AFA UPDATE

A PROJECT OF THE ASATRU FOLK ASSEMBLY
Issue145

April 19, 2011

Contact email: afa@runestone.org

Please tell your friends about AFA Update and suggest they subscribe!
They can do so by going to:

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WHERE TO FIND THE ASATRU FOLK ASSEMBLY ONLINE:

AFA website - http://runestone.org

Asatru Rising podcast - http://asatrurising.podbean.com

Our videos on You Tube - http://www.youtube.com/smcnallen

The AFA blog at - http://asatruupdate.blogspot.com

AFA MySpace at - http://www.myspace.com/asatruupdate

Follow the AFA on Twitter - http://twitter.com,username AsatruAFA.

The AFA mission statement: "to practice, promote, and further evolve
the religion of Asatru, thus forging it into a powerful and effective
tool for building a better world.

AFA NEWS

Asatru Folk Assembly Web Site Makeover!

Come check out the new look of the AFA's web site! We're still debugging
it, and it's definitely a "work in progress" as they say, but when we
get it fine-tuned it's going to be really, really sharp looking. Drop in
and take a look at http://runestone.org to get a hint of the changes yet
to come.

Following the AFA on Twitter - Putting on the Valknut!

As many of you know, I "tweet" most mornings. You can follow the AFA by
searching Twitter for "Asatru Folk Assembly" or by entering the username
"Asatru AFA" in the Twitter search field.

A greatly expanded version of this morning's tweet:

One of my morning spiritual exercises is to put on the three interlaced
triangles known as the valknut, associated with Odin.As I do so, I affirm
"This day, I put on the valknut - the knot of the slain [which is how
the word
translates]...and the knot of immortality!" I believe this exercise
nourishes
the various soul components and binds them together.

On You Tube: Ostara in Oklahoma 2011

Sheila has posted a five-minute slideshow of the great Oklahoma event -
hosted by Bi-frost Bridge Kindred and Northern Way Kindred - that we
told you about in last week's AFA Update. Come see our photos! And be
sure to give us a "like" while you're at it!

http://tinyurl.com/3jowyle

Wow! We now have twenty uploads to our You Tube channel! Amazing how
they add up.

http://tinyurl.com/3lqb2yz

AFA "Worldwide Wednesday Rituals" Bind Members Together

The AFA has been hosting "Worldwide Wednesday Rituals" exclusively for
its members for the last three months! At a given time on Wednesday, AFA
members across the USA light candles on their home altars, concentrate
on a given rune, and ask the blessings of the Gods and Goddesses on the
AFA and on themselves. In some cases, we have also asked for blessings
for individual members in need.

Some really interesting "coincidences" have been reported from AFAers
far and wide!

This is one way that we strive to make the Asatru Folk Assembly not
just"another national organization," but a community of like-minded men
and women striving for common goals!

AFA MIDSUMMER SET FOR JULY 27-AUGUST 1

The AFA's biggest annual event will be held on July 27 through August
1at our usual location high in the Sierra Nevada Mountains of California!

Our special guest, all the way from England, will be Stephen Pollington
- well-known author of 17 books to include titles such as The Meadhall:
The Feasting Tradition in Anglo-Saxon England, The English Warrior, and
Anglo-Saxon Burial Mounds.

The AFA's Midsummer gathering is famous for its powerful rituals,
unforgettable sumbels and presentations, and excellent food. If you are
an AFA member or friend, you won't want to miss it! More information and
a registration form will be posted on our web site soon.

AFA MEMBERSHIP - If you like what you see here, and agree with the
Declaration of Purpose as found on our web site at
http://runestone.org...send us a membership application!

FORMER MEMBER who just failed to renew your membership? Had something
come up that caused you to drop out? Miss us? Come on back...We're still
here for you! Send in a new application today!

OUR PEOPLE AND OUR CULTURE

We are the indigenous people of Europe - the proud inheritors of a
tradition of honor and greatness. Only when we realize we are a river
will we stop drowning in puddles!

Viking/Irish Resources from University of Nottingham

This link reveals a wealth of information on the Norse generally and in
Ireland specifically - primary school materials (Great for
parents,homeschoolers, kindreds, and more!), a list of Viking artefacts
in Ireland arranged by county, and much, much more.

http://www.vikingage.mic.ul.ie/

Viking Metal Band "Einherjar" to release new album

Eight years after the release of "Blot", legendary Viking metal act
EINHERJER will issue its comeback album on September 2 via Indie Recordings.

http://tinyurl.com/3c2bemz

Osteoporosis and European-Descended People

While anyone can develop osteoporosis, Caucasian and Asian women are at
higher risk than those of African-American and Hispanic descent.

It's estimated that 20 percent of Asian and non-Hispanic Caucasian women
over the age of 50 have osteoporosis, while 52 percent have a precursor
to osteoporosis known as osteopenia,or decreased bone mass. In contrast,
only 10 percent of Hispanic women in this same age group have
osteoporosis, and 49 percent have osteopenia. Just 5 percent of
non-Hispanic black women above age 50have osteoporosis, and 35 percent
have diminished bone mass.Likewise, Caucasian and Asian men have a
higher prevalence of osteoporosis (7 percent) than Hispanic and black
men (3 to 4percent).

http://tinyurl.com/3ls5ps4

How to prevent osteoporosis

http://tinyurl.com/3te9zer

ENVIRONMENT AND SELF-SUFFICIENCY

Home Geothermal Can Save You Loads on Energy Bills

...while benefiting the environment at the same time! Between home
geothermal and the passive solar links we provided an issue or two ago,
you'll be well on your way to energy independence!

Up to 75%savings on home energy costs? Check their calculator.

http://earthcomfort.com/

The guide to home geothermal energy

http://tinyurl.com/3otoohp

California Energy Commission HomeEnergy Center

http://tinyurl.com/43oyd5w

Climate Change Blamed for 40%Decline in Ocean Phytoplankton

The microscopic plants that support all life in the oceans are dying off
at a dramatic rate, according to a study that has documented for the
first time a disturbing and unprecedented change at the base of the
marine food web.

Scientists have discovered that the phytoplankton of the oceans has
declined by about 40 per cent over the past century, with much of the
loss occurring since the 1950s. They believe the change is linked with
rising sea temperatures and global warming.

http://tinyurl.com/2frjttp

Abstract of actual study http://tinyurl.com/2vc8bvj

CALENDAR

April 30 - Walburg. This Germanic Goddess safeguards the dead heroes who
sleep in the burial mound, and harbors deeds yet to bear fruit. Pour a
libation to the bold ones awaiting rebirth, and think on how your own
acts will live after you.

May 1 - From the gloom of Walburg we enter the sunshine of May Day.
Think on Freya, take a walk in the forest or send flowers to a friend.
Make love outdoors.

May 9 - Day of Remembrance for Guthroth. This Norwegian martyr spoke out
against the tyranny of the Christian fanatic Tryggvason, and urged
others to resist him. For this, the king had his tongue cut out. Call up
a friend who follows our native Way - use your own tongue to participate
in the bond that ties us to the Gods!

Hail the Holy Ones!

Hail the AFA!

Stephen A. McNallen

Asatru Folk Assembly

VISIT OUR WEB SITE at http://www.runestone.org.

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_________

--
FFF
Dirk

http://www.neopax.com/technomage/ - My new book - Magick and Technology