Germanic Neopaganism (as opposed to Neopaganism in general) is often defined as Reconstructionist. Adherents are mostly polytheists, having faith in a number of Gods and Goddesses, but in practice a pantheistic or "soft polytheistic" outlook is common; the Icelandic Asatruarfelagi? defines "Asatru" as "Nordic pantheism".
Germanic Neopaganism has a strong leaning towards animism. This is most apparent in the worship of Alfar (or Elves), land-spirits, the various beings of folklore (Kobold, Huldufolk), and the belief that inanimate objects can have a fate of their own.
It is believed that Elves or land-spirits can inhabit natural objects such as trees or stones. These spirits can, and do, take sides in the affairs of the Inhabitants of their land.[13] This is in imitation of historical Norse paganism, which had strong animistic tendencies, as reflected in sagas such as that of a wizard who goes to Iceland in whale-shape to see if it can be invaded, who is attacked by land-spirits while going on shore, and is forced to flee.
It is believed by some Heathens that inanimate objects can have a soul of their own, or a fate, and therefore should be given a name, the most common cases being the naming of weapons like Gram (mythology). The objects are not “charged” before use, but have the fate or innate power within them a priori.
Downloadable books (free):
Bernard King - Meanings Of The RunesDevi Spring - The Emerging Indo Pagans
William Godwin - The Lives Of The Necromancers
Franz Cumont - After Life In Roman Paganism
