Ravens’ Hof
About Us
More than simply myth and folklore, the germanic-Norse tradition is a rich tapestry of history, language, culture, art, and spirituality. Ravens’ Hof exists to perpetuate and promote the ancestral heritage and traditions of the Germanic peoples of pre-Christian Europe — our ancestors —with a specific concentration on the viking age (approx. AD 796-1066).
We are both a spiritual organization (a legally organized and incorporated hof) as well as a center for research and study in Norse mythology, religion, culture, language, runology, wortcunning, northern shamanism, esotericism, and magick.
We make Norse Mythology and Lore, Viking studies, runology, and ancient cunning available to all who seek—our heritage is not the exclusive domain of the academicians or, conversely, those who would reinterpret it to suit their modern ideals.
We also espouse living the vital life—active, physical living as our ancestors. As such our writing and programs feature heavily diet, nutrition, exercise and fitness, as well as engagement with nature.
We seek to unite with others of like mind, to revive the ancient ways, and to see the ancient river of Germanic culture flow yet again as the blood of our ancestors still flows through our veins. Our goal is to promote Germanic studies, revival of the ancient language and the runes (particularly in spiritual and religious ritual), encourage the spread and use of the American Futharch and Sacred English, as well to prepare and equip individuals for spiritual work as goðar or vitkar via our various programs and apprenticeship opportunities.
we will feature heathen poetry and art in our Journal in both modern English as well as the runes along with scholarly works and more practical pieces (contact us if you are interested in submitting).
While acknowledging that some degree of recreation is necessary in the practice of our ancient spirituality, we seek authenticity and rely upon the historical sources for guidance. We are not an organization that participates in “role play” though we are open to personal gnosis in as much as it is in accord with what we do know from the source material and history.
Ravens’ Hof is traditionalist with respect to our spirituality, existing solely to honor the gods and our ancestors. as well, to serve our people and perpetuate our shared, ancestral, indigenous European spiritual heritage. Strength is found in unity. This being said, we do welcome all who come to the gods with pure heart regardless of race, sex, or sexual orientation and do not tolerate discrimination in any form. Conversely, we do not tolerate the politicizing of our faith and heritage or the misappropriation thereof for modernists agendas. Our spirituality is our unity and our strength. We have one agenda here at Ravens’ Hof — faithfulness to the gods, the ancestors, their ways, and to our people modern and ancient.
The Southernmost viking
Meet the Founder
Founded by Goði Gunnar Úlfsson (spiritual name taken at ordination), Gunnar holds undergraduate degrees in religious studies, philosophy & cognitive science Dual degree), nursing, as well as an MS in Computer Science, an MBA, and a religious studies Ph.D. in Norse Mythology & Theology. He is an Associate in the Rune Guild, member of The Woodharrow Institute for Indo-European Studies, has studied the American Futharch and Sacred English under Dr. Eirik Westcoat, is a member of the Viking Society for Northern Research, as well as being a longtime student of Old Norse and other of the Scandinavian languages (having studied Old Norse under Dr. Jackson Crawford among others).
A lifelong student of religion and the esoteric, Gunnar has trained under a number of renowned Dzogchen teachers in the Indo-Tibetan traditions of the greater Indo-European lineage being especially interested in the meditation and mind working techniques of the East (and to a lesser extent their theology comparative to pre-christian european theology). current areas of research include: the shamanistic practices of the norse and Sámi peoples of pre-christian scandinavia and finland, sacred english and alliterative poetry; varied runic studies, as well as hyperborean myth and origin stories.
of diverse background, gunnar is also a student of Viking-age combat and tactics (a lifelong martial artist, himself an instructor in Jeet Kune Do and a student of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu); medieval medicine (degree in nursing, multiple certifications in trauma, first response, and wilderness medicine); herbalism; survival, hunting and fishing; etc. He is a fitness enthusiast (weight training, running, climbing) and believes that the only way for an individual to grow is through adversity (both self-imposed and what the Fates give us) — this applying to the physical as well as spiritual realms.
An aspiring warrior skald and student of Viking-age and early Anglo-Saxon poetry, his fiction and poetry have been published in a number of literary journals.
He lives near the sea, like any good viking, with his wife and son in St. Augustine, Florida, the nation’s most ancient city.
Contact us
Interested in learning more? We’d love to hear from you.
