Hailsa is the traditional Asatru greeting, meaning "Health to you!" Welcome to my new blog, Raven's Blot. A blot is a blessing or holy gathering, and I want this blog -- or blot -- to be a place where you can come and gather with myself and other Asatru and Heathens and Pagans and learn from each other.
A lot of people need guidance today, and I was one of them. I was raised Baptist, but it wasn't the right religion for me. There is so much in the Bible about what is right and what is wrong, but the only reason it ever gives is "because God said so." But if there is no God -- what then? Then you just have a bunch of people all dressed up in a church, thinking they're being holy and will be rewarded when they die, and everyone else is going to hell.
But I noticed that a lot of Christians did not follow the teachings of their own Good Book. They did not give to the poor, they did not show peace and justice and mercy. Plus a lot of them were really stuck-up and prudish, and downright rude. I began to wonder if I really wanted to be part of their church.
But if I didn't believe in God, what is the reason for being bad or good? What is the reason for anything? How can one live a good life? What would a good life be?
I struggled with these questions for many years. Then I began to meet people who had found a new path -- paganism. Paganism is the worship of the old gods, the true gods that walked the Earth before the Christians came. Greek gods, Roman gods, Celtic gods, Norse gods...
The Norse gods were the ones who really spoke to me. The modern name of the Norse religion is Asatru, "true to the gods". Which gods? Odin, Heimdall, Thor, Sif, Freya and Freyr. And yes, the Trickster, the Shape-Changer: Loki. He is the one who speaks most deeply to me, and sees furthest into my heart.
Maybe you, too, are seeking a new path. In Raven's Blot I want to foster community and sharing in a non-judgmental, inclusive atmosphere, regardless of your beliefs. And if you want to learn more about my path, and what the gods and the Norse religion can do for you, check out my e-books which will be available very soon: Gods-Spells and Liferuneing.
Farewell! The blot is ended, but the folk go on!
