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Ancient Gods and Modern Rituals: Marital Ritual Practise in the Community of Forn Sed Sweden from 1996 to 2009

Henderup Larsson, David LU (2025) RHIK03 20242
Centre for Theology and Religious Studies
History of Religions and Religious Behavioural Science
Abstract
This study examines the construction and performance of marital rites within the Modern Asatru movement, focusing on the Swedish Community of Forn Sed Sweden from 1996 to 2009. Using the newsletter Mimers Källa as the primary source, the study explores how rituals are shaped using Catherine Bell’s theories of ritual adaptivity and orthodoxy/orthopraxy. Findings reveal that these rituals are highly adaptive, allowing personalisation by participants while retaining core elements like invoking Norse deities, connecting with nature and ancestry, community participation and using sacred spaces and ceremonial sites. The research highlights the movement’s reconstructionist approach, linking contemporary practices with ancient traditions while... (More)
This study examines the construction and performance of marital rites within the Modern Asatru movement, focusing on the Swedish Community of Forn Sed Sweden from 1996 to 2009. Using the newsletter Mimers Källa as the primary source, the study explores how rituals are shaped using Catherine Bell’s theories of ritual adaptivity and orthodoxy/orthopraxy. Findings reveal that these rituals are highly adaptive, allowing personalisation by participants while retaining core elements like invoking Norse deities, connecting with nature and ancestry, community participation and using sacred spaces and ceremonial sites. The research highlights the movement’s reconstructionist approach, linking contemporary practices with ancient traditions while embracing individualism. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
Henderup Larsson, David LU
supervisor
organization
course
RHIK03 20242
year
type
M2 - Bachelor Degree
subject
keywords
Neo-paganism, Paganism, Modern Paganism, Asatru, Modern Asatru, Marriage, Marital Rites, Ritual
language
English
id
9182179
date added to LUP
2025-01-22 12:03:10
date last changed
2025-01-22 12:03:10
@misc{9182179,
  abstract     = {{This study examines the construction and performance of marital rites within the Modern Asatru movement, focusing on the Swedish Community of Forn Sed Sweden from 1996 to 2009. Using the newsletter Mimers Källa as the primary source, the study explores how rituals are shaped using Catherine Bell’s theories of ritual adaptivity and orthodoxy/orthopraxy. Findings reveal that these rituals are highly adaptive, allowing personalisation by participants while retaining core elements like invoking Norse deities, connecting with nature and ancestry, community participation and using sacred spaces and ceremonial sites. The research highlights the movement’s reconstructionist approach, linking contemporary practices with ancient traditions while embracing individualism.}},
  author       = {{Henderup Larsson, David}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  note         = {{Student Paper}},
  title        = {{Ancient Gods and Modern Rituals: Marital Ritual Practise in the Community of Forn Sed Sweden from 1996 to 2009}},
  year         = {{2025}},
}