Most sources documenting Germanic paganism have been lost and it is only from Iceland that there is a substantial literature, namely the Sagas and the Eddas. Some information is found in the Nibelungenlied and in Beowulf. Limited information also exists in Tacitus' ethnographic work Germania, although some preface is necessary due to context. Further material has been deduced from folk customs found in surviving rural folk traditions that have either been mildly superficiailly Christianized or lightly modified, including ...

See also:

Germanic paganism, Germanic paganism - Sources, Germanic paganism - Pre-Migration Period, Germanic paganism - Caesar, Germanic paganism - Tacitus, Germanic paganism - Reconstruction, Germanic paganism - Migration Age, Germanic paganism - Viking Age, Germanic paganism - Middle Ages

Read more here: » Germanic paganism: Encyclopedia II - Germanic paganism - Sources

See also:

Germanic paganism, Germanic paganism - Proto-Germanic religion, Germanic paganism - Pre-Migration Period, Germanic paganism - Tacitus, Germanic paganism - Migration Age, Germanic paganism - Viking Age, Germanic paganism - Middle Ages

Read more here: » Germanic paganism: Encyclopedia II - Germanic paganism - Proto-Germanic religion

Germanic paganism - Caesar. The earliest forms of Germanic religion can only be speculated on based on archaeological evidence and comparative religion. The first written description is in Julius Caesar's Commentarii de Bello Gallico. He contrasts the elaborate religious custom of the Gauls with the primitive German traditions. The Germans differ much from these usages, for they have neither Druids to preside over sacred offices, nor do they pay great regard to sacrifices. They rank in the ...

See also:

Germanic paganism, Germanic paganism - Sources, Germanic paganism - Pre-Migration Period, Germanic paganism - Caesar, Germanic paganism - Tacitus, Germanic paganism - Reconstruction, Germanic paganism - Migration Age, Germanic paganism - Viking Age, Germanic paganism - Middle Ages

Read more here: » Germanic paganism: Encyclopedia II - Germanic paganism - Pre-Migration Period

Reconstructions of the traditions of Germanic paganism began with 19th century Romanticism. From the 1960s, various Neopagan movements based on pre-Christian Germanic faiths have emerged. Heathen (Old Norse heiðinn), the Germanic translation of Latin paganus, is preferred by some adherents as a self-description. In the USA, Ásatrú ("Æsir faith") and Odinism are widely used as a generic term for Germanic paganism, while in Britain, Heathenry, and in Scandinavia Forn Sed ...

Including:

• Germanic neopaganism - Terminology
• Germanic neopaganism - Ásatrú
• Germanic neopaganism - Heathen
• Germanic neopaganism - Odinism
• Germanic neopaganism - Forn Siðr
• Germanic neopaganism - Theodism
• Germanic neopaganism - History
• Germanic neopaganism - Distribution of adherents
• Germanic neopaganism - Factions
• Germanic neopaganism - Tenets
• Germanic neopaganism - Rites
• Germanic neopaganism - Artistic Output And Influence
• Germanic neopaganism - Symbolism
• Germanic neopaganism - List of Organizations

Read more here: » Germanic neopaganism: Encyclopedia - Germanic neopaganism

The Odinic Rite (OR) is a Germanic pagan reconstructivist society whose aims are to promote all aspects of Germanic paganism, termed Odinism after the chief god of Norse mythology, Odin. Influenced by Else Christensen's Odinist Fellowship, The Odinic Rite was founded in 1973 in England under the name "Committee for the Restoration of the Odinic Rite / Odinist Committee". In 1980 the organisation changed its name to "The Odinic Rite" after it was believed that it had gained enough significan ...

Including:

• Odinic Rite - Nine Noble Virtues
• Odinic Rite - Nine Charges

Read more here: » Odinic Rite: Encyclopedia - Odinic Rite

Heathenry is the term preferred, in the UK (and increasingly elsewhere), by many followers of Germanic paganism or Germanic neopaganism as the name of their religion. While some practitioners use the term as equivalent to Paganism, others use it much more specifically. It is used by those who are re-creating the old religion and worldview from the literary and archaeological sources, who describe themselves as "Heathen" in part to distinguish themselves from other pagans whose rituals come from other sources. Some North ...

Including:

• Heathenry - Heathenry and reconstruction
• Heathenry - What Heathens do
• Heathenry - Runic magic:
• Heathenry - Galdr
• Heathenry - Seidr
• Heathenry - Web resources relevant to Heathenry in Britain

Read more here: » Heathenry: Encyclopedia - Heathenry

A goddess is a female deity, in contrast with a male deity known as a "god". A great many cultures have goddesses, sometimes alone, but more often as part of a larger pantheon that includes both of the conventional genders and in some cases even hermaphroditic (or gender neutral) deities. As the concept of monotheism and polytheism can be relativistic, so too can related concepts be culturally misunderstood. The concept of gender as applied to a god and goddess, may connote deeper tendencies of patriarchy and matriarchy, which ...

Including:

• Goddess - Ancient Near East
• Goddess - Egypt
• Goddess - Mesopotamia
• Goddess - Arabia
• Goddess - Indo-European religion
• Goddess - Hinduism
• Goddess - Graeco-Roman religion
• Goddess - Celtic religion
• Goddess - Germanic religion
• Goddess - Abrahamic religions
• Goddess - Judaism
• Goddess - Christianity
• Goddess - Islam
• Goddess - New religious movements
• Goddess - Wicca and Neopaganism
• Goddess - Religious feminism
• Goddess - Secular use

Read more here: » Goddess: Encyclopedia - Goddess

Main articles: Norse paganism and Norse mythology Early medieval Scandinavian (Viking Age) paganism is much better documented than its predecessors, notably via the records of Norse mythology, recorded in the Edda, and the Sagas, written in Iceland during 1150 - 1400. Sacrifices were known as Blót, seasonal celebrations where gifts were offered to appropriate gods, and attempts were made to predict the coming season. Similar events were sometimes arrange ...

See also:

Germanic paganism, Germanic paganism - Sources, Germanic paganism - Pre-Migration Period, Germanic paganism - Caesar, Germanic paganism - Tacitus, Germanic paganism - Reconstruction, Germanic paganism - Migration Age, Germanic paganism - Viking Age, Germanic paganism - Middle Ages

Read more here: » Germanic paganism: Encyclopedia II - Germanic paganism - Viking Age

Yule was the winter solstice celebration of the Germanic pagans. In Germanic Neopaganism it is one of the eight solar holidays, or sabbats, where Yule is celebrated on the winter solstice: in the northern hemisphere, circa December 21, and in the southern hemisphere, circa June 21. "Yule" and "Yuletide" are also archaic terms for Christmas, sometimes invoked in songs to provide atmosphere. Indeed, this is the only meaning of "Yule" accepted by either the full Oxford English Dictionary or the Concise Oxford Dictionary, and peopl ...

Including:

• Yule - Etymology
• Yule - Traditional Yule
• Yule - Connection to modern Christmas
• Yule - Neopagan Yule
• Yule - Secular Yuletide
• Yule - Reference

Read more here: » Yule: Encyclopedia - Yule

In 1000 AD, Iceland became nominally Christian, although continuation of pagan worship in private was tolerated. Most of Scandinavia was Christianized during the 11th century. Adam von Bremen gives the last report of vigorous Norse paganism. Sometimes, the subjects of a lord who converted to Christianity refused to follow his lead (this happened to the Swedish kings Olof of Sweden, Anund Gårdske and Ingold I) and would sometimes force the lord ...

See also:

Germanic paganism, Germanic paganism - Sources, Germanic paganism - Pre-Migration Period, Germanic paganism - Caesar, Germanic paganism - Tacitus, Germanic paganism - Reconstruction, Germanic paganism - Migration Age, Germanic paganism - Viking Age, Germanic paganism - Middle Ages

Read more here: » Germanic paganism: Encyclopedia II - Germanic paganism - Middle Ages

During the Migration period, Germanic religion was subject to syncretic influence from Christianity and Mediterranean culture (see also Runes, Erilaz). Jordanes' Getica is a 6th century account of the Goths. According to the Getica, the chief god of the Goths was Mars, who they believed was born among them. Now Mars has always been worshipped by the Goths with cruel rites, and captives were slain as his victims. They thought that he who is the lord of war ought to be appeased by the shedding of human bloo ...

See also:

Germanic paganism, Germanic paganism - Sources, Germanic paganism - Pre-Migration Period, Germanic paganism - Caesar, Germanic paganism - Tacitus, Germanic paganism - Reconstruction, Germanic paganism - Migration Age, Germanic paganism - Viking Age, Germanic paganism - Middle Ages

Read more here: » Germanic paganism: Encyclopedia II - Germanic paganism - Migration Age

Germanic paganism - Tacitus. The first description of Germanic religion is Tacitus' Germania, dating to the 1st century. Tacitus describes both animal and human sacrifice. The chief Germanic god he identifies with Roman Mercury, who on certain days receives human sacrifices, while gods identified by Tacitus with Hercules and Mars receive animal sacrifice. The Suebians also make ...

See also:

Germanic paganism, Germanic paganism - Proto-Germanic religion, Germanic paganism - Pre-Migration Period, Germanic paganism - Tacitus, Germanic paganism - Migration Age, Germanic paganism - Viking Age, Germanic paganism - Middle Ages

Read more here: » Germanic paganism: Encyclopedia II - Germanic paganism - Pre-Migration Period

In 1000 AD, Iceland became nominally Christian, although continuation of pagan worship in private was tolerated. Most of Scandinavia was Christianized during the 11th century. Adam von Bremen gives the last report of vigorous Norse paganism. Sometimes, the subjects of a lord who converted to Christianity refused to follow his lead (this happened to the Swedish kings Olof of Sweden, Anund Gårdske and Ingold I) and would sometimes force the lord ...

See also:

Germanic paganism, Germanic paganism - Proto-Germanic religion, Germanic paganism - Pre-Migration Period, Germanic paganism - Tacitus, Germanic paganism - Migration Age, Germanic paganism - Viking Age, Germanic paganism - Middle Ages

Read more here: » Germanic paganism: Encyclopedia II - Germanic paganism - Middle Ages

Early medieval Scandinavian (Viking Age) paganism is much better documented than its predecessors, notably via the records of Norse mythology, recorded in the Edda, and the Sagas, written in Iceland during 1150 - 1400. Sacrifices were known as Blót, seasonal celebrations where gifts were offered to appropriate gods, and attempts were made to predict the coming season. Similar events were sometimes arrange ...

See also:

Germanic paganism, Germanic paganism - Proto-Germanic religion, Germanic paganism - Pre-Migration Period, Germanic paganism - Tacitus, Germanic paganism - Migration Age, Germanic paganism - Viking Age, Germanic paganism - Middle Ages

Read more here: » Germanic paganism: Encyclopedia II - Germanic paganism - Viking Age

During the Migration period, Germanic religion was subject to syncretic influence from Christianity and Mediterranean culture (see also Runes). Jordanes' Getica is a 6th century account of the Goths. According to the Getica, the chief god of the Goths was Tiwaz, to whom they sacrificed prisoners of war, hanging their limbs upon trees. Saint Columbanus in the 6th century encountered a beer sacrifice to Woden in Bregenz. In the 8th century, the Saxons venerated an Irminsul (see also Donar's Oak). Charlemagne is re ...

See also:

Germanic paganism, Germanic paganism - Proto-Germanic religion, Germanic paganism - Pre-Migration Period, Germanic paganism - Tacitus, Germanic paganism - Migration Age, Germanic paganism - Viking Age, Germanic paganism - Middle Ages

Read more here: » Germanic paganism: Encyclopedia II - Germanic paganism - Migration Age

List of pagans - Wicca. Adler, Margot - author, journalist, Wiccan Priestess and Elder, NPR correspondent in New York City Beyerl, Paul - founder of The Rowan Tree Church Baudino, Gael - author, mostly fantasy (Dianic Wiccan) Billinghurst, Frances - founder of the Temple of the Dark Moon (Alexandrian Wiccan) Buckland, Raymond - author of Buckland's Complete Book of Witchcraft and many others, and founder of Seax-Wica Budapest, Z. - lesbian Pagan teacher writer et ...

See also:

List of pagans, List of pagans - Graeco-Roman, List of pagans - Christianization, List of pagans - Germanic Neopaganism, List of pagans - Neo-druidism, List of pagans - Wicca/Witchcraft/Eclectic/Various, List of pagans - Wicca, List of pagans - Stregheria, List of pagans - Ecstatic Witchcraft, List of pagans - Unclassified

Read more here: » List of pagans: Encyclopedia II - List of pagans - Wicca/Witchcraft/Eclectic/Various

The first modern attempt at revival of ancient Germanic religion took place in the 19th Century during the late Romantic Period amidst a general resurgence of interest in traditional Germanic culture, in particular in connection with romantic nationalism in Scandinavia and the related Viking revival in Victorian era Britain. The last traditional pagan sacrifices in Scandinavia, at Trollkyrka, appear to date to about this time. Organized Germanic pagan or occult groups such as the Germanische Glaubens-Gemeinschaft emerged in Germany in ...

See also:

Germanic neopaganism, Germanic neopaganism - Terminology, Germanic neopaganism - Ásatrú, Germanic neopaganism - Heathen, Germanic neopaganism - Odinism, Germanic neopaganism - Forn Siðr, Germanic neopaganism - Theodism, Germanic neopaganism - History, Germanic neopaganism - Distribution of adherents, Germanic neopaganism - Factions, Germanic neopaganism - Tenets, Germanic neopaganism - Rites, Germanic neopaganism - Artistic Output And Influence, Germanic neopaganism - Symbolism, Germanic neopaganism - List of Organizations

Read more here: » Germanic neopaganism: Encyclopedia II - Germanic neopaganism - History

Worship of Odin dates to Proto-Germanic paganism. The Roman historian Tacitus probably refers to Odin when he talks of Mercury. The reason is that, like Mercury, Odin was regarded as Psychopompos, "the leader of souls". Parallels between Odin and Celtic Lugus have often been pointed out: both are intellectual gods, commanding magic and poetry. Both have ravens and a spear as their attributes, and both are one-eyed. Julius Caesar (de bello Gallico, 6.17.1), who mentions Mercury as the chief god of Celtic religion. A likely conte ...

See also:

Odin, Odin - Characteristics, Odin - Origins, Odin - Seid, Odin - Blót, Odin - Edda, Odin - Attributes, Odin - Names, Odin - Odin and Jesus, Odin - Persisting beliefs in Odin, Odin - Modern age, Odin - Modern popular culture, Odin - Germanic neopaganism, Odin - Notes, Odin - Literature

Read more here: » Odin: Encyclopedia II - Odin - Origins

With the Romantic Viking revival of the early-to-mid 19th century, Odin's popularity increased again. Wotan is a lead character in Richard Wagner's Der Ring des Nibelungen, written between 1848 and 1874. His name provides the root for 19th century conceptions of "Od", a hypothetical vital energy that permeates all living things. Odin, along with the other Norse Gods and Goddesses, is worshipped by Germanic pagan reconstructivists (see Odinism). Ásatrú, "faith in the Aesir", is an officially recogni ...

See also:

Wodanaz, Wodanaz - Etymology, Wodanaz - Odin and Mercury, Wodanaz - Celtic parallels, Wodanaz - Shamanic traits, Wodanaz - Worship, Wodanaz - Migration period, Wodanaz - Viking Age, Wodanaz - Medieval reception, Wodanaz - Revivals, Wodanaz - Notes, Wodanaz - Literature

Read more here: » Wodanaz: Encyclopedia II - Wodanaz - Revivals

The attested forms of the theonym are traditionally derived from Proto-Germanic *Wōđanaz[1] (in Old Norse word-initial *w- was dropped before rounded vowels and so the name became Óðinn). Adam von Bremen etymologizes the god worshipped by the 11th century Scandinavian pagans as "Wodan id est furor" ("Wodan, which means 'fury'"). An obsolete alternate etymology, which has been adhered to by many early writers includi ...

See also:

Wodanaz, Wodanaz - Etymology, Wodanaz - Odin and Mercury, Wodanaz - Celtic parallels, Wodanaz - Shamanic traits, Wodanaz - Worship, Wodanaz - Migration period, Wodanaz - Viking Age, Wodanaz - Medieval reception, Wodanaz - Revivals, Wodanaz - Notes, Wodanaz - Literature

Read more here: » Wodanaz: Encyclopedia II - Wodanaz - Etymology