Category: Heathen Ramblings – Karl Andresson

KARL ANDRESSON. Once there was a heathen, he had been a student of science for many years and had a working knowledge of genetics. Our heathen then met many other heathens once he discovered the wonders of Heathenry and Asatru, but he was quite dumbfounded you see, as many of his new acquaintances claimed that they were directly descended from one or another great Viking-Age hero like Egil Skallagrimson, the Hundingsbane, and Svein Forkbeard. Our heathen cried “What absolute tosh!” To which was replied “How dare you! We know this as fact!” Our heathen replied “Proof – where is it?” The answer mumbled back was “Eeeerrrrrmmmmm… my mommy told me”.

KARL ANDRESSON. Heiden, beteken nie “goddeloos” soos was ons ou onderwysers altyd vir ons geleer het nie, en is afkomstig van die ou Engelse term hæðen – beteken “’n nie-Christelike/Joodse mens”. Histories was die term beïnvloed deur die Gotiese haiþi; “wonend op heinde en verre”. Dit word ook voorgestel dat die Gotiese haiþi nie total verwant is aan “heide” nie, maar eerder ‘n leenwoord is van die Armeense hethanos, self afkomstig uit die Griekse; ἔθνος (ethnos). Ongelukkig is die betekenis so verdraai en oorgedra om oor die algemeen ge-interpriteer te word as ‘n “goddelose barbaar”.

KARL ANDRESSON. Asatru (literally, “faith in the gods”) is a modern reconstruction of the religion that the Germanic tribes practiced in Northern and Central Europe before their forced conversion to Christianity. Heathen is from the Old English term; hæðen – meaning “not Christian or Jewish”. Historically, the term was probably influenced by Gothic haiþi “dwelling on the heath”. It has even been suggested that Gothic haiþi is not related to “heath” at all, but rather a loan from Armenian hethanos, itself loaned from Greek ἔθνος ethnos. We use the term heathen to differentiate us from more mainstream pagans that have jumped on the new-age bandwagon and we focus more on historic reality than modern fantasy. The terms; Asatru / Odinism / Wotanism / Forn Sidh / Germanische Heidentum – are all intrinsically different but for the purpose of this Q&A share enough similarities to be grouped together. This Q and A was in some places wholly copied and/or adapted from existing Asatru Q and A pages on the internet. If any copyright issues arise, please contact me directly and changes will be made.

KARL ANDRESSON. Being industriousness has many potential meanings but it boils down to working hard, regardless of the circumstances that you find yourself in. Industriousness means working hard, even at a job that you despise. It means working hard to prove to yourself that you can succeed at whatever you put your mind to and to take pride in one’s work. If you have found yourself among those who have no job or occupation, do not be afraid to do menial jobs to get food on the table, to have a little is better than having nothing. Any job is a good job and it is vastly better than being a beggar. Industriousness doesn’t just apply to the daily grind but to other aspects of your life as well. Being industrious means that you take charge of your life so that your actions determine where you are heading by the virtue of your commitment to get things done and done well. If you apply this “go-getter” attitude to your life then surely it will spill over into your spiritual life as well, leading to spiritual growth.

KARL ANDRESSON. Self-reliance is our indomitable spirit of independence. We need nothing more to accomplish our deeds than our own wits; the “Boer maak ‘n plan” mentality. You don’t have to wait for someone else to do your job or task for you, just do it yourself to the best of your abilities. Being self-reliant means you should not wait for the world to be handed to you (as most of us will undoubtedly already know). It means getting up and getting things done. Self-reliance goes hand-in-hand with responsibility. This responsibility is not only for your own actions and deeds but for your own eventual success. You will not be successful if you rely on others too much, you will not be successful if you do not get out there and hunt it down.

KARL ANDRESSON. Why was being a kind and generous host so important to our ancestors? Times were very tough, to be hospitable was to ensure survival of your kinsmen. Kinsmen could have fallen upon hard times such as ruined crops, theft; loss of a family member or companion and the meal, cup and kind word offered by a neighbour could be their only comfort in ages. When travelers found themselves in a situation where they had no board and lodging when a storm hit or when injured, the hospitality and welcome words of a stranger had saved many from a cruel death.

KARL ANDRESSON. Discipline and ones fidelity work closely together. Your discipline will provide the will-power needed by you to retain your fidelity, thus letting you grasp life by the horns and ensuring that you have a greater worth to contribute towards your own life and your community, thus winning honour for you and improving your Wyrd.

KARL ANDRESSON. If you believe that the SAPC and SAPRA are not doing their jobs ask yourself, what have you done lately to improve the Pagan image as a whole in the RSA, without any gossiping? Are you a member of any organization that aims to improve the image of Pagans outside of your circle? Have you done an iota of what the SAPC and SAPRA accomplished since their inception? I didn’t think so, so sit down and shut up! This is a place of action, not of posturing and empty platitudes.