impression that the Higher Mysteries and Prosperity are exclusively patriarchal, I should mention the profound evidence of the Feminine instructing the Masculine found in another Poetic Edda presentation. In the 'Sigrdfumal' Sigrdrifa teaches the runes to Sigurth. Here we have a runically initiated woman teaching a man. He may have been an heroic figure but he needed the rede of a wise woman to learn the Mysteries. Since another title for this essay could be, 'How a man can avoid becoming a loser', we should take this to heart.
A word about the the distinctions between human endeavor based on Dumezilian Tripartrate Functions. A well-balanced and effective individual should function at all three levels. This is true for Spiritual, physical and mental health. There is a model for this society in Viking Age Iceland. The settler's survival required skills as farmers, warriors,and Religious Leaders. What we are looking at in terms of describing Jarl is the attitude and energy that are necessary to prosper. When I get back from my Sovereign duties we will describe the attributes of young Jarl.
Timber, Tapestry, and Table.
The transformative reawakening to the Deities, Nature, and Kindred is what we aspire toward. We have had enough of degeneration. Now we reach back into a better time of remembrance to take it up and bring it forward. It is in this 'pastness' that the power flows to charge the present and create a better future. For an academically sound analysis of this mythic reality see "THE WELL AND THE TREE : World and Time in Early Germanic Culture." by Paul C. Bauschatz. This book is probably still out of print so for a more available and erudite analysis see, "THE NORTHERN DAWN : A History of the Reawakening of the Germanic Spirit. Vol I : From the Twilight of the Gods to the Sun At Midnight." by Stephen E. Flowers, Ph.D.. This is available from Runa-Raven press.
The Kindred.
Our first quote in literature is from "THE POETIC EDDA". The usual appearanc on a printed book page uses the skaldic format of spacing between sections of meter. Since blog sites compress empty spaces together I will insert a few + signs to show where there should be a line of space.
"Out of woodlands + + came Rig walking
came Rig walking + + and taught him runes,
His own name gave him + + as heir and son,
bade him make his own + + the udal lands,
the udal lands + + and olden manors."
Rigsthula. (stanza 37; Hollander translation)
The runes represent the Mystery of Being. They are symbols that embody, instruct, and bring forth the Power of that Mystery for our benifit. They were discovered through Shamanic Initiation by Odin. Another God who knows and teaches runes is Heimdall and may represent a progenator, teacher, and benefactor to a prospering humanity. Another name for Heimdall is "Rig". Thus the title, "Rigsthula".
It is important that we know runes were taught to Jarl and Konungr and that the Mysteries and Power were mastered by them as part of their province of victorious and generous living. This needs to be prefaced with an account of the Rigsthula. The story describes the three types of humanity in terms of their characteristics and social function. Rig, or Heimdall, through visits with poverty-stricken thralls, working farmers, and the sovereign wealthy engenders three children. The first is Thrall, the second, Carl, and the third Jarl. It is obviously Jarl that we should aspire to become. This Eddic primary source was used (along with many other Indo-European sources) by Dumezil in postulating the Triple Function of European and other world cultures. However the Dumezilian theory concentrates on producer, warrior, and Sovereign more so than the particular divisions found in the Rigsthula.
Before going any further and giving the impression that the Higher Mysteries and Prosperity are exclusively patriarchal, I should mention the profound evidence of the Feminine instructing the Masculine found in another Poetic Edda presentation. In the 'Sigrdfumal' Sigrdrifa teaches the runes to Sigurth. Here we have a runically initiated woman teaching a man. He may have been an heroic figure but he needed the rede of a wise woman to learn the Mysteries. Since another title for this essay could be, 'How a man can avoid becoming a loser', we should take this to heart.
A word about the the distinctions between human endeavor based on Dumezilian Tripartrate Functions. A well-balanced and effective individual should function at all three levels. This is true for Spiritual, physical and mental health. There is a model for this society in Viking Age Iceland. The settler's survival required skills as farmers, warriors,and Religious Leaders. What we are looking at in terms of describing Jarl is the attitude and energy that are necessary to prosper. When I get back from my Sovereign duties we will describe the attributes of young Jarl.
Monday, July 31, 2006
It's time to move on toward a more proactive and less reactive expression of Heathenry. Less negativity and more positive observations and solutions will get us back to some good healthy heresy. Heathen teachings will be specifically addressed. We are about to reclaim our solid foundations. Our own foundations, not those of another. This allows us to truly honor what other indigenous cultures possess. To do this we must first honor ourselves.
FUTURE TOPICS:
Tribal Kindred Environment.
Hall and Lodge.
Book Reviews.
Runes.
Mythic Cosmology.
Germanic Philosophy.
Soul Lore.
Witchdom.
Literature.
History.
Postmodern Resources.
Seidhr.
Keeping the thews is my first concern so I'll be back later after I perceive the guidance of Asgard and apply that rede to Midgard.
FUTURE TOPICS:
Tribal Kindred Environment.
Hall and Lodge.
Book Reviews.
Runes.
Mythic Cosmology.
Germanic Philosophy.
Soul Lore.
Witchdom.
Literature.
History.
Postmodern Resources.
Seidhr.
Keeping the thews is my first concern so I'll be back later after I perceive the guidance of Asgard and apply that rede to Midgard.
Sunday, July 16, 2006
It is my assertion, or contention as seen by some, that ancient and timeless truths exist within the edifices of institutions that ostensibly tell the public an opposing and oppressive story. However the social gathering of Kindred has access to a Spirit that resonates hiddin within the gathering. An example for me is the edifice of the Seventh Day Adventist church. This is an institutional structure that houses a foul doctrine based upon monotheist psycho-cruelty. In my youth I was presented with a viscious deity who was to smite just about everybody (including Adventists)in the final last day. Guess what. There is no 'last day' and we refuse to be smote because we have the power of our True Selves which is described by a coherent and powerful polytheism. An important Heathen and heretical concept.
I have mentioned before that we prefer to use 'Heathen' over 'Pagan' to describe the healing process of taking back our heritage. This distinction is not as essential as it seems. 'Pagan' is an acceptable word because of its frequent use in good contexts and also because of our historical conflict, admiration and sometimes alliance with Rome in terms of military and politics.
A lesser and more corrupt form of Rome drifted down through history to become institutions like the Adventist conclave where I found myself with family and friends. I always wondered why the ghastly doctrine was not mentioned at family and church social gatherings like picnics and potlucks. I wanted to know how we could beat the horrific odds so that more of my loved ones could be saved. I now believe silence about the vile doctrine was because my elders instinicitvely knew that the christian doctrine was wrong, while the gathering was True.
Thews (ancient ehical customs) call now, so I must close todays post and attend to paramount daily reponsiblilities. I will soon describe in more detail the actual worldview and practices of being Heathen.
I'm back. Some alternative history novels have offered intriguing possibilities for cultures that might have been. While these novels present a violent and dramatic context, since they are entertainment, we might look at some more prosaic scenarios for alternative states of mind and social dynamics. Things could have been different.
On a more personal level,its up to me to recreate my past and see how the present is improved. If I had not gone down an ignorant road, believing that money and power were wrong, that alcohol was for obsessive and excessive long-term escape, and that dominant cultural powers had good and wise intentions with their threatening world-view,then I might have had a true frame of reference to guide me in my youth. As it was, I fell into uncultered alcohol abuse. The only available recovery mechanism made me choose a program that had horrific consequences for myself and many of my people. That horrific choice was accepting what I shall call the 'atrocity and abomination'. This shall hereafter be abbreviated as, 'AA'. It was in this culture of medieval self-loathing and surrender to the christian hierarchy of personality and values that I encountered a tremendous loss of fortune and will to live. I am getting back my fortune and will to live.
I think I've figured out how to edit a blog when I must leave and return so often. See you later.
It's later. Mission accomplished. By the very definition of the A.A. program I was on the path of surrender. But surrender to what? Surrender to the meta-political institution of anti-life that gained power in the Middle Eastern/Meditteranean world and aggresively took up their mandate to inflict their atrocity on the rest of the world.
It was my previous and more fortunate knowledge of more positive-life and enriching metaphysics that led me to an alert rejection of the foul doctrine and a sense of the likelihood of a greater truth. Some of those earlier influences were Edgar Cayce, Fate magazine, Albert Einstein, and my own grandfather's quiet truth. Granted, these are not the most profound sources of a Teutonic truth that I might have found available in the works of Nietzsche, Heidegger, or Germanic Myth scholars, but when the heart of a people dwells within, anything of some value can enlighten a greater value. There was mystery and magic here that I was fortunate enough to touch upon, but not fortunate enough to persue fully at the time. So since 'karma' was a concept that seemd to explain much in terms of a rational unerstanding of the causes behind the effects we experience -- I found myself enmeshed in Orientalism. Eastern philosophies were the most accessable souces of this revelation since our own teachings had been surpressed long ago. During my A.A, tenure, I found myself attending some Buddhist meetings. This was only to become a Japanese/Up With People Concert program of enforced activity and coerced proslytizing. Ultimately this did not lead to integrated Spiritual growth with tangible connections to that Spiritual Kindred Energy described earlier.
We must learn to ignore the more socially available but lesser impulses from outside environments and trust more to the Inner Being. There is a greater destiny for myself and my people. Independence to persue that greater destiny takes us back to the beginning and takes us forward into forever.
If there had been an early introduction to the ancestral lore that presented Odin, Freya, kindred, honor, tribe and the thews, I could have dealt with aspects of living in a victorious way. This would have avoided the weakened condition that led to victimization by alien agendas. In the future, I hope that more young people can explore the European way that leads to a constructive life of frith and weal.
Some word definitons from a surpressed language (our own) might be in order here:
"Frith" means "peace" but it has a meaning that is more profound than mere 'serenity'. Frith is a dynamic state of well-being that embraces an active persuit of healthy physical and emotional living.
"Weal" means prosperity and good fortune. It is the root source of of the word "wealth".
"Thews" are ethics based upon ancient customs that are proven to be benificial to the Self and the community. These can be found primarily throughout the Poetic Edda.
Edred Thorsson points out the the Troth is all about ACTION. He acknowledges that this action can take the form of thought, study, meditation, and divination but actualization of what we have learned must be applied to the environment. That is where I fell short. If I had taken responsibility long ago I would have taken some criticism, been called strange, been called selfish, but we ALL would have been in better circumstanes. There are two regrets that I have. First, that if I had received the proper education early from lore and ethics passed down about gathering, kindred, alcohol, tribe and honor, I would have found in Euro-mythic patterns the way that would have led to a more constructive way of dealing with everything. Second, if I had applied the teachings after I did become aware, I would have advanced both my own better destiny and that of my people. Fortunately the ancestral past and even my own past efforts are rich with dynamic wisdom and action that has been taken towards weal.
I have mentioned before that we prefer to use 'Heathen' over 'Pagan' to describe the healing process of taking back our heritage. This distinction is not as essential as it seems. 'Pagan' is an acceptable word because of its frequent use in good contexts and also because of our historical conflict, admiration and sometimes alliance with Rome in terms of military and politics.
A lesser and more corrupt form of Rome drifted down through history to become institutions like the Adventist conclave where I found myself with family and friends. I always wondered why the ghastly doctrine was not mentioned at family and church social gatherings like picnics and potlucks. I wanted to know how we could beat the horrific odds so that more of my loved ones could be saved. I now believe silence about the vile doctrine was because my elders instinicitvely knew that the christian doctrine was wrong, while the gathering was True.
Thews (ancient ehical customs) call now, so I must close todays post and attend to paramount daily reponsiblilities. I will soon describe in more detail the actual worldview and practices of being Heathen.
I'm back. Some alternative history novels have offered intriguing possibilities for cultures that might have been. While these novels present a violent and dramatic context, since they are entertainment, we might look at some more prosaic scenarios for alternative states of mind and social dynamics. Things could have been different.
On a more personal level,its up to me to recreate my past and see how the present is improved. If I had not gone down an ignorant road, believing that money and power were wrong, that alcohol was for obsessive and excessive long-term escape, and that dominant cultural powers had good and wise intentions with their threatening world-view,then I might have had a true frame of reference to guide me in my youth. As it was, I fell into uncultered alcohol abuse. The only available recovery mechanism made me choose a program that had horrific consequences for myself and many of my people. That horrific choice was accepting what I shall call the 'atrocity and abomination'. This shall hereafter be abbreviated as, 'AA'. It was in this culture of medieval self-loathing and surrender to the christian hierarchy of personality and values that I encountered a tremendous loss of fortune and will to live. I am getting back my fortune and will to live.
I think I've figured out how to edit a blog when I must leave and return so often. See you later.
It's later. Mission accomplished. By the very definition of the A.A. program I was on the path of surrender. But surrender to what? Surrender to the meta-political institution of anti-life that gained power in the Middle Eastern/Meditteranean world and aggresively took up their mandate to inflict their atrocity on the rest of the world.
It was my previous and more fortunate knowledge of more positive-life and enriching metaphysics that led me to an alert rejection of the foul doctrine and a sense of the likelihood of a greater truth. Some of those earlier influences were Edgar Cayce, Fate magazine, Albert Einstein, and my own grandfather's quiet truth. Granted, these are not the most profound sources of a Teutonic truth that I might have found available in the works of Nietzsche, Heidegger, or Germanic Myth scholars, but when the heart of a people dwells within, anything of some value can enlighten a greater value. There was mystery and magic here that I was fortunate enough to touch upon, but not fortunate enough to persue fully at the time. So since 'karma' was a concept that seemd to explain much in terms of a rational unerstanding of the causes behind the effects we experience -- I found myself enmeshed in Orientalism. Eastern philosophies were the most accessable souces of this revelation since our own teachings had been surpressed long ago. During my A.A, tenure, I found myself attending some Buddhist meetings. This was only to become a Japanese/Up With People Concert program of enforced activity and coerced proslytizing. Ultimately this did not lead to integrated Spiritual growth with tangible connections to that Spiritual Kindred Energy described earlier.
We must learn to ignore the more socially available but lesser impulses from outside environments and trust more to the Inner Being. There is a greater destiny for myself and my people. Independence to persue that greater destiny takes us back to the beginning and takes us forward into forever.
If there had been an early introduction to the ancestral lore that presented Odin, Freya, kindred, honor, tribe and the thews, I could have dealt with aspects of living in a victorious way. This would have avoided the weakened condition that led to victimization by alien agendas. In the future, I hope that more young people can explore the European way that leads to a constructive life of frith and weal.
Some word definitons from a surpressed language (our own) might be in order here:
"Frith" means "peace" but it has a meaning that is more profound than mere 'serenity'. Frith is a dynamic state of well-being that embraces an active persuit of healthy physical and emotional living.
"Weal" means prosperity and good fortune. It is the root source of of the word "wealth".
"Thews" are ethics based upon ancient customs that are proven to be benificial to the Self and the community. These can be found primarily throughout the Poetic Edda.
Edred Thorsson points out the the Troth is all about ACTION. He acknowledges that this action can take the form of thought, study, meditation, and divination but actualization of what we have learned must be applied to the environment. That is where I fell short. If I had taken responsibility long ago I would have taken some criticism, been called strange, been called selfish, but we ALL would have been in better circumstanes. There are two regrets that I have. First, that if I had received the proper education early from lore and ethics passed down about gathering, kindred, alcohol, tribe and honor, I would have found in Euro-mythic patterns the way that would have led to a more constructive way of dealing with everything. Second, if I had applied the teachings after I did become aware, I would have advanced both my own better destiny and that of my people. Fortunately the ancestral past and even my own past efforts are rich with dynamic wisdom and action that has been taken towards weal.
Friday, July 07, 2006
Arrived in the mail: a photo of my grandparents, parents, brother, sisters, aunts, uncles, cousins and myself. This had been taken at my parents home about 1959. We are all standing in the corner where the Yule tree usually was during that season. I'm not sure when the photo was taken, but I'm guessing autumn. These people are descended from courageous, adventurous, ambitious people who arrived here from Europe to thrive and love.
My theory is that it was ancient Old World values and magic that created the Kindred in Montana. The photo was essentially from a gathering in a central Hall, a Kindred Lodge. The image elicits a sense of a meeting of a spiritual tribe. These people were, and are, winners in a Living Tradition.
For my own part, I can see that my personal failure to adhere to the values, metaphysics, and life-force of that Tradition has led to recent losses in my life. One value that I have embraced is 'not giving up' so we will prosper again while I reconnect with ancestral values and metaphysics. The recent losses in my tribe could have been prevented with greater intention on my part. That I failed in my basic humanity was perhaps not entirely my fault. I believe there has been a vacuum of teaching in lore, theology, and philosophy that leaves us vulnerable. We are free-associating, ungrounded, and flailing about in modern confusion. We are ignorant of the teachings that describe the natural Spiritual impulse we sense in our beings. Instead we now live in a maelstrom of alien imposed manipulations. It was in this maelstrom of non-relevant and detrimental alien ideas that was my only choice of where to look for answers to my spiritual quest. It was perhaps in seeking the spiritual philosophy responsible for our well-being and in my hope to continue this presence and influence that paradoxically led to me to what was immediatlely available to the general modern public as a 'universalist' denial of immanent tribal values. These 'universalist' teachings of life-negation were all too available, but that is the nature of evangelism. My effectiveness to the Kindred reality was diminished far beyond those folks who never studied the available metaphysics at all. If the real teachings hadn't been taken away and hidden from us all, I would not have needed to go astray into life-negating slave universalisms. So perhaps I can be forgiven for taking a wrong path.
Yet within the challenge of seeking the hidden, reclaiming the lost, individual strength can grow in the process of finding the truth. Perhaps this is the greater plan. Small comfort when I have failed myself and failed my people. But that is part of the challenge or quest -- the possibility of failure. I can reach again for victory. The positive that will come from this is when I take up the Allfather's greater plan and lead myself back to Right and leave some clues for those in the Kindred who care.
Action is more important than words right now. So I'm going to post this part of the "Heathen And Heretical Ways" introduction and take care of some business. Back later to polish this up a bit.
My theory is that it was ancient Old World values and magic that created the Kindred in Montana. The photo was essentially from a gathering in a central Hall, a Kindred Lodge. The image elicits a sense of a meeting of a spiritual tribe. These people were, and are, winners in a Living Tradition.
For my own part, I can see that my personal failure to adhere to the values, metaphysics, and life-force of that Tradition has led to recent losses in my life. One value that I have embraced is 'not giving up' so we will prosper again while I reconnect with ancestral values and metaphysics. The recent losses in my tribe could have been prevented with greater intention on my part. That I failed in my basic humanity was perhaps not entirely my fault. I believe there has been a vacuum of teaching in lore, theology, and philosophy that leaves us vulnerable. We are free-associating, ungrounded, and flailing about in modern confusion. We are ignorant of the teachings that describe the natural Spiritual impulse we sense in our beings. Instead we now live in a maelstrom of alien imposed manipulations. It was in this maelstrom of non-relevant and detrimental alien ideas that was my only choice of where to look for answers to my spiritual quest. It was perhaps in seeking the spiritual philosophy responsible for our well-being and in my hope to continue this presence and influence that paradoxically led to me to what was immediatlely available to the general modern public as a 'universalist' denial of immanent tribal values. These 'universalist' teachings of life-negation were all too available, but that is the nature of evangelism. My effectiveness to the Kindred reality was diminished far beyond those folks who never studied the available metaphysics at all. If the real teachings hadn't been taken away and hidden from us all, I would not have needed to go astray into life-negating slave universalisms. So perhaps I can be forgiven for taking a wrong path.
Yet within the challenge of seeking the hidden, reclaiming the lost, individual strength can grow in the process of finding the truth. Perhaps this is the greater plan. Small comfort when I have failed myself and failed my people. But that is part of the challenge or quest -- the possibility of failure. I can reach again for victory. The positive that will come from this is when I take up the Allfather's greater plan and lead myself back to Right and leave some clues for those in the Kindred who care.
Action is more important than words right now. So I'm going to post this part of the "Heathen And Heretical Ways" introduction and take care of some business. Back later to polish this up a bit.
Tuesday, July 04, 2006
Independence Day. Freedom to take back the ways of an indigenous culture is our theme here. This will embrace aspects of an inherited religious and Magical paradigm that has always been with us in our attitude and active approach to vital living. Since this is an exploration of 'integral' culture it must include history, ethics, language, and art. The practical appearance of daily living enfolds within and creates anew the pulse of a meaningful life.
The word, "Heathen" is of Teutonic origin and is therefore used instead of the more common word, "Pagan". The Latin pejorative aspects of 'Pagan' is a consideration since we are talking about taking back the ways of a Teutonic people. By 'Heathen' we mean an ancestral social, religious, and personal approach to life that can be as Shamanic, devotional, or pragmatic as individuals decide for themselves. In the Heathen Teutonic aspect we will explore Runes, Magic, Religion, Mythology, and Social Constructs.
The second part of our title, "Heretical" refers to the imperative of breaking free from oppressive and manipulative institutions and taking a more individual approach to enlightenment. The individual is what is important, not the institution. We are not anarchists. It is right that institutions be allowed the same freedoms that we ask for ourselves.
Sometimes we have escaped one manipulative paradigm only to be enslaved by another. This was my own bitter experience. With a lack of philosophical sophistication I joined a Buddhist cult that promised enlightenment if I obeyed totally with my thoughts, time and money. This was not prosletyzed up-front of course but introduced gradually. Their method is to introduce a sense of self-hatred and then offer obedience as a salvation. Not uncommon in varying degrees with any method of alien conversion. Having a strong sense of Self is part of what we mean by 'heretical'.
This blog is a very rough draft of a work in progress. Since ethics are part of an Heathen approach to life, I must now go attend to my elderly mother and other reponsibilities before I return with a more coherent series of essays. Thanks for reading this.
Alan Wittenberg
The word, "Heathen" is of Teutonic origin and is therefore used instead of the more common word, "Pagan". The Latin pejorative aspects of 'Pagan' is a consideration since we are talking about taking back the ways of a Teutonic people. By 'Heathen' we mean an ancestral social, religious, and personal approach to life that can be as Shamanic, devotional, or pragmatic as individuals decide for themselves. In the Heathen Teutonic aspect we will explore Runes, Magic, Religion, Mythology, and Social Constructs.
The second part of our title, "Heretical" refers to the imperative of breaking free from oppressive and manipulative institutions and taking a more individual approach to enlightenment. The individual is what is important, not the institution. We are not anarchists. It is right that institutions be allowed the same freedoms that we ask for ourselves.
Sometimes we have escaped one manipulative paradigm only to be enslaved by another. This was my own bitter experience. With a lack of philosophical sophistication I joined a Buddhist cult that promised enlightenment if I obeyed totally with my thoughts, time and money. This was not prosletyzed up-front of course but introduced gradually. Their method is to introduce a sense of self-hatred and then offer obedience as a salvation. Not uncommon in varying degrees with any method of alien conversion. Having a strong sense of Self is part of what we mean by 'heretical'.
This blog is a very rough draft of a work in progress. Since ethics are part of an Heathen approach to life, I must now go attend to my elderly mother and other reponsibilities before I return with a more coherent series of essays. Thanks for reading this.
Alan Wittenberg
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