Who We Are
The Iron Wood Kindred is a different kind of Northern Tradition religious group.
We are not affiliated with any other Heathen, Asatru, or Pagan organization, nor do we intend to be so in the future. (We are also not the same folks as the Ironwood Kindred Asatru prison group.)
We are not a local group. Anyone can theoretically join this kindred if the gydja says so, no matter where they live. That said, it is likely that all meetings and events will take place somewhere in New England.
We are a fully non-racist group. Anyone can join, regardless of their racial and ethnic background. It doesn't matter if you don't have a drop of European blood at all, so long as you love and revere the Gods and wights of the Northern Traditions. Disagreement with this policy will not be tolerated in this kindred.
We are a fully non-homophobic group. No one in our kindred will be discriminated against for reasons of being GLBT, polyamorous, or having unusual consenting adult sexual practices. All permutations of ergi are honored and accepted. Disagreement with this policy will not be tolerated in this kindred.
We are a fully non-sexist group. No one will be banned from any general activity or position in our kindred due to their gender, although small gender-specific sub-groups may be allowed so long as their boundaries are clearly stated and are not due to assumptions of the inferiority of any gender.
We are not a separatist group. Any deities or wights of the Northern pantheons are worthy of reverence and honor, and therefore we honor the Rokkr and Jotnar, the Duergar and Alfar, and of course the Aesir and Vanir. There are no forbidden deities in our view. Any member of our kindred may also belong to as many other traditions and religious groups and work with as many non-Northern deities and spirits in their own personal practice as seems right to them. Disagreement with this policy will not be tolerated in this kindred.
Iron Wood Kindred is formally dedicated to Angrboda, the Hagia and Chieftain of the Iron Wood Jotnar, and to Her consort Loki, Laufey’s Son. You do not need to be a dedicant of either of these deities to join, but you must be willing to show Them honor as the kindred’s patrons. Disagreement with this will definitely not be tolerated.
We are a UPG-friendly group. While we have a great deal of respect for lore, we understand that UPG is a side effect of directly working with actual living Gods, and we encourage people to discuss and work with their personal gnosis. Many of our rites and practices are/will be based on PCPG (peer-corroborated personal gnosis).
We are a kindred who value courtesy and tolerance. We take the thew of hospitality very seriously, and rude behavior towards or from guests at our meetings and events will not be tolerated. Those who cannot continue to be courteous after imbibing at our events will be forbidden to indulge at future events. Inability to refrain from discourteousness towards other members or guests or disruptive behavior at kindred events will not be tolerated in our group.
We are a kindred that values direct religious contact with the Gods and wights whom we love, revere, and work with, and whose presence in our lives blesses us. We welcome spirit-workers, god-thralls, Northern shamans, vitkis, volvas, seidberenderen, and others whose work is mediation between the Worlds. We welcome worship and ritual that calls the Gods directly into our lives.
That being said, if you are a lay Heathen/Pagan or otherwise not interested in magic, shamanic work or priestly duties, and simply wish to join the kindred and participate in whatever we do as a group, you are more than welcome to inquire. It is not a requirement that you be a spirit-worker or clergy to join -- only that you adhere to the aforementioned policies of the kindred and are willing to honor the Northern Tradition deities with an open heart. We value the experience and knowledge of all our members, regardless of the level of divine interference in their lives. We also welcome those who are not GLBT, kinky or polyamorous – our intent is to be inclusive rather than exclusive, and to respect each other rather than view our differences as a point of contention.
Finally, while we respect our members’ personal privacy, membership in Iron Wood Kindred is not confidential, and if you really wish to join the kindred, you must be willing to identify yourself to other members and to be reasonably open about it with non-members. We will not grant membership to those who wish to keep their affiliation with us or their worship of certain deities a secret from the greater Heathen/Pagan community. Exceptions to this rule include issues of child custody, job security or other legal concerns – however, they do not include “because I don’t want people to know I associate with queers, transgendered people, Lokeans and those other ‘freaks.’”
The primary reason this kindred was founded was that many of us are tired of being told that “people like you” are unwanted in various mainstream groups and/or that our dedication to certain non-Aesic or Vanic deities has no place in Northern Tradition religion. While we are not and will not be formally associated with any other kindred or religious organization, we also believe that individually and collectively, we have nothing to hide and nothing to be ashamed of. This is why we are making this public announcement – to let other like-minded folks know that there exists a Northern Tradition-based group that will not refuse them admittance or attendance for similar reasons other groups may have done in the past.
Iron Wood Kindred sponsors EtinMoot, a yearly gathering in honor of the Jotnar. EtinMoot is a public gathering. You do not have to be a kindred member to come to EtinMoot, nor must you necessarily come to EtinMoot to attain membership in the kindred – although the gydja and other kindred members generally attend each year and it is a good way to get to know us before making a commitment. All of our other activities and events are private and limited to members and their friends and families.
Although Iron Wood Kindred is based in New England, we do have members from other areas and from overseas. Please contact the gydja, Elizabeth Vongvisith, for more information about the kindred, website questions or link suggestions.