Found this article as a draft on one of my other, non-heathen, blogs. I don't fully remember writing it and I'm not completely sure how long it's been languishing in the limbo of my drafts folder, but I thought I'd (re)post with only a little editing (as I think I might have written in when I was ever so slightly drunk).
I'm noticing a general online trend whereby posts and articles seem to focus much more on what I would refer to as the superficial aspects of the path. Viking TV shows and films, t-shirts, pendants and drinking horns are all nice things to look at and even purchase/own, if you're that way inclined. However, they aren't really things I'd emphasise in my communications with other heathens - mostly cos they don't matter. I'm also noting a distinctly "Brosatru" theme to products that are being marketed at heathens, but that is, perhaps, fodder for another article.
Don't get me wrong, Vikings are cool. But whenever anyone makes reference to vikings as part of their heathen path, it kinda puts me off. A viking was a job. It's akin to saying you want to convert to christianity cos you really like postmen.
No-one seems to be talking about the average Joe in viking age Europe anymore. I don't often hear newcomers to the faith asking about the beliefs and worldview of our heathen forefathers. New questions seem to be either "Can I be heathen if I believe x?" or "Who would be the patron god of reality tv?".
It's kinda cool, seeing so much fresh blood come to the faith, but I often wish heathenry could be separated from viking fandom a bit more.
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