Position Statement

Raven Hof Position Statement: The Kindred is a Germanic Norse "Northern European"  religious group. Its fundamental purpose is to provide a safe place for other Norse to practice, advance the knowledge, and honoring of:

The Northern European gods and goddesses, commonly known as the Aesir and Vanir in Norse mythology, and their equivalents in other historical Germanic cultures;

Germanic deities that are not specifically mentioned in Old Norse sources, but which are understood to be beneficent (for example: Eostre/Ostara, Nehalennia, Saxnot, Nerthus);

Beings known from the standard texts of mythology or folklore to be allies of the Aesir and Vanir, or who are at least not depicted as openly hostile to our gods and goddesses and what they stand for, for example: Aegir, Ran, Thorri, Hel, Jordh/Earth, Sol, Mani, the Norns;

Wights of specific places such as the land, the waters, and the home (vaettir, tomten, brownies, huldufolk, etc.), as well as elves (alfar), dwarves (dvergar), female powers (disir/idises, valkyries), and other such beings;

Worthy and honorable human heroes and ancestors, ranging from the legendary through the historical past up to the present day.

Variations in the understanding of our Norse gods and goddesses, and the ways of honoring them, have always existed, even in the time of our Germanic Norse forebears. In the modern era, many good and true folks have sought to reconstruct, revive, and renew the old ways according to their own best understandings. One result has been the creation of different sects, tribal groups, traditions, and other divisions of contemporary Germanic religion.

The Kindred affirms the right of individuals to freely worship as they will, guided by the dictates of their own consciences. Individual membership in the Kindred is not predicated on adherence to any particular heathen religious practice, belief, theology, tradition, or dogma. We recognize

that freedom of conscience, the free exchange of ideas, and diversity of opinions are vital for the healthy growth of our religion and folkways. The Kindred does not and will not dictate to individual members which beings they may or may not honor, what forms of ritual they may or may not employ, or how they may conceive of these beings. In this regard, people who are closely involved with Loki are welcome as Kindred members, but hailing Loki at certain Kindred sponsored events (such as traditional blots and Sumbel) is not allowed.

As a Germanic Norse Kindred, it is not part of the Kindred's mission to promote or advance the honoring or worship of:

Deities and other beings from non-Germanic traditional religions, for example: Greco/Roman, Native American, Kemetic/Egyptian, Vedic or other traditional Indian deities;

Deities and other beings from the Abrahamic religions, for example: Jehovah, Jesus, Satan, Allah, Mohammed, angels, djinni;

Beings from Germanic mythology that are understood to be hostile to the Aesir and Vanir, to humanity, and/or to the cosmological order, for example: Angrboda, Fenrir, the Midgard Serpent/Jormungandr, Surtr, Muspel's Sons, Garm, Nidhogg.

Discussion of such deities and other beings, when relevant to issues surrounding Norse Germanic religion, is a normal and necessary occurrence in Kindred meetings, and discussions. However, it is not the purpose of Kindred to promote, or carry out the honoring or worship of these entities. Kindred members are expected to recognize and respect such boundaries in the context of Kindred affairs.

The Kindred is open to all who seek to know and to honor the Gods, ancestors, and values of the Germanic Norse traditions, regardless of gender, race, nationality or sexual orientation. The Kindred stands against any use of Germanic religion and culture to advance causes of racism, sexism, homophobia, white supremacy, or any other form of prejudice.