1) Establishing a
permanent Hof and a Northern European cultural / arts center.
2) The Creation of an accurate information outreach program to raise public awareness and promote the vital growth of Asatru.
3) Obtaining the legal recognition of Asatru as a legitimate religion, guarantying all the rights and benefits thereof.
1) Asatru is the
Ethnic, Ancestral, and Family Orientated spiritual expression of the
indigenous Northern European Peoples, and is thus indivisible from them.
2) We of Odin's Volk believe in the Northern Gods and Goddesses. The Aesir and Vanir exist as real and true deities in many levels of being and in various manifestations. We believe that they have individual minds, passions, and desires who care for their folk and for the world in general. We believe that we are directly invested with the divine powers of Body, Mind and Soul, which were bestowed upon the Germanic peoples by the powers of the High Ones themselves. Thus, We are family to the Aesir and Vanir, and we look to them for comfort, strength and guidance.
3) Odin's Volk is organized as a tribal democracy. We allow the full expression of our spiritual beliefs, while constantly striving for the sanctity, preservation , and advancement of our ancient faith.
4) Odin's Volk is uncompromisingly a Non-political organization. Our gatherings shall remain forever free of political direction and manifestations.
5) We of Odin's Volk believe in the Eddas and myths as divinely inspired spiritual literature. We acknowledge that while they are not always the literal accounts of physical events, they are nevertheless true in some spiritual, physical and mental sense, and as such deserve our attention and respect.
6) We of Odin's Volk believe in right and wrong and always strive to stand with the Aesir and Vanir against those who would do us evil. We believe in Troth, Frith and Loyalty to the Gods, to each other as kinsmen, and to the ancient traditions of our folk.
7) We of Odin's Volk believe in ever striving for excellence in all aspects of our lives. Living an honourable and worthy life following the ways of the Gods. We accept as our inspiration and guide the Nine Noble virtues: Courage, Truth, Honour, Fidelity, Discipline, Hospitality, Industriousness, Self Reliance, and Perseverance.
8) We of Odin's Volk believe in the basic universal human rights of the freedom to speak, act and worship as they will within the confines of the Law. We believe that the oppression of the human spirit is the greatest of all crimes and that the Gods seek us as family, companions and followers, never as slaves or servants.
9) We of Odin's Volk realize that each man or woman can seek their own troth with the Gods. While we recognize the Gothar ( Priests or Priestesses) as learned teachers and persons of close relationship with the Gods, we strongly assert that NO person's relationship with the Gods and Goddesses is dependant on another human's intervention or help.
PURPOSE:
1) Odin's Volk seeks to re-establish the
ancient religion of Asatru, honouring the Pan-Germanic Gods and Goddesses and
uphold their moral and spiritual laws. We believe in the future of Asatru as a
legitimate religion and pledge ourselves to work towards its acceptance as one
of the mainstream faiths of our nation and amongst our folk.
2) Odin's Volk will promote the awareness and growth of Asatru through special events and gatherings. Disseminating accurate information about Asatru's history, beliefs and spiritual practices. Thus awakening our folk to our true nature as heathen people, and to see the Northern Path as an expression of that true nature in which family, extended family and Folk or people is a very important part of the Northern Way. We strive to promote all aspects of our ancestral faith; the holistic, natural and organic religion of the Northern European peoples.
3)We support any group or organization that seeks to promote its own heritage, ethnicity, culture and religion. We support diversity and oppose all attempts at a worldwide Universalist monoculture. We recognize that one does not need to hate another culture or race in order to be proud of their own. We believe that other tribal deities are just as valid as our own, for those who honour them.
4)We support the fostering of pride in our Northern European Heritage and Culture. We refuse to let any group dictate to us otherwise.
5) We support the forging of strong ties of kinship with other like minded Asatru groups to further our goals
Below is our Rede of Honour, which
is based on the interpretation of the Old Norse Eddic Poem entitled "the
Havamal", the sayings of Har. Har is one of Odin's numerous names and means
"the High One". While the twelve points that make up the REDE of HONOUR are not
exhaustive, they represent the basic values which HAR, the High One has
handed down to us, his people to live by. We know from this and other ancient
sources that these values were universally held by the Indo-Europeans the direct
ancestors of the Germanic and Celtic peoples, among others, and thus did our own
ancestors. By following this REDE in our every day lives and gaining counsel
from it, we will be heading the wisdom of our ancient ancestral Gods, living as
our forefathers from the distant past lived and intended us, their descendants,
to live also.
1) Be solely responsible for your own actions regardless of the situation, state of mind, or the reason / cause.
2) Courage, Honour, Truth, Loyalty, Trust, Family and Friendship are to be valued over any amount of money or material items. NO price can possibly be placed upon such precious things as these. Give your undying loyalty to those friends who can be trusted, returning to them all that they give you: But neither trust nor befriend the foes of your friends.
3) Show courage in times of danger or sorrow, fight always for what you believe in, be bold in battle and sparing in words, never flinch in the face of your foes, be forever wary and prepared to act.
4) Conduct yourself honourably at all times, strive to always do good deeds, and never evil ones: but if a wrong is done to you, deal out punishment to the guilty without hesitation.
5) Keep your word always, do not make false promises, and never give away an entrusted secret: thus are an honourable name and trusted reputation earned.
6) Avoid idle conversation, foolish words, and bragging. for such things are things of no gain. Hold your tongue and strive for knowledge and wisdom always.
7) Be hospitable to guests, but also expel those who break the frith. Be kind and generous to all you meet, especially to those less fortunate than yourself, but be not overly generous: never be selfish or greedy.
8) Show respect and fairness to all you meet, be tolerant of their shortcomings, and do not mock even the lowliest of your folk: thus may strife, the pursuit of fools be avoided.
9) When there is work to be done, fall to it with vigor and purpose, and accomplish it to the best of your abilities: never be lazy or hesitant.
10) Think with wisdom before you act in haste, trust in yourself and your own abilities above all, and to thyself be true: but as you know your strengths, know to your weaknesses, lest they be your downfall.
11) Be forever proud of your self, your abilities, accomplishments, and of your possessions no matter how meager that they be. Never be ashamed of who and what you are.
12) Love your sib and your kin, show them the utmost loyalty and respect, keep the collective welfare of your people in mind always: there is no greater sacrifice than one made for one's family, tribe or people.
Likewise, while it is not necessary, we encourage our kindred members to join up with the larger international Asatru organizations such as the Odinic Rite or the A.F.A However, if you are a full member of our kindred, then it would be a conflict of interest for you to be a member of any other local kindred, hearths, or circles.
2) Any legal age adult and their children may apply for membership in Odin's Volk Asatru Kindred. If you are under the age of 16 you can still apply for membership, but you must submit written parental permission.
3) Any applicant who seeks full membership must be approved by a unanimous vote consisting of the full members of the Kindred.
4) A nine-month probationary period is required for all Kindred applicants who seek full membership with voting rights. During the probationary period, all prospective members must attend at least 2 kindred gatherings.
5) All Kindred members, as well as Kindred prospective members must be gainfully employed or actively seeking full or part time employment. The Aesir and Vanir expect us to stand on our own two feet, and those we take in should be of similar character. Full time students, stay at home parents or those members or prospective members on any form of full physical disability, are excluded from this requirement.
6) All Kindred members or Kindred prospects must have ( or be working towards) at least a High school diploma, or G. E. D. equivalent
7) All members of Odin's Volk Asatru Kindred are required to take an oath to honour the Gods & Goddesses and the principles of Odins' Volk Asatru Kindred.
8) All inductions into Odin's Volk Asatru Kindred will take place at one of the following main yearly gatherings. Ostara in the spring and Fallfest in the Autumn.
9) Any member of Odin's Volk Kindred may relinquish membership in the Kindred at any time. If a member ceases to participate in Kindred activities or fails to communicate at all with the Kindred for a period of one year without good cause, the general membership may vote to remove said member from the Kindred by vote.
10) Odins' Volk Asatru Kindred is organized along tribal lines led by a Chieftain/Gothi, with a council of full members. All matters and other pertinent decisions will be discussed in council and a vote will be taken by the membership. Only full members can cast a vote in any Kindred decisions, with each full member casting one vote. The Chieftain/Gothi will cast the deciding vote in all matters. This is not a democratic organization per se, but one based on tribal principles as it was done by our ancient ancestors who governed with a council of Elders, hereby known as full members, and led decisively by it's Chieftain/Gothi. All final matters in dispute will be resolved and decided upon by said Gothi.
11) Any member may call for a vote on decisions to be made concerning secular matters of the Kindred. With the exclusion of the unanimous vote required to accept a new member, decisions will be carried by a majority vote with the Chieftain/Gothi making the final decision.
12) All bylaws are open to exception on a case-to-case basis with a vote by the full members. These Bylaws may be altered, amended, or added to, by a two-thirds vote of the full membership and the approval of the Chieftain/Gothi.
13) Business meetings will be held on an as needed basis. All full members are invited to the business meetings.
14) Members must treat all other members with respect. Any attacks or slander based on gender, national origin, native language, financial standing, background, or appearance is in violation of the Human Rights Act and will not be tolerated.
15) Our procedure for removing any problematic members - A group discussion regarding the person in question, followed by a vote.