Asatru For Beginners

Summary

Throughout the past decades, everyone associated Viking culture with a barbarian and hostile race. Lawless in nature, savage in rituals, and mindless in their actions. Not that the Vikings didn't invade and pillage their fair share of lands, but while they were a warring society, violence was not their identity. The misconception regarding Nordic peoples could be traced back in history to the Christianization of Scandinavia, the severe shortage of Scandinavian historical accounts, and the Christian historians' view of pagan religions. It was only in modern times when a few enthusiasts decided to dig a little deeper behind the popular image of Vikings. That is when they realized the buried treasure that is Norse mythology. They stumbled upon the Nordic belief that the universe is composed of nine realms, all resting safely on the branches of the universal tree, Yggdrasill. They also found the endless tales of gods like Odin, the wanderer, the all-father, the magician, and the God of poets. Thor, the thunderer and the protector of Asgard and mankind. Tyr, the God of justice and war formalities.