Members of FoNT at Yule 2026
The Northern Traditions - AKA heathenry, Nordic paganism, and dozens of other names - has no Pope. It has no dogma, no infallible holy text. It is, by its nature, a decentralized path. This path is not a single paved road through the forest. It is the forest itself. Wanderers travel through it, treading their own unique path, seekers of wisdom, of mystery, of beauty, of honor, and other ideals that we denizens of Midgard aspire to. The gods call to us, and we answer the call, from all different walks of life, from all across the body of Jörð.
The Fellowship of Northern Traditions was founded with these ideas in mind. We wanted a place for the wanderers, those who forge their own path. We did not want to be the arbiters of what was the “correct” way to practice. Rather, we wanted to light a fire around which the folk could discuss what works for them. We did not want to be the gatekeeper, dictating who could and could not practice. Rather, we wanted to open our gate to all who could answer one simple, timeless question: do you come in peace?
We recognize that the world is, and always has been, a divided place. We choose to focus on what unites us. If you can agree, you are welcome around our fire. We do not claim to speak for the gods, or question who they call. Of course, we recognize that there have always been those who claim to speak for the gods, who attempt to use the human instinct to reach for the divine for their own political agendas. This is obviously present in pagan communities today, from those who claim that only people of certain races can worship the Nordic deities, to those who conduct ideological purity tests, whether theological or political, in order to be a member of their community. This is never what we sought. But we are not without demands. We demand honor and respect to the gods, the spirits, and the folk.
That final word is worth examining - folk. We are aware that the word “folk” is controversial. Those who exclude other pagans from their community on the basis of race are often referred to as “folkists.” What do we mean when we say folk? Who are the folk? Our honored dead and all those who gather around our fire. That’s it. Nothing else. No qualifications based on race, sexual orientation, gender, ideological purity to a particular political or theological dogma, or any other basis. The qualification is respect and honor to the gods, the folk who gather alongside you, and the spirits.
We often receive inquiries as to what values we represent as a community. From the beginning, we have asked all those who wish to gather around our fire to sign an Acknowledgment of Core Values. For increased transparency, we choose now to publish these values publicly.
Our Core Values:
In this community we gather to honor the gods, the spirits, and the folk. We honor the gods with our deeds and our worship. We honor the spirits with our respect and care for the land. We honor the folk by treating other members of the community with respect and through the reverence of those who came before us.
We hold our fellows with the utmost respect. Our beliefs will differ, this is a strength of our community. Respect other people’s paths.
We will not tolerate discrimination against members on the basis of race, gender, sexual orientation, etc. It is not our place to decide who the gods call to.
Intentionally divisive topics such as politics, drama, or other general sources of infighting are to be avoided. Leave such squabbles at the door.
Do not engage in any behavior that could cause harm to others.
Harassment will not be tolerated.
We are all equals. Please do not act as if you are superior to others, whether you are brand new to the faith or a long time follower. We all have something to learn from each other.
Act with honor, and you will always have a seat around our fire.
These are, verbatim, the core values to which all those who have ever attended our events have agreed. If you can agree as well, you are welcome at our fire. We don’t have to agree on everything to respect, appreciate, and learn from one another. Far from it. People of different minds, on different paths, coming together around the fire, sharing the warmth, sharing a horn of mead, sharing ideas - this is its own form of powerful magic. We don’t have to all think the same way, but perhaps, we can all heal, learn, and grow in the same place - around the fire, with mutual honor and respect.
