From: vlaad@brewich.hou.tx.us (Vlaad Thunarsson)
Newsgroups: soc.culture.celtic
Subject: Eagles Reaches Church of Asatru
Date: Wed, 02 Sep 92 03:56:30 CDT
Organization: The Brewer's Witch BBS, +1 713 272 7350, Brewich.Hou.TX.US

Where Eagles Dareby:        Ymir Thunarsson        Odhinnsgodhi of Eagles 
Reaches        High Redesman of the Ring of Troth         Since the dawn 
of time, mankind has struggled to discover the secrets of the universe.  
The age old questions continue to be asked:  ..."Who am I 
really?"...Where am I going after death?"..."Is this all there is to life 
or is there more?"...Many methods have been tried in humanities' 
frustrating search for self realization and transformation.  Many have 
resorted to the world of scientific research and experimentation.  Some 
have ventured into the vastness of space in their search for answers.  In 
today's society, some have gone down the nightmarish road of drugs and 
alcohol.  There are some, however, that have returned to the old ways.  
The ways of respect of field and stream, of the majesty of high mountain 
peaks or the surging power of the ocean depths, to enter into a world of 
enchantment, elves and elementals.  We have chosen to return to a time of 
high adventure where the "Old Ones" again reign supreme.  We have 
embarked upon the road of a heroic struggle knowing full well that the 
Wolf-Age of Christianity is snapping at our heals in an attempt to 
discredit and destroy us.  The path to Valhalla has always been the way 
of the bold!  Cowards need not apply!        We are the Folk of the Order 
of Eagles Reaches and we travel on the trail of our ancestors.  A way 
simply known as "troth."  Troth is an Anglo-Saxon word that stands for 
"true way or path."  Asatru (Odinism) is not simply blind faith or a way 
of believing.  Instead it is a way of doing and of practical daily work.  
No one person is confined to following a dogma that is preached and 
pounded into him/her over an extended period of time.  That is not 
Odinism...that is brainwashing.        Most people seemingly cling to a 
religion, such as Christianity, out of familiarity or social reasons 
rather than out of any real deep spiritual feeling or resonation.  They 
do not have that true feeling of being "at home" inside.  It is this 
feeling, this experience, that is at the core of why the Folk are 
returning to the service and worship of the Aesir and the Vanir.  The 
world is in spiritual turmoil and people once again are looking for that 
which will give them inner peace.  For some, the answers may be found in 
Odinism; but this is not for everyone.        Within Eagles Reaches and 
the Ring of Troth there lies a spiritual path derived from the ancient 
Teutons of Northern Europe.  There is no need for us to follow the 
teachings of an exotic foreign religion such as Christianity.  There is 
also no need to resort to exotic terminologies or ideas as Asatru is the 
ancient faith of the English speaking peoples.  To be required to use 
foreign tongues such as Hebrew, Latin, Greek, Chinese, etc.; would be to 
make a mockery of all for which we stand.  When we say Odinism/Asatru or 
Troth we are speaking of the natural religion of the people that speak 
it's language.  In this case, the Germanic/English tongue.        Every 
person has a genetic link, an inheritance if you will, that stretches 
back toward some common ancestor...and beyond!  This is the central 
reason why those of Northern and Central European stock (American, 
British, German, Scandinavian, etc.) readily answer the call of the 
Valkyrie.  As we reach ever downward into the "Night-time of the Soul" to 
discover and claim the power necessary for self-transformation; we find 
that the self-sacrifice of Odhinn hanging on the World Tree carries a far 
greater meaning to us than the crucifixion of Christ, the murder of 
Osiris or the death of Krishna.        Within Asatru there lies many 
paths.  There is the way of Woden (Odin, Odhinn, Jolnir, Jol, Wotan, 
etc.)  which is a shadowy and mysterious path full of powerful magic and 
wisdom.  Here is a road full of challenge, growth and ecstasy.  It is 
from the All-Father  wherein lies the origins of our Wednesday (Woden's 
Day).  There is the followers of Tyr (Tuesday) that receive the 
attributes of thoughtful introspection, truth, good judgment and reason.  
The way of Thunar (Thorr) for whom our Thursday is named is of the honest 
believing farmer, the common worker and of the hearty and doughty 
warrior.  The Vanic path of Frey and his sister Freya is full of well 
being, stability, peace, "Earthly Spirituality," fertility and eroticism. 
 There titles should be familiar to the Wiccan community as their names 
mean the "Lord and Lady."  Frigga (Friday) is a path that is motherly, 
all-wise and nurturing.  These are but a few examples of the variety 
available to the followers of the Old Religion.  This by no means 
exhausts the great pantheon of Gods and Goddesses worshipped and emulated 
by the folk.  Those that are in touch with their higher selves will know 
that ALL the Aesir and Vanir, balanced as they are in Light and Darkness, 
must be held inviolate; that is the true way of Asatru.        We find 
ourselves living with the day in and day out reality of the Gods.  As 
with our ancestors, we find that our God are never any further away than 
our own shadow.  Our main religious obligations have to do with the 
correct workings of certain rituals and ceremonies, as in the Great and 
Greatest Blessings of the year, which are for us the living 
manifestations of the gods present within us.  These celebrations are not 
mere "empty forms," but are living, vibrant and real experiences!  Rather 
than through words, pontifications or dogmas these ceremonies teach by 
experience.  By working we become wise, by doing we destroy doubt.        
The time has come again to gather those true and good Folk who are called 
by the land and sky.  To gather those who stand in awe of the mountains 
and the enchanting beauty of the forest.  To reach out to those that know 
the world is full of magic and adventure.  To the folk who feel they 
should be part of a heroic struggle.  This is the time for the Old 
Religion to rise in the hearts of all men and women that wish to be 
counted with the noble and good Folk.  Now is the time that must be 
seized so that the spirit of the Aesir and the Vanir might be tempered 
anew and that the tide of spiritual slavery be turned from our doors.     
   Come, all true and good Folk.  Come to forge again the Hammer of the 
North, the Hammer of our faith and freedom and to spread our wings and 
soar Where Eagles Dare For Membership Information, Please write to:       
 Eagles Reaches, Church of Asatru, Inc.                                   
             P O Box 382                                                
Deer Park, TX  77536-0382 Or Send Email to:        Eaglesr@unkaphaed.UUCP 
2  

If this reaches anyone... Please contact us at the above address or 
e-mail reply to me or even the uucp address shown above.

If the Hammer is ever to rise again... now is the time to start.

------------------
vlaad@brewich.hou.tx.us (Vlaad Thunarsson)
(Alternate) vlaad%brewich@lobster.hou.tx.us
Origin: The Brewer's Witch BBS -- Houston, TX -- +1 713 272 7350
     "Silence is the voice of complicity" - Vote Early, Vote Often!
Newsgroups: soc.culture.celtic