HOW DID YOU DIE?
by Edmund Vance Cooke
Did you tackle that trouble that came your way
With a resolute heart and cheerful?
Or hide your face from the light of day
With a craven soul and fearful?
Oh, a trouble's a ton, or a trouble's an ounce,
Or a trouble is what you make it,
And it isn't the fact that you're hurt that counts,
But only how did you take it?
You are beaten to earth? Well, well, what's that?
Come up with a smiling face.
It's nothing against you to fall down flat,
But to lie there—that's disgrace.
The harder you're thrown, why the higher you bounce;
Be proud of your blackened eye!
It isn't the fact that you're licked that counts,
It's how did you fight—and why?
And though you be done to the death, what then?
If you battled the best you could,
If you played your part in the world of men,
Why, the Critic will call it good.
Death comes with a crawl, or comes with a pounce,
And whether he's slow or spry,
It isn't the fact that you're dead that counts,
But only how did you die?
⚡ ravenfolkunited.org
by Edmund Vance Cooke
Did you tackle that trouble that came your way
With a resolute heart and cheerful?
Or hide your face from the light of day
With a craven soul and fearful?
Oh, a trouble's a ton, or a trouble's an ounce,
Or a trouble is what you make it,
And it isn't the fact that you're hurt that counts,
But only how did you take it?
You are beaten to earth? Well, well, what's that?
Come up with a smiling face.
It's nothing against you to fall down flat,
But to lie there—that's disgrace.
The harder you're thrown, why the higher you bounce;
Be proud of your blackened eye!
It isn't the fact that you're licked that counts,
It's how did you fight—and why?
And though you be done to the death, what then?
If you battled the best you could,
If you played your part in the world of men,
Why, the Critic will call it good.
Death comes with a crawl, or comes with a pounce,
And whether he's slow or spry,
It isn't the fact that you're dead that counts,
But only how did you die?
⚡ ravenfolkunited.org
❤18⚡11🔥9
Discipline or Decay:
In this path, there is no room for self-deception. Óðinn did not gain wisdom through comfort. He tore it from suffering, from sacrifice, and from relentless will. He gave his eye for sight beyond sight. He hung wounded upon the World Tree for nine nights to seize the runes. Nothing about that story excuses weakness disguised as pleasure.
Overindulgence is not harmless. It erodes edge, it numbs instinct, and it weakens resolve. Drugs, drink, lust, food, or any number of endless distractions; all this excess turns a warrior’s mind dull. A dull mind cannot perceive truth. A weak will cannot hold honor.
We all speak of sovereignty, yet sovereignty begins within. If appetite commands you, you are not sovereign, you are ruled. If impulse overrides discipline, you are not strong, you are reactive. This path demands self-command. Not because pleasure is evil, but because enslavement to pleasure is.
Recovery is not about shame, it is about reclaiming power. It is about looking directly at the habits that sap strength and cutting them away without excuse. Óðinn sacrificed for wisdom. What are you willing to sacrifice for clarity?
The choice is blunt: mastery or decay.
Overindulgence leads to softness, confusion, and wasted potential. Restraint sharpens instinct, builds endurance, and forges character. An Óðinnist who cannot govern themselves cannot stand as a bearer of wisdom, nor claim alignment with a god who bled for it.
Discipline is not restriction, it is strength under control, and strength under control is the foundation of honor.
May we honor Óðinn always, in all that we do!
Allr heiðr Óðni!
Hail Óðinn!!!
Hail Fjolsviðr!!!
Hail Raven Folk United!!!
-Desirée Alwine
Raven Folk Reborn Recovery
⚡️ ravenfolkunited.org
In this path, there is no room for self-deception. Óðinn did not gain wisdom through comfort. He tore it from suffering, from sacrifice, and from relentless will. He gave his eye for sight beyond sight. He hung wounded upon the World Tree for nine nights to seize the runes. Nothing about that story excuses weakness disguised as pleasure.
Overindulgence is not harmless. It erodes edge, it numbs instinct, and it weakens resolve. Drugs, drink, lust, food, or any number of endless distractions; all this excess turns a warrior’s mind dull. A dull mind cannot perceive truth. A weak will cannot hold honor.
We all speak of sovereignty, yet sovereignty begins within. If appetite commands you, you are not sovereign, you are ruled. If impulse overrides discipline, you are not strong, you are reactive. This path demands self-command. Not because pleasure is evil, but because enslavement to pleasure is.
Recovery is not about shame, it is about reclaiming power. It is about looking directly at the habits that sap strength and cutting them away without excuse. Óðinn sacrificed for wisdom. What are you willing to sacrifice for clarity?
The choice is blunt: mastery or decay.
Overindulgence leads to softness, confusion, and wasted potential. Restraint sharpens instinct, builds endurance, and forges character. An Óðinnist who cannot govern themselves cannot stand as a bearer of wisdom, nor claim alignment with a god who bled for it.
Discipline is not restriction, it is strength under control, and strength under control is the foundation of honor.
May we honor Óðinn always, in all that we do!
Allr heiðr Óðni!
Hail Óðinn!!!
Hail Fjolsviðr!!!
Hail Raven Folk United!!!
-Desirée Alwine
Raven Folk Reborn Recovery
⚡️ ravenfolkunited.org
❤16⚡9🔥3
DAY OF REMEMBRANCE FOR KING GUTHROTH
On May 9th we remember and honor King Guthroth of Guthbrand's Dale.
According to Snorri Sturlusson's 'Heimskringla', King Guthroth was one of five kings who ruled in the Upplands of Norway during the reign of Olaf the bastard. Olaf was going through Norway converting people by force and blackmail. Olaf sent word to the five kings that he wanted to travel through their regions, so the still-Heathen kings came together to discuss this visit and what it meant. They quickly came to the conclusion that a visit from Olaf couldn't possibly be good. And yet 4 of the 5 grew fearful and wanted to just go along with Olaf and whatever he had planned.
But one—one bold man—stood and gave a stirring speech that rallied the other four... that one noble king was none other than Guthroth.
With the kings finally united, word went out across the land to rally the landowners to stand against Olaf. And yet, just as the menfolk were gathering for war, one treacherous "man" went to Olaf and told him of the five kings' plan. Olaf, with his retinue, quickly marched on the Upplands and by the light of Mani, rowed boats across a lake and right up to the village where the kings were staying and surrounded their hall. As Sunna rose, the kings awoke and realized the dire situation they were in. Rather than fight a futile battle that would have seen their families harmed the kings surrendered to Olaf.
Olaf, being the forgiving xtian he was, quickly had one king's eyes plucked out, and banished three other kings and took all their lands and property. But for King Guthroth he saved something special... for his eloquent speech that had rallied the Upplands against Olaf, Guthroth had his tongue cut out. Never to be able to utter another word again.
Guthroth knew the risk, and yet he stood when others only wanted to sit. He rallied the fearful, and inspired them to stand firm against the tyranny of Olaf and his one-god faith.
For his courage and willingness to sacrifice everything for his folk, we honor King Guthroth. For his willingness to stand when others sat, we raise a horn up to Guthroth's memory.
From his tale we see clearly that one bold man can truly change what may, at first sight, seem already finished. We today are again faced with belief systems that would see us silenced, see our tongues removed. Belief systems that would happily see our folk and our gods erased from the world and our glorious history scrubbed from the record.
Now is our time! Now is when we need to be bold! Now is when we need to stand tall as Guthroth did and rally those around us!
Hail the Bold!
Hail King Guthroth!
-Goði Blaine Qualls
⚡️ ravenfolkunited.org
On May 9th we remember and honor King Guthroth of Guthbrand's Dale.
According to Snorri Sturlusson's 'Heimskringla', King Guthroth was one of five kings who ruled in the Upplands of Norway during the reign of Olaf the bastard. Olaf was going through Norway converting people by force and blackmail. Olaf sent word to the five kings that he wanted to travel through their regions, so the still-Heathen kings came together to discuss this visit and what it meant. They quickly came to the conclusion that a visit from Olaf couldn't possibly be good. And yet 4 of the 5 grew fearful and wanted to just go along with Olaf and whatever he had planned.
But one—one bold man—stood and gave a stirring speech that rallied the other four... that one noble king was none other than Guthroth.
With the kings finally united, word went out across the land to rally the landowners to stand against Olaf. And yet, just as the menfolk were gathering for war, one treacherous "man" went to Olaf and told him of the five kings' plan. Olaf, with his retinue, quickly marched on the Upplands and by the light of Mani, rowed boats across a lake and right up to the village where the kings were staying and surrounded their hall. As Sunna rose, the kings awoke and realized the dire situation they were in. Rather than fight a futile battle that would have seen their families harmed the kings surrendered to Olaf.
Olaf, being the forgiving xtian he was, quickly had one king's eyes plucked out, and banished three other kings and took all their lands and property. But for King Guthroth he saved something special... for his eloquent speech that had rallied the Upplands against Olaf, Guthroth had his tongue cut out. Never to be able to utter another word again.
Guthroth knew the risk, and yet he stood when others only wanted to sit. He rallied the fearful, and inspired them to stand firm against the tyranny of Olaf and his one-god faith.
For his courage and willingness to sacrifice everything for his folk, we honor King Guthroth. For his willingness to stand when others sat, we raise a horn up to Guthroth's memory.
From his tale we see clearly that one bold man can truly change what may, at first sight, seem already finished. We today are again faced with belief systems that would see us silenced, see our tongues removed. Belief systems that would happily see our folk and our gods erased from the world and our glorious history scrubbed from the record.
Now is our time! Now is when we need to be bold! Now is when we need to stand tall as Guthroth did and rally those around us!
Hail the Bold!
Hail King Guthroth!
-Goði Blaine Qualls
⚡️ ravenfolkunited.org
❤15⚡6🔥2
A Poem to the Mothers
Frigga, wise in love and sight,
A mother crowned in gentle might,
With twelve fair maidens standing near,
Whom mothers call in times of fear.
They know the weight of silent grace,
The strength to guide with soft embrace,
To guard, to love, to gently be,
A quiet, steadfast sanctuary.
My mother, in your mortal way,
You echo them in night and day
In every sacrifice you make,
Each path in life you help me take.
So here’s to you, both fierce and kind,
With endless heart and steady mind
Like Frigga, deep your love will keep,
A sacred vow you’ll always keep.
Mrs. Emily Shelton
RFU Family Services
⚡️ ravenfolkunited.org
Frigga, wise in love and sight,
A mother crowned in gentle might,
With twelve fair maidens standing near,
Whom mothers call in times of fear.
They know the weight of silent grace,
The strength to guide with soft embrace,
To guard, to love, to gently be,
A quiet, steadfast sanctuary.
My mother, in your mortal way,
You echo them in night and day
In every sacrifice you make,
Each path in life you help me take.
So here’s to you, both fierce and kind,
With endless heart and steady mind
Like Frigga, deep your love will keep,
A sacred vow you’ll always keep.
Mrs. Emily Shelton
RFU Family Services
⚡️ ravenfolkunited.org
❤19⚡10🔥2
HAIL TO OUR MOTHERS
Those who know me closely know I often hail or praise my mother, and the great respect for our women folk that she cultivated has ripples. I am fortunate to have had such a great example of a mother, directly from the shores of Europa, with old values and a morality removed from and uncompromised by modern times!
Our women are our mothers, sisters, and daughters. They are the healers and the seers; each mother a timeless embrace. Grandmothers of my grandmothers, hear me call! I praise you all!
As I build this Tribal Folk Nation, I have been clear in my mission to return our people to a place of thought and spirituality that was, and always has been, who we are. In this, once again, I aim to hold our women up as the queens they truly are. But first let our men remember that we must also be the men our Gods intended. As we revive the wolf warrior culture, our mothers smile and our daughters are safe once again. Let us take this holiday and reflect. Today I hold Mother Frigga and all our women up high! I'm thankful for each and every one of you within our walls!
So many gifts this year! Our women have gifted our community so many new lives!!
Before the altar of our existence that is held within them, I and our men are doing all we can to once again protect and conquest in their names as their power inspires us!
On this, and all days, I miss my mother's sacred light, though I know she sees me always and holds me dear as her blood flows still in my heart!
Hail Darlene Sessumes!
HAIL MOTHER FRIGGA!
Hail Raven Folk United!
By Michael Sessumes
Hildingr, RFU
⚡️ ravenfolkunited.org
Those who know me closely know I often hail or praise my mother, and the great respect for our women folk that she cultivated has ripples. I am fortunate to have had such a great example of a mother, directly from the shores of Europa, with old values and a morality removed from and uncompromised by modern times!
Our women are our mothers, sisters, and daughters. They are the healers and the seers; each mother a timeless embrace. Grandmothers of my grandmothers, hear me call! I praise you all!
As I build this Tribal Folk Nation, I have been clear in my mission to return our people to a place of thought and spirituality that was, and always has been, who we are. In this, once again, I aim to hold our women up as the queens they truly are. But first let our men remember that we must also be the men our Gods intended. As we revive the wolf warrior culture, our mothers smile and our daughters are safe once again. Let us take this holiday and reflect. Today I hold Mother Frigga and all our women up high! I'm thankful for each and every one of you within our walls!
So many gifts this year! Our women have gifted our community so many new lives!!
Before the altar of our existence that is held within them, I and our men are doing all we can to once again protect and conquest in their names as their power inspires us!
On this, and all days, I miss my mother's sacred light, though I know she sees me always and holds me dear as her blood flows still in my heart!
Hail Darlene Sessumes!
HAIL MOTHER FRIGGA!
Hail Raven Folk United!
By Michael Sessumes
Hildingr, RFU
⚡️ ravenfolkunited.org
❤🔥15⚡9❤6
Blótbað - A Ritual Cleansing
There is something oddly powerful about the fact that our ancestors considered bathing a sacred act. Not everything in the old ways was blood, fire, and giant dramatic rituals. Sometimes holiness looked like washing your hands, combing your hair, and taking a minute to prepare yourself before standing before the Gods. The Blótbað, or “Blót-Bath,” is exactly that: a ritual cleansing meant to wash off the weight of everyday life before stepping into sacred space.
The old traditions tie this custom to Laugardagr, literally “Bath-Day” (what later became Saturday) and also to Njardarlog - “Njörðr’s Bath” linking ritual cleansing directly to the God of sea and water himself. Tacitus even describes similar purification rites in Germania while speaking of the worship of Nerthus, showing these customs run deep into the earliest roots of Germanic tradition. Water was practical, but it was also seen as something renewing and spiritually important, capable of preparing a person to step properly into sacred space.
The lore backs it up too. In Sigrdrífumál we are told to wash the hands and head of the dead, comb their hair, and prepare them properly before burial. Even the dead were meant to enter the next stage clean and ordered. Then you get Ibn Fadlan’s Risāla, where he describes the Rus using a communal basin to wash their hands, faces, and hair while passing around a comb. He clearly thought it was gross, but buried underneath his complaining is evidence that ritual grooming mattered enough to be done daily and ceremonially.
The Blótbað is really about readiness. You clean yourself before ritual because you are intentionally stepping out of ordinary life for a moment. It does not have to be elaborate. A river or stream works, a bath, or even a bowl of water in your home works. Wash your hands, wash your face, and comb your hair. Slow down for a minute and make yourself present before the Gods.
Sometimes the old ways are complicated. Sometimes they are as simple as water, a comb, and intention.
-Desirée Alwine
⚡️ ravenfolkunited.org
There is something oddly powerful about the fact that our ancestors considered bathing a sacred act. Not everything in the old ways was blood, fire, and giant dramatic rituals. Sometimes holiness looked like washing your hands, combing your hair, and taking a minute to prepare yourself before standing before the Gods. The Blótbað, or “Blót-Bath,” is exactly that: a ritual cleansing meant to wash off the weight of everyday life before stepping into sacred space.
The old traditions tie this custom to Laugardagr, literally “Bath-Day” (what later became Saturday) and also to Njardarlog - “Njörðr’s Bath” linking ritual cleansing directly to the God of sea and water himself. Tacitus even describes similar purification rites in Germania while speaking of the worship of Nerthus, showing these customs run deep into the earliest roots of Germanic tradition. Water was practical, but it was also seen as something renewing and spiritually important, capable of preparing a person to step properly into sacred space.
The lore backs it up too. In Sigrdrífumál we are told to wash the hands and head of the dead, comb their hair, and prepare them properly before burial. Even the dead were meant to enter the next stage clean and ordered. Then you get Ibn Fadlan’s Risāla, where he describes the Rus using a communal basin to wash their hands, faces, and hair while passing around a comb. He clearly thought it was gross, but buried underneath his complaining is evidence that ritual grooming mattered enough to be done daily and ceremonially.
The Blótbað is really about readiness. You clean yourself before ritual because you are intentionally stepping out of ordinary life for a moment. It does not have to be elaborate. A river or stream works, a bath, or even a bowl of water in your home works. Wash your hands, wash your face, and comb your hair. Slow down for a minute and make yourself present before the Gods.
Sometimes the old ways are complicated. Sometimes they are as simple as water, a comb, and intention.
-Desirée Alwine
⚡️ ravenfolkunited.org
❤22⚡6🔥2
Forwarded from Pagan Revivalism
ᛦ Dissecting the New Age ᛦ
Due to popular demand from the Kvasir Commencement show & subsequent poll, we have the great folks at the Norrœna Society returning on the Pagan Revivalist Show to dissect the New Age!
This will be a two-part show due not only to it's importance to address, but also how we can overcome New Age influences by using actual Traditionalist approaches with faith leaders.
For the Dissecting the New Age show, we will go over:
• Clearly defining the New Age.
• Differentiating UPG et al from the New Age.
• The history of the New Age, from Axiality to today.
• Listing the elements of the New Age & tracing them back to their origins.
This is a show a lot of people have been interested in & we are glad to make it actualized. Stay tuned to the channel for updates on the date & time of this anticipated show!
Due to popular demand from the Kvasir Commencement show & subsequent poll, we have the great folks at the Norrœna Society returning on the Pagan Revivalist Show to dissect the New Age!
This will be a two-part show due not only to it's importance to address, but also how we can overcome New Age influences by using actual Traditionalist approaches with faith leaders.
For the Dissecting the New Age show, we will go over:
• Clearly defining the New Age.
• Differentiating UPG et al from the New Age.
• The history of the New Age, from Axiality to today.
• Listing the elements of the New Age & tracing them back to their origins.
This is a show a lot of people have been interested in & we are glad to make it actualized. Stay tuned to the channel for updates on the date & time of this anticipated show!
⚡8🔥3❤2
RISE OF THE RAVEN FOLK
The very term Nation implies a natal tie, an umbilical connection in the most literal sense. Yet these Nations of Europa, and of our origins, have not only been taken over completely; these Governments have betrayed their children. Thus, we the descendants of the Kings of Europe, are left astray in a world of vipers.
Alas, there is much hope!
In these ties that bind and bond Nations, we still remain and rebuild our own Tribal Nation! A Kingdom built on our ancestral traditions and rituals, guided very literally by our ancestors and the Gods themselves. A new day is upon our people. We are most definitely a religious organization, yet we are so very much more!
We are Raven Folk!
A modern real-world tribal Nation. With our DNA program, we not only connect our people's blood and reunite families, we trace our lines to the heroes in the lore and the blood of Kings!
Our Kings rule by right and by blood, and once again the Raven flies over the cities of man, collecting the sons and daughters of Oðinn, calling them home!
Our ancestral culture and customs are revived, and morality and order are being restored.
Reciprocity with our mighty Gods is once again beginning to take hold. The warriors of old dance with their descendants beside the fires, and our Männerbund remembers their power! The children of Europe once again have a home!
No more alien influence!
No more will we bend or accept morality that is inferior to our people. We will hold our people up and we WILL conquer as one people United in purpose!
Smile Kinsman, do not let the woes of modern times burden you. Our Jarlar are building Kingdoms everywhere!
Together, we will reclaim our people's birthright, ripping our fates from the jaws of the wolf, and planting our Nation's Flags of victory everywhere the sun touches!!
The energy is electric and tomorrow is ours!
Hail the Raven Folk Nation!
By Michael Sessumes
Hildingr, RFU
⚡ ravenfolkunited.org
The very term Nation implies a natal tie, an umbilical connection in the most literal sense. Yet these Nations of Europa, and of our origins, have not only been taken over completely; these Governments have betrayed their children. Thus, we the descendants of the Kings of Europe, are left astray in a world of vipers.
Alas, there is much hope!
In these ties that bind and bond Nations, we still remain and rebuild our own Tribal Nation! A Kingdom built on our ancestral traditions and rituals, guided very literally by our ancestors and the Gods themselves. A new day is upon our people. We are most definitely a religious organization, yet we are so very much more!
We are Raven Folk!
A modern real-world tribal Nation. With our DNA program, we not only connect our people's blood and reunite families, we trace our lines to the heroes in the lore and the blood of Kings!
Our Kings rule by right and by blood, and once again the Raven flies over the cities of man, collecting the sons and daughters of Oðinn, calling them home!
Our ancestral culture and customs are revived, and morality and order are being restored.
Reciprocity with our mighty Gods is once again beginning to take hold. The warriors of old dance with their descendants beside the fires, and our Männerbund remembers their power! The children of Europe once again have a home!
No more alien influence!
No more will we bend or accept morality that is inferior to our people. We will hold our people up and we WILL conquer as one people United in purpose!
Smile Kinsman, do not let the woes of modern times burden you. Our Jarlar are building Kingdoms everywhere!
Together, we will reclaim our people's birthright, ripping our fates from the jaws of the wolf, and planting our Nation's Flags of victory everywhere the sun touches!!
The energy is electric and tomorrow is ours!
Hail the Raven Folk Nation!
By Michael Sessumes
Hildingr, RFU
⚡ ravenfolkunited.org
⚡10❤🔥3❤3