Our Friend Noel asked me and my son, Arinbjorn, if we would help his friends in the Idaho Correctional System by sponsoring them in their religious pursuit.  He explained that this meant in its most basic form that we just needed to show up every few months and this would allow the practicing Odinists to have a more legitimate claim to certain religious rights; a foot in the door of the judicial system so to speak.  He asked nothing more of us knowing the friends on the inside would then press forward to claim these rights and we would not be put out.

Noel didn’t realize that this was exactly what Arinbjorn and I had been talking about – finding something “extracurricular” to do in the name of the Odinic Rite. There was no hesitation on our part in saying yes to not only one prison group but to two facilities/two groups and we saw no reason to just put our names on the sponsor form but to visit a minimum of once a month.

Through Noel’s contacts and knowledge he got us the background paperwork and forms to fill out and return and the adventure with prison affairs began!

Within 30 days I received a call from a woman to clarify some of the information we had given and was told someone should be contacting us shortly on our acceptance. It was a few more weeks after this that Arinbjorn was contacted by Chaplain Bachman of Idaho Correctional Center by email.  He stated what time we were to be available at the facility for a regularly scheduled Odinist class that was held there.  Due to my work schedule this time just would not work and Arinbjorn thus responded letting him know my work schedule.  Bachman then very bluntly replied that when I changed my schedule to contact him!  I immediately called Noel, who then informed his contacts of the situation.  Meanwhile Arinbjorn had placed at least three calls to the State facility with no response.

About 2 months later Bachman emailed again.  He re-scheduled his arrangements and asked if this time would be workable.  I responded that I would make it work.  Obviously the guys inside were not letting this opportunity go!  After a few more emails and in spite of Bachman’s negative attitude we were scheduled to attend a day’s training in late June.

Still no word from the State facility……

Upon arrival at training with about 30 other people we were exuberantly greeted by a Mr. Kirkman, the Volunteer Co-coordinator for Idaho Department of Corrections, who claimed to be so excited about us volunteering for the Odinists at the State Prison!  No contact in all this time but he can’t wait to get us in there!  If only he could share some of that positive energy with Bachman!

Training started with introductions – 3 AA guys, 1 NA guy, 1 Buddhist, 2 Odinist and the rest Mormons or Catholics!  Despite being ignored by everyone during breaks and getting “those” looks, training was informative.  I was expecting Do’s and Don’ts but it was more how the volunteers can really do positive things and how the prison system has changed over the centuries and what is offered to the inmate as far as education, training, treatment.

Our next step was Orientation.  Bachman emailed that this was scheduled the next week at ICC and would be 4 hours.  We get there on time, give up our driver’s licenses and get our visitors badges and zip through the metal detector.  The guy leading us and 8 others through all of this never introduced himself but his biker vest proclaiming “Bikers for Jesus” had me assuming this was THE Chaplain Bachman!  He was very blunt, as he led us to the chapel to remember the way.  At the chapel we were handed off to another gentleman who gave us a tour through the different areas of the prison and then proceeded to spend the next few hours giving us a marketing speech on corporate run prisons.  He said he would touch on hostage situations and the like at the next training session that we will do in a year!

Again we walked through the maze back to the chapel and were left with Bachman.  All he said was he had 3 rules to follow:

1.)   Don’t give the inmates anything and don’t take anything from them.

2.)   Repeat

3.)   Repeat!!

We were finished with training so all that was left to do was get fingerprinted and photographed  for our volunteer badges.

We were able to coordinate times with both facilities two weeks later.  Going to ICC, Bachman fingerprinted us and took our pictures, again, never introducing himself, shaking our hand – nothing!  As we were leaving that prison Mr Kirkman was there, again happy to have us on board and he let us know that the appointment at IDOC was even going to include a meet and greet with the leaders of the two Odinist groups.

After lunch in a nearby town we returned to IDOC where we did a quick walk through with Kirkman and then met the guys.  We were able to spend about an hour with them trying to figure out what they wanted from us, what we expected from them, and scheduling.  Kirkman informed us that he was trying to get the word “chapel” removed from the building and a carved “God Loves” cross moved from the grassy area that we might possibly be able to use for outdoor ritual.  If that is not workable he is going to try and get some of the Native Americans plot divided for the Odinists’ use since they have such a large area.

Such a difference in attitudes between these two men!  I hope the one is sincere and the other loosens up!

Our first visits are scheduled this weekend – I guess we shall see!

The Hearth Guardian, Colla Magnus AOR said:

“I have had the desire for a long while to be able to start a Hearth for the Brothers and Sisters of the Odinic Rite that have been incarcerated or are still incarcerated, to help them and their families readjust to the “free world” in a positive and nurturing manner and have a place in our blessed Odinic Rite where they will not feel out of place and can decompress and grow stronger in the ways of the High Ones.

“Having myself been incarcerated in the U.S. Federal Prison some years back I still remember the feelings of despair and fear of that time and also the sense of being misunderstood and having no one to turn to in camaraderie. I deeply felt totally alone at that time and ostracized by the monotheistic society around me, and I retreated in to solitary existence, until by the leading and blessings of the Gods I found the Odinic Rite.

“I do not want any of our formerly incarcerated or still incarcerated comrades to experience any more of this unskilful and defensive atmosphere than is necessary and just as Gullinkambi calls the honored in Asgard, I hope that Gullinkambi Hearth AOR can be a beacon for those of us that have tasted the dishonor of unskilful actions and thinking to continue to grow and return in full honor and learn to manifest the best that we can for Our personal walk with the Gods, and to honorably progress in the Odinic Rite.

“I realize that this blessed endeavor will not happen overnight, but the watch fires have been lit.”

I enjoy Texans in general. I like the hats and the boots, the sense of individuality, even the outspokenness. Texans can be obnoxious but they are so funny and charming doing it you can’t help but to like them. I think that’s one reason why I have always gone back. In the early days, when it was a struggle just to get on a unit, I just kept showing up and being stubborn and polite about the whole thing. I’m not as outspoken as a Texan, but I certainly stand eye to eye with any of them as far as individuality. Eventually they just took to me. It was a mutual liking. A friend of mine, an ex-con, says the reason there are Odinist services in Texas is because they liked me as a person. Otherwise there still would not be Odinism in the prisons. He may have something there.

Case in point. This big tall skinny old boy taught a class I was required to take this time around. He was a charismatic, loud, boot-wearing preacher man with perfect comic timing and a shrewd eye for people. He was a Baptist minister and a cop. Forget about Baptist and cop, I just liked the man. He made me laugh the entire class. He was very warm toward me as well, and that’s how I got an invitation to go on a unit I hadn’t planned on. He made it happen 2 days after meeting me.

Same is true on the inside. It’s about connections with people. We don’t wash the unwashed masses. We aren’t trying to save anyone. It’s about going on a unit and meeting individuals and sharing. That’s two-way sharing. I share my rituals and my experience, and they share their lives and their knowledge. I actually visited 2 new units this time. The Ellis Unit was a new one. It was a group of about 20 or 25. Brand new faces. The organizers had been moved or put in lock up. So I met all the others. There are always about 5 true Odinists in any group that size. Many others are just curious. By the end of the 2 hour stretch I knew who was true, and we were all on a wavelength together that will motivate the next meeting. We connected, in other words. That’s what it’s about.

The Ramsey Unit was the best, though. I’ve been there before. Some old faces from Hughes showed up, and anyone from Hughes feels like family to me anymore. Several of the men at this gathering (including 2 from Hughes) were about to be released. The ritual, about transition and challenges, was well received and an emotional experience. We were in a great big room with 50 fans going, so the whole time we shouted. But it worked. We shouted and connected and laughed and had a great blot and sumbel. The sumbel was as moving as the blot. People got up and said goodbye, toasting every individual that had meant something to him. Some of those speeches should be written in books. Some were deep enough to make you choke and tear up. When I left Ramsey that day, I knew exactly why I struggled so hard all these years and keep going back. It’s because of experiences just like that.

OR PAB Book Drive
c/o Troth Kinwarder
P.O. Box 16637
Tucson, Arizona 85732
U.S.A

I can be contacted with questions and Advice:

troth.Kinwarder@gmail.com

Financial donations can be sent via pay pal or via Money Order to ORV at :
The Odinic Rite
(Vinland Regional Office)
PO Box 351
Brush Prairie
WA. 98606
USA

The paypal is:

orvinfo@odinic-rite.org

Please put in a message that  it is for the book drive.

OR PAB Book Drive
c/o Troth Kinwarder
P.O. Box 16637
Tucson, Arizona 85732
U.S.A

“A Brief  History of The Druids” Peter Ellis (gone to Arizona)

“Beowulf “  Seamus Heaney (gone to New Jersey)

“The Masks of Odin” (gone to Texas)

“The Runes Workbook” Leon Wild

“FUTHARK  a handbook of Rune Magic” Edred Thorsson

“Runelore” Thorsson (2 copies)

“Northern Magic” Thorsson

“Northern Mysteries & Magick” Aswynn (2 copies)

“Rites of Odin” Fitch

Plus over twenty Fiction and Historical Fiction relating to our spiritual path

I have been Honored with the task of facilitating the Odinic Rite PAB Book Drive. I look forward to hitting the ground running with this. We are looking for Donations of Books, Postage and Money for those willing and able. If you have old books that pertain to our spiritual path, or even history, sagas, mythology books –these would all be welcome. Rune books, books from the OR catalog, and even recent mass market publications that have to do with Asatru/Odinism –all welcome. All money collected will be spent on used books and postage.

Books and Postage can be sent to:

OR PAB Book Drive
c/o Troth Kinwarder
P.O. Box 16637
Tucson, Arizona 85732
U.S.A

I can be contacted with questions and Advice:

troth.Kinwarder@gmail.com

Financial donations can be sent via pay pal or via Money Order to ORV at :
The Odinic Rite
(Vinland Regional Office)
PO Box 351
Brush Prairie
WA. 98606
USA

The paypal is:

orvinfo@odinic-rite.org

Please put in a message that  it is for the book drive.

Well Tucson Summer Finding Blot went off on Mt Lemon at Incinerator Ridge. And what a Great morning it was. Drogbeorn and family came down from Phoenix. He and I took Deirdra’s SUV up the mountain ahead of the Tribe. We arrived at an east facing cliff camp site that Deirdra and I had Claimed the night before. We field day’ed the area (that’s military speak for clean up trash). Finished that with time to spare. We took the kids up the trail. Where a rope swing hung from an old Pine. Took some turns flying out over the valley. Soon we heard the deep low rumble of Choppers announcing the arrival of the Fastlane Crew, Torsten and Jason. Up the dirt road came Case in his Redneck Cadillac (Pick-up) with Jenni, followed by the Choppers,. A loud whine announced the Brothers from Oracal and Marana as they came racing up on Quads covered in dust, they road through the desert and up the backside of the Mountain. Followed by Deirdra and Catfish in my Redneck Cadillac, Chris in the Rubicon, and Danny Boy, Jennifer their kids in his super sized 350 with Jared and Freshie in the back.

After settling in and greetings, we prepared for our usual Unsomber Joyful Blot. Blot went off with Joy and Smiles as we welcomed Ostara and welcomed her Spring. Though sick children, work and other unforeseeable things kept our number to about half. They were remembered in toast’s.

After Blot some over grown children raced for the rope swing (Deirdra/Torsten) and the Clan moved that way. For some fun in the sun. While back at camp kinship was shared by both old friends and newly met folk.

All too soon it was time to begin returning to cell phone range, some to work, some to get daughters off to Prom. I have photos to sort, cd’s to burn and of course the Myspace Albums to create. But all that will wait as I simply enjoy the time spent with My Family and Folk.

So where are we now? Since being asked to coordinate the book drive in late March we have sent out eight packages. To Herlong, Ca , Gatesville, Tx , Sheridan, OR  (X2), Trenton, N.J.,  San Diego CA, Tucson, Az (X2) .

Hail the Odinic Rite! Hail Blod Tru Hearth A.O.R.! After a week worth of rain storms and steady drizzle, Ostara released us from the dreadful but necessary embrace. The sun shone bright; a break past the shady clouds to cleanse us of gloom and plant new growth of the spirit, awaken our holy mother Jorth, and light the way towards bright Balder. It left us with a sigh of relief, Ostaras’s bounty.

Garman was able to get outside to our preferred land/blot site and do the reclamation ritual. His initiative gave the area its own luminous litr’. After the usual greetings took place, we entered the site throl3gh the north cardinal point and formed the holy Ve. There were ten of us in attendance: proud Odinists, ready to give reverence to our Holy High Ones and bring in the Spring in a dynamic way.

Our Gothi recited the Invocation from memory again. I can always appreciate the preparation that goes into that; it lends that much more strength to it because of the visualization aspect involved. It’s a Spring all in itself. Kinsman Helgi was allotted the first reading and I, myself, the second.
At this point in the blot, the Gothi turned to his left and faced Kinsman Helgi. By unanimous approval of the Hearth, the Gothi honoured Helgi with apprenticeship into Blod Tru Hearth. And in return with honour, Helgi accepted. I make this sound so formal because it is and this was a moment that reminded me of something out of the Sagas. It had an ancestral appeal.

The Gealdor took on a life of its own. We implemented the call and response method and I wonder just how loud we really were. The combined energy forces of the Gothi and the responding Kinsmen took me to a transcendent state as if the Heildan became my own Shamanistic journey. It was as if time ceased to exist and we were just one great being bigger than our physical selves. It was awesome.

I couldn’t believe how quickly we arrived at the Memory Cup but that’s how it goes when everything is in synchronicity. Good toasts and good cheer, wassail!
We wrapped this blot up with our spirits burning bright. Berkano released a bright Kenaz fire at the perfect time. Being in tune with the changing of the seasons is refreshing this time of year. New life to our holy mother Jorth and new life to ourselves in whatever way that may be is essential to Nature. Odin’s Holy Nation moves forward. Hail you Kinsmen and Kinswomen of the Odinic Rite doing this very same thing worldwide. You light the way for the Re-Awakening of our folk.