~ FAQ ~
What is Asatru / Norse Heathenism?
Asatru is a reconstructed religion rooting in the beliefs of the pre-Christian Scandinavian peoples (Norway, Sweden, Denmark) and the continental Germanic tribes.
The word
"Asatru" is Icelandic and means "Faith in the Aesir" (and the Vanir), two
families of deities who are best known as the gods and goddesses of the Old Norse
sagas. Because these sources provide the best knowledge of them, we usually
refer to them by their Old Norse names: Odin, Thor, Freya, Freyr, Tyr, and so
on.
The continental tribes had similar names for them: Wodan, Donar, Friia, Frey, Ziu
etc.
Traces remain in modern English: Tuesday
means Ziu´s/Tyr's day, Wednesday = Wodan´s day, Thursday = Thor's day, and
Friday = either Frigg's day or Freyja's day (scholars debate which).
Asatru is open to everyone, and there are many different sorts of Asatruar (members of the Asatru Religion). Anyone can join Asatru - regardless of gender, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, language, sexual orientation, or other divisive criteria. There are, however, many brands of Norse Heathenism, some of which are less inclusive as to who can join. There is no central authority, so take my words as what they are - the opinion of an individual.
Asatruar often form local groups for the same reasons that people of other religions come together. These groups are sometimes called Hearths, Kindreds, or other names. However, many Asatruar live too far away from any of their coreligionists to be able to join such a group, or again choose to practice solitary.
That much being rather general, most other details vary from group to group and from believer to believer. So if you want to see it through someone else´s eyes, have a look at e.g.
Ingeborg´s unofficial Asatru FAQ