Education

How we teach

Good information about Heathenry can be hard to find, and good information about women in Heathenry harder still. We try to supply both.

Our teaching follows one rule above all. We distinguish between what the sources say, what scholars infer, and what modern Heathens have created, and we label each for what it is. We would rather tell you "nobody knows" than tell you something comforting that is not true.

All of our live teaching is free and open to everyone, members or not, of any gender.

The Distaff Lectures

On the second Sunday of every month, a member or invited speaker gives an hour's talk online, followed by questions. The lectures began in 2020 and have run without a break since. Subjects in the past year have included the Rhineland matron stones, brewing as a household rite, the legal position of widows in the Icelandic law codes, tablet weaving, and how to read a saga critically.

Lectures are recorded, and members can watch past talks through their hearth circle.

Lore Circles

A Lore Circle is a reading group of eight to twelve people who work through one primary source over a ten-week term, with a trained facilitator. No previous knowledge is needed, only a willingness to read a few pages each week and talk about them honestly.

We read slowly and in more than one translation, and we ask the same questions of every text. Who wrote this, and when? What did they want? Who is missing from it? What does it actually say about women, as opposed to what we have been told it says?

First Steps in Heathenry

First Steps is a six-session introduction for people who are new, offered three times a year. It covers what Heathenry is, where our knowledge comes from, the gods and other powers, how to make a simple offering, how to find and assess a community, and how to recognize groups to avoid.

It assumes nothing and asks for nothing. You do not need to be a member, or sure of what you believe. If you would rather begin by reading, start with New to Heathenry.

The Distaff

The Distaff is our journal of essays on lore, history, and Heathen life, published since 2019. Every piece is read before publication by two members of the editorial board, who check its claims against the sources. Essays are free to read on this website.

For teachers, chaplains, and journalists

We are often asked for accurate, plain information about Heathenry by people whose work brings them into contact with it: teachers, hospital and prison chaplains, interfaith groups, and reporters. Members of our Education working group are glad to help where they can. Write to us through the contact page with "Press" in the subject line.

Take part

• Reading the sourcesWhere to begin with the primary texts, and how to choose a translation.
• GlossaryPlain definitions of the terms used in our teaching.
• VolunteerFacilitate a Lore Circle, give a lecture, or review for the journal.