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 foster the worship, spiritual practice, and Troth of the Northern European Heathen religion as a polytheistic faith, supported by education, training, resource provision, charitable work, community outreach, and contributions to other 501(c)(3) organizations with similar religious goals. 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 Heathens 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. In pursuit of our religious mission, we refrain from participating in political campaigns or substantial lobbying, focusing instead on spiritual and moral guidance rooted in Heathen traditions.

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, racial, cultural, or ancestral background, gender, or sexual orientation, who wishes to build a relationship with our Gods and Goddesses and learn about us 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 research to deepen the understanding and practice of Northern European Heathenry, and offering training programs to prepare clergy and scholars for religious service and study. Our outreach program, guided by our reverence for the landvaettir (spirits of the earth), educates people to be stewards of their local environments, both within the United States and globally, as an expression of our religious duty. 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. All resources and efforts of the Church are dedicated solely to its religious, charitable, and educational purposes, with no benefit accruing to private individuals beyond reasonable compensation for services rendered.

Position Statement

The Church of Norse Traditions is a Heathen church dedicated primarily to the worship, spiritual practice, and honoring of Northern European deities and spirits. Its fundamental religious purpose is supported by advocating for religious freedom, conducting charitable work, providing education, and benefiting other 501(c)(3) charities to advance the practice and understanding of:

Northern European Gods and Goddesses: The Aesir and Vanir in Norse mythology, and their equivalents in other Germanic cultures.
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.
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.
Spirits and Wights: Wights of specific places (land, waters, home), elves (alfar), dwarves (dvergar), female powers (disir/idises, valkyries), and other beings.
Honorable Human Heroes and Ancestors: From legendary figures to historical and modern-day individuals.

Advocating for the Religious Freedom of Entheogenic Practices:
The Church of Norse Traditions recognizes the use of sacred sacraments and rites, including entheogenic substances of plant or fungi origin, as a potential expression of religious freedom and spiritual practice within Heathen traditions, aimed at fostering altered states of consciousness, spiritual growth, healing, or divine communion. The Church does not administer such sacraments or rites but affirms the right of members to engage in these practices, according to their conscience, in their personal capacity, and separate from church-sponsored functions and events, consistent with applicable laws and the Church’s religious mission.

Variations and Inclusivity:
Understanding of our gods and practices has 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, so long as they do not violate the ethics and spirit of our mission.

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. The Church of Norse Traditions does not dictate which beings members may honor, what rituals to employ, or how they conceive of these beings.

Political Neutrality:
The Church of Norse Traditions does not participate in political campaigns for or against candidates or engage in substantial lobbying activities, as defined by Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, ensuring its focus remains on religious worship and spiritual guidance.

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, including those not dedicated to Germanic Heathenry, on common concerns that further its religious, charitable, or educational purposes, as permitted under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.

Implementation:

The officers of The Church of Norse Traditions are charged with implementing this policy into their procedures, ensuring that no net earnings or assets benefit private individuals beyond reasonable compensation for services rendered, in accordance with Section 501(c)(3) requirements. The Position Statement may only be amended with a ¾ super majority vote by The Table, or by direction of the Gothi.