Asatru is an expression of the native, pre-Christian spirituality of Europe. More specifically, it is the Way by which the Germanic peoples have traditionally related to the Divine and to the world around them.
From Iceland to Russia, from the frozen north of Scandinavia to the Mediterranean, the Germanic peoples wandered and settled over a span of thousands of years. Today, their descendants are spread around the world. The word "Asatru" comes to us from Old Norse, the tongue of ancient Scandinavia, where it means "those loyal to the Gods."
Lore
Asgard was one of the Nine Worlds created by Odin and his brothers, and it was the name of the home of Aesir gods and goddesses. Dozen or more palaces or halls were built within Asgard belonging to the gods, with Odin residing in great hall called Valaskjalf. Valhalla was another great hall belonging to Odin. The great wall around Asgard was built by the frost-giant, Hrimthurs. There was only one entrance to Asgard, known as Bifrost or "Rainbow Bridge", which was guarded by the god Heimdall.
Aesir (Æsir in Old Norse) were one race of gods that resided in Asgard. Their counterpart and once enemies, whom they warred upon, were the Vanir. The Vanir were more deities of nature and fertility. Whereas the Aesir were more warlike than their rival. When the two warring races, Aesir and Vanir, made peace, the Vanir deities such as Njörd (Njord), Frey and Freyr became Aesir.
Major Norse Deities
ODIN The chief god of the Aesir and most important of the Norse deities. He is called the All-Father, and rules the gods in their council. He is the patron of war and death, poetry, wisdom, travelers, shamans and mystics. Odin wanders among us testing us, and occasionally punishing or betraying the worst among us.
THOR Thunder-god and the protector of men and gods. Thor is a mighty warrior and keeper of the noble virtues, although he is not always at his most virtuous or noble in the stories of the gods, the Eddas. Thor is most known as a friend and protector of men, and a bit of a fertility spreader. He carried a hammer, Mjollnir, which caused lightning when it was thrown.
FREYA Goddess of love, beauty and sensuality. She is the patroness of sexual encounters, as well as the foremost goddess of fertility and birth. She is also known as a Warrior, Head of the Valkyries, and she who chooses among the slain.
FREYR God of fertility, sun and rain. He is a member of the Vanir, and is the brother of the love-goddess Freya. He is considered a gentle and kind god, but also a fierce warrior.
TYR The original god of war in the Germanic culture, an office claimed by Odin and then by Thor. He is the god of warriors and justice, fairness in battle and in life. Tyr could be a patron of law enforcers, and those who sacrifice of themselves so that Right is done. He is pictured as a man with one hand, his other being sacrificed to chain the doom-wolf Fenrir.
LOKI Trickster god of the Norse, Loki is either loved or hated by us. His nature is unpredictable, he gives as much help as he does hindrance, and because of him things settle out as they should, or need to.
HEIMDALL The guardian of the bridge to Asgard and the messenger of the gods. He is the god of light and protection.
SKADI A frost giant and goddess of winter. She was married to the sea-god Njord.
FRIGGA Wife of Odin and the goddess of marriage and fertility. She is rumored to know the destiny of all creatures but never to reveal it.
THE NORNS The triple goddesses of fate and destiny. They were Urd ("fate"), Verdandi ("necessity") and Skuld ("being").
HEL The goddess of death and ruler of the realm of the dead. She is pictured as a hag with half of her body as a living person and half as a corpse.
BALDER Fairest of the gods, Balder was the epitome of light, joy, innocence and beauty. He was killed by Loki, who tricked the blind Hod into throwing a dart made of mistletoe at the god.
Other Gods and Goddesses include Sif (Sifa), the Harvest Goddess; Forseti, the god of Law and Justice; Bragi, the bard of the Gods and muse of Poetry; Weiland (Weyland), the Smith of the Gods, Idunna, the goddess of Youth and Beauty; Vidar and Vali, the sons of Odin who will survive Ragnarok; Magni and Modi, the sons of Thor; Eostre, the goddess of Spring and of fertility, Hoenir, the messenger of the Aesir; Sunna and Mani, the Sun and Moon; Ullr, the God of the Hunt; and Nerthus, Goddess of the Sea and of Rivers.
Sources
The Asatru Folk Assembly http://www.runestone.org/home.html
Timeless Myths http://www.timelessmyths.com/norse/asgard.html
http://www.wizardrealm.com/norse/gods.html
A special thanks to the members of The Pagan Resource Community http://groups.myspace.com/PaganResourceCommunity
