Pagan society debunks Viking myths with annual Yuletide celebration

Islanders reconnect with European ancestry

Gulf Islands Driftwood, Dec. 12 2007

By Chris Stephenson

When the image of a Viking comes to mind, some people visualize the comic strip character Hagar the Horrible wearing his horned helmut.

However, an annual Nordic Yuletide celebration organized by a Salt Spring heathen society breaks the stereotype and brings the true culture of ancient northern Europeans into the spotlight.

"There has been a lot of misinformation that the tribes from the north were brutes until he Christians came along," said Dan Miller, founder of the Freehold Society.

Instead, he said, the tribes of Northern Europe developed into a highly advanced civilization that excelled in many areas, including astronomy, navigation and wood working.

He said the Nordic tribes also had a strong connection to nature, family and the community.

"The purpose of folk-religion is not to spread some kind of ideology," said Miller, "but rather to aid the health and wholeness of families and local communities."

The Yuletide celebration on Salt Spring does just that by bringing the community together.

This year's December 22 event includes music, storytelling and a ceremonial potluck feast. As well, Father Yule will attend bearing gifts.

Miller started the Freehold Society in 2002 to help reconnect people of European ancestry to their ancient culture.

During a vision quest with a First Nations spiritual guide in the United States, the Nordic gods told Miller Europeans had lost their connection to the earth and they asked him to help the people reconnect with their ancestry.

"I've been working on it for 20 years now." he said.

Miller said one reason the society is successful in bringing Nordic tradition out into the open is the positive response from Salt Spring residents, "The response has been tremendously supportive."

The annual Nordic Yuletide celebration is in its sixth year and takes place at Beaver Point Hall, Saturday, December 22, with doors opening at 5 p.m.

For more information contact Miller at speaker@bc-freehold.org

© 2007, Gulf Islands Driftwood

© 2008, Heathen Freehold Society
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