Asatru is truly polytheistic and has a range of Gods and Goddesses, Asatruars also believe in a range of other supernatural beings. Asatruars are free to choose(some would say that a god or goddess chooses them rather than the other way around) which God(s) or Goddess(es) they are closest to form the North European pantheon of Gods and Goddesses. Whilst one may honour all of the Gods and Goddesses it is common to have Gods and/or Goddesses which one is particularly close to.
The following is a list of the major
Gods and Goddesses:
Odin/Woden/Wotan
Known as the Allfather and Lord
of the Runes, and Shamanic Magic, Odin has his own agendas which were often
not fathomed by lesser men. A difficult and demanding god to be close to,
Odin is a warrior God.
Frigg
"Wife" of Odin, seen by some as
a goddess of the Hearth and fertility/reproduction. She is close to those
who are craftworkers and farmers. Her power is underestimated by many -
to their detriment. She is the only one ever able to "pull the wool over
Odins eye!" Also a goddess of relationships.
Frey
One of the Vanic group of Gods.
A powerful fertility god, sometimes depicted with a large erect penis.
Peace and fruitfulness is his primary domain, but is also powerful in battle.
Freyja
Probably the most popular Goddess
of the North. Goddess of Sexuality and generally a bloody good time. Very
close to cats and amber. Master of Seith(a very powerful form of shamanic
magic) Loved gold! Consort of Odin and her brother Frey, according to Lokasenna,
she was also very close to most of the other gods ;-). An extremely powerful
goddess.
Thor/Thunar
Warder of Asgard(The realm of the
Gods) Husband of Sif. Thunar is usually symbolised by the short handled
hammer. He is the most popular God, and his symbol is often worn by those
who are true as a sign of their troth to the Gods, regardless of other
relationships. Thunar is a fighter of chaos and in ancient times was seen
as the warder against the eastern cult of Christianity.
Njord
Father of the Vanir, a god of ships
and the sea, he is also the father of Frey and Freyja. For a time he was
wedded to Skadi.
Nerthus
Possibly wife of Njord, a goddess
of life, the earth, and fertility. Some suggest that she is a feminine
expression of Njord.
Eir
Goddess of healing and herbs
Sif
A goddess of crops and fertility,
wife of Thunar, and characterised by her long golden hair.
Tyr
God of Government, Law and Justice,
Oaths, Honour, and a very powerful warrior. An extremely powerful God,
not for the faint hearted.
Idunn
Goddess of Youth and Age. Possessed
the magic apples which kept the Gods young.
HeimdallR/Rig
Warder of the Bifrost Bridge at
the Entrance to Asgard. Possessor of the Gjallerhorn which shall be blown
to herald Ragnarok. Rig is also the father of humankind.
Oestara
Goddess of Spring and New Growth
Mani
God of the Moon
Sunna
Goddess of the Sun
Skadi
A powerful warrior Goddess. Frequently
associated with justice, hunting, snow and ice, and independant women.
"Married" to Njord for a while, consort of Odin and several others.
Ullr
God of Winter and hunting and faring
over the snow and ice. Similar to Skadi in many ways. Once Ruled over Asgard
for 3 years in Odins absence.
Loki
Lord of fire and chaos, lies and
trickery, Loki was acknowleged but rarely worshipped. A half brother to
Odin, he is sometimes viewed as Odins "dark side". He may sometimes be
depicted as the uncontrolled fire. He has also been known as the
Lord of the Flies. He possessed a pair of magic shoes that enabled him
to walk through the sky earning him the nickname "skywalker"
Other Supernatural beings
Etins and Jotnar
Giants representing the forces
of Chaos and were constantly opposing and fighting the Gods and Goddesses
representing the forces of Order.
Alfs
Light Alfs and Dark Alfs are creatures
with their own worlds similar to human kind. These worlds
are Alfheim(Ruled by Frey) and
Svartalfheim. The Alfs are usually seen as allied to the Gods and Goddesses.
The Alfs sometimes visit Midgard(The world as we know it)
Dwarves
The Dwarves live underground and
are the master smiths, creating all sorts of fine weapons, jewelry
and other useful and magical items.