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Anglo-Saxon Paganism

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Aescwulf:
I have been researching (trying to) this topic for weeks and I find it the most interesting because the information at hand is so vague. So I thought I'd make a topic on it to get everyone's opinions. 

Their gods/idols as we all know are pretty much similar to their Viking counterparts but I read somewhere (can't remember where) that basically explains that their gods could of been ordinary people like poets and warriors at some point but after many years they were revered as gods. While looking into them I start getting confused because I'm torn between thinking they are these supernatural people living in a different plane of existence to us, but then at the same point I think that they could of been the same as the Viking counterparts but different name?

On wikia I found an article of a Saxon tradition where basically they appoint a tree or an old stone tower as a place of importance called the Irminsul( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Irminsul) but I don't know if this is a real piece of A-S pagan puzzle and if it is what was it really used for ? Maybe a place where the earth and sky meets the pillar creating a gateway to their gods?

But the information is so vague it's unreal but during research there's little hints that like shamanistic (maybe) and "people of Ing" but it seems that everyone outside of the tribes hated it soo much that they sought out destruction on their way of life it's like they feared it like it was a plague. Maybe we could fill in the gaps by looking at the religion of the other tribes that lived along side them?

During my journey of this topic I've got to a point where I'm asking so many questions for my brain resulting in many headaches from over thinking. I hope this is a valid opinion as I'm writing this with a huge cold.

Linden:

--- Quote from: Aescwulf on February 10, 2012, 10:50:35 AM ---I have been researching (trying to) this topic for weeks ...........................................................

 Maybe we could fill in the gaps by looking at the religion of the other tribes that lived along side them? .............................................

--- End quote ---

I would thoroughly recommend Stephen Pollington's 'The Elder Gods' - the result of Steve having spent may years researching all of this in depth.  He has pulled together virtually every scrap of evidence and has reached some well-argued conclusions.  To do this he has looked at both earlier and parallel cultures and he provides a lengthy and helpful bibliography.  He discusses ancestor gods in a section on Woden (and Seaxnot) and the various symbols such as Irminsul and the World Tree. 

A word of warning - I can more-or-less guarantee that the book will give you yet another 'head-ache from over-thinking' ;D

Aescwulf:
Eala Linden!

Thanks for the information, I'll have a look into the book when I can.


With many thanks
Æscwulf

Blackdragon:
Yes I second that, having just finished reading it today. I will need to read it several more times to fully appreciate the marvellous work that Stephen has put in.
As a modern day heathen (with interest in AS & Norse sources) of many years experience, I can tell you that the headaches never go away!
As a comparison check out my book Heathen Paths - which compares the sources also.
regards
Pete Jennings

Godwulf:
I can certainly recommend both Steve Pollington's "The Elder Gods" and Pete Jennings "Heathen Paths", having read them both.  The Elder Gods certainly needs reading several times if you're to get the best from it and it's a good book to dip in to when you need to refresh your memory. Heathen Paths gives a good insight in to modern-day heathenism, certainly here in Britain.

You'll notice that this appears to be my first contribution to the gegaderung.  I'm afraid the gegaderung elves have been playing games and deleted my account and all my post (all 5 of them)......but I'm back.  :)

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