The Church of Norse Traditions
OUR WYRD
The Norse concept of Wyrd is a profound and multifaceted notion that is roughly equivalent to fate or personal destiny. It is central to the worldview of the Heathen Norse and other Germanic peoples, encapsulating the intricate interplay of past actions, present events, and future outcomes. OUR WYRD refers to the tapestry we are weaving here at The Church of Norse Traditions, from the history that binds us all together, the steps we're taking now to rebuild a Heathen Frith, and to the horizon, where we see a glorious future with all our brothers and sisters from around the world.
Mission Statement
The Church of Norse Traditions' mission is to educate, train, and provide resources for the promotion and practice of Northern European Heathenry, also known as Asatru. This polytheistic religion encompasses various traditions, including Theodism, Irminism, Odinism, Urglaawe, and Anglo-Saxon Heathenry. As an inclusive organization, The Church of Norse Traditions serves as a gathering place for all Asatruar to meet, worship, and learn from one another. We emphasize a personal loyalty, or Troth, to the Gods and Goddesses of Northern Europe, our specific and tribal ancestors, and the landvaettir, the spirits of the earth.
Our deities belong primarily to two tribes: the Aesir and the Vanir, including Odin, Frigga, Thor, Sif, Njord, Frey, Freya, Tyr, Baldr, among others. We honor our indigenous Northern European religious, cultural, and historical heritages. We welcome everyone, regardless of their religious, cultural, or ancestral background, gender, or sexual orientation, who wishes to build a relationship with our Gods and Goddesses and learn about Asatru or other forms of Heathenry.
Members of The Church of Norse Traditions follow the moral principles upheld by our noble ancestors, such as Boldness, Truth, Honor, Courage, Self-Rule, Hospitality, Industry, Self-Reliance, Steadfastness, Equality, Strength, Wisdom, Generosity, and Family Responsibility.
The Church of Norse Traditions is committed to providing high-quality resources, conducting up-to-date research in Northern European Heathenry, and offering training programs for future scholars and clergy. Our outreach program educates people to be stewards of their local environments, both within the United States and globally. In all its endeavors, The Church of Norse Traditions strives to embody the spirit of reciprocity and ethics as guided by our religious and cultural traditions.
Position Statement
The Church of Norse Traditions is an entheogenic Heathen church. It’s fundamental purpose is to advance the knowledge and honoring of:
1. Northern European Gods and Goddesses: The Aesir and Vanir in Norse mythology, and their equivalents in other Germanic cultures.
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2. Beneficent Germanic Deities: Deities not specifically mentioned in Old Norse sources but are understood to be beneficent, such as Eostre/Ostara, Nehalennia, Saxnot, and Nerthus.
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3. Mythological Allies: Beings from mythology or folklore that are allies or not openly hostile to our gods, such as Aegir, Ran, Thorri, Hel, Jordh/Earth, Sol, Mani, and the Norns.
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4. Spirits and Wights: Wights of specific places (land, waters, home), elves (alfar), dwarves (dvergar), female powers (disir/idises, valkyries), and other beings.
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5. Honorable Human Heroes and Ancestors: From legendary figures to historical and modern-day individuals.
Advocating for the religious freedom of entheogenic practices:
Though The Church of Norse Traditions will not administer such sacraments or rites, the church affirms and advocates for the rights of it’s members to partake in sacred sacraments and rites, according to the conscience of each member, in their personal capacity, and away from church-sponsored functions and events. This includes the partaking of entheogenic substances, typically of plant or fungi origin, that is used for the religious, spiritual, or shamanic practices of altered states of consciousness, spiritual growth, healing, or communication with the divine.
Variations and Inclusivity:
Understanding of our gods and practices have always varied. In the modern era, various sects, tribal groups, and traditions have emerged. The Church of Norse Traditions recognizes these differences and aims to include them within the larger heathen community.
Freedom of Worship:
The Church of Norse Traditions affirms the right of individuals and groups to worship freely, guided by their own consciences. Membership is not based on adherence to specific practices, beliefs, or dogmas. Freedom of conscience, exchange of ideas, and diversity of opinions are vital for our religion's growth. We not dictate which beings members may honor, what rituals to employ, or how they conceive of these beings.
Regarding Loki:
Hailing or worshiping Loki has been a matter of great debate throughout the Heathen community. Each person has the right to determine the gods they worship. Unless otherwise mentioned, apart from rituals intended for a specific deity, ritual hailing of Loki is permissible so long as it’s done with the respect required of other participants.
Boundaries of Worship
The Church of Norse Traditions does not promote the honoring of:
- Non-Germanic traditional religions (e.g., Greco/Roman, Native American, Kemetic/Egyptian, Vedic).
- Abrahamic religions (e.g., Jehovah, Jesus, Satan, Allah, Mohammed, angels, djinn).
- Hostile beings from Germanic mythology (e.g., Angrboda, Fenrir, the Midgard Serpent, Surtr, Muspel's Sons, Garm, Nidhogg).
Discussions of these beings are necessary when relevant but are not the purpose of church programs. Members are expected to respect these boundaries in church affairs.
Collaboration
The Church of Norse Traditions may collaborate with other organizations on common concerns, even those not dedicated to Heathenry.
