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The older members know that before I embraced Lutheranism and in fact when I posted on this board the first time, I was a registered member of the Asatru Folk Assembly and I took as my Nordic name Thorolf. I did blots and sumbels, was briefly involved with the Wolves of Vinland and I took Thor as my model and protector. I was all about the triads of Odin, Thor and Frey, Freya, Frigga and Skadi. Okay. I abandoned this path because it brought to the surface " warrior" attributes that left me feeling like a control freak and a vicious, militaristic person who cared more about his own honor and dignity than anything or anyone else. I was constantly aggressive, eager to fight and constantly prove myself.
Fast forward to a couple of days ago. I felt the presence of woodland creatures around me ( such as elves) as I was doing my nightly Lutheran prayers. I thought, " okay, this is interesting." I did nothing about it save bid them welcome. Today, the presence of the ancient gods slammed me like Thor's hammer felling the Giant Thrym. I still thought little of it: until the ancient legends I had studied years ago began filling my mind tonight. The world being created out of the body of a slain primordial Giant, Odin hanging himself on Yggdrasil for nine days and nine nights, until the ancient runes revealed themselves to him. The battle of the Aesir and the Vanir and their peace treaty, The World Serpent blowing venom in Thor's face at Ragnarok. Odin sacrificing his right eye at Mimir's Well, Heimdall on the Rainbow Bridge, the Cow Audhumbla making the first god, Bur, by licking a salt lick that he emerged from. Ymir, the Frost Giant being formed from the mists produced by the ice of Niflheim and the flames of Muspellheim.
I don't see this as a problem, but as my mind accessing bits of folklore that had been neglected. I think if I study the Eddas and old legends for a couple of days, these sensations will subside. I think this post may well descend into nothing and it might be an interesting side effect of those years I spent as a Nordic Heathen. Those days are over.
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