The Odin Brotherhood is a secret society dating back to the fifteenth century that practices the ancient Germanic warrior religion now called Odinism. Members of the Brotherhood use the Eddaic Verses, also called the Poetic Edda, as a kind of scripture.
Members claim their pagan order was established in 1421 to protect the ancient religion during the persecution of the "Burning Times", and they insist it has existed in unbroken lineage to the present. If the claim is accurate, the Odin Brotherhood resembles the Tariquat, the secret brotherhoods in Islam that sustain the traditions underground in times of intense persecution.
In its current form, membership in the Odin Brotherhood is clandestine–as in the so-called Illuminati. The objectives of the Odin Brotherhood are stated publically, as in the legendary Rosicrucians. Secret societies are still illegal in some countries. As Nick Harding points out in Secret Societies, for example, they are forbidden by the constitution of Poland.
Discovery and exposure of the Brotherhood today
Germanic Mysticism, Revivalism and Nazism
. Notable Advocates
Guido von List · Karl Spiesberger
Freya Aswynn · Andrea M. (Nebel) Haugen
Siegfried Adolf Kummer · Friedrich Bernhard Marby
Karl Maria Wiligut · Lanz von LiebenfelsWilhelm Wulff · Stephen A. McNallen
Heimgest · Stephen E. Flowers · Ludwig Straniak
A. Frank Glahn · Peryt Shou · Nigel Pennick
Rudolf John Gorsleben · Werner von Bulow
Else Christensen · Sveinbjörn Beinteinsson
Alexander Rud Mills · E. Max Hyatt (Edred Wodanson)
Unholy Alliance · Reveal the Power of the Pendulum
Black Sun · Occult Reich · Zodiac and Swastika
Gods of the Blood · Invisible Eagle · Pagan Resurrection
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The Odin Brotherhood's first expose into the general public came to light in 1992 with the publication of the book 'The Odin Brotherhood' by Professor Mark L. Mirabello, who is the professor of European History at Shawnee State University.
First contact was made when Mirabello encountered a silver-haired gentleman in a bookshop in Leith in Scotland while conducting doctoral research in history at Scotland's University of Glasgow.
The gentleman, whom called himself Lodur's Friend (in honour of the enigmatic god of the Eddaic Verses), was of eastern European ethnicity and was holding, according to Mirabello, a peculiar cane adorned with the images of the serpent and the ass, the two animals that speak in the bible. Both were examining occult books. The gentleman noticed that Mirabello was studying a book called the 'The Brotherhood of the Rosy Cross' by Arthur Edward Waite. During this encounter the gentleman pointed out that "The rose symbolizes secrecy" while pointing to an engraving in Mirabello's book on the Rosy Cross. The gentleman went on to say that "Since we speak sub rosa or 'under the rose', our discussion must remain forever secret."
The man asked Mirabello several details about his life to which the man responded to response pointing out "meaningful coincidences". See 'A Statement on the Odin Brotherhood' by Dr. Mark L. Mirabello for more details on these "meaningful coincidences".
Several months passed before Mirabello saw the old man again, which occurred at the Atlantis Bookshop [1], an occult emporium near the British Museum in London, England.
"Blind loyalty is a virtue in a dog, but it is an offense in a human being" declared the stranger, when he noticed Mirabello studying an obscure essay on faith.
Mirabello has stated that since he was interested in the stranger's knowledge they became friends and that they began to meet for dinner, usually in Edinburgh or London, at which time the stranger introduced him to a "circle of fascinating individuals". This gathering of friends for a meal (which only dined at night, during the time of the new moon), referred to itself as a conventicle, was by invitation only, and those that 'feared' or 'hated' authority were excluded. Mirabello states that those that 'laughed at' authority were welcome. The meals always adjourned before dawn.
Some years after the publication of Mirabello's book, the anonymous and privately printed Teachings of the Odin Brotherhood began to circulate. Copies of the latter are rare.
Theology, devotion, and ethics
Although Odinism never became extinct—hundreds of millions of people have honored the Eddaic pantheon (in its Vedic form) in the Indian subcontinent since Neolithic times--some scholars classify the movement as a neopagan revival.
Initiation into the Odin Brotherhood–which only occurs at the solstices–involves a diet of bread and ice, a dagger, a sacred fire, and small incisions on the body. From the beginning, the movement–in spite of its name–has included women. The Odin Brotherhood embraces polytheism. The gods, who include Odin, Thor, Frigga, Heimdallr, Baldur, Bragi, Vidar, Tyr, Freyja, and the other Æsir and Vanir beings in the Norse pantheon, are viewed as powerful entities that are finite in nature. Humanoid in shape--neither omnipotent nor omniscient--the gods are physical beings that inhabit hidden corridors in the universe. Often appearing on earth in disguise, they are known by many names in many languages. Odin, for example, appears also as Hermes and Rudra.
Believing in direct contact with the gods, the Odin Brotherhood teaches that the deities typically communicate with humanity through a system of "messengers and spies."
Devotionally, members of the Odin Brotherhood do not worship the gods on their knees. Refusing to be slaves, Odinists admire the gods but do not grovel before them.
Ethically, the Odin Brotherhood creates no laws, only virtues. It glorifies “thought, courage, honor, light, and beauty.” The Odin Brotherhood represents strength over weakness, pride over humility, and knowledge over faith.
A tradition for warriors, the Odin Brotherhood teaches that "when the gods made man, they made a weapon."
Death and afterlife
The Odin Brotherhood teaches that all beings ultimately experience death. In poetic terms, death is personified as beautiful females--called the valkyries--who exist "in an endless variety of exquisite forms."
Since death is not annihilation, the "transfigured life form" will go to one of three Other-Worlds. The most famous of these "Other-Worlds" is Valhalla.
In cosmic terms, death is described as Ragnarök, the final battle which destroys every universe. According to the Odin Brotherhood, Ragnarök is an "orgy of purification" from which a new cosmos is born. The cycle of destruction and rebirth--which will go on forever--is called the "Law-of-the-Endless-Circle."
Also called the eternal return, the "Law-of-the-Endless-Circle" teaches that existence never ends with destruction. “Nothing dies forever,” and all beings—and all things—will return.
