FAQs

Why Ravens’ Hof?

Ravens’ Hof was founded to present, promote and preserve, as best as possible and in accordance with our historical sources and tradition, the spirituality of our ancestors, the more broadly Germanic and more specifically Norse peoples, and this without agenda.

“Without agenda” is important! For far too long have we allowed our spiritual heritage to be hijacked by ideologies, from both the so-called far left and the far right. The Vikings were not Nazis. Nor, however, were they progressive liberals. Both sides of the spectrum have appropriated our myths, our spirituality, our history, our symbols, our culture, and, in so doing, sullied our tradition — our ancestral heritage.

Ravens’ Hof seeks to be and to present authentic heathenism in a modern world. We approach the myths as would have our ancestors. To understand the stories as they would have in their time and place (principled hermeneutics). Not to reinterpret them in light of our far-removed, modernist perspective.

We seek a broad revival — one firmly rooted in history and tradition that encompasses language, the runes, culture, literature (particularly skaldic poetry) art, tradition, ancient skills, and religion. We envision a world in which men and women the world over honor the river of blood that runs through them — the very blood that flowed through the ancestors — by living the old ways today.

Though our interests are broadly Germanic, our focus is on Viking-age spirituality, tradition, and the general ways of our ancestors (religion, myth, folklore, language, culture, literature and poetry, art, physicality, martial training, medicine/herbalism, runology, magic, hunting, fishing, survival, permaculture and farming, etc.)

We are and seek to be well-studied yet spiritually-minded heathens. With respect to our myths, history, and practice, we seek to walk the fine line between the two camps: 1) The purely academic on the one hand, those denying the more esoteric, and; 2) The self-educated heathen individuals and groups sans academic credentials who place heavy emphasis on unverifiable personal gnosis and the imposition of modern progressivists views upon the worldview or our ancestors. Nowhere, for example, is this tension more readily manifest than in modern runology or, to provide another example, the modern and unhealthy focus on “inclusivity” as a chief virtue in heathen circles.

The Norse peoples and religion (the Germanic more broadly) were far from what we today would refer to as “DEI” folk and any organization built upon this as a sole premise is honoring neither the old gods nor our ancestors. All are indeed welcome to approach our gods. All are indeed worthy of our respect. There is no place for racism or sexism or hatred at Ravens’ Hof. The focus should never be upon any “ism” but, rather, on the pursuit of and love for the gods and our ancestral ways.

But, equally, as we value each and every human spirit, we so value our gods, the ancestors, and their ways. Honor is a virtue that has never fallen out of fashion among our people. Honor the gods, honor the ancestors, honor one another.

What is the American Futharch rune row and why do you use it on your site and in your publications?

Have you ever tried writing American English (or any variety of modern English, for that matter) in the Elder Futhark? It is wooden and does not work and this is, understandably so, in that the sounds of the Proto-Norse language vary significantly from the sounds of modern English. If one were to attempt to be authentic to the Old Norse, in the age of the Vikings particularly, one would user the shorter, Younger Futhark, yet no one seems to do this, preferring instead the Elder Futhark.

With the American Futharch, created by Eirik Westcoast (The Skaldic Eagle), one may now write in perfect English with the runes (and all of its commensurate sounds). No longer is there a need to learn ancient and dead languages and force the old runes upon modern English — we now have runes to make sacred our own language. We encourage all heathens to learn more about the American Futharch.

*We have no formal or financial affiliation with Dr. Westcoat and recommend his brilliant American Futharch solely on the basis of ourselves having studied under him and having undergone the Initiation of the Mead.

When we do write in Old Norse, we generally default to the Latin alphabet or, where appropriate, the Younger Futhark if writing with runes. The Elder Futhark predates the Viking era and what would formally be referred to as “Old Norse” in any strict sense.

For the more esoteric practices of rune work, divination, and so forth, we use the American Futharch and Elder Futhark almost equally but we do use the Younger Futhark as well. For rune casting and reading requests, the recipient thereof may request a favored rune row. Ravens’ Hof offers a special rune reading service along with other spiritual services (custom bindrunes, traditional and alliterative poems, charms, and spells, custom wortcunning and traditional herbal preparations, shamanic initiations, online classes, etc.) Learn more about those offerings here.

Why does Ravens’ Hof offer heathen ordinations?

Why not provide an opportunity for heathens, heathen groups, and heathen communities to celebrate our ancestral rituals and rites of passage with authority and, moreover, legally? As a faith tradition, heathenism lacks a central authority (no Pope, no bishops, etc.) and, as such, we are free to approach the gods as we will (in as much as we do so humbly and, best as possible, in a manner faithful to the traditions and our ancestors).

Ordination does not bestow upon one magical powers, the favor of the gods, or anything else special, at least not in and of itself. But, it does provide an entry point for those who feel so called to be part of the great revival of the old gods and the faith of our ancestors — those called to lead, perhaps by the gods, perhaps by the Norns — to do the great work to which we have been called.

Ordination is, in a sense, initiation…a first step on a the long and winding spiritual path of heathenry.

Heathenism lacks the funding of traditional, organized religion and, as such, ours is a grass roots movement. One of restoration and revitalization. Consult the runes and pray to the gods — see if this is a path for you.