1. The Northvegr Foundation strives to bring knowledge and understanding of Northern European pre-Christian history, culture and spiritual values (i.e. world-view and ethic).

2. We state that the Northern European pre-Christian spiritual tradition, known as Heithni (1), is a full and rich tradition that has no need of an infusion of foreign ideals or practices, such as ceremonial magic, New Age thought, or any other occult ideals. It is classified as a "world-accepting folk-religion" in scholarly circles.

3. We state that Heithni has a well-developed world-view and ethic which is in evidence in many primary sources and well documented in many secondary sources. We believe that through a combination of scholarly research and spiritual experience, this world-view and ethic has been revived and can be presented without infusion of foreign ideals. We believe that without a proper understanding of this world-view and ethic, it is not possible to either live the tradition of Heithni, nor for the layperson to understand it properly. One of the Northvegr Foundation's primary goals is to bring knowledge and understanding of this world-view and ethic.

4. We support any group or organization, (religious and/or secular) that works to promote its own history, culture and spiritual values, as long as it does so without demonizing another organization or people. Different does not mean that it is worse or better. It simply means different. We strongly support any genuine tribal/folk-religion and believe that unity through diversity can be achieved.

5. We oppose all forms of tyranny. Irrational hatred and oppression of a people are not Northern Virtues. We reject those who would follow such paths. We state unequivocally that the Heithinn spiritual tradition has no connection at all with extremists, white supremacists, or racists (or the more "PC" term ‘racialists’).

Groups or individuals who make claims of such a connection to our spiritual tradition are in fact *USING* it to support their own ill socio-political ideals in much the same way that Christianity is used by the KKK to support its socio-political ideals.

THESE EXREMIST GROUPS HAVE NO VALID CONNECTION TO THE HEITHINN SPIRITUAL TRADITION, NOR IS THERE ANY SUPPORT WHATSOEVER FOR THEIR ILL IDEALS AND DEEDS IN OUR LORE AND CULTURE.

6. We oppose any attempt to infuse foreign ideals, such as those in New Age thought or those from occult/ceremonial magic circles, into our world-view. These world-views are not compatible with the Heithinn world-view, and Heithni has no need of them.

7. While we are an organization that places a high emphasis on the accurate revival of Northern European pre-Christian spiritual values and culture, we also realize that we live in a modern age and that our tradition is a growing, living tradition. We support the use of technology for the furtherance of our aims and its use in maintaining a healthy environment. We also support innovation within our tradition, but that innovation must be soundly based on our world-view and ethic.

8. Heithni, being a world-accepting folk religion, strongly supports environmental causes and the preservation of land, animals and plant-life for all people, in the present as well as for future generations.

9. The Northvegr Foundation believes that the Heithinn tradition is soundly based on the ideal of community. We, therefore, strongly support the forming of Heithinn communities. We work to provide resources and assistance to anyone who is interested in forming a genuine Heithinn community.

10. Though the origin of the spiritual values, world-view and ethic on which the Northvegr Foundation bases itself is Scandinavian, we fully and enthusiastically support a pan-Heithinn dialogue, and work to provide resources and support that will not only be of interest to Scandinavian Heithnir, but also to the adherents of Germanic and Celtic forms of the elder spiritual traditions of Northern Europe.

Notes:

1. Heithni [Hayth-nee] comes from the Old Norse word ‘heiðni’, which is a word that was used in some areas of Scandinavia in elder times to describe the pre-Christian spiritual tradition of the Northern European peoples. The word Heithinn comes from the Old Norse word ‘heiðinn’ which we use as an adjective to describe the ideals of Heithni (ex. Heithinn ethics – those ethics which conform to Heithni), or as a noun to describe those who live by the ethic and world-view of Heithni (ex. He is Heithinn, those people are Heithnir [plural]). Heiðni also means 'high, pure, clear' in Icelandic. The modern word "heathen" descends from this word. [Back]