Asatru (Battle of Belusium)

Asatru is a Norse polytheistic religion based on legends and accounts of gods and heroes. Its the national and ancestral religion of the Norse Kingdom. Asatru is animistic

Gods
Asatru, similar to religions such as Kemetism, holds that nature is either divine in of itself, or directly influenced by the divine. There are multiple gods who represent different roles in the world. In Asatru, the gods are divided into two distinct groups: the Aesir (generally gods of war and power) and the Vanir (gods of fertility and wisdom). According to legend, there was once a large war between the Aesir and Vanir, which ultimately resulted in unified pantheon.

What distinguishes Asatru from other religions, is that the relationship between humans and gods is not one of lord and subject, but more akin to that of ally and ally. Gods are considered to be humanity's comrades and friends, opposed to masters.

Though some practioners wil make use of statues and images of gods, Asatru is generally not considered an idolatrous religion. Any statue or carving of a god is generally considered temporary, and few permament shrines exist.

Aesir
The Aesir are the regarded as the supreme gods of Asatru, with the gods Odin, Thor, Tyr, and Heimdal being Aesir. The Aesir are generally noted for being gods of war, storms, and power. Worship fo the Aeisr was originally more common amongst nobility, and royalty in Norseland, but later spread more as the religion became more centralized. The Aesir are often prayed to for strength in war, and divine favor. The Aesir are the rulers of Asgard.

Vanir
The Vanir are generally gods of feritility, nature, and wisdom, including gods such as Frey, and his twin sister, Freya. The Vanir were more poular amongst the commonfolk in Norseland, including farmers. The Vanir are often prayed to for bountiful harvests and favorable weather conditions. They are also associated with elves, and the realm of Vanaheim and Alfheim.

Doomsday
Asatru is noted for having a determinist viewpoint of the world; fate cannot be fought, or resisted, and everything that happens is how the Norns determine it. It si belived that the end of the world, Ragnarok, is inevitable.

Cosmology
Asatru is noted for having a complex, and distinct view of the universe. The universe is built around a massive tree called "Yggdrasil", and out of it branch an additional eight worlds. Each world is ruled by its own respective race.

Worlds

 * Asgard: the home of the Aesir
 * Midgard: the mortal world
 * Jotunheim: the land of giants
 * Alfheim: the land of the light elves
 * Vaniheim: the home of the Vanir
 * Svartalfheim: the home of the dwarves and dark elves
 * Musphleheim: the land of fire
 * Nifleheim: the land of ice and mist
 * Helheim: the land of the dead who did not go to Vallhala

Criticsm
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