About Heathen Women United

Who we are

Heathen Women United (HWU) is a volunteer fellowship of women who practice Heathenry: the living, modern religion that honors the gods, goddesses, ancestors, and land spirits of the pre-Christian Germanic and Norse world.

Our members live in nineteen countries. Some belong to kindreds, some lead them, and many practice alone. Some came to the old gods thirty years ago and some came last winter. What we share is a commitment, set down in the Hearth Pledge, to a Heathenry in which a woman's worth is measured the way anyone's should be: by her deeds.

Why we formed

In the first weeks of 2017, eleven women in six countries began comparing notes. The pattern was the same everywhere. Women were doing a great share of the work that keeps Heathen communities alive, the organizing, teaching, cooking, writing, and caring, and receiving little of the credit. Harassment at gatherings was too often waved away. And groups that used our religion as a cover for racism and for contempt of women were claiming to speak for all of us.

On February 19, 2017, in the season the old North called Disting, those eleven women agreed to stop comparing notes and start working. You can read the full account in Our Story.

What we are, and what we are not

• We are a fellowship, not a kindred. Members keep their own kindreds, hearths, and traditions. We do not replace them.
• We are not a church. We do not ordain clergy, issue credentials, or define doctrine for anyone.
• We are independent. HWU is not a branch or project of any other organization.
• We are volunteer-led. No one is paid. We charge no dues and we do not ask for donations; our few costs are met by the volunteers themselves.
• We are inclusive. Heathenry is open to all who are called to it. See our Statement on Inclusion.

How we are organized

Members elect a Council of Nine at our annual assembly, Disting. The Council coordinates four working groups: Education, Advocacy, Hearth Circles, and the editorial board of our journal, The Distaff. Position statements are adopted only by a vote of the membership.

More about us