Raven Laws

One People, United in Purpose…

Raven Folk United is a community of individuals and kindreds who adhere to the indigenous spiritual practices and religious traditions of our Northwest European ancestors, known as Ásatrú, Heathenry, Odinism, and Forn Siðr, among other names. Historically, our people have belonged to many unique tribes, yet we all share an intricately woven tapestry of Wyrd that continues to take shape as we express our native and natural state of being. We are not the result of accidental circumstances; we were endowed with the gifts of life from our Gods—our most ancient ancestors—who have deliberately intended for us to wisely use and bequeath the interests which have culminated from their collective efforts. We have an intergenerational imperative to preserve our distinct culture, traditions, spirituality, and ethnic identities in the forms we have inherited them. Our folk, our customs, and our very right to self-determination have been targeted and undermined by foreign peoples and ideologies in the past, as well as in the present day. Like the Tribes of Germania who rallied under the leadership of Hermann of the Cheruscii against Roman tyranny, necessity has demanded that our folk band together for the sake of protecting our traditional ways of life. These sacred tokens are not ours to spend, but to safeguard for our posterity. 

Therefore, for the persistence, integrity, and sovereignty of the Raven Folk, let these Raven Laws be upheld…

I. Ethics

The safety and well-being of our folk, families, and foremost–our children–requires that Raven Folk United hold certain positive expectations for its members in order to ensure that we continue to abide by the tenets of our ancestral faith, maintain a thriving community, and avoid harm and wrongdoing.

i. Gods of Order

Raven Folk United honors our European ancestors, ethnic ancestral Gods, and other benevolent spirits, while never hailing or inviting any entities of foreign, negative, or chaotic disposition or energies into our circle. We aim to build true bonds of reciprocity with our sacred Gods and will always approach ritual with honor and respect.

ii. Self-Determination 

Raven Folk United exists to preserve the indigenous folkways of our Northwestern European forebears. This requires limiting our membership only to individuals of ethnic European ancestry and spirituality. We encourage all tribes of the world to do the same. Diluting the authority, wisdom, and customs of our native faith with foreign and universalist ideologies threatens to obscure and destroy the sacred heritage of our folk. Abrahamic moral frameworks, progressive humanitarian ethics, miscegenation, and syncretism are all prohibited integrations. Accordingly, active membership is conditional, revocable, and governed by conduct alone.

iii. Frith

Frith is essential to a functional and thriving community. More than idle peace, frith is the proactive maintenance of mutually-beneficial social bonds. To these ends, Raven Folk United expects its members to demonstrate reciprocity with the folk and the Gods, and for members to honor their oaths and friendships without fail. Disrespectful, threatening, destructive, and otherwise antisocial behavior which harms the frith within our community will not be tolerated. 

iv. Unity

Raven Folk United will gladly work alongside any organization or kindred that abides by the same values and encourages the greater unity of our tribes, however, members of Raven Folk United are discouraged from affiliating with any individuals or organizations that denigrate or dishonor our folk. While we encourage all kindreds to govern themselves to the best of their own abilities, for the well-being and the safety of our community, Raven Folk United maintains that the good standing of all affiliations will be judged in accordance with these Raven Laws.

v. Unblemished Integrity

As a religious organization, setting a well-mannered example for our folk on the spiritual path of our forebears is primary to our mission. Raven Folk United does not have any political affiliations. Members are permitted to have their own personal opinions and relationships regarding matters of civic engagement, however, Raven Folk United expects any of its members to continuously abide by a high standard of both personal and professional conduct. Furthermore, speaking to an audience of any size while posing as an official representative of Raven Folk United is prohibited without expressed authorization. This includes using the group’s name for personal disputes or ideological declarations.

II. Intolerable Conduct

Antisocial behavior which either intentionally or accidentally undermines the integrity of the Raven Folk United community will be suppressed with proportional measures. All forms of Intolerable Conduct fall under one of the following categories: Disruptive, Hostile, Undermining, Parasitic, Nið, and Ergi. Each category is listed in order of most broad to most specific, and each category may be refined by terms from all categories beneath it.

i. Disruptive

Disruptive behavior includes any actions which result in the loss of frith, loss of trust, loss of resources without predisclosed risk, internal conflict, external exposure, and disruption of operations.

ii. Hostile

Hostile behavior is an open demonstration of the will to harm Raven Folk United or its members. Harm may be physical, financial, or reputational.

iii. Undermining

Undermining behavior demonstrates the will to defect from agreed-upon rules and roles, primarily for the purpose of substituting one kind of authority for another. Undermining behavior includes gossiping, repeated obstruction without proposing solutions, derailing discussions, relitigating settled matters without new evidence, and loyalty tests based on personal allegiance rather than law.

iv. Parasitic

Parasitic behavior which results in the irreciprocal transfer of resources will not be tolerated. Raven Folk United operates largely from volunteer effort. Raven Folk United makes attempts to support our folk who are in need, however, treating the community as a service provider is indignifying to both parties and will not be permitted without a demonstration of some returned investment (participation and/or volunteer effort, repayment of funds, demonstrated improvement of personal responsibility, etc). Furthermore, treating shared assets as personal property, using communal funds, tools, or labor for private gain is prohibited.

v. Nið

Niðs are damnable offenses according to our Gods. They may be atoned for, but incur personal dishonor to one’s reputation, and punishment at the Helþing. Raven Folk United will not accept members who have not atoned for past niðs, and reserves the right to expel members who commit them. Historically attested niðs include the following: murder, perjury, adultery, sacrilege, greed, thievery, treason, slander, and cruelty. Furthermore, he who speaks blasphemy against the Gods, profanes a blót, or desecrates a sacred site shall be expelled from Raven Folk United.

vi. Ergi

Ergi acts are violations of the natural order which invite chaos and destruction amongst every society which tolerates them. To be found guilty of ergi behavior will result in expulsion from Raven Folk United. Historically attested ergi behavior includes the following: cowardice, perversion, sexual violence, effeminacy, homosexuality, cross-dressing, harmful sorcery, and degeneracy. Furthermore, Raven Folk United has a zero tolerance policy for substance abuse to excess, the use of hard drugs, and the harm of a woman or child in any form. These behaviors are a danger to both our folk and our future.

III. Enforcement

Violations of virtues, customs, and laws are handled in an order which escalates proportionally to the nature of the violation: warning (correction, reminder); restitution (apology, material recompense, ritual atonement, or other repair of harm); loss of role (demotion from leadership positions, restricted access and privileges); suspension (temporary); and expulsion (permanent). Any enforcement protocol must be initiated as a response to an observed antisocial behavior or reported incident provided with evidence of the violation of virtues, customs, or laws.

i. Impartial Ethics

All disputes which arise within Raven Folk United will be arbitrated by its Goðar and any relevant leadership. Protocols for investigation, cross-examination, and settlement require decisions to be made based on reliable evidence.  No member, kindred, or figure of leadership may claim exemption from the execution of ancestral law within Raven Folk United, nor atonement for the violations thereof. Let no man be beyond reproach or accountability for his deeds, including disciplinary action if his words or deeds are deserving. You will always know what you have done and the Gods are always watching.

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