Non-Retro Heathenry

[dannychaos]

I'm hoping my collective ramblings here might eventually be an article for the upcoming Idunna for the Troth. The theme is Idunna herself and New Beginings. I have been observing various attempts of various groups to reconstruct the tribal unit of various Germanic tribes (ex, Angle-Saxons, Saxons, Normans, Alemanni.) I have seen one major flaw

Comments

[ciarin]

I like being retro.

[dannychaos]

retro like as in my glasses? That kinda retro is cool.

[ciarin]

well, you're glasses are hot.

But I like being retro in religion as well. Following a few anachronisms in honor of our past is quite fulfilling.

[mistressindi]

The mention of the Christian-era feudal organization vs. prechristian tribalism has me wondering something. In your opinion, how much cultural contamination (for lack of a better term) is acceptable when trying to recreate things as they once were? There's been a huge historical clusterfuck of people and ideas swirling through Europe, for centuries, and that tends to muddy the waters a bit... especially when it comes to religion.

[dannychaos]

Thats the whole point of what I'm talking about. We can't recreate things as they once were. We are no longer Saxons, Franks, Jutes, Angles, etc. The attempts to do so have ended up using semi-feudal models. If we look at our pre-Christian faiths as surviving the Christian period to this and have evolved since then we will not have to worry about issues of contamination. Another point that I will bring up n a post is untill we have publc land for Hetahen use the common place for Heathen worship is at someone's house or land. Another arguement for the household being the primary tribal unit for modern Heathens.

[freysblot]

You’ll have to check out Part 3 of the paper I’m working on now (hopefully done in a few more weeks). My main focus will be on ethics from an Irminic perspective, but will touch on those levels of loyalty and social structure in the process. Even if you decide you disagree with my conclusions I hope you’ll find it thought-provoking.

[dannychaos]

yes please do. I am interested in oaths and loyalty from an Irminic perspective

[heethen_crone]

Interesting post. Indeed, we are not our ancestors, but an evolved amalgum. I define myself as Euromutt. I feel I can draw from English, German, Frankish, etc. heritages as these are all mine. the feudal oath swearing thing has always kind of left an "off" taste in my mouth. Not that I don't like the theods. There are some wonderful heathen in them that I regard highly, but it's just not for me, or many other heathens either. I don't think it makes me any less heathen, just different from them.
The other issue, the home as being the base of the tribe, well that works good on paper but how many heathen come from a heathen family? Have any heathen relatives? Hel, how many don't have relatives at all within a 4-5 hour drive? It can be a good thing, and as heathens mature, marry,and have children, this kind of thing will evolve but it's gonna take generations.

[deorwirth]

Having been interested in theodic heathenry myself, at one time; I admit the writings of Swain and Eric Wodening have been most influential to my understanding of heathenism. Helping to develop a mindset of what Heathenry was and how it relates to today. They and others like them have selflessly invested countless hours of study which benefit everyone interested in heathenism. Concepts lost to us over the centuries have been reawakened. The historical concepts I find fascinating; however theodism in practice doesn't work today. I see oaths too many oaths cast as stones sinking to the bottom of a lake

[deorwirth]

....very well spoken....