Pantheacon (3) – Asatru

I’ve been slowly working up to partaking of Pantheacon completely.  I’ve often dined with friends there in the past.  This is only the second year I’ve really gone at the convention full-tilt.  Not quite sure why; maybe a fear of feeling alone there or let-down.  Last year was wonderful—I spent a lot of the con last year trying to find every single Facebook “friend” who was there.  Still, my approach had remained tentative.

I arrived this year after the opening ritual and headed for a workshop on Asatru.  Actually it was a combination workshop/book-promotion.  That was okay with me; I’m also connected with the California Writers Club.

My mind had not quite settled into the convention atmosphere, and I was worrying about an open mic I was to lead later that evening; but I did learn a few things about Asatru—and I was inspired to a little research of my own later.

Asatru is a modern Heathen religion that takes inspiration from the old traditions of northern Europe—the “heath” that includes Germany, Scandinavia, England, and Iceland.  Asatru  (the term was coined in the 1830s) is based on what we know of the traditions of the Goths, Germans, Anglo-Saxons, Vikings et al; as exhibited, for example, in the Eddas of Iceland.  These tell the Heathen version of the creation of the world and cosmology, describing deities such as Odin and Freyja.  Several magical systems are represented, including the Runes.  Prominent activities include the Sumbel (ritual toasting) and Blót (community feasts).

I was surprised to learn of similarities with Sikhism:  A belief that men should not cut their hair, and the idea that adherents should carry weapons (as symbols of their spiritual freedom).

I also learned that Heathens are divided into “universalist” and “folkish” branches.  The folkish are more native-ethnically oriented; the universalists accept interested individuals regardless of ethnic or racial background (have I put that delicately enough?)

But this was my first real encounter with Asatru; I may not have understood things perfectly.

The thought came to me, as I listened to the presentation and examined some of the drawings presented, that Northern culture doesn’t particularly appeal to me; perhaps because I grew up with Biblical and Classical stories and films—Mediterranean culture makes more sense to me.  Nevertheless I became a devotee of Wagner operas while still a teenager and knew a little already about the Eddas; so it seems that the Heathen should hold some appeal.

Then again, I’ve absorbed a lot of Christian liturgical style (Catholic, Episcopalian) and mysticism, plus Vedanta and Buddhism—which perhaps facilitated my entry into Wicca.  Wicca feels right to me.  So even if Wagner has become second-nature and expresses a part of my soul…somehow I don’t seem to have a natural “bent” towards Asatru.  And anyway—Wagner (like current neo-Pagans) had a way of redoing mythology to suit his own tastes.