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Asatru Religion
The Asatru Religion is the modern version of German paganism and is known by many other names, German Neopaganism, Heathenism, Heathenry, Odinism, Forn Sior, Vor Sior and Theodism. The religious movement appeared in the early 2oth century in Germany and Austria with a second wave in the early 1970s. Attitude and focus of adherents may vary considerably, from strictly historical polytheistic reconstructionism to syncretist (eclectic), pragmatic psychologist, occult or mysticist approaches. Germanic Neopagan organizations cover a wide spectrum of belief and ideals. Adherents are polytheists, believing in a number of gods and goddesses.
Germanic Neopaganism (as opposed to Neopaganism in general) is often defined as reconstructionist. Not all adherents subscribe to the reconstructionist philosophy, but follow more new age and individualistic self-empowering concepts, rather than attempting to restore or reconstruct the ancient beliefs of the original Germanic pagans. It has a strong leaning towards animism. It is believed by some Heathens that inanimate objects can have a soul of their own, or a fate, and therefore should be given a name, the most common cases being the naming of weapons.
Although Germanic Neopagans revere the forces of nature, Germanic Neopaganism is not a "nature religion. More mystical currents of Heathenry may be critical of industrialization or modern society, but such criticism will focus on decadence, lack of virtue or balance, rather than being a radical criticism of technology itself. The primary deities of Germanic Neopaganism are those of Anglo-Saxon religion and of Norse Mythology. Germanic Neopaganism also has a component of ancestor worship or veneration.
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