Chaos Heathen?

As with questions relating to “black magic” I’m tempted to ask “Is there any other kind?”

But I’m teasing, of course. There are many legitimate varieties of Heathenism, just as there were many different cults in Ancient Greece and Rome just as there are many variations of Hinduism. (Four or six “orthodox” schools, depending on who you ask.)

Actually, this sense of intellectual freedom and openness is a big part of what drew me towards the greater Indo-European Tradition in the first place. It’s the exact opposite of the rigidity, dogmatism and anti-intellectual authoritarianism that characterizes the Abrahamic Traditions.

So I’m kind of baffled that it would be necessary for us to make a distinction between what we’re doing here and “plain vanilla” Heathenism. As if Heathen automatically means “strict historical reconstructionist”. Since when?

I certainly didn’t become Heathen out of some sense of racial obligation, or desire to turn back the clock. I consider myself a Heathen because the Norse Mythos appeals most closely to my sense of life. I never made a decision to convert to Heathenism. Rather, like Donovan, I have slowly come to realize that a Heathen is what I’ve always been. No reconstruction required.

But, what the Hell? Chaos Heathenism has a nice ring to it. It implies the right combination of sinister, primitive and reptilian. Nice call Henry, well spoken. I like it.

Clint.