Northern Lights – An Introduction to Northern Religions
by Briefly outlining and exploring the religious practices of the northern people, namely Teuton, Scandinavian, and Germanic. Look for more articles in the Northern Lights series!
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In the late 20th and early 21st centuries, there has been a resurgence of a religion almost wiped out 1000 years ago by the spread of Christianity. There are many names now for this religion, Heathenry, Odinism, Asatruism, but the religious beliefs of the northern people cannot be summed up so easily.
Our world today is fraught with danger and peril. The moral spectrum has grown so broad it has become indiscernible. For these reasons, and many others, people all over the world are looking back to harsher, yet simpler times. A great example of this is the ever growing Buddhist community.
Many of us are seeking a departure from the organized religions that are so prevalent. For most of us it is a search for something more personalized, closer to our heart. When following a spiritual path the only way to know if it’s right for you is if it feels right in your heart. A fair amount of my family feel in their hearts that Christianity is the path for them, and I couldn’t be happier for them.
I know many of us simply can’t do that though. We feel a need to find our own way, to beat our own path. Your environment, your life, and the spiritual journey are all part of what make you feel in touch with yourself, as well as your God(s).
The Northern Beliefs
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In a world shaped of cold and hardships, the people of the north found comfort in their friends, family, community, and especially their gods/goddesses. The variations on their beliefs were as numerous as the small villages all over the north of Europe. Each community, each family, practised what they believed to be true, what felt right in their hearts.
Common for all were certain values that were the core of their belief. Most important of all was strength, honor, and love of family, community, and friends. There were also many gods and godesses worshipped in the homes and mead halls of the northern people. Gods like Odin, Thor, and Baldur. Goddesses like Freya, Idunna, and Sif. Depending on where and how a community lived, they may pray to different gods to suit their needs.
In order to understand the beliefs, you need to have an understanding of what it`s like to be surrounded by snow and ice. The silence, the stillness, the isolation. If you`ve never been surrounded by a field of white as far as the eye can see, with the only features being trees and snow-capped mountains, you may not be able to appreciate the compassionate yet fierce nature of the gods and goddesses of the north.
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Post CommentWriteEditSeek
On August 12, 2009 at 7:06 pm
I liked this article a lot, Jeremy. You touched on how the Northern peoples’ religions were influenced by their geography. That’s an interesting concept that I’ve been exploring in some depth with relation to Native American spirituality. I just came across the term “geo-myth.” I think Christianity has gotten away from that type of perspective, which has left a gaping hole that has left many of us feeling disconnected and separate from our environment. I look forward to reading more from you about Northern religions.
P.S. I so agree with you that many of us are looking to other traditions to find a path that is closer to our hearts. Very well said.
Ruby Hawk
On August 12, 2009 at 10:41 pm
I enjoy reading about different spiritual concepts and your article is especially interesting. I think christianity has wiped out many personal spiritual beliefs with their agressive way of lording it over people of other beliefs.