Hof Services Hunting 2256 RE (Oct. 2006 CE)

“In Our Ancestors Footsteps”
     (Initiative & Perseverance)

by Dr. Casper Odinson Cröwell, 1519-CCG
Allsherjargothi, HOLY NATION OF ODIN, INC.
and SONS OF ODIN, 1519 - VINLAND / USA

"I would have loved to have belonged to the Jomsvikings!"; "It would have been so awesome to have been counted among the ranks of the Heruli! "; "I count myself among the ranks of the living Einherjar!" - Admit it. We've all heard one kinsman, or another posit such a remark in our presence at one time, or another. Perhaps we ourselves have even pro­fessed such an exclamation. I most certainly have. And sure, why not? It is such an honorable notion in addition to being somewhat romantic as well. I've even spent a considerable amount of time affording such notions both lengthy and weighty contempl­ation. Daydreaming, if you will. Considering the current state of contemporary man, resplendent with his myriad of ill social habits, vices and lack of skills required by one seeking to ascend beyond the masses! I am certain that many of you now perusing this have indulged in such wishful and melancholy meditation at one time or another yourselves. I find myself given to sporadic fits of sincere disgust and contempt for contemporary man, nearly on a daily schedule! For contemporary man has brought about the execution of Renaissance man and replaced him with a ghost of men long dead now. In their stead, where majesty once reigned supreme, illuminated by the very flame of desire for godly Ascension, stands some form of contemporary human waste insistent that all are equal simply because the powers that be have drafted a document affirming the death of the valid laws of nature! Contemporary man tells us that the weakest man is just as equal as the strongest. That the man whom would allow any trespasser to violate his family, is every bit as equal as the man who would bring about a reckoning to any such trespasser. I say to you my brothers and sisters, that the laws of natural order are alive and well, and that no arrogance of man can, or will alter this timeless and inexorable fact, with their laws of the land! There is no supremacy for any, save by the sheer might and desire to break free of the fetters of mortality, the absolute aspiration to ascend toward godhood and the exertion and application of one's will in concert with the very laws of nature. No egalitarian, or universalistic fantasies will alter this reality, nor are my assertions herein, any new revelations, or rapturous notions, to be certain. They are the politically incorrect, albeit unabashed truth. I am certainly not the first to posit such truth, nor will I be the last. More so, I offer no apologies to those whom I may have rendered uncomfortable with my open and honest assertions. The truth is often harsh and uncomfortable to embrace. Never the less, it such men and women of heroic and stalwart character whom seek to embrace the fullness of their realities, especially in the presence of their adversaries whom are both offended by such truth, and thereafter, motivated by their own repulsiveness towards that truth.

Fully comprehending that there are indeed multiple, valid levels of both, initiation and comprehension of our sacred faith and its traditions, I accept the far reaching reality as it does indeed exist. Not all among us are going to be on the same level of understanding as all others with the same amount of time and experience invested in their journey North. One may consider two individuals whom began their journey North, say, three years ago. However, while one may have excelled at an exceptionally rapid pace, the other's growth may be dwarfed in comparison. This, however, should in no way whatsoever, infer a lack of sincerity and devotion to walking the Northern Road, on that individual's behalf, nor should it be interpreted as such. Some folk just simply excel in certain forums over others and vice versa. This is all perfectly normal and fine. What is not fine, nor acceptable are those whom claim our sacred faith and recite the Nine Noble Virtues, etc., all the while they are caught in a frame of mind which fails to elucidate their self accepted weaknesses in concert with their own lack of accountability. These folk suffer from the 'Pass the buck' syndrome. This very lack of self discipline is not only contradictory in terms of the Noble Virtues of "Strength, Honor and Courage", but it is in addition an egregious disservice to oneself wherefore genuine self respect is in regard. Our life long exposure to the very pernicious neo-customs and traditions of contemporary man will not easily be eradicated from our lives. The signs of this detriment are all around us to witness on a daily basis.

Kinsman "A" informs kinsman "B" that it his opinion that he is not only failing to live up to the honorable and noble virtues which an Odinist encompasses and should outwardly exude in an open effort to lead by example, but he's not even putting forth an honest effort to do so! Kinsman "B" in turn becomes indignant and defensive as opposed to considering the words of his kinsman. Were kinsman "A's” observations valid, then kinsman "B" is about to enter the lack of accountability and pass the buck stages! Rather than see things for what they are and thereafter resolve to correct the erroneous behavior which indeed will continue to impede any progress he would otherwise achieve, kinsman "B" will point the finger, or pass the buck by alluding to some other, "What are you talking about, brother? Kinsman "D" does that all the time!"

Let's consider kinsman "C" under similar circumstances. Rather than assuming the indig­nant and defensive posture, kinsman "C" plays the ' I wear my feelings on my sleeve' card. Instead of acting out, he opts for the cold shoulder, avoid the kinsmen angle. When he encounters other Kin during the course of his day, he appears not to notice them, all the while secretly hoping that they will approach him with inquiry as to why he has been avoiding the circle, kindred, hearth, etc., to which he then proffers his rehearsed reply which fall along the lines of something like; " You know, bro really hurt my feel­ings with that comment." Or some such line in concert with said scenario.

My point is this... Every day self professed Odinist’s talk about how they wish that they had been born a thousand years ago, yak, yak, yak. When in reality, they would not have gotten away with acting in a manner that was not conducive to the entire Skeppslag (ship's crew) which they were part of. If Svein would have taken offense to something true that Ragnhild had said, he would not have been afforded the opportunity to take his ball and go play somewhere else, per se. Nor would Thorgard been able to pout and mope whilst he elected to sulk in his hurt feelings. Truth of the matter is both would have been thrown over the side of the long boat and told to swim home! End of story.

So then, why is it that we put up with self accepted weakness taught to us today by the lessons of contemporary man when we speak so fondly of walking in our ancestors footsteps? Matter of fact is that less than 10% of our folk who fancy themselves fit enough and suitable to have been a Jómsvíking, Herúli, or a living Einherjar, would truly make the cut. Most would be sorely disappointed in the reality.

So then, do I consider myself to make the cut? Of course I do! Not in any part due to any great status, or place of honor, nor for any reason of arrogance either. But quite simply because I walk the same way that I talk. Were I in the same situation as kinsmen "B" & "C", I would consider what kinsman "A" had to say. Next, I'd inquire as to the validity of what he alleged, with other kinsmen that I respect and I'd seek their Rede. If it turned out to be an honest assessment of my actions, then I'd do the honorable thing. I'd thank kinsman "A" for thinking enough of me as his kinsman to point out my inadequacy and I'd thereafter seek to correct it in an effort to strengthen my own resolve and character and thereby maximize the collective strength of my kin while minimizing any weakness we may have suffered as a result of my deficit.

I know as I have, indeed, done this in the past on more than one occasion. It is the very lesson of All-Father Odin, that of self transformation on a continuum. And so, I continue to strive for that self transformation.

This months Hof Service is in no fashion or form, an indictment against anyone which I personally have in mind. It is however, an indictment against all who fit the criteria of talking North while walking south! And if I've offended anyone... well, good. Get off the long boat and swim home!

For only through initiative and perseverance will we restore strength and majesty which our ancestors once enjoyed, which we today can re-initiate and our descendants of the morrow may rightly inherit because of our noble efforts! This month finds us paying homage to both Leif Eriksson (on the 9th and his stalwart father, Erik the Red on the 8th). Were it not for their initiative and perseverance, Greenland and the Vinland expeditions would not appear in the annals of history next to the other accounts of heroic proportion. These worthy sagas have thrilled our folk for generations in addition to eliciting inspiration and a grand sense of adventure. And yet, if we today fail to afford these accounts the respect they warrant, by living up to our own potential, then they are naught more than that of say, mere fairy tales!

This is also the time of the "Winter Nights" which occurs on the first Laugardagr (Saturday) and Sunnasdagr (Sunday) after the 11th. This year it will be the 14th & 15th. We honor sweet Freya as we mark the end of the harvest and thank her for the bounty it has produced with her favor.

So then, there it is, your Hof Service for Hunting. Next month we will return with our original small, albeit longer digest size bulletin (Fogmoon/Yulemoon 2256 RE issue) for your perusal, and Gods and Norns willing, your spiritual growth.

To the many of you which I know out there and are in good stead with us, I'd like to extend both my sincerest affection and the regards of Harvald, Ganglare and Vindbjorn Odinsons as well. T.A. Walsh, Magnus Odinson, Richard Kemp and Scott Tolley my genuine gratitude to you all for what you do for our faith and folk. It is an honor to count you among my kin! To all my other kin out there, my love and respect. And to the rest of you, to whom this very work is dedicated to each and every time we go to press, I warmly thank so many of you for the decent missives which you have sent. It is my honor and privilege to serve you and I have no doubt that one day many of us will in fact be kin. It is a thought which warms my heart and one I look forward to. For from you whom I endeavor to inspire and perhaps enlighten to some extent, the leaders of our beloved faith and folk of the near future will come forth. Believe in thy selves as not only I believe in you, but as ALL-Father Odin believes in you, for were it not so-I'd not waste my time on this effort which keeps me from most others.

Perform a Sig blot for success and victory in your efforts and invoke the father of victory. Meditate and Galdr these Runes: Sowilo ( ), Tiwaz () and Perthro ().

Also hold a blot and feast to beautiful Freya during the Winter Nights on the 14th-15th, and meditate and Galdr these Runes: Berkano (), Jera () and Fehu ().

Ves Heil. I remain in service to the Gods and Folk of the Holy Nation of Odin. And I remain in Frith with thee... Heil All-Father Odin and Heil the holy AEsir and Vanir in his venerable name!

"Now more than ever, we need to fill the ranks of the 'Living Einherjar', for the wolf is at the rampart! It is not enough to keep him at bay. We must follow him into the next life and all the way to Ragnarok to see that the deed gets done. This will require extraordinary folk, not only in desire, but in deed." --Dr. Casper Odinson Cröwell, Ph.D.