The Active Wodenist, Active in Wodenism, Wodenism

There are many ways in which the individual can become active within Wodenist; here we are going to concentrate upon the individual who does not – at this time – wish to get involved in a group, but who nonetheless still wishes to actually do something rather than just read about it or spend a good deal of wasted time discussing or arguing on a “blog” or “social network” or promoting themselves on “Facebook”. These aforementioned Internet sites are merely there for the authorities to monitor individuals and groups, collecting information on the politics, religion, ideology etc. of those who use such sites. Some of these sites create an atmosphere of tension which invariably leads to arguments and fall-outs among people who should be working together. “Facebook” is a real boon to an oppressive regime since it gives away a host of personal information that no-one in their right mind would normally give out to all and sundry – people today feel that it is somehow “secure” to tell everything about themselves. This site is thus for the truly active Wodenist who, like ourselves, has come to realise that our Ancient Religion is a Nature Religion and should thus be conducted out-of-doors wherever possible. This is even more important when we consider that our people have been broken away from Nature, and the only way back is to become close to Nature once more. There is room for the Internet (that we use it for a site such as this confirms that we accept this), and we use it to try to help others, but by encouraging them to learn what we believe should be done and the rest is up to the individual to try, and to learn from experience. Unfortunately, it is a fact today that young children are force-fed modern technology to a truly alarming extent. Most children hardly see the out-of-doors any more, and the process of cutting them off from Nature has accelerated at a tremendous rate. The computer has today become the only “reality” known to children; indeed the term “reality” is today used to means its opposite – artificial and unnatural. What is real is the natural world around us, and the only way we can understand the natural world is to be in it, not stuck behind four walls looking at a computer screen all day. If we were unable for some reason to get out and about then I would accept that the computer would be most helpful; it is also useful for gathering information and for self-education, though it should not replace books. But if we are able to get out-and-about then we should try to work outdoors as much as possible. There is room for men, women and children to get involved in Wodenism at one level or another, and our religion leaves no-one out. As a Warrior-Religion there is a need for a more male-oriented line for this part of it, but since our Anglo-Saxon forebears held that women were also able to fight alongside their males we also encourage our women-folk to get active in this way if they so wish. Our stance is that the male and female has different roles in life, and that these roles are aimed to keep a balance, and to maintain a true order of things. The optimum words are “if they so wish”, for it is entirely up to the individual what path they take within Wodenism.I am going to list a number of things that the individual can do within Wodenism; these things are a guideline only and should be taken as such. Ours is an ongoing religion and we are all still learning how to build it for the future. Since our religion was suppressed, distorted and almost completely disappeared for some 1000 years there is much that we need to regain, and what we do have we need to add to with our own ideas. Anyway, here is the list –

Warrior-Religion – Ø The individual should try to take up some form of Martial Arts suited to their own taste. Much is said today about the Eastern Martial Arts being alien to the English, but since there is little knowledge of the Martial Arts that must have been performed by the English Warrior there is still room to gain knowledge from a source that is perhaps not of our own roots. The book English Martial Arts by Terry Brown is a very good read, and the content takes us back into the English past, but no-one can rebuild the arts of the time of the Anglo-Saxons since nothing was written down. If we look into some hidden meanings within the ancient Norse and Anglo-Saxon texts, and the symbolism used on such things as the Sutton Hoo Helmet, then we find that there was also a more spiritual discipline behind these arts – just as there was until recent times in the Eastern Martial Arts. In fact, since the origins lie in a “blue-eyed monk” named Boddhidharma travelling from India (inhabited by the Aryans who were a northern people) to the Shaolin Temple in China, and there educating and training the monks into the Martial Arts, the roots of these arts may not have been eastern at all – they may well have been developed here in the North.

Ø There are various forms of Martial Arts such as boxing, kick-boxing, Muai Thai kick-boxing, Karate, Kung Fu, MMA etc. that the individual can take up; the choice would be theirs to take. There is also weaponry such as Kobudo which features staff-fighting etc. and this could be adapted for use of the English Warrior; indeed, there is hardly a need to say that the Bo Staff (of a length of around 5 - 6 foot) would be better suited than the English Quarter-Staff, since it can be carried around as a “walking-stick”, something out of the question with the length of the English Quarter-Staff. What we need to remember in all this is that there is a need to be practical in what we use; there is no use whatever in taking up something traditional that will be of no use to us in normal life.

Ø Taking up a Martial Arts, or some form of Self-Defence is practical in that it can be used by the individual in normal life, and will certainly ready the individual for a future social breakdown or catastrophe. Indeed, it is more likely that today the individual will train in a number of different arts, and from these will develop a more unique way of fighting – this is a good thing in many ways since it does not become uniform in nature. What you should come to realise is that most of the martial arts mentioned here are not a warrior art as such in our modern era – they have been developed for sport and for competition. The name “martial” derives from the Roman god named “Mars” – the god of war! But today’s Martial Arts are built around competitive sports, and thus aimed at a one-to-one fight. This is not always practical when face with a gang of people attacking an individual. Such systems as the Russian Systema are developed around defence against multiple attacks. Karate kata is built around the training of attack by a number of people, but this is not usually developed as part of actual sparring against many opponents, which is unfortunate since that is the whole idea of the thing. Whatever the case, which ever Martial Arts discipline you take up should be adapted for fighting against a number of opponents.

Ø Another point to consider is that for a Warrior Religion there is a need to take up some form of spiritual discipline which was once as much a part of the English Warrior Tradition as it was (until recently) in the Eastern versions. The use of breathing techniques is still part of many forms of Martial Arts that have come from the East, but is not as widely used as it should be. Development of the mind and of concentration is also as much a part of the discipline as the physical training and fitness aspect.

Nature-Religion –

Ø Here a diversity of things comes into play, and the individual should have no problem in taking up some form of activity that is concentrated upon the outdoors and the natural environment.

Ø Walking and hiking are a good way to keep fit, active, and get out into the natural environment. This also trains the individual in how to pack a rucksack, how to cook on a stove, what to wear in different weathers, and above all, how to read a map and get from one place to another easily. Combining hiking with the overnight camp also prepares the individual for sleeping rough.

Ø Camping is another activity that prepares the individual for sleeping in rough conditions, and for lighting a fire, cooking on a fire, and using a stove etc. This is all part of the work of Woden’s Folk since our main activity is to camp overnight at our Folk-Moots.

Ø The environment is yet another thing that the individual can get involved in; there is plenty of scope here for active work. National Ecology and Folk-Ecology are all part of the work of Woden’s Folk; this actively opposes the “Global Ecology” which is nothing more than Big Business in today’s Global Society.

Ø Herbalism is another route that the individual can take; learning about herbs for healing and other specific uses will be invaluable in the event of a breakdown in society. The drug industry has a monopoly upon medicine today which will not help us when a social breakdown does occur.

Ø Gardening is an activity that the individual should certainly consider. Growing food is a means towards gaining self-reliance, as well as producing chemical-free produce. It is also good exercise in a healthy outdoor environment. Within Woden’s Folk we have the Edel Project in which different families take part in growing their own vegetables, salads and fruit, and share knowledge between them and others through their own experiences.

Ø There is also room for the individual to combine many of these through Survivalism – the ability to train and educate oneself in the arts of shelter-building, fire-lighting, hunting and trapping, wild foods, how to obtain water, navigation etc. This can be combined with the Warrior Arts so that the individual can become a true Heathen Warrior prepared for anything that Fate can throw at him.

Mysticism and the Magical Arts –

Ø This is yet another aspect of any religion, at the level of a Mystery Religion that forms the inner core of any true religion; within Wodenism lies the Cult of Woden which is its Mystery Religion.

Ø Rune-Lore and Runic Magic are part of the Cult of Woden and are just as important as any other section of Wodenism. The Cult of Woden uses its own unique 33-Rune system known as the Ar-Kan Rune-Lag being devised by the Folk-Warder, Wulf Ingessunu, and the Hearth of Heruli in the South Saxon Mark.

Ø Spiritual discipline is also an essential part of Wodenism, since it is a true religion with its own Mystery Religion as an integral part. Taking up spiritual exercises is part of the Wodenic Religion.

Ø The use of magic for healing is something to consider; this is also an essential part of a religion that seeks to ensure the survival of our people and the future of our people when a social breakdown does happen.

Ø The use of magic within Wodenism has a far different part to play than the usual stuff promoted in the modern “paganism”, much of which is restricted to mundane matters of the material world, rather than the approach we take, and that is the use of High Magic for the purpose of awakening our Folk. In Wodenism the magical act is for a higher purpose and that is for the welfare of the Folk. This can take many different forms but the main aim is still there.

Craftsmanship.

Ø The basis of any New Order must be a return to craftsmanship and work that achieves a spiritual satisfaction, as opposed to the mass-production of sheer rubbish today. A return to creating something lasting means a return to sanity in an insane world where nothing is made to last.

Ø There are various crafts that can be taken up within Wodenism; perhaps the most popular one is in creating from wood or metal. Here there is plenty of scope for the discerning individual who can make religious regalia, or even weaponry for the Warrior Arts.

Ø Woden’s Folk has a number of articles of regalia which, over the years, have been made up by individuals within the Movement. These include a Ritual Hammer and a Ritual Irminsul, both made by people building the skills to do so. Walking staffs, some of which can double as a self-defence weapon, and magical staffs are yet another subject for thought. Runes, burnt or carved out of wood, are another skill that the individual can put his or her mind to.

Ø There are, of course, other skills such as the making of religious jewellery and ritual jewellery. This, again, is a specialised skill, but one which is open to the individual who has such a skill.

Technology –

Ø As we can clearly see, technology has always been the driving-power of our people as a race; it is not the actual technology that is the problem, it is how that technology is used. When it is harnessed for use in complete harmony with Nature then it is a good thing, but when it is used as it is today, in opposition to the Natural Order, then it becomes destructive.

Ø Where technology falls down today is that it has been harnessed for the use of the masses. It thus requires mass-production on a grand scale, and this creates untold problems which are actually damaging the planet. Strangely enough, it is the socialists and others of like hue who promoted “The People”; that everyone is equal, and thus everyone has the right to the same products, who are most vociferous in their opposition to the destruction of the environment. Global capitalism could never work without the masses who make up the consumers needed for the mass-production of never-ending goods. Socialism provided the “proles” needed to make this work. This is why the two fused together into the society we live in today. The other side of this is that well-produced goods are still made (though not much of it) but these are still not long-lasting because they are outdated hardly before they are on the shelves. Most things today are either made to wear out quickly, or to be of no use because they are outdated – the best example of the latter is the computer.

Ø There is room within Wodenism for modern technology, so long as it is used wisely, and for the purpose of expanding our Folkish Religion, and working for the survival of our Folk and Nation. The Internet has its uses in that it is a tool that can get us out to a wide audience, wider than anything before it. But it needs great thought on how to do this, and the right way to do it. Things like Facebook were created solely for the purpose of collecting information on every individual that uses it; and it is a boon to the modern perverts who use it to stalk children. Social Networking is a means to allow people to share information amongst themselves, but can end with creating friction, and even arguments and fall-outs which never heal. This has already happened within English Nationalism – a movement in its infancy. There are two problems, the first is that when we argue a point face-to-face we can end by shaking hands and agreeing not to agree. Usually the problem gets no further. When this is not done face-to-face it is much harder to see another point of view, and sometimes a simple statement can be misunderstood and offence is taken where it should never have been. The second is that when we have a disagreement with someone else, face to face, even if this does end up with an argument that cannot be brought to a conclusion, and the two end up falling out, this is done at a local level between the two, or at least between a small number of people. When this is done on a site on the Internet this involves a larger number of people, and if this is done over an open site – the whole world knows about it!

Ø Having given these warnings, there is certainly room within Wodenism for computer technology and for modern technology so long as it works towards our main aims and ideals. Computer skills can aid any movement, since we cannot simply drop out f this society, for we must be in it, but not of it.

Ø The computer can be used to gain information, knowledge and to help us to regain our history and our roots. It can be easier than the old methods of gaining information, so it is certainly a good thing in that respect. It can also be used to get out to a wider audience, again something we can use to our advantage. But we must always recognise that the Internet has been created for one purpose, and that is to serve the aims of the “World Community” (New World Order), and that it is constructed to serve these aims by using propaganda fit for the masses. The multi-nationals will always have the greater say on such a technological development, simply because it has been designed for them. As small “fish” in a large “ocean” we will never have such a wide access as do those who oppose us, and who seek to destroy or distort our Movement. This should be fully understood, since we are not working at an equal level with them – not by any means. We may be able to get out to a wide world, but this is an illusion since only a very small proportion of people will actually get to our sites at this time. So, although this does seem to be a god-send to us, in reality it is not quite so good as it would first seem. Indeed, if it were such a great thing the multi-nationals would cease throwing endless leaflets through our doors – a thing which is still the best way to get out to the mass of people, otherwise they would stop doing so. It is just as important to understand that recruitment by word of mouth to those we meet is just as important as using the Internet.

English History –The history of a people is its roots, for it is the past which produces the present, which again ensures the future of a people. Our people are like a tree with roots (past history), branches (nations and tribes), and the leaves (individuals). Leaves are shed and renewed, branches cut off and grow again, but cut off the roots and the whole things dies! Our roots – our history – is of the utmost importance to our struggle for freedom. Unlike some sections of English Nationalism, we do not seek to try to live in the past, in the Anglo-Saxon times, nor to see our history as something that either started with the English invasions of Britain, nor to the centuries prior to this when the English lived in Northern Germany and Scandinavia. The English Folk go back to the beginnings of our own racial group and our legends tell us so. You will see how, in these pages, we shall trace our people back to an age before time when they dwelt upon a northern island named Scandi, which will be shown to be the same as the ancient Germanic Legend of Thule. There is no doubt that we shall attract a great deal of criticism within our work, since our work is not restricted to the Anglo-Saxons, but is concerned with a far wider view of the world, and one that looks into other traditions as well as our own unique English Tradition. Those who do not take this line, we feel, can never understand the legends and lore of the English, since ours has been lost, distorted and destroyed to a vast extent. If we are to understand our own tradition then we must study that of other sections of our Folk-Group, so as to gain knowledge that remains there but not within our own English Lore. And much of what is hidden can only be understood and brought to light when we have an understanding of parallel traditions. It should thus be clear that any study of English History must also embrace a wider study of the history of the Germanic Peoples, and it must also be studied in light of our own mythology, and Germanic Myth and Legend as a whole. We must also understand that the Northern Peoples, due to southward migrations as the Ice Age set in, moved into areas of the Far East and elsewhere, and there left a legacy of the Northern Tradition which we can still study and use to enhance our knowledge in regard to our own English Tradition. So despite the criticism we shall continue to study and use parallel traditions in order to understand our own English Tradition.