It's not as common to see oppression or hate on a personal level, than an openly Odinist person would have 10+ years ago. There are however still laws that openly discriminate against the practice of funeral pyres across America, along with basic homesteading practices in some states. The beliefs of the Pagan folk, be they Odinist, Celtic, or Wiccan bring many of us to live closer to nature, and to the traditions of our ancestors. In modern popular culture this lifestyle would be called either “homesteading” or “self sustaining.” This Pagan self sustaining belief for me, stands out as a religious right, and it stems from a few stanzas of the Eddic poem known as the Havamal. So, let's dig into all of that for a moment. We will start with the beliefs themselves.
The Odinist Right To Self Sustain..
To be more specific, we have the right to not depend on other people, or companies for what we can produce ourselves. For instance, we should be able to collect solar power, or generate hydroelectric energy and store it, rather than paying a utility company. Yet in many states this is either forbidden outright, or heavily regulated. Another example is with keeping chickens, I can understand why this may be a bad idea in a condo building in New York City, but many suburban areas with yards up to half an acre in size or larger even have them banned. Collecting rain water for later usage, distilling spirits, growing many types of herbal medicines and homeopathic remedies is also illegal, the list goes on and on.
The really disturbing part is the fact that the things they have regulated or banned are still available, but only through means of good old commercial consumerism. You can't generate and store electricity with your own panels, and in your own batteries, but you can pay the utility company for it. You can't make moonshine legally, but you can go to Total Wine and More, and buy some. Apply this to chickens, cows, and cannabis, rinse and repeat..
By doing these things, they haven't exactly gone out and outlawed Paganism, but at the same time, they have. There are still a few states with areas where these things are totally legal. The traditional funeral practice of a Pyre, or open cremation ceremony and the following mound burial on the other hand, are illegal in all 50 U.S. States. It feels like no matter where we go, or what we build as Pagans, we will always be in the shadow of a massive and unnatural church.
We aren't modern Vikings, we are farmers.
The term Viking refers to a very distinct group of people, from a very specific time frame. This word is also more accurately used as a verb, than as an indicator of one's lineage. Let me explain. There are no Norwegian, Danish, or Swedish folks planning on raiding English churches, not with today's easy access to resources. This only really happened from roughly 710 AD - 1080 AD. Modern Odinist Pagan folk may honor the same pantheon as the viking, but the Catholic church isn't currently doing holy crusades into our homelands trying to convert or kill every pagan any longer.
What we more closely resemble would be the religion and social structure of the “Germanic” agricultural tribes. Simple farm folk, and self sustaining homesteaders. We are the cabin in the woods people. It's been that way since the Romans began calling us Paganus, and Pagani. The word literally means country folk, and it describes our lifestyle, ancestral traditions, and to a certain extent it even explains some of our oldest religious ceremonies. Most specifically spreading blood in a place that we planned on planting vegetables. It wasn't all spiritual magic making the plants grow better there, the blood acts as a Nitrogen fertilizer. The Romans had assumed that this spreading of cattle, or swine blood served some spiritual desire, when in reality we knew exactly what it did. Hence the frowned upon archaic Pagan tradition of giving back to the land.
Stereotypes Vs. Our Actual Beliefs.
Let's break a few of these common stereotypes down. The first one we will cover, is that Pagans are all Drunken, Mushroom eating tree huggers. First issue, being drunkards, is against our religious teachings. In fact, the habitual use of any intoxicants is equally frowned upon. Any substance that fills your wits should only be used in great moderation, and usually during very specific ceremonies or occasions. To illustrate this, one of the longest runs of stanzas in Havamal directly address this.
These stanzas address a point that is frequented not only in Havamal, but all through the Eddas. Now that we have dispelled that stereotype, let's move into the next one. Pagans are tree hugging vegans, who only use plant based medicines. Where to begin with this one.. tree hugging is a good place perhaps. Yes, we do tend to live much closer to nature, so that particular stereotype albeit a slightly hyperbolic one, is a partially true statement. The preference for natural, or plant based medicines is also true, but not locked in stone. What we have here is a personal and very nuanced issue. We prefer natural remedies, but in a matter of life and death will accept pharmaceutical medications, and surgical intervention. We do not however use untested medications, or like to be used as lab rats. The one that most Pagans are vegan, I find to be the most absurd stereotype. Sure there are some, but where this one likely comes from is the Pagan belief in not killing animals for sport. This one tends to ring more true among the different Pagan groups, but is especially true among the Wiccan folk. Germanic and Norse folk are far more likely to engage in right of passage hunts, but tend to use every piece of the animals killed. They are not just sport killings. So there is a lot of nuance there as well.
To be honest, the stereotypes have been running so long, that most of us have simply tired of correcting them. In the end though, they do tend to warp the public perception of Pagan Folk.
The Real Attack.
The Biggest Attack we face today, actually isn't against Pagan folk, it's against men in general. This is a broad based attack, but specifically against traditional male roles in society. Where being a husband, father, or basically a working class provider, is somehow made out to be a negative thing. Well I say fuck that noise, these are the most important roles to maintain if we want to have a peaceful, and crime free society. Men should remain in their child's life, and teach them to fix things, hunt, and at the very least to grow simple foods. Not only does this offer them skills that can be applied to most areas of life, but it also keeps them focused on positive things, and ultimately not be raised by mother YouTube, and Father Facebook.
We also recognize the difference in roles that men and women play in society, but without limiting our women to only those roles. We were mocked and derided by the Romans, and later Catholic, Christian, Jewish, and Muslim peoples for treating our women as equals for several thousand years. A very simple concept that the western world seems to be struggling with, and it's at a degree of difficulty that is almost comical. We honor our women, and like the noble rooster, will protect them with our lives.
Thank you for reading, and no matter who you are, or what religion you believe in, be proud.
Thank you, I am under the impression that none of the Actions being taken are accidental, or have unforseen negative effects.
They know exactly what's going to happen long before they do it.
Average People : Umm... AI and experts warn that terrorists are coming over the southern border.
Politicians : These are families fleeing from communism, Call them "new citizens"
There is no way possible that these politicians think the 18,000,000 military aged males that have been arriving here, are families fleeing oppression.
Them giving taxpayer funds, and sending National Guard to the Middle East, when we need billions in relief and help at home, is not an accident.
Supporting the openly Nazi Azov battalion in Ukraine, to the tune of well over $180+ Billion US tax payer dollars, not an accident.
Ukraine promising to build Army bases, and defensive infrastructure near the border, then not building any of it and losing the money, the receipts for what they did spend, and the records of where the remainder is kept, not an accident either.
The fact that Biden suggested fundraisers for assistance in Appalachia, within 24 hours of sending several billion more to Ukraine, also not an accident.
They are preying on the charitable nature of Americans.
This is getting out of hand.
Well said!