User:Brandon Hendrix/sandbox

Asatru
Ásatrú is a newer Icelandic religious movement founded during the summer solstice in 1972 by a farmer (Seveinbjorn Beinteinsson, 1924-1993) but didn't gain recognition as one until 1973 allowing the religion to hold ceremonies, and collect church taxes. Shortly after that they became the "Asatru alliance" https://www.asatru.org/ where the founder of this alliance Valgard Murray holds an annual get together known as "Althing" for the last 25 years. Another way to refer to this religious group (and they actually prefer it) is "heathen" or "neopagan" since in a way this is a more modernized version of old traditions from the pre-Christian times of the Norse culture.

Their beliefs
They are a polytheistic religious group as they believe in many Gods. The Aesir, Vanir, and Jotnar. While those who are killed in battle are granted a personal escort to Valhalla By the Vanir Goddess Freyja and her Valkyries. Once the slain have arrived to Valhalla, they will be able to eat Sarimner who is a pig that is slaughtered and brought back to life everyday for consumption in the company of the Gods. Each of the three deities they follow all have their onw titles. The Aesir are known for leadership and are usually Gods of a tribe or clan, Vanir are associated with the clan of Aseir but more represent earth and nature, and Jotnar a place were the giants are always curved to be at war with the Aesir, they are related to destruction and chaos. Those who die of old age, sickness, or just not in battle in general go to Hel a place of peace and calming nature. Those who have been dishonorable and immoral in life with no signs of changing are dammed to Hifhel to be tortured and tormented for eternity.

Gods and Goddesses
Odin being the God above Gods in the Norse realm, he is a one eyed God and a father figure as well s a magician. He resides in Asgard as King and is known as the teacher of heroes. He is also a shapeshifter and often appears as a one eyed old man who speaks wisdom to others. He has two ravens with him (Hugin and Munin) each meaning thought and memory. He can also resurrect dead warriors and kings to Valhalla where they fight day in and da out whole being healed of their wounds by the end of each day. and he does this to have them fight to protect Asgard from any threat but mainly to protect himself as he saw his fate in the upcoming of Ragnarok. As a young man Odin hung himself from the Yggdrasil tree while his own spear pierced him in order to obtain infinite knowledge of the nine realms. in return he learned the magic of the runes. The number "nine" is consistent throughout Norse sagas and Mythology in general. Whish is also why the Asatru have nine noble virtues they follow as well. Thor is the son of Odin and the wielder of the legendary hammer Mjolnir while also being the God of Thunder. Thor even has his own day named after him as well. (Thursday) or (Thor's Day). The old pagans would wear a Mjolnir pendant as a form of protection and the Asatru still stay true to that tradition and wear it today. Frey is the God of peace, plenty, fertility, and prosperity. Loki the trickster God often appears as a family member to Odin (not Thor's brother like the MCU) and can also shapeshift into anything he wants. He is usually placed with the words chaos, mischief, mayhem, and change. Freyja the Goddess of love, beauty, and sexuality. She is the leader of the Valkyries who bring the slain to Valhalla an is also a Vanir Goddess. Frigg was the wife of Odin who is goddess of the household and watches over married women.

Nine Noble Virtues of Modern Asatru

 * Courage - physical and moral courage
 * Truth - spiritual and actual truths
 * Honor - reputation and moral compass
 * Fidelity - remaining true to Gods, kinsmen, spouse, and community
 * Discipline - personal will to uphold honor and virtues
 * Hospitality - treating others with respect, apart of community
 * Industriousness - hard work to achieve a goal
 * self- reliance - takin care of yourself, maintain relationships with deity
 * perseverance - continuing through obstacles no matter what.