Uncle Thor's Lessons, Anecdotes and Humor

The purpose of Heathenism is to give people a better life. It is that simple. The goal is a life that is more fulfilling and more pleasant. Heathensm is not trying to promote moral superiority, an ideological superman or a philosophical wunderkind. There is no “Ideal Heathen” because there is no single mold for everyone. [...]

There are many who separate the spiritual from the practical. They believe that being spiritual entails living impractically. Behind it is a belief that the “afterlife” is somehow diametrically opposed to this life. You can see that it makes no sense. In truth, being spiritual should be practical. This world is as spiritual as any [...]

The “Rune” books of Ralph Blum are viewed with disdain by Heathen runeworkers, and rightly so. Blum used the Runes as divinatory symbols without regard for their real meaning. Because his works were widely distributed through New Age and occult shops, some of his ideas got around. One of Blum’s ideas was a “blank Rune” [...]

I believe that the best way to meet the world is with confidence and good intentions. A general feeling of goodwill opens many doors, and confidence gains cooperation. Life itself rises up to greet such an attitude. One impedes himself if he goes out with a confrontational, disdainful or uncertain attitude. The world is not [...]

In an expanding universe, there must be a center from which to expand. Last week we looked at the Jer Rune, its connection to the Year, and its centrifugal type of expansion. Jer would imply some sort of axis from which to spin and expand. Where is it? The Ihr / Yew Tree Rune is [...]

Flexibility has many benefits. Be it business, relationships or other activities, it is good to be flexible. If one is too rigid, he cannot take advantage of changing situations. The flexible person can adjust to the changes of the moment. This is not to say that firmness is bad. Both flexibility and firmness have their [...]

The Ihr Rune, or Yew Tree Rune, has many lessons. It is cunningly crafted, for its various aspects may seem incongruous. Beneath the surface they are connected as sure ly as the roots of the Yew hold tenaciously to solid ground. Here are a few exercises you might enjoy: Exercise 1: Take a flexible item [...]

The 2008 – 2009 Winter Holiday season is pretty much over. Most of us will be returning to our normal schedules Monday. Within a week, the remaining decorations will be taken down and packed away. The stores will be getting their Valentines Day goods. In less than two weeks, it will look as if the [...]

Audrey and I went to the electronics store today to get an obscure type of battery. While waiting for assistance, we could not help but overhear a little man at the counter. He was going on about the dangers of smoking. The clerk handling his order was trying hard not to tell the man to [...]

It is freezing cold outside tonight. The temperature has been freezing all day. Most people are taking cover at home. Even if one stays warm indoors, this kind of weather can draw out every ache and pain. A couple of months ago, I went to an orthopedist to have my knee fixed. Among other things, [...]