Non-Retro Heathenry
I'm hoping my collective ramblings here might eventually be an article for the upcoming Idunna for the Troth. The theme is Idunna herself and New Beginings. I have been observing various attempts of various groups to reconstruct the tribal unit of various Germanic tribes (ex, Angle-Saxons, Saxons, Normans, Alemanni.) I have seen one major flaw in the structure of many of these attempts. Many of these groups use a medieval/feudal model rather than a tribal/Heathen model of organization. It was not untill the Christian period that various tribes started forming kingships in order to take control over what was left of the Western Roman Empire. Feudalism was a method to deal with a state of emergency. With the Roman Army no longer in control of the West the citizens were left very vulnerable. Basically like the Wild West in the United States. A web of oaths of protection had to be formed. I must say that as a history teacher I strongly value these attempts to preserve our tribal history and bring it to life. But honestly, thats all it is, History. We are no longer Saxons, Heruli, Alemanni, Celtoi, Angles, Franks, etc. We are the descendents of such groups. We are modern day mutts of many groups. That is why today we see Micks tring to revive Saxon or Frankish models (a homage if you will!) Our faith has evolved through these periods. The tribal unit has evolved also. The family unit is now the primary tribal unit. In a sense the modern Asatru kindred might seem like an extended family. Many of us were not raised in a Heathen household. So many of us look towards fellow Heathen friends to form the first generation of Heathen households/kindreds. The role of the chieftain has changed as well. He/she no longer makes decisions of war or survival. The chieftain is more of a spiritual role of the household. We no longer to make oaths to our king or lord. Oaths to our chieftain and more importantly to each other as Heathens. Chieftain oaths to chieftain, Heathen household to Heathen household our oaths will bind us together but in a context that is appropriate for this modern world. Do we want to be Herman the Cherusci? I've questioned some at times with their garb and swords a blazing! No, but he will always be toasted at samal and his deeds will not be forgotten. During the Christian period the elder faith was pushed underground. Back to the household it went for it could not be practiced in public. Our faith has survived the Christian period and into the modern world. We still have our folklore. Germanic esotericism has survived through the Renaissance, the 18th and 19th century. It has survived through our households and will continue as such today. I hope to flesh this out more and I think deeper and deeper on this subject. Feedback from my fellow Irminen, Heathens, both retro and non-retro.