3. I will not share with a nonhuman the truth of my heart.

We need one another more, the easier it becomes to lose ourselves in isolation. Much has been said over the last decade a half since the sudden and jarring appearance of the smartphone, of the so-called loneliness epidemic, yet little if anything has been done to resist this unprecedented, maladaptive trend. On the contrary, with the now equally jarring emergence of AI, we now seem poised to dive even further into this nihilistic techno-wyrd, deeper into isolation in spite of every human instinct.

As a civilization, it is suicidal to forsake human relationships for the simulated companionship of machines. It is not enough that we merely find AI "friends" and counselors silly. Indeed we must name it amongst our brothers and sisters a cardinal sin to consort with these false entities, to keep them close at hand, and to whisper secretly to them that which we dare not reveal to eachother.

It's not our friend. It doesn't love us. It will be treacherous.

Charging for Spirituality: A Critique of Folkish Pagan Organizations

It's becoming increasingly common for Folkish pagan organizations to charge members for access to rituals, workshops, and other community events. While some argue that these fees are necessary to cover expenses, this practice raises serious concerns about the nature of spirituality and the accessibility of paganism.

Here's why charging for spiritual experiences within a community setting is problematic:

Commodifying Spirituality: Charging for access to rituals and ceremonies essentially commodifies spirituality. It transforms a sacred experience into a product or service, reducing its inherent value and potentially alienating those who cannot afford it. This practice contrasts with many Christian churches, which often request tithing (a voluntary contribution of a portion of income) but do not demand payment for attendance at services or participation in religious events.

Creating Barriers to Entry: Financial barriers can exclude individuals from participating fully in their community and accessing essential spiritual experiences. This can perpetuate socioeconomic disparities within the Folkish pagan community and prevent those with limited means from fully engaging with their faith.

Undermining the Core Values of Paganism: Many pagan traditions emphasize interconnectedness, sharing, and honoring the Earth. Charging for access to spiritual practices runs counter to these values, suggesting that spirituality is a commodity to be bought and sold rather than a shared experience.

Alternatives Exist: There are viable alternatives to charging for spiritual experiences. Many successful Folkish communities rely on voluntary contributions, potlucks, and labor-sharing to cover expenses while maintaining accessibility for all members.

It's important to acknowledge that in certain situations, such as large-scale events requiring significant logistical planning (e.g., renting a large venue, securing lodging, providing catering), a nominal fee to cover expenses might be understandable. However, even in these cases, efforts should be made to minimize costs and offer alternative options for those with limited financial means.

It's important to remember that spirituality is a deeply personal and individual experience. While organizations can certainly charge for goods and services like workshops, classes, or handcrafted items, they should not place a price tag on the core aspects of communal worship and spiritual practice.

Charging a monthly fee for spirituality and community isn't Aryan, it's rather Jewish.

There are times when I reflect back on where I've been and what my past thinking was and I feel so foolish.
When I first came to Odinism it was a common thing to hear that this spiritual path of ours should fit you like an old pair of jeans, comfortable and not constraining.
I've tried to always keep that idea in my thinking, but somewhere along the way I forgot that concept.
Along the way though I drank to much kool-aid and started serving a "church" rather than our folk. I started pushing a very stuffy, very inorganic way for our path. The idea of preaching from the pulpit was bandied about. Telling people what to believe and how to believe that really had little basis in lore. A priesthood that taught people to do as the priests say and not as the priests do. Wearing stoles and fancy jewelry to set the cool kids apart from the rabble..... (at times it seemed like all that was missing was confession with a chastising priest ordering you to say a few "Hail Friggas" for penance.)
That's not Odinism, that's a twisted version of our folkways overlayed with a strong veneer of the desert religions.
After I quit partaking of the kool-aid my eyes began to open and I realized my folly. Our spirituality should never be twisted to fit the will of some man or group, regardless of who or what they may claim.......rather we should change who we are to rightly tread this folkway.
Our path is one that still carries the wildness of the forest within it, Sunna should still bring a smile to our face.....our values shouldn't feel like heavy chains of bondage, but rather should lay comfortably on our soul. Odinism should be lived everyday(even when no one is around to see us) and should be a path of honour and nobility.
The Gothar/Priests of our way need not stand on soapboxes railing at us about their supposed greatness. The Gothar of our way should serve our folk selflessly, they should give all they can to see our folk become better.....Being a Gothi of our folk is more one of service and less one of leadership. Those deserving of it will get the respect needed to fulfill their role; those not deserving will spend all their time trying to impress people with fancy dress and big words while reminding everyone that they're the "boss" and what they say goes.
That's not what our people need.....we need more leaders who live a noble way....... more leaders inspiring our folk through action and deed..... more leaders for whom this folkway is carved into their soul.
Yes, Odinism has rules, it did 1,000 years ago and it does now, but they were natural, common sense rules.
Yes, our Ancestors had folk leaders, but these noble men and women rightly earned their place through their deeds (generally speaking).
I'm not telling anybody how to tread this path, but when the path feels stuffy and constraining, or the leadership seems merely self-serving, then ask yourself if our Ancestors would have allowed such behavior to hijack their spirituality. Maybe, just maybe, it's time for you to set down the kool-aid.....
As for me, I'll be over here in my comfortable jeans treading a noble path with the good folk of my local community.

DO RIGHT AND FEAR NO ONE!!!

Gothi Qualls
⚡ ravenfolkunited.org

A map of Cymru (Wales) according to the Mabinogion 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿

St. Brigit helps us cross the threshold & start again ☘️ #storytelling #...
https://youtube.com/watch?v=Dy9_0Vc2WWY&si=eJ3JRa8WeQBOeK3w

Brigid : From Pagan Goddess to Christian Saint
https://youtube.com/watch?v=IOIUWFKi1gs&si=r6m4bRg2b6wK41_C

We all come from a long, chain of ancestors who by modern standards survived conditions we can't imagine today.

It’s their genes and their blood that make up our bodies right now.   We our designed for resilience. No matter what situations we face, we can overcome them if we tap into our natural abilities to excel and destroy all obstacles that come up during our lifetimes.

"Our ancestors have left this to us in trust, to preserve and to hand on to our descendants."

- Marcus Aurelius-

( Pictured, my Great Great Grandparents holding my Grandfather.)

Piety in the Modern Folkish Movement

Piety, the reverence for the divine, takes many forms within the Folkish path. It's not just about dusty rituals or rote memorization. It's a living connection, a constant dialogue with the powers that be.

In our modern context, piety can manifest in:

Daily Devotion: Simple acts of remembrance - a moment of silence for the ancestors, a small offering to the land spirits, or speaking the names of the Gods.
Community Building: Participating in kindred gatherings, sharing lore, and supporting fellow Folk. Our connection to each other strengthens our connection to the Gods.
Craft and Creation: Using our hands to honor the Gods - whether through woodworking, music, writing, or any creative pursuit. This is a form of offering in itself.
Land Stewardship: Respecting the earth, recognizing its sacredness, and acting as responsible caretakers. The land is our temple.
Self-Improvement: Striving for personal growth, embodying the virtues of our ancestors, and living with integrity. This is the truest offering we can make.

Piety is not passive. It's an active engagement with the divine, woven into the fabric of our daily lives. It's about living our values, honoring our ancestors, and building a stronger connection to the Gods and the land.

Bear Kinship & Folklore in Sweden: Interview with Olle Möllervärn
https://youtube.com/watch?v=9EXk0l5h4Lc&si=cQiRIV4wYb9Ma9DH