Greetings,

I noticed that there are a few different threads of spiritualities mentioned here on this page. All are very good and valid to the adherence thereof. But there was none for the Odinist or Asatruar. Some of you might have a loved one that has mentioned this faith and not known what they were talking about. I hope that those who's loved ones are following this path of spirituality will not shun them for this, but rather gain a bit of knowledge and understand a little better why they walk this path.

Without going too far in depth as to the theology and terminology I would like to start this thread off as basic as possible, of what is believed by us.

Since adherence of this spiritual path are generally unknown to public at large I'll start off small with what we call the Nine Noble Virtues. These words are not like a list of 'Thou Shalt Nots'. They are a form of mental reference to reflect upon the greater good of ones Folk in all their daily actions. They are as follows:
Courage

Truth

Honour

Fidelity

Discipline

Hospitality

Industriousness

Self-Reliance

Perseverance

This was codified by the Odinic Rite, from the Havamal. An ancient writing from the peoples of Northern Europe. This belief system is the indigenous faith of the peoples of Northern Europe. As this thread continues I will try and put up a stanza of the Havamal each week. Through reading what anothers faith is about, one can begin to grasp the concepts of why and what attracts their own adherence. It is my hope that more people will come to an understanding that not all people will feel or believe the same way. But through our facilities of reasoning and learning one can attain true tolarance of others.

Hropt

The following is from the Lee M. Hollander translation.

1

The man who stands at a strange
threshold,
Should be cautious before he cross it,
Glance this way and that:
Who knows beforehand what foes may sit
Awaiting him in the hall?


Hropt

To avoid any confusion, I'm just going to use the Lee M. Hollander translation for this.



2

Greetings to the host,
The guest has arrived,
In which seat shall he sit?
Rash is he who at unknown doors
Relies on his good luck,



Hropt

Thanks for posting these!!

Not a problem Mrs. D.. I figured that we need some representation in a similar fashion as the other faiths. This way I am hoping to present our ancestral way of life to those whom are open to understanding a different religion. Or, as I stated, have a loved one who have discovered their ancestral path. I'd like to dispel the misconceptions that have run rampant, ie: It's a prison religion/gang, it's racist, etc., etc.. By putting forth exactly what we believe one can view for themselves.

Hropt

3


Fire is needed by the newcomer
Whose knees are frozen numb;
Meat and clean linen a man needs
Who has fared across the fells,

Hropt

Very interesting...what ancestral lands would this spiritual practice be from?

4

Water, too, that he may wash before
eating,
Handcloth's and a hearty welcome,
Courteous words, then courteous silence
That he may tell his tale,


Hropt

It reminds me of Chaucer.

Hi Valentina,


Asatru / Odinism (the name really is merely a label for modern times), was the pre-Christian beliefs of the peoples of Northern Europe. Like every culture and race at one time or another in the pages of history have had their own gods, rituals and basic way of looking at life. Mankind is a very complex creature, not all will fit in the cookie cutter model of mono-culturalism. One is not better then the other. All races and cultures are unique and we should hail that diversity, rather then to try and quell it.

Hropt

I know that I said I'd post these stanzas once a week. But with my correspondences having the habit of becoming backlogged at times. I'll take the chance to put up ones while I have time.

5

Who travels widely needs his wits about him,
The stupid should stay at home:
The ignorant man is often laughed at
When he sits at meat with the sage,


Hropt

6

Of his knowledge a man should never boast,
Rather be sparing of speech
When to his house a wiser comes:
Seldom do those who are silent Make mistakes;
mother wit Is ever a faithful friend,



Hropt

Thank you for this. I am always interested in learning about all types of beliefs.

7

A guest should be courteous
When he comes to the table
And sit in wary silence,
His ears attentive,
his eyes alert:
So he protects himself,

Hropt

8

Fortunate is he who is favored in his lifetime
With praise and words of wisdom:
Evil counsel is often given
By those of evil heart,

Hropt

9

Blessed is he who in his own lifetime
Is awarded praise and wit,
For ill counsel is often given
By mortal men to each other,

Hropt

10

Better gear than good sense
A traveler cannot carry,
Better than riches for a wretched man,
Far from his own home,

11

Better gear than good sense
A traveler cannot carry,
A more tedious burden than too much drink
A traveler cannot carry,

12

Less good than belief would have it
Is mead for the sons of men:
A man knows less the more he drinks,
Becomes a befuddled fool,

Interesting, thanks for posting

13

I forget is the name men give the heron
Who hovers over the feast:
Fettered I was in his feathers that night,
When a guest in Gunnlod's court

14

Drunk I got, dead drunk,
When Fjalar the wise was with me:
Best is the banquet one looks back on after,
And remembers all that happened,

15

Silence becomes the Son of a prince,
To be silent but brave in battle:
It befits a man to be merry and glad
Until the day of his death,

16

The coward believes he will live forever
If he holds back in the battle,
But in old age he shall have no peace
Though spears have spared his limbs

17

When he meets friends, the fool gapes,
Is shy and sheepish at first,
Then he sips his mead and immediately
All know what an oaf he is,

18

He who has seen and suffered much,
And knows the ways of the world,
Who has traveled', can tell what spirit
Governs the men he meets,

19

Drink your mead, but in moderation,
Talk sense or be silent:
No man is called discourteous who goes
To bed at an early hour

20

A gluttonous man who guzzles away
Brings sorrow on himself:
At the table of the wise he is taunted often,
Mocked for his bloated belly,

21

The herd knows its homing time,
And leaves the grazing ground:
But the glutton never knows how much
His belly is able to hold,

22

An ill tempered, unhappy man
Ridicules all he hears,
Makes fun of others, refusing always
To see the faults in himself

23

Foolish is he who frets at night,
And lies awake to worry'
A weary man when morning comes,
He finds all as bad as before,

24

The fool thinks that those who laugh
At him are all his friends,
Unaware when he sits with wiser men
How ill they speak of him.

25

The fool thinks that those who laugh
At him are all his friends:
When he comes to the Thing and calls for support,
Few spokesmen he finds

26

The fool who fancies he is full of wisdom
While he sits by his hearth at home.
Quickly finds when questioned by others.
That he knows nothing at all.

27

The ignorant booby had best be silent
When he moves among other men,
No one will know what a nit-wit he is
Until he begins to talk;
No one knows less what a nit-wit he is
Than the man who talks too much.

28

To ask well, to answer rightly,
Are the marks of a wise man:
Men must speak of men's deeds,
What happens may not be hidden.

I believe that most people in Norway are Odinist and on the Oslo Courthouse there is a mural of Thor or Thors Hammer!

Great thread I don't believe there have been many other threads if any regarding Odinism!

29

Wise is he not who is never silent,
Mouthing meaningless words:
A glib tongue that goes on chattering
Sings to its own harm.

Thanks Nightbird. I don't know about most people in Norway being Odinist. I know for a fact that my ex-wife wasn't and she was born and raised in Trondheim. Nor did I know about the mural in the Oslo courthouse. If I holiday there I'll be sure to put that on my itinerary.
Like I said earlier, my hopes are to dispel some of the negative misconseptions that there are on Odinism.
Anyways I'm glad that you like it.

Hropt

30

A man among friends should not mock another:
Many believe the man
Who is not questioned to know much
And so he escapes their scorn.

If someone would help me to learn about Asatru & the way of life. My Hubby to be has made the choice to become & believe in the Asatru way. I'm about to get married & I believe in muilt. things. He has made it very clear that we will raise our children this way & I need to learn more about it before I commit to something.

31

The wise guest has his way of dealing
With those who taunt him at table:
He smiles through the meal,
not seeming to hear
The twaddle talked by his foes

32

The fastest friends may fall out
When they sit at the banquet-board:
It is, and shall be, a shameful thing
When guest quarrels with guest,

33

An early meal a man should take
Before he visits friends,
Lest, when he gets there,
he go hungry,
Afraid to ask for food.

34

To a false friend the footpath winds
Though his house be on the highway.
To a sure friend there is a short cut,
Though he live a long way off.

If someone would help me to learn about Asatru & the way of life. My Hubby to be has made the choice to become & believe in the Asatru way. I'm about to get married & I believe in muilt. things. He has made it very clear that we will raise our children this way & I need to learn more about it before I commit to something.

Try going to www.odinist.com (I'm mrsdragon there). Its a very informative website and they are excellent at answering questions and separating myth from fact! ;)

I can also try to help answer some questions as well (or at least ask my hubby and he will give me answers I don't know). ;)

www.odinist.com (http://www.odinist.com)
D-OH!! Now how did I forget this? Oh well, chalk it up to being tired when answering e-mails. Thanks Mrs. D., I hope that you and the Mr. are doing alright.

FFF
Hropt

35

The tactful guest will take his leave Early,
not linger long:
He starts to stink who outstays his welcome
In a hall that is not his own.

36

A small hut of one's own is better,
A man is his master at home:
A couple of goats and a corded roof
Still are better than begging.

37

A small hut of one's own is better,
A man is his master at home:
His heart bleeds in the beggar who must
Ask at each meal for meat.

38

A wayfarer should not walk unarmed,
But have his weapons to hand:
He knows not when he may need a spear,
Or what menace meet on the road.

D-OH!! Now how did I forget this? Oh well, chalk it up to being tired when answering e-mails. Thanks Mrs. D., I hope that you and the Mr. are doing alright.

FFF
Hropt

We are doing VERY VERY well thank you! I want to thank you for posting these.. they are a big help for many of us!

39

No man is so generous he will jib at accepting
A gift in return for a gift,
No man so rich that it really gives him
Pain to be repaid.

40

Once he has won wealth enough,
A man should not crave for more:
What he saves for friends, foes may take;
Hopes are often liars.

41

With presents friends should please each other,
With a shield or a costly coat:
Mutual giving makes for friendship
So long as life goes well,

42

A man should be loyal through life to friends,
And return gift for gift,
Laugh when they laugh,
but with lies repay
A false foe who lies.

43

A man should be loyal through life to friends,
To them and to friends of theirs,
But never shall a man make offer
Of friendship to his foes.

44

If you find a friend you fully trust
And wish for his good-will,
exchange thoughts,
exchange gifts,
Go often to his house.

45

If you deal with another you don't trust
But wish for his good-will,
Be fair in speech but false in thought
And give him lie for lie.

46

Even with one you ill-trust
And doubt what he means to do,
False words with fair smiles
May get you the gift you desire.

47

Young and alone on a long road,
Once I lost my way:
Rich I felt when I found a another;
Man rejoices in man.

48

The generous and bold have the best lives,
Are seldom beset by cares,
But the base man sees bogies everywhere
And the miser pines for presents.

49

Two wooden stakes stood on the plain,
on them I hung my clothes:
Draped in linen, they looked well born,
But, naked, I was a nobody

50

The young fir that falls and rots
Having neither needles nor bark,
So is the fate of the friendless man:
Why should he live long?

51

Hotter than fire among false hearts burns
Friendship for five days,
But suddenly slackens when the sixth dawns:
Feeble their friendship then.

52

A kind word need not cost much,
The price of praise can be cheap:
With half a loaf and an empty cup
I found myself a friend,

53

Little a sand-grain, little a dew drop,
Little the minds of men:
All men are not equal in wisdom,
The half-wise are everywhere

54

It is best for man to be middle-wise,
Not over cunning and clever:
The learned man whose lore is deep
Is seldom happy at heart.

55

It is best for man to be middle-wise,
Not over cunning and clever:
The fairest life is led by those
Who are deft at all they do.

56

It is best for man to be middle-wise,
Not over cunning and clever:
No man is able to know his future,
So let him sleep in peace.

57

Brand Kindles Till they broun out,
Flame is quickened by flame:
One man from another is known by his speech
The simpleton by his silence.

58

Early shall he rise who has designs
On anothers land or life:
His prey escapes the prone wolf,
The sleeper is seldom victorious.

59

Early shall he rise who rules few servants,
And set to work at once:
Much is lost by the late sleeper,
Wealth is won by the swift,

60

A man should know how many logs
And strips of bark from the birch
To stock in autumn, that he may have enough
Wood for his winter fires.

61

Washed and fed,
one may fare to the Thing:
Though one's clothes be the worse for Wear,
None need be ashamed of his shoes or hose,
Nor of the horse he owns,
Although no thoroughbred.

Heil All!

A little break here in the stanzas of the Hávamál to give a few links that were past on in a group that I'm in.


Ravencast - The Asatru Podcast

http://ravencast.podbean.com/


Spoken Lore

http://spokenlore.com/


Interview with a Gothi (4 parts)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3QhNfjPnXXs

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c0At_eJyS14

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ifQ79CXckyA&mode=related&search=

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nXrt70K01KA&mode=related&search=

What is Asatru (parts ongoing)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pSKv5V9X0IA

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=98xieYU_K-M&mode=related&search=

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JBb9O1UX-ng&mode=related&search=

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0jw6gAvxB1U&mode=related&search=

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yHqWe360m2Y&mode=related&search=

Hopefully these will bring some level of deeper understanding for those who have loved ones who are Asatru/Odinist, or who want to learn more for themselves.

Hropt

62

As the eagle who comes to the ocean shore,
Sniffs and hangs her head,
Dumfounded is he who finds at the Thing
No supporters to plead his case.

63

It is safe to tell a secret to one,
Risky to tell it to two,
To tell it to three is thoughtless folly,
Everyone else will know.

64

Moderate at council should a man be,
Not brutal and over bearing:
Among the bold the bully will find
Others as bold as he.

65

Often words uttered to another
Have reaped an ill harvest:

66

Too early to many homes I came,
Too late, it seemed, to some;
The ale was finished or else un-brewed,

The unpopular cannot please.

67

Some would invite me to visit their homes,
But none thought I Had eaten a whole joint,
Just before with a friend who had two.

68

These things are thought the best:
Fire, the sight of the sun,
Good health with the gift to keep it,
And a life that avoids vice.

69

Not all sick men are utterly wretched:
Some are blessed with sons,
Some with friends,
some with riches,
Some with worthy works.

70

It is always better to be alive,
The living can keep a cow.
Fire, I saw, warming a wealthy man,
With a cold corpse at his door.

71

The halt can manage a horse,
the handless a flock,
The deaf be a doughty fighter,
To be blind is better than to burn on a pyre:
There is nothing the dead can do.

72

A son is a blessing, though born late
To a father no longer alive:
Stones would seldom stand by the highway
If sons did not set them there.

73

Two beat one, the tongue is head's bane,
Pockets of fur hide fists.

74

He welcomes the night who has enough provisions
Short are the sails of a ship,
Dangerous the dark in autumn,
The wind may veer within five days,
And many times in a month.

75

The half wit does not know that gold
Makes apes of many men:
One is rich, one is poor
There is no blame in that.

76

Cattle die, kindred die,
Every man is mortal:
But the good name never dies
Of one who has done well

77

Cattle die, kindred die,
Every man is mortal:
But I know one thing that never dies,
The glory of the great dead

78

Fields and flocks had Fitjung's sons,
Who now carry begging bowls:
Wealth may vanish in the wink of an eye,
Gold is the falsest of friends.

79

In the fool who acquires cattle and lands,
Or wins a woman's love,
His wisdom wanes with his waxing pride,
He sinks from sense to conceit.

80

Now is answered what you ask of the runes,
Graven by the gods,
Made by the All Father,
Sent by the powerful sage:
lt is best for man to remain silent.

81

For these things give thanks at nightfall:
The day gone, a guttered torch,
A sword tested, the troth of a maid,
Ice crossed, ale drunk.

82

Hew wood in wind-time,
in fine weather sail,
Tell in the night-time tales to house-girls,
For too many eyes are open by day:
From a ship expect speed, from a shield, cover,
Keenness from a sword,
but a kiss from a girl.

83

Drink ale by the hearth, over ice glide,
Buy a stained sword, buy a starving mare
To fatten at home: and fatten the watch-dog.

84

No man should trust a maiden's words,
Nor what a woman speaks:
Spun on a wheel were women's hearts,
In their breasts was implanted caprice,

85

A snapping bow, a burning flame,
A grinning wolf, a grunting boar,
A raucous crow, a rootless tree,
A breaking wave, a boiling kettle,

86

A flying arrow, an ebbing tide,
A coiled adder, the ice of a night,
A bride's bed talk, a broad sword,
A bear's play, a prince' s children,

87

A witch' s welcome, the wit of a slave,
A sick calf, a corpse still fresh,

88

A brother's killer encountered upon
The highway a house half-burned,
A racing stallion who has wrenched a leg,
Are never safe: let no man trust them.

89

Trust not an acre early sown,
Nor praise a son too soon:
Weather rules the acre, wit the son,
Both are exposed to peril,

90

To love a woman whose ways are false
Is like sledding over slippery ice
With unshod horses out of control,
Badly trained two-year-olds,
Or drifting rudderless on a rough sea,
Or catching a reindeer with a crippled hand
On a thawing hillside: think not to do it.

91

Naked I may speak now for I know both:
Men are treacherous too
Fairest we speak when falsest we think:
many a maid is deceived.

92

Gallantly shall he speak and gifts bring
Who wishes for woman's love:
praise the features of the fair girl,
Who courts well will conquer.

93

Never reproach another for his love:
It happens often enough
That beauty ensnares with desire the wise
While the foolish remain unmoved.

94

Never reproach the plight of another,
For it happens to many men:
Strong desire may stupefy heroes,
Dull the wits of the wise

95

The mind alone knows what is near the heart,
Each is his own judge:
The worst sickness for a wise man
Is to crave what he cannot enjoy.

96

So I learned when I sat in the reeds,
Hoping to have my desire:
Lovely was the flesh of that fair girl,
But nothing I hoped for happened.

97

I saw on a bed Billing's daughter,
Sun white, asleep:
No greater delight I longed for then
Than to lie in her lovely arms.

98

"Come" Odhinn, after nightfall
If you wish for a meeting with me:
All would be lost if anyone saw us
And learned that we were lovers."

99

Afire with longing"; I left her then,
Deceived by her soft words:

I thought my wooing had won the maid,
That I would have my way.

100

After nightfall I hurried back,
But the warriors were all awake,
Lights were burning, blazing torches:
So false proved the path

101

Towards daybreak back I came
The guards were sound asleep:
I found then that the fair woman
Had tied a bitch to her bed.

102

Many a girl when one gets to know her
Proves to be fickle and false:
That treacherous maiden taught me a lesson,
The crafty woman covered me with shame";
That was all I got from her.

103

Let a man with his guests be glad and merry,
Modest a man should be";
But talk well if he intends to be wise
And expects praise from men:
Fimbulfambi is the fool called ";
Unable to open his mouth.

If you don't mind I would like to print this thread and send it to my husband?

104

Fruitless my errand, had I been silent
When I came to Suttung's courts:
With spirited words I spoke to my profit
In the hall of the aged giant.

105

Rati had gnawed a narrow passage,
Chewed a channel through stone,
A path around the roads of giants:
I was like to lose my head

106

Gunnlod sat me in the golden seat,
Poured me precious mead:
Ill reward she had from me for that,
For her proud and passionate heart,
Her brooding foreboding spirit.

107

What I won from her I have well used:
I have waxed in wisdom since I came back,
bringing to Asgard Odrerir,
the sacred draught.

108

Hardly would I have come home alive
From the garth of the grim troll,
Had Gunnlod not helped me, the good woman,
Who wrapped her arms around me.

109

The following day the Frost Giants came,
Walked into Har's hall To ask for Har's advice:
Had Bolverk they asked, come back to his friends,
Or had he been slain by Suttung?

110

Odhinn, they said, swore an oath on his ring:
Who from now on will trust him?
By fraud at the feast he befuddled Suttung
And brought grief to Gunnlod.

111

It is time to sing in the seat of the wise,
Of what at Urd's Well I saw in silence,
saw and thought on.
Long I listened to men
Runes heard spoken, (counsels revealed.)
At Har's hall, In Har's hall:
There I heard this.

112

Loddfafnir, listen to my counsel:
You will fare well if you follow it,
It will help you much if you heed it.
Never rise at night unless you need to spy
Or to ease yourself in the outhouse.

113

Shun a woman, wise in magic,
Her bed and her embraces:

114

If she cast a spell, you will care no longer
To meet and speak with men,
Desire no food, desire no pleasure,
In sorrow fall asleep.

115

Never seduce anothers wife,
Never make her your mistress.

116

If you must journey to mountains and firths,
Take food and fodder with you.

117

Never open your heart to an evil man
When fortune does not favour you:
From an evil man, if you make him your friend,
You will get evil for good.

118

I saw a warrior wounded fatally
By the words of an evil woman
Her cunning tongue caused his death,
Though what she alleged was a lie.

119

If you know a friend you can fully trust,
Go often to his house
Grass and brambles grow quickly
Upon the untrodden track.

120

With a good man it is good to talk,
Make him your fast friend:
But waste no words on a witless oaf,
Nor sit with a senseless ape.

121

Cherish those near you, never be
The first to break with a friend:
Care eats him who can no longer
Open his heart to another.

122

An evil man, if you make him your friend,
Will give you evil for good:

123

A good man, if you make him your friend";
Will praise you in every place,

124

Affection is mutual when men can open
All their heart to each other:
He whose words are always fair
Is untrue and not to be trusted.

125

Bandy no speech with a bad man:
Often the better is beaten
In a word fight by the worse.

126

Be not a cobbler nor a carver of shafts,
Except it be for yourself:
If a shoe fit ill or a shaft be crooked";
The maker gets curses and kicks.

127

If aware that another is wicked, say so:
Make no truce or treaty with foes.

128

Never share in the shamefully gotten,
But allow yourself what is lawful.

129

Never lift your eyes and look up in battle,
Lest the heroes enchant you,
who can change warriors
Suddenly into hogs,

130

With a good woman, if you wish to enjoy
Her words and her good will,
Pledge her fairly and be faithful to it:
Enjoy the good you are given,

131

Be not over wary, but wary enough,
First, of the foaming ale,
Second, of a woman wed to another,
Third, of the tricks of thieves.

132

Mock not the traveler met on the road,
Nor maliciously laugh at the guest:

133

The sitters in the hall seldom know
The kin of the new-comer:
The best man is marred by faults,
The worst is not without worth.

134

Never laugh at the old when they offer counsel,
Often their words are wise:
From shriveled skin, from scraggy things
That hand among the hides
And move amid the guts,
Clear words often come.

135
Scoff not at guests nor to the gate chase them,
But relieve the lonely and wretched,

136

Heavy the beam above the door;
Hang a horse-shoe on it
Against ill-luck, lest it should suddenly
Crash and crush your guests.

137

Medicines exist against many evils:
Earth against drunkenness, heather against worms
Oak against costiveness, corn against sorcery,
Spurred rye against rupture, runes against bales
The moon against feuds, fire against sickness,
Earth makes harmless the floods.

138

Wounded I hung on a wind-swept gallows
For nine long nights,
Pierced by a spear, pledged to Odhinn,
Offered, myself to myself
The wisest know not from whence spring
The roots of that ancient rood

139

They gave me no bread,
They gave me no mead,
I looked down;
with a loud cry
I took up runes;
from that tree I fell.

140

Nine lays of power
I learned from the famous Bolthor, Bestla' s father:
He poured me a draught of precious mead,
Mixed with magic Odrerir.

141

Waxed and throve well;
Word from word gave words to me,
Deed from deed gave deeds to me,

142

Runes you will find, and readable staves,
Very strong staves,
Very stout staves,
Staves that Bolthor stained,
Made by mighty powers,
Graven by the prophetic god,

143

For the gods by Odhinn, for the elves by Dain,
By Dvalin, too, for the dwarves,
By Asvid for the hateful giants,
And some I carved myself:
Thund, before man was made, scratched them,
Who rose first, fell thereafter

144

Know how to cut them, know how to read them,
Know how to stain them, know how to prove them,
Know how to evoke them, know how to score them,
Know how to send them; know how to send them,

145

Better not to ask than to over-pledge
As a gift that demands a gift;
Better not to send than to slay too many,

146

The first charm I know is unknown to rulers
Or any of human kind;
Help it is named,
for help it can give In hours of sorrow and anguish.

147

I know a second that the sons of men
Must learn who wish to be leeches.

148

I know a third: in the thick of battle,
If my need be great enough,
It will blunt the edges of enemy swords,
Their weapons will make no wounds.

149

I know a fourth:
it will free me quickly
If foes should bind me fast
With strong chains, a chant that makes Fetters spring from the feet,
Bonds burst from the hands.

150

I know a fifth: no flying arrow,
Aimed to bring harm to men,
Flies too fast for my fingers to catch it
And hold it in mid-air.

151

I know a sixth:
it will save me if a man
Cut runes on a sapling' s Roots
With intent to harm; it turns the spell;
The hater is harmed, not me.

152

I know a seventh:
If I see the hall
Ablaze around my bench mates,
Though hot the flames, they shall feel nothing,
If I choose to chant the spell.

153

I know an eighth:
that all are glad of,
Most useful to men:
If hate fester in the heart of a warrior,
It will soon calm and cure him.

154

I know a ninth:
when need I have
To shelter my ship on the flood,
The wind it calms, the waves it smoothes
And puts the sea to sleep,

155

I know a tenth:
if troublesome ghosts
Ride the rafters aloft,
I can work it so they wander astray,
Unable to find their forms,
Unable to find their homes.

156

I know an eleventh:
when I lead to battle Old comrades in-arms,
I have only to chant it behind my shield,
And unwounded they go to war,
Unwounded they come from war,
Unscathed wherever they are.

157

I know a twelfth:
If a tree bear
A man hanged in a halter,
I can carve and stain strong runes
That will cause the corpse to speak,
Reply to whatever I ask.

158

I know a thirteenth
if I throw a cup Of water over a warrior,
He shall not fall in the fiercest battle,
Nor sink beneath the sword,

159

I know a fourteenth, that few know:
If I tell a troop of warriors
About the high ones, elves and gods,
I can name them one by one.
(Few can the nit-wit name.)

160

I know a fifteenth,
that first Thjodrerir
Sang before Delling's doors,
Giving power to gods, prowess to elves,
Fore-sight to Hroptatyr Odhinn,

161

I know a sixteenth:
if I see a girl
With whom it would please me to play,
I can turn her thoughts, can touch the heart
Of any white armed woman.

162

I know a seventeenth:
if I sing it,
the young Girl will be slow to forsake me.

163

To learn to sing them, Loddfafnir,
Will take you a long time,
Though helpful they are if you understand them,
Useful if you use them,
Needful if you need them.

164

I know an eighteenth that I never tell
To maiden or wife of man,
A secret I hide from all
Except the love who lies in my arms,
Or else my own sister.

165

The Wise One has spoken words in the hall,
Needful for men to know,
Unneedful for trolls to know:
Hail to the speaker,
Hail to the knower,
Joy to him who has understood,
Delight to those who have listened.

This concludes the stanzas of the Havamal. I did make an error in the beginning; the numbering of the stanzas are from the Lee M. Hollender's translation, but the text that is presented here is the W. H. Auden & P. B. Taylor translation. I hope that all who have read this have enjoyed it.

Hropt

If any of you want to read any further here the following link:

http://www.woodharrow.com/goldenhoard.html


There is an awesome translation in .pdf of the Poetic Eddas. The side by side Old Norse/English translation, by James Allen Chisholm really helps one who is studying the ancient path. Also you can print these off and possibly send in copies to your loved ones on the inside.
I'll add more links as I re-find them, since I have a Heathens library on my computer. I have found all of these on-line.

Hropt

Good Morning,


Here is a link to the Northvegr.org site. They have the Thorpe and the Cottle translations of the Poetic Edda, as well as the Brodeur translation of Snorri Sturlasson's Prose Edda. There are also other .pdf books here as well. I have had a problem with the 2nd Volume of the The Swastika downloading. This book written by the Curator of the Department of Prehistoric Anthropology, U.S. National Museum in 1894 This book will hopefully dispel the misinterpretation of this very ancient and holy symbol that has been used all over the world throughout history. The misuse by the Reich of this symbol has caused it to have a stigma attached to it. NOTE: Odinist/Asatruar are not Neo-Nazi. Just as the Buddhist and various American Indian traditions still use this symbol. We too view it in it's holy context and not in a promotion of hate. A true Odinist/Asatruar will hail the diversity of the different cultures that create the intricate patterns woven from the myths of the human mosaic.

http://www.northvegr.org/lore/pdf.php

If you do read these books I only ask that you read them with an open mind.

Hropt

Good Evening,

I thought that I should come on here and leave a few more links for those who are interested. Whither for personal spiritual reasons, or to learn more of what a loved one in prison has spoken of possibly, or purely on a educational basis. The following link is for English translations of some of the sagas.

http://www.squirrel.com/asatru/free.html

Here is a link to a online radio program that has some archives of it's past shows. Interesting folk music, some old, some new. As well as talks from various people within the Heathen community.

http://www.odinlives.org/

Hope that all who listen will find something of enjoyment from these, and possibly learn something from a different culture.

Hropt

To be honest, I have a masters degree and I can really not understand the significance of most of these passages. As far as the swastika, it is also an ancient Aztec symbol, but we don't go around tattooing it on ourselves. I have the same problem with the bible - much of it just has very little meaning to me, which, I guess, is why I'm an atheist.

Hi Valentina,

The messages of myths were not written in black and white. Some are purely entertainment, while others have layers upon layers of meaning. If one studies the Northern Folkways & also studies the self. I think that it is then that the esoteric meanings begin to shine through. As for tattoos I have met people from all different cultures with symbolic tattoos from their heritage adorning their body.

Here are a couple of more links, this are podcast links of interest.

http://ravencast.podbean.com/

http://spokenlore.com/

Again I hope that those whom are interested are able to learn something from these links..

Thank you so very much for posting this. My pen pal has mentioned this in a letter, and I explained that I had no idea what it was, and it was pretty much left at that. I have alot of reading to do... I just printed off the entire thread and will begin reading it tonight.
Thanks again for putting this here.

Hey Jodygirl,

Here is that .pdf link that contains the Hávamál as well as the rest of the mythical lays of the Elder Edda. Chisholm's translation doesn't contain the heroic lays that some translations of the Elder/Poetic Edda have. This way those that come after, won't have to print off of this thread and can read it from the source.

http://www.woodharrow.com/images/ChisholmEdda.pdf

I am starting this path, thankyou for this thread. I have seen the last date on your post, last year... maybe you could add some more.

Here is a clickible link to a company that sells things for the Odinist/Ásatrúar/Heathen.

Vinland Kindred Store
(http://www.vinlandkindred.com/)

Now this company does sell to the general public, so there are products in their online store which cannot be sent to inmates. But the books and jewelry section should be allowable into most institutions. Please make sure that any & all approved vendor paperwork, (should such exist at the institution in question), has passed through the proper channels and is on the approved vendor listing at the institution before sending anything to loved ones.

I am not a member of either the Vinland Kindred or Odin's Holy Nation. I am merely trying to help those for whom this is their spiritual path gain access to books that are relevant to the spiritual growth of the Indo-European Heathen.

Here are some you tube links by actual modern practitioners of the ancient Northern Indo-European spirituality/religion/folkway. This first set of videos are by Mike Smith of the Úlfar aff Jera Þjóð. These videos and others are not the be all end all that is Odinism/Ásatrúism, but merely to educate those who are interested in learning more.

What is Ásatrú? Episode 1
Intro (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pSKv5V9X0IA)

What is Ásatrú? Episode 2
The 4 Tenets of Ásatrú (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=98xieYU_K-M)

What is Ásatrú? Episode 3
Some Theological & Religious Terminology (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JBb9O1UX-ng)

What is Ásatrú? Episode 4
Concept of the Holy (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0jw6gAvxB1U)

What is Ásatrú? Episode 5
Concept of time (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yHqWe360m2Y)

What is Ásatrú? Episode 6, Pt.1 of 3
Ritual Tools & Ritual (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sFrrHCFxxQ0)

What is Ásatrú? Episode 6, Pt.2 of 3
The Metaphysics of Ritual (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vzL_dphnMWk)

What is Ásatrú? Episode 6, Pt.3 of 3
Myth & the Mythical Aspect of Ritual (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ou3g1Mbyb1s)

What is Ásatrú? Episode 7
Sumble (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=efCDunGWifs)

I hope that these videos are informative and will help those whom are learning.

Hropt

This is an interview with Heimgest-DCG of the Odinic-Rite.

Interview with a Gothi

Part 1 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3QhNfjPnXXs)

Part 2 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c0At_eJyS14)

Part 3 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ifQ79CXckyA&feature=related)

Part 4 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nXrt70K01KA&feature=related)

This first one is of Stephen McNallen of the Ásatrú Folk Assembly speaking on:
Victory - Sig (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_fb8yo5YzqA)

And here are the interviews
Part 1 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j8IYXuo3Hbk&feature=related)

Part 2 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fBAQAynT0JM&feature=related)

Here are the videos on:
Focus on the Folk

Part 1 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lPNF1net7BM&feature=related)

Part 2 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ib4MRc1nWUc)

Part 3 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U4MVB1BF8VQ&feature=related)

Part 4 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vMJplHDiDUk&feature=related)

Part 5 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vSk2GB-q_P8&feature=related)

Thread burp

I figured that here would be a good place for those who wish to know more. Below is found at http://www.northvegr.org/lore/runes/003.php

The Old Norse Rune Poem

http://www.northvegr.org/lore/runes/oldnorse/fehu.gif
Fe veldr frænda rogi;
fœðisk ulfr i skogi.

Fee causes kinsmen contention;
grows up the wolf in the forest.

http://www.northvegr.org/lore/runes/oldnorse/uruz.gif
Ur es af illu jarni;
opt hleypr hreinn a hjarni.

Slag is from poor iron;
often runs reindeer on hard frost.

http://www.northvegr.org/lore/runes/oldnorse/thurisaz.gif
Þurs veldr kvenna kvillu;
katr verðr far af illu.

Thurse causes women sickness;
cheerfulness happens little from difficulty.

http://www.northvegr.org/lore/runes/oldnorse/fehu_neg.gif
Oss es flestra ferða för;
en skalpr er sverðr.

Oss is most journeys’ dealings;
but sheath is the sword’s.

http://www.northvegr.org/lore/runes/oldnorse/raidho.gif
Reið kveða hrossum versta;
Reginn slo sverðit bezta.

Riding is said for horses worst;
Reginn forged of swords the best.

http://www.northvegr.org/lore/runes/oldnorse/h_neg.gif
Kaun es beygja barna;
böl gørir mann fölvan.

Sore is curse of children;
sorrow makes man pale.

http://www.northvegr.org/lore/runes/oldnorse/hail.gif
Hagall es kaldastr korna;
Kristr skop heim inn forna.

Hail is the coldest grain;
krist fashioned the world in ancient times.

http://www.northvegr.org/lore/runes/oldnorse/h.gif
Nauð gørir hneppa kosti;
nøktan kelr i frosti.

Need makes for scant choices;
naked ones freeze in frost.

http://www.northvegr.org/lore/runes/oldnorse/isa.gif
Is köllum bru breiða;
blindan þarf at leiða.

Ice all call the bridge broad;
the blind require leading.

http://www.northvegr.org/lore/runes/oldnorse/h_3.gif
Ar es gumna goði;
getk at örr vas Froði.

Harvest is man’s profit;
I think open-handed was Froði.

http://www.northvegr.org/lore/runes/oldnorse/t.gif
Sol es landa ljomi;
lutik helgum domi.

Sol is radiance of lands;
I bow to holiness’ doom.

http://www.northvegr.org/lore/runes/oldnorse/laguz_neg.gif
Tyr es einhendr Asa;
opt verðr smiðr at blasa.

Tyr is the one-handed Aesir;
often happens the smith must blow.

http://www.northvegr.org/lore/runes/oldnorse/berkano.gif
Bjarkan’s laufgrœnstr lima;
Loki far flærðar tima.

Birch is with leafy, greenest limbs;
Loki bore deceit’s luck.

http://www.northvegr.org/lore/runes/oldnorse/algaz.gif
Maðr es moldar auki,
mikil es greip a hauki.

Man is dust’s increase,
Mighty is the hold of the hawk.

http://www.northvegr.org/lore/runes/oldnorse/laguz.gif
Lögr’s es fellr or fjalli, foss;
en gull eru hnossir.

Water is, falling from mountains, force;
but gold a costly ornament.

http://www.northvegr.org/lore/runes/oldnorse/algaz_down.gif
Yr es vetrgrœnstr viða;
vant’s, es brennr, at sviða.

Yew is winter-greenest wood;
expected, when burning, singeing.

http://www.sunnyway.com/runes/title2-2-2.gif
(in Modern English)
From : Runic and Heroic Poems, by Bruce Dickins.
http://www.sunnyway.com/runes/fehu.gif Feoh
Wealth is a comfort to all men;
yet must every man bestow it freely,
if he wish to gain honour in the sight of the Lord.
http://www.sunnyway.com/runes/uruz.gif (http://www.sunnyway.com/runes/runes/Runes/runebar.GIF) Ur
The aurochs is proud and has great horns;
it is a very savage beast and fights with its horns;
a great ranger of the moors, it is a creature of mettle.
http://www.sunnyway.com/runes/thurisaz.gif (http://www.sunnyway.com/runes/runes/Runes/runebar.GIF) Thorn
The thorn is exceedingly sharp,
an evil thing for any knight to touch,
uncommonly severe on all who sit among them.
http://www.sunnyway.com/runes/os.gif (http://www.sunnyway.com/runes/runes/Runes/runebar.GIF) Os
The mouth is the source of all language,
a pillar of wisdom and a comfort to wise men,
a blessing and a joy to every knight.
http://www.sunnyway.com/runes/raidho.gif Rad
Riding seems easy to every warrior while he is indoors
and very courageous to him who traverses the high-roads
on the back of a stout horse.
http://www.sunnyway.com/runes/cen.gif Cen
The torch is known to every living man by its pale, bright flame;
it always burns where princes sit within.
http://www.sunnyway.com/runes/gebo.gif Gyfu
Generosity brings credit and honour, which support one's dignity;
it furnishes help and subsistence
to all broken men who are devoid of aught else.
http://www.sunnyway.com/runes/wunjo.gif (http://www.sunnyway.com/runes/runes/Runes/runebar.GIF) Wynn
Bliss he enjoys who knows not suffering, sorrow nor anxiety,
and has prosperity and happiness and a good enough house.
http://www.sunnyway.com/runes/haegel.gif Haegl
Hail is the whitest of grain;
it is whirled from the vault of heaven
and is tossed about by gusts of wind
and then it melts into water.
http://www.sunnyway.com/runes/nauthiz.gif Nyd
Trouble is oppressive to the heart;
yet often it proves a source of help and salvation
to the children of men, to everyone who heeds it betimes.
http://www.sunnyway.com/runes/isa.gif Is
Ice is very cold and immeasurably slippery;
it glistens as clear as glass and most like to gems;
it is a floor wrought by the frost, fair to look upon.
http://www.sunnyway.com/runes/ger.gif Ger
Summer is a joy to men, when God, the holy King of Heaven,
suffers the earth to bring forth shining fruits
for rich and poor alike.
http://www.sunnyway.com/runes/eihwaz.gif Eoh
The yew is a tree with rough bark,
hard and fast in the earth, supported by its roots,
a guardian of flame and a joy upon an estate.
http://www.sunnyway.com/runes/perthro.gif Peordh
Peorth is a source of recreation and amusement to the great,
where warriors sit blithely together in the banqueting-hall.
http://www.sunnyway.com/runes/algiz.gif Eolh
The Eolh-sedge is mostly to be found in a marsh;
it grows in the water and makes a ghastly wound,
covering with blood every warrior who touches it.
http://www.sunnyway.com/runes/sigel.gif Sigel
The sun is ever a joy in the hopes of seafarers
when they journey away over the fishes' bath,
until the courser of the deep bears them to land.
http://www.sunnyway.com/runes/tiwaz.gif (http://www.sunnyway.com/runes/runes/Runes/runebar.GIF) Tir
Tiw is a guiding star; well does it keep faith with princes;
it is ever on its course over the mists of night and never fails.
http://www.sunnyway.com/runes/berkano.gif Beorc
The poplar bears no fruit; yet without seed it brings forth suckers,
for it is generated from its leaves.
Splendid are its branches and gloriously adorned
its lofty crown which reaches to the skies.
http://www.sunnyway.com/runes/ehwaz.gif Eh
The horse is a joy to princes in the presence of warriors.
A steed in the pride of its hoofs,
when rich men on horseback bandy words about it;
and it is ever a source of comfort to the restless.
http://www.sunnyway.com/runes/mannaz.gif Mann
The joyous man is dear to his kinsmen;
yet every man is doomed to fail his fellow,
since the Lord by his decree will commit the vile carrion to the earth.
http://www.sunnyway.com/runes/laguz.gif Lagu
The ocean seems interminable to men,
if they venture on the rolling bark
and the waves of the sea terrify them
and the courser of the deep heed not its bridle.
http://www.sunnyway.com/runes/ing.gif Ing
Ing was first seen by men among the East-Danes,
till, followed by his chariot,
he departed eastwards over the waves.
So the Heardingas named the hero.
http://www.sunnyway.com/runes/othala.gif Ethel
An estate is very dear to every man,
if he can enjoy there in his house
whatever is right and proper in constant prosperity.
http://www.sunnyway.com/runes/dagaz.gif Dæg
Day, the glorious light of the Creator, is sent by the Lord;
it is beloved of men, a source of hope and happiness to rich and poor,
and of service to all.
http://www.sunnyway.com/runes/ac.gif Ac
The oak fattens the flesh of pigs for the children of men.
Often it traverses the gannet's bath,
and the ocean proves whether the oak keeps faith
in honourable fashion.
http://www.sunnyway.com/runes/ansuz.gif Æsc
The ash is exceedingly high and precious to men.
With its sturdy trunk it offers a stubborn resistance,
though attacked by many a man.
http://www.sunnyway.com/runes/yr.gif Yr
Yr is a source of joy and honour to every prince and knight;
it looks well on a horse and is a reliable equipment for a journey.
http://www.sunnyway.com/runes/hagall.gif Ior
Iar is a river fish and yet it always feeds on land;
it has a fair abode encompassed by water, where it lives in happiness.
http://www.sunnyway.com/runes/Ear.gif Ear
The grave is horrible to every knight,
when the corpse quickly begins to cool
and is laid in the bosom of the dark earth.
Prosperity declines, happiness passes away
and covenants are broken.

Here are a couple of quick videos that may help to explain a little more about the religious rituals that are performed by various Ásatrúar/Odinists. This is a very brief presentation of the way that the Ásatrú Folk Assembly-(AFA), performs their rituals. Which is more or less how heathen religious service is done.

Again, this entire thread is dedicated to educating, not converting, those whom may have loved ones that have mentioned something about attending Ásatrú/Odinist services in the prisons that they are at, and wish to know more about this religion. Please be patient, as the video feed is slow.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ejY6Fs6nK_w&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xGZYdzKWWhw&feature=related

These are the views of the Ásatrú Folk Assembly (AFA)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cDvPdWBeEFc

A short video on Winter Nights and the ancestors.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KL2Xcv8IEek

I can't tell you what a relief it was to come across this at this very moment. I had recently sent some info to him about wotanism which is an addititin of odinism. I haven't heard from him & was worried that they wouldn't accept that info for him & I asked him if it was safe to send & he just said to try. After 3 nights past the night he said he would call I was getting a little concerned. ggrrrrr after 3 1/2 yrs of waiting for mail & phone calls youd think I'd be over the worry.....