The Disclaimer: I am not now, nor have I ever been, a member of any Asatru or Heathen group. I do not identify as Asatru or Heathen. I am a northern-tradition Pagan, which is a religious tradition that is reconstructionist-derived, rather than a reconstructionist tradition such as Asatru and/or Heathenry. The views espoused in these pages may or may not reflect the views of most Asatru and/or Heathen people or religious groups. They are derived from the personal gnosis of myself and other people whom I trust and respect. I do not claim that they are provable by academic sources, nor that they are anything other than what I say they are. Read at your own risk.
Rökkatru Ethics & Values
We are the Rökkatru. We honor and love and work with the Gods of the third pantheon of the Norse/Germanic religions, the Gods of underworld and shadow. Like many similar deities in other Pagan cosmologies - Hades, Hecate, Kali, Ereshkigal - we do not see our Gods as evil, because we feel that the concept of Good vs. Evil has no place in our cosmology. Instead, we see them as being a source of deep and difficult wisdom. Some may wonder what sort of ethical code would be held by those of us who worship such dark and ambivalent Gods. I have prayed to my Gods and this is what they have given me: My own personal Rökkatru Code of Ethics. For more information on the Rökkr, please check out Abby Helasdottir's site, as she was the one who originally coined the term.
Hela's Rule: Vision.
Death takes the long view of all things, and so we strive to value far-seeing
over temporary difficulties. Ask yourself: Will this matter in a year? Five
years? Ten? After I am dead? Think ahead before you react, before you speak.
Learn not to take things personally; people often react from their damage, and
everything blows over in time.
Loki's Rule:
Self-Knowledge. No matter what
you say to others, be it truth or lie, never lie to yourself. Know yourself excruciatingly
well, even the ugly parts, and always be honest with yourself first. When you
speak the truth aloud, remember that the greatest honor is in speaking the
truth that no one wants to hear, and that everyone has been avoiding out of
fear.
Angrboda's Rule: Diversity.
The Giant-Race comes in a myriad of forms, and all shapes, sizes, and natures
are valued among them. Being close to Nature, they understand that diversity is
survival and strength, while homogeneity is inevitable weakness. Thus, we accept
and value diversity in human beings, be that in race, ability, gender, cultural
background, lifestyle, sexual preferences, appearance, and all the many ways
that we can be wonderfully different.
Jormundgand's Rule:
Liminality. As the Snake is neither male nor female, both of Midgard and
not of Midgard, so we see that the honorable and the sacred is most often found
in that which crosses boundaries, bridges opposites, moves between worlds. We
value that which is Both, and Neither, as one of the Great Mysteries.
Sigyn's Rule:
Loyalty. Stand by those who love you, and whom you love, no matter what
others say of them, no matter if they are driven out. The loyalty of true
friends, family, and lovers is more important than the acceptance of any group,
and any group that would force you to forswear them is not worthy.
Gerda's Rule:
Frithmaking. While sometimes war is necessary, there is always far more
honor in making a just peace than waging a just war.
Jord's Rule:
Earthwisdom. Revere the Earth and Nature; seek to live lightly on the land.
Honor the spirits of the Earth, the stones, the trees, and all Nature.
Nidhogg's Rule:
Recycliing. There is no such place as Away, so be careful what you throw
there. Recycle, give away, don't waste, find a place for it somewhere else.
This includes people as well as things.
Aegir's Rule:
Hospitality. Open your doors even to those not of your people, not of your
tribe. Open your doors to them even when they are annoying, or disrespectful,
if there is the chance of an alliance, of changing their ways with frithmaking.
Be gracious in the face of others' greed and boorishness. You have the right to
set boundaries, but be generous the first time at least, no matter who they
are, until they truly prove themselves worthless.
Surt's Rule:
Intensity. Whatever you do, let it be with passion and fervor. Do not live
a dull, repressed life.
Fenris's Rule: Shadow.
Learn to love and find sacred all the parts of yourself, even the darknesses.
Honor them by making a safe place for them, where they can neither be harmed
nor harm others.
Mordgud's Rule:
Self-Control. The Giant-Race is a people of strong passions, and so often
are their followers. That is why it is all the more important that we strive
always to keep our gates guarded and our walls firm -- not to keep out, but to
keep in. Keep control of your emotions, that they might not spill over and burn
others, or yourself.
The Norns' Rule:
Dedication. Walk your path as you understand it, and as the Gods tell you
to, and let no mortal opinion get in the way of your Wyrd.
Raven Kaldera
cauldronfarm@hotmail.com
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