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| [[File:AsuryanCross.png|thumb|right|250px|The cross, the representative symbol of Valstígr in Acrean religious iconography.]] | | [[File:AsuryanCross.png|thumb|right|250px|The cross, the representative symbol in Valatrú iconography.]] |
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| '''Valstígr''' (sometimes called ''Valtrúr'', ''Valatrú'', or ''Valleið'') is an [[Acrea|Acrean]] {{wpl|polytheism|polytheistic}} {{wp|religion}} centered around the faith in Odin (also called the ''Valföður'' or the Allfather) and a divine pantheon of gods called the ''Æsir'' and ''Vanir''. It is the state religion of [[Acrea]]. The name ''Valstígr'' is derived from ''Valr'', the name of Acrea's warrior class and the root of many core parts of Valstígr, and ''Stígr'', meaning way or path. | | '''Valatrú''' (also called ''Valtrúr'', ''Valstígr'', or ''Valleið'') is an [[Acrea|Acrean]] {{wpl|polytheism|polytheistic}} {{wp|religion}} centered around a divine pantheon of gods. Odin (also called the ''Valföður'' or the Allfather), is the primary deity of this pantheon. It is the state religion of [[Acrea]]. The name ''Valatrú'' is derived from ''Valr'', the name of Acrea's warrior class and the root of many core parts of Valatrú, and ''Trú'', meaning oath or faith. |
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| The origins of Valstígr are largely unknown, and its core practices, traditions, and iconography have existed since at least the 12th century BCE, with the earliest known carvings and artworks depicting the Æsir dating from that time. A collection of writings collectively called the ''Æsirsögur'' (often simply referred to as the Sagas) are Valstígr's principal scripture. Valstígr holds Odin and Eira as supreme deities and the father and mother of the Æsir. In some interpretations, Odin has also been considered as the king of the Gods, however he is always held as the father of the Gods. According to the Sagas, Odin was created alongside Eira by the primordial entities of ''Ætra'' and ''Kaos'', who are the be the origins of all things and of nothing, respectively. Through the marriage of Odin and Eira, the Æsir came to be. In addition to Odin and Eira, Valstígr recognises seventeen other major gods and goddesses. | | The origins of Valatrú are largely unknown, and its core practices, traditions, and iconography have existed since at least the 12th century BCE, with the earliest known carvings and artworks depicting the Pantheon dating from that time. A collection of writings collectively called the ''Æsirsögur'' (often simply referred to as the Sagas) are Valatrú's principal scripture. Valatrú holds Odin and Eira as supreme deities and the father and mother of the Æsir. In some interpretations, Odin has also been considered as the king of the Gods, however he is always held as the father of the Gods. According to the Sagas, Odin was created alongside Eira by the primordial entities of ''Ætra'' and ''Kaos'', who are the be the origins of all things and of nothing, respectively. Through the marriage of Odin and Eira, the Æsir came to be. In addition to Odin and Eira, Valatrú recognises seventeen other major gods and goddesses. |
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| The responsibility of universal ministry and unity of faith is found with the ''Stórræsirhof'', or High Temple of the Æsir, located in Vrinnevid, Trier. Protection of the High Temple and other Valstígr religious sights has historically been the responsibility of the Templars, officially organised as the Templar Order. The Order is overseen by both the Acrean government and the High Temple, and following its establishment as an official organisation has historically played an important role in both theological matters and religious politics in Acrea. | | The responsibility of universal ministry and unity of faith falls to the ''Ædís'', a temple considered one of the religion's holiest sites located in Vrinnevid, near Uppsala. Protection of Valatrú religious sites has historically been the responsibility of the Templars, officially organised as the Templar Order. The Order is overseen by both the Acrean government and the Ædís, and following its establishment as an official organisation has historically played an important role in both theological matters and religious politics in Acrea. |
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| ==Etymology== | | ==Etymology== |
| The name Valstígr is derived from the word Æsir, a more modern variant of the traditional word ''Æsir''. For theological and practical usage, both words are considered equally appropriate and correct.
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| ==Beliefs== | | ==Beliefs== |
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| [[File:Allfather.png|thumb|right|300px|A depiction of Odin, the Allfather.]] | | [[File:Allfather.png|thumb|right|300px|A depiction of Odin, the Allfather.]] |
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| The Acrean Pantheon is extensive, accounting for seventeen main gods and goddesses, listed below. Unlike other Norse polytheistic sects in Northern Eraura, Valstígr does not consider the Æsir and the Vanir as separate entities, but rather the latter as a subset of the former. They are joined by the Skjöldnir, who are patrons of things relating to war, conquest, and rule whilst the Vanir are patrons of "domestic" matters.
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| {| class="wikitable" | | {| class="wikitable" |
| |- | | |- |
| ! Name | | ! Name |
| ! Patronage | | ! Description |
| ! Notes
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| |- | | |- |
| | Odin | | | Odin |
| | Wisdom, Royalty, Order, Power | | | God of Wisdom, Law, Order, Justice. |
| | Father of the Æsir
| |
| |- | | |- |
| | Eira | | | Eira |
| | Hearth, Home, Family | | | Hearth, Home, Family |
| | Mother of the Æsir | | | |
| |- | | |- |
| | Thor | | | Thor |
| | Strength, Courage, Protection, War | | | Strength, Courage, Protection |
| | | | | |
| |- | | |- |
| | Tyr | | | Tyr |
| | Law, Justice, War | | | War, Violence, Bloodshed |
| | | | | |
| |- | | |- |
| | Aela | | | Vidar |
| | Strength, Order, War, | | | Vengeance, War |
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| |-
| |
| | Vanadís
| |
| | Death, Spirits, Night
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| | | | | |
| |- | | |- |
| | Hela | | | Hela |
| | Underworld, Judgement, Mercy | | | Underworld, Death, Spirits, Night, Judgement, Mercy |
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| |- | | |- |
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| |- | | |- |
| | Freyja | | | Freyja |
| | Beauty, Fertility, Love | | | Beauty, Fertility, Love, Maidens |
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| |- | | |- |
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| | Knowledge, Mischief, Wisdom | | | Knowledge, Mischief, Wisdom |
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| |-
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| | Vidar
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| | Vengeance, Strength
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| |-
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| | Vala
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| | Vengeance, Strategy
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| |-
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| | Sol
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| | Sun
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| |-
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| | Mina
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| | Moon
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| |-
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| | Dagr
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| | Light, Day
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| | Son of Sol and Mina
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| |-
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| | Lila
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| | Darkness, Night
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| |- | | |- |
| |} | | |} |
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| Within the Æsir, the Sagas organise them into two groups: the original ''Æsir'' and the ''Vanir''. The Æsir are generally associated with power, wisdom, and war, while the ''Vanir'' are associated with health, prosperity, and fertility. Sol, Mina, Dagr, and Lila are not considered to be associated with either, as the children and grand-children of Odin and Aetra who serve as the Æsir's representation of the primordial. Because all the gods are said to live in the realm of Asgard following a conflict between them, all of the gods are collectively considered the Æsir.
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| Whilst immortal, the Æsir are not omnibenevolent nor omnipotent, and in the Sagas are represented as behaving like humans and possessing human vices which they seek to balance or overcome. This mortal behaviour even among immortals is central to one of the important teachings in Valstígr; the nonexistence of infallibility.
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| In the afterlife, individuals are divided by a combination of their profession and morality during their lifetime. Morality in Valstígr does not exist in absolute concepts. Instead, morality is judged by the effect that one's behaviour has on themselves and others. This is represented in the spectrum of sin that exists in Valstígr, as well as the distinction of sin between man, and sin between man and the Æsir. Acts of indulgence, hedonism, vanity, and pride are not considered to be an act of sin until they are harmful or extreme; moderation and self-discipline are emphasised in Valstígr. These concepts are considered sinful for the reason that they can lead to committing sins if an individual does not possess the core virtue of self-discipline.
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| In addition to the Æsir, Acrean theology is replete with other supernatural beings and entities. The ''jötnar'' are the most prominent of these, and are described as greatly powerful beings who were once in conflict with the Æsir. Most of the lesser beings and entities are divided into two groups: the ''vættir'' and the ''djöflar'' or ''dæmonir''. The ''vættir'' are those creatures who exist in harmony with the Æsir, and often serve as instruments of the gods. The Sagas describe many types of ''vættir'', such as valkyries, rår, and some dísir.. They are often associated with the realms of the Æsir. The ''djöflar'' or ''dæmonir'' are morally ambivalent or rarely malevolent lesser beings who are often associated with the ''jötnar'' by their nature, though are not necessarily related so and are often portrayed in a conflicted light within the Sagas. Such creatures in the Sagas include vampires, haugbúi, and draugar. Also featured in the Sagas are other races such as elves and dwarves, though in modern religious context they have lost much of their original significance and cultural importance.
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| The Realms in Valstígr represent the dual existence of the mortal world and the afterlife, and are divided as such. The mortal world is called ''Midgard'', while the afterlife exists in three separate regions: ''Valhöll'' (more commonly referred to as Valhalla), ''Folkvangr'', and ''Hel''. ''Valhöll'' and ''Folkvangr'' are considered the "heavens" in Acrean theology. These are regions of the afterlife in which those who lived faithfully and virtuously are found, and are intrinsically connected. Those who go to ''Valhöll'' are individuals who lived their lives in the service of protecting others, with the most common example of such being warriors or soldiers. ''Folkvangr'', by comparison, exists for those who lived otherwise virtuous lives, but may include warriors who reside there to protect the realm. According to the sagas, both realms exist on the same plane, and are connected with one another.
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| ''Hel'' exists as a place for those who received neutral, and is the most complex part of the afterlife. It is comprised of ''Solennängr'' and ''Náströdr''. ''Solennängr'' exists for those who lived their lives in ambiguity, or otherwise did nothing of note. It is regarded in the Sagas as a wholly neutral place, and is in effect an "uneventful" afterlife. The Sagas hold that Hela's judgement is rarely final, and that those who find themselves in ''Solennängr'' are able to change her judgement through their behaviour and actions after death.
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| ==Organisation== | | ==Organisation== |
The cross, the representative symbol in Valatrú iconography.
Valatrú (also called Valtrúr, Valstígr, or Valleið) is an Acrean polytheistic religion centered around a divine pantheon of gods. Odin (also called the Valföður or the Allfather), is the primary deity of this pantheon. It is the state religion of Acrea. The name Valatrú is derived from Valr, the name of Acrea's warrior class and the root of many core parts of Valatrú, and Trú, meaning oath or faith.
The origins of Valatrú are largely unknown, and its core practices, traditions, and iconography have existed since at least the 12th century BCE, with the earliest known carvings and artworks depicting the Pantheon dating from that time. A collection of writings collectively called the Æsirsögur (often simply referred to as the Sagas) are Valatrú's principal scripture. Valatrú holds Odin and Eira as supreme deities and the father and mother of the Æsir. In some interpretations, Odin has also been considered as the king of the Gods, however he is always held as the father of the Gods. According to the Sagas, Odin was created alongside Eira by the primordial entities of Ætra and Kaos, who are the be the origins of all things and of nothing, respectively. Through the marriage of Odin and Eira, the Æsir came to be. In addition to Odin and Eira, Valatrú recognises seventeen other major gods and goddesses.
The responsibility of universal ministry and unity of faith falls to the Ædís, a temple considered one of the religion's holiest sites located in Vrinnevid, near Uppsala. Protection of Valatrú religious sites has historically been the responsibility of the Templars, officially organised as the Templar Order. The Order is overseen by both the Acrean government and the Ædís, and following its establishment as an official organisation has historically played an important role in both theological matters and religious politics in Acrea.
Etymology
Beliefs
Pantheon
A depiction of Odin, the Allfather.
| Name
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Description
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| Odin
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God of Wisdom, Law, Order, Justice.
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| Eira
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Hearth, Home, Family
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| Thor
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Strength, Courage, Protection
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| Tyr
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War, Violence, Bloodshed
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| Vidar
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Vengeance, War
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| Hela
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Underworld, Death, Spirits, Night, Judgement, Mercy
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| Baldr
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Peace, Order, Prosperity, Light
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| Freyr
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Virility, Prosperity, Harvest
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| Freyja
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Beauty, Fertility, Love, Maidens
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| Ran
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Sea
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| Loki
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Knowledge, Mischief, Wisdom
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| Skadi
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Knowledge, Mischief, Wisdom
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Organisation
Practices
