What is Ásatrú, the ethnic religion of the Low Countries (Flanders and the Netherlands) as represented by Traditie vzw?

Ásatrú, as represented by Traditie vzw, constitutes the culturally rooted form of the Old Germanic-Norse religion as it historically developed in the Low Countries. The modern recognition of the Old Norse religion was achieved in 1972 through the efforts of Sveinbjörn Beinteinsson. Initially referred to as Vör Siðr (“Our Customs”), the movement emphasized the organic continuity between religious practice and the underlying cultural ethos. For legal reasons, the name was later changed to Ásatrú, meaning “loyalty to the Æsir,” a term that subsequently became the standard designation for the Old Norse ethnic religion across Europe. Traditie vzw represents the local, culturally embedded expression of this tradition within Dutch-speaking regions (Flanders and the Netherlands).

This localized form of Ásatrú employs traditional Germanic names for the Norse deities historically venerated in these areas: Oðinn is known as Woen (Wodan), Thórr as Donner, and Freyja as Vrouwe. Though the names differ, the deities and their attributes are the same. The religion derives much of its mythological and cosmological framework from the Eddas—medieval texts (13th–14th century) recorded by Christian scribes that nevertheless preserve earlier pre-Christian traditions with relative fidelity—as well as from the saga literature characteristic of the Icelandic cultural milieu. While the Flemish and Dutch were not Vikings, they share an extensive oral heritage connected to the broader Germanic cultural sphere. Oral transmission remains a foundational source for ethnic religions, a fact often overlooked in academic discourse.

Ásatrú comprises a metaphysical foundation, a structured cosmology, an ethical system emerging from a distinct mode of thought, ritual practices aligned with the rhythms of nature, rites of passage, and a mystery tradition centered on key mythological narratives. The religious structure is hierarchical yet grounded in the family as its fundamental unit; it is within this communal framework that knowledge and custom are transmitted. Rather than priests in the Christian sense, Ásatrú employs ritual specialists who serve specific ceremonial roles.

Although relatively small in the Low Countries, Ásatrú has a stable following and is regarded as a serious and principled movement. It places strong emphasis on individual spiritual development within the familial and communal context, and on cultivating sacred order within an increasingly secular society. Practice is central, though reflective thought also plays an important role. Ásatrú maintains that the world is intrinsically ensouled: not everything visible constitutes reality, nor is the invisible necessarily irrational. In this respect, Ásatrú possesses animistic elements.

Nature itself is not considered divine, but rather a vehicle through which the Divine may become manifest at specific moments. The cosmos is inhabited by a multitude of beings—Gods and Goddesses, Giants, elves, spirits, household protectors, and various other entities—whose presence shapes human experience and attentiveness to signs. All existence unfolds within a larger order governed by Ørlǫg (Primal Law), while each individual bears a specific task or destiny (Wyrd). Through regular ritual practice, humans realign themselves with this cosmic order. Ignoring one’s place within this order leads to disorder and chaos, ultimately culminating in Ragnarök, the downfall of the Gods.