A Prisoner`s View.

[Hengest]

It is great to see the Odinic Rite taking an even more active role in prison outreach. It is also heartening to see the rising numbers of our incarcerated folk who have found the Odinic path and chosen to live it. I see this as one of the most important aspects of the New Awakening, for Odinism is a noble and true path, leading to the healing and restoration of our folk as individuals and our Folk Soul as a whole. In many ways it is our folk behind bars who are in the greatest need of this healing and restoration.

As many know, prison is full of many of the things an Odinist abhors; drug addiction, homosexuality, back-stabbing, lying and stealing all run rampant inside these walls. Although these same things certainly exist in free society as well, they are far more concentrated and prevalent in prison. I’m sure this comes as no surprise to anyone. But just as it is the duty of an Odinist in the free world to live in an honorable and noble way, even with the pressures of main-stream society all around them, it is the same duty of us Odinists behind bars to live in a noble and upright manner. We must not use our environment as an excuse to live otherwise.

This applies even more to those of us who are a part of the Odinic Rite. Our every word and action reflects directly on the entire Odinic Rite Therefore, we must take special care not to say or do anything which could dishonor or disgrace the Odinic Rite. We must rise above and beyond our environment, and set an example for those of our folk who are behind bars with us, and show them by our deeds that it is possible to live in an honorable way as is befitting one of our folk, even in prison.

This positive influence will be far reaching as prison officials begin to see the positive impact our Holy Faith is having. The negative stereo-types that have been laid upon us will begin to crumble, and their notorious distrust and resistance to Odinism will lessen little by little as time goes on. With this will come more freedoms and less restrictions, thus allowing us to do even more to bring about the New Awakening among our incarcerated folk. I call upon all of our folk who are behind bars who are part of the Odinic Rite, to do their best to bring this about by living the Nine Noble Virtues and Nine Charges day by day and by bringing true and wholesome Odinist teachings and faith to all our folk who show a real interest in such.

Finally I would like to thank Heimgest and Laurel Owen, and all the other heroes and heroines of our folk who have done and sacrificed so much on behalf of incarcerated Odinists. Thank you for believing in us.

HAIL THE GODS AND GODDESSES!
HAIL THE ODINIC RITE!
HAIL THE NEW AWAKENING!
Reid Danell AOR.

[Hengest]

My first Blot was also my first spiritual experience. To understand how it touched my life you must understand where I come from. I was raised in a strictly Southern Baptist household. My parents raised my siblings and me with strong morals and values, but they also moulded us into Christians. I never felt close to the Christian doctrine. I couldn’t understand why anyone would want to be so weak and submissive. I didn’t want to be a servant or a sheep. So through my life I have known religion but not spirituality.

I walked into the small room the unit chaplain provided for our Odinist gathering. It was the first time in Beto One history that an Odinist service had occurred. When I entered the room I encountered a smiling radiant White woman, and I felt an automatic closeness to her. As the rest of my brothers came into the room my heart filled with pride. We’d finally accomplished the worship service we had been trying for. As we all got settled Miss Laurel, this wonderful teacher, had nothing but kind and uplifting things to say. She did not treat us like we were trash and criminals. She treated us as her kith and kin.

When the Blot started I felt something stirring in my soul that I had never felt before. I felt as if I was where I belonged. I felt as if my blood were saying, “You are finally home.” As the Blot progressed I saw that my kinsmen were feeling the same way. There were no inhibitions amongst us. There was a warm comforting presence with us. My hands started shaking and my eyes teared up. I felt a strong feeling of contentment. We wanted to perform the ceremony in the correct way. It was as if my ancestors were there with me saying, “we are here with you, everything we know is passed to you.”

Odinism is the religion of the Folk; I have no doubt of that. There is no greater closeness than kinsmen who have worshipped together. Our Folk need a common bond and Odinism is it. We will overcome the problems that face the Folk with unity amongst us, and our unity will come as the Folk discover Odinism.

I am not the only one here that felt this way during the Blot. As a matter of fact everyone I’ve talked to who was there has said the same thing; it was something they would never forget. To say my first Blot was a success would be an understatement. It was a life changing experience and I am grateful to all those who made it possible.

A Bragg.

[beowulf]

I was raised in a strictly Southern Baptist household. My parents raised my siblings and me with strong morals and values, but they also moulded us into Christians. I never felt close to the Christian doctrine. I couldn’t understand why anyone would want to be so weak and submissive. I didn’t want to be a servant or a sheep. So through my life I have known religion but not spirituality. Your background very closely resembles mine, White Horse. My father is a southern baptist minister and former missionary, has been all my life, I understand exactly where you come from.

[Hengest]

My apologies Beowulf, I should have explained. These are not by me but by OR members inside.

[aud_friggsdottir]

Very inspiring...actually what is more important is that these thousands of prisoners are going to come out of prison back into society. I am glad that we are able to awaken their true spirit and bring them back to an honorable path.

Thank you for sharing these stories ....keep 'em comin' :D

FFF

[beowulf]

Woops. Didn't pay close enough attention, W. Horse. Thought it a bit strange that an Englishman would have grown up a s. baptist,but one never knows. Oh well, SOMEBODY'S background is much like mine,lol :D

[MacQuiston]

Great story White Horse, it's very inspiring to see these guys turn their lives around and find their true passion in Asatru. Would love to read more stories like these in the future, thanks! :D

[Fjorn]

Fantastic stuff Hengest, truly inspring! :) This, amongst many other reasons, truly makes me proud of being an Odinic Rite member! :dance: Please post more! :yes: The Odinic Rite Prison Affairs Bureau (Bureau) is doing a truly amazing job and it is because of the OR and Laurel Owen especially that I am now dedicated to supporting an imprisoned kinsmen!

[Ashtynn]

I am looking for a kindred...I am in the lane County area, in Eugene....anyone have one here...the lady who cam to CCCF was in Lebanon Oregon and I know she was a memeber of the one there but i am looking for something closer to me....help

[Tyrsfolk]

Tyrsfolk From California thank for your post this has inspired me I am also a recently seleased inmate from California and when I read your post it gave me chills that is what happened to 10 years ago in Highdesert state prison I have made my way out to society and find myself working harder to gain my goals in Odinism It is a true path and will lead us to our gods Thankyou agine Hailsa .