Cultic Studies Review, Vol. 1, No. 2, 2002, Page 20
by-laws are read and Kindred business is conducted. This mimics the tradition of the pre-
Christian Icelandic parliament which met annually at the site of ThingVellir for the AlThing.
Some attempt has been made, as mentioned above, to further diversify the faith by
organizational dedication to specific patron deities. For example, groups professing Vanatru
(faith in the Vanir) and Odintru (specific dedication to Odin, a faith not to be confused with
the racialist Odinism) have emerged. This is uncommon in that the faith is inherently
polytheistic, and calls for attention to all members of the pantheon. A reflection on this was
offered by HeimdallR hinn gamli, Presiding Elder of the Society for the Elder Way,
Samfundet for den Forna Seden:
…coining new phrases like ―Vanatru‖...is in my opinion silly. But, there are
those who prefer using both ―asatru‖ and ―vanatru‖ like the association in
Brazil. If one begins to divide the deities into groups, why not choose those
just worshiped predominantly in Germany in one group, those worshiped in
Sweden in another and those who worship Thor forming a completely
separate religion. See how silly it becomes? And theologically it is way off
base. (personal communication, February 6, 2001)
Expanding on this idea of patron deity dedication, Mirabello reports having encountered a
―secret society‖ called the Odin Brotherhood ―while conducting doctoral research in history
at Scotland‘s University of Glasgow‖ (Mirabello, 1995, p. 3). During his published interviews
with the Brotherhood, the term Odinism is used to describe a dedication that seems on the
surface to be an extreme version of what this discussion calls Ásatrú. There is no mention of
racialist views or Odinistic outlooks in the interviews, despite its self-appointed title.
Mirabello reports:
Odinism is an ancient religion that acknowledges the gods by fostering
thought, courage, honor, light, and beauty...The Odin Brotherhood is a secret
society for all extraordinary mortals who embrace the principles of
Odinism...Men and women who possess an epic state of mind...Although
Odinism is the primordial religion, the Brotherhood itself is only five centuries
old. (Mirabello, 1995, p. 5)
Exploring the validity of Mirabello‘s reported Brotherhood is beyond the scope of this
discussion, although at first read it appears specious. He admits as such, reporting that
―my sources...provided me with information on condition of strict anonymity, and I
therefore cannot document my materials with the proper references...I cannot personally
guarantee the credibility of the individuals who communicated with me‖ (Mirabello, 1995, p.
3). The linguistic style of the interviews also seems to originate from a single speaker,
although Mirabello further explains that this is the result of his having translated the text.
It seems to further complicate issues that this ―secret‖ society is currently advertised on an
Internet site, ―The Odin Brotherhood‖ (Odin Brotherhood, 2001). Specious or not, the
report of the Odin Brotherhood is another example of the diversification of Ásatrú.
The United Kingdom, Germany, and much of Europe have also experienced this rebirth of
what Jung in 1936 called the Wotan archetype. Regarding Odin Jung said that
apparently he was only asleep in the Kyffhauser mountain until the ravens
called him and announced the break of day. He is a fundamental attribute of
the German psyche...a Germanic datum of first importance.‖ (Jung,
1936/1978, p. 186)
Wotan is active in the form of Kindreds spread across the United States, including but not
limited to those affiliated with the following associations: Ásatrú Alliance, Ring of Troth,
Ásatrú Folk Assembly (currently lead by Stephen McNallen of the above-mentioned Viking
Brotherhood), Irminsul Aettir, Confederation of Independent Ásatrú Kindreds, American
by-laws are read and Kindred business is conducted. This mimics the tradition of the pre-
Christian Icelandic parliament which met annually at the site of ThingVellir for the AlThing.
Some attempt has been made, as mentioned above, to further diversify the faith by
organizational dedication to specific patron deities. For example, groups professing Vanatru
(faith in the Vanir) and Odintru (specific dedication to Odin, a faith not to be confused with
the racialist Odinism) have emerged. This is uncommon in that the faith is inherently
polytheistic, and calls for attention to all members of the pantheon. A reflection on this was
offered by HeimdallR hinn gamli, Presiding Elder of the Society for the Elder Way,
Samfundet for den Forna Seden:
…coining new phrases like ―Vanatru‖...is in my opinion silly. But, there are
those who prefer using both ―asatru‖ and ―vanatru‖ like the association in
Brazil. If one begins to divide the deities into groups, why not choose those
just worshiped predominantly in Germany in one group, those worshiped in
Sweden in another and those who worship Thor forming a completely
separate religion. See how silly it becomes? And theologically it is way off
base. (personal communication, February 6, 2001)
Expanding on this idea of patron deity dedication, Mirabello reports having encountered a
―secret society‖ called the Odin Brotherhood ―while conducting doctoral research in history
at Scotland‘s University of Glasgow‖ (Mirabello, 1995, p. 3). During his published interviews
with the Brotherhood, the term Odinism is used to describe a dedication that seems on the
surface to be an extreme version of what this discussion calls Ásatrú. There is no mention of
racialist views or Odinistic outlooks in the interviews, despite its self-appointed title.
Mirabello reports:
Odinism is an ancient religion that acknowledges the gods by fostering
thought, courage, honor, light, and beauty...The Odin Brotherhood is a secret
society for all extraordinary mortals who embrace the principles of
Odinism...Men and women who possess an epic state of mind...Although
Odinism is the primordial religion, the Brotherhood itself is only five centuries
old. (Mirabello, 1995, p. 5)
Exploring the validity of Mirabello‘s reported Brotherhood is beyond the scope of this
discussion, although at first read it appears specious. He admits as such, reporting that
―my sources...provided me with information on condition of strict anonymity, and I
therefore cannot document my materials with the proper references...I cannot personally
guarantee the credibility of the individuals who communicated with me‖ (Mirabello, 1995, p.
3). The linguistic style of the interviews also seems to originate from a single speaker,
although Mirabello further explains that this is the result of his having translated the text.
It seems to further complicate issues that this ―secret‖ society is currently advertised on an
Internet site, ―The Odin Brotherhood‖ (Odin Brotherhood, 2001). Specious or not, the
report of the Odin Brotherhood is another example of the diversification of Ásatrú.
The United Kingdom, Germany, and much of Europe have also experienced this rebirth of
what Jung in 1936 called the Wotan archetype. Regarding Odin Jung said that
apparently he was only asleep in the Kyffhauser mountain until the ravens
called him and announced the break of day. He is a fundamental attribute of
the German psyche...a Germanic datum of first importance.‖ (Jung,
1936/1978, p. 186)
Wotan is active in the form of Kindreds spread across the United States, including but not
limited to those affiliated with the following associations: Ásatrú Alliance, Ring of Troth,
Ásatrú Folk Assembly (currently lead by Stephen McNallen of the above-mentioned Viking
Brotherhood), Irminsul Aettir, Confederation of Independent Ásatrú Kindreds, American
