Please join me in welcoming Nathan Erlandson of Minnesota as the AFA’s newest Apprentice Folkbuilder. Nathan has put in huge effort at Baldurshof, creating a worthy temple for the shining God. Nathan joins an amazing team in a dynamic region and we are eager to watch the growth and development of the AFA Northern Plains over the months and years to come!
Hail Nathan Erlandson!
Hail the AFA Northern Plains!
AFA member Tony Salerno, age 34, died tragically on Tuesday, December 29, in San Jose, California.
Born Antonio Amadeus Salerno on July 11, 1986 in Torrance, California, Tony lived his entire life in the central part of the state. He worked as a Bail Recovery Agent – a “bounty hunter” – and took pride in the challenges and dangers of that profession.
AFA members remember him as the muscular, intense man who was always a top contender in the “Viking Games” at Odinshof. He was an inspiration to all of us who valued strength and that virtue Hemingway called “grace under pressure.” But Tony was more than that; sitting in conversation with him at Hof events revealed an intelligent and informed man who loved his Gods, his Folk, and his family.
Tony was a health and strength enthusiast long before he came to the AFA; his family ran the Prunedale Gym and Health Club when he was young and his hobbies included archery, hockey and participating in the Highland Games strongman competitions.
Tony’s striving for improvement did not stop with athletics: A note found in his wallet after his death was a list of what appear to be reminders to himself, shown here as he wrote them –
– Constant Correct Conduct
– Remember what you have
– Grateful for the joys in my life
– Don’t frett
– This too shall pass
– Love will prevail
He is survived by his mother and father Desiree and Guy Salerno, and his 10-year old son Jaxon Odysseus Salerno.
Friends of Tony may call Jennifer Riddle at (831) 595-2314 to make contributions in his memory, to fund a Celebration of Life at a later date. Condolences may be sent to his son at13008 Jade Circle, Salinas CA 93906.
Please welcome Kelsie Stafford of California as the newest Apprentice Folkbuilder for the AFA. California is part of the AFA West region. AFA West is our most populous region and there is a lot of potential to grow and do more. We look forward to Kelsie’s success in tha area and we are eager for her help with all the needs of Óðinshof!
Hail Kelsie Stafford
I am very excited to announce Heather Young of South Carolina as the newest Apprentice Folkbuilder for the Asatru Folk Assembly. Heather is a fantastic lady that everyone who knows her is impressed by. Heather, teamed with her husband and Folkbuilder Daniel Young, will be part of an AFA power couple that will bring amazing benefits to her region and the AFA as a whole. This is great news for the AFA’s Upper South region, for Þórshof and for us all.
Hail the AFA Upper South!
Hail Heather Young!
Please welcome James Secola of California as the newest Apprentice Folkbuilder for the Asatru Folk Assembly. Jim has been a great addition at Óðinshof, always helping and always supplying amazing pictures. The AFA West region is our biggest so we definitely need a lot of help to make the most of it. We appreciate Jim stepping up and we and excited to see what he acomplishes.
Hail James Secola!
Hail the AFA West!
Please join me in welcoming Timothy Dumas of Ohio as the AFA’s newest Apprentice Folkbuilder. Timothy will join Joe Drotos folkbuilding in Ohio and the surrounding areas. This is a part of the AFA’s Midwest region and is a region that has exploded with interest in the last few years. We are eager to help Timothy find great success in all his endeavors.
Hail Timothy Dumas!
Hail the AFA Midwest!
Yesterday, at the Óðinshof Yule celebration, Krystal Bailey took her oath as an official AFA Folkbuilder. Krystal has devoted herself to our Gods and Folk over the last few years. Often missing out on the “fun” Krystal has provided for the meals and countless other projects at Óðinshof that can too often go unappreciated. She has always and continues to take care of us. Krystal has also moved to the front of the pack in the AFA’s West region when it comes with much backend administration that helps us function as a church. We deeply appreciate Krystal’s dedication and we are proud to have her in AFA Leadership.
Hail Folkbuilder Krystal Bailey!
Matthew D. Flavel
Alsherjargothi,
Asatru Folk Assembly
The AFA is proud to announce our newest Folkbuilder, Mason Johnson of Washington state. Mason joins a dynamic team in a dynamic region. The Northwest membership has grown tremendously in the last few years and we are very excited to watch this vibrant area develop. Mason comes to us very highly recommended and we have full confidence that he will be extremely successful.
Hail Mason Johnson!
Hail the AFA Northwest!
Hail the AFA!
This month, we raise a horn in honor of Egil Skallagrimsson. His deeds make up a large portion of Egil’s Saga, which also gives a glimpse into the political, social, and cultural climate of 10th century Scandinavia. The work offers us a working model of how the society of our ancestors worked, what they valued, and how things were done.
Egil was born in Iceland, in 904. His poetic gifts became apparent at the age of 3 when he composed his first poem. His ferocity also surfaced at a young age, after being cheated at a game. Young Egil returned with an ax and split the offending party’s skull. Both his poetry and ferocity would shape his life, sometimes at the same time.
After a disagreement with his father, Egil set out for Norway. While out and about with his colleagues, they were received by a servant of the king, Bard. This man was less than hospitable towards them, until a feast later that night. Egil began to taunt Bard viciously via poem, and Bard poisoned his drink. Egil carved runes on the poisoned horn, and it shattered. He then stabbed Bard and left. While the king sent out a search party to capture Egil, the matter was eventually settled monetarily.
Egil spent the next 5 decades touring the seas of northern Europe. His talents and skills were showcased many more times, whether fighting for a king, erecting a nithing pole to drive an offending party away from the land, or using rune magic to cure a gravely ill woman. Egil’s poetic gifts also remained with him throughout his life. Some of these poems were in praise of the living, others in tribute to the dead. Egil even composed a poem that so flattered a king, that this king spared his life. In his final years, and in declining health, Egil returned to his native Iceland. He died in 995, after burying his fortune. When his remains were to be moved, a priest is said to have hit Egil’s skull with an ax. The bone is alleged to have not broken, but just turned white at the point of impact.
Egil has also found himself a topic of scientific conversation. In the last several decades, scientists have begun to question the causes of his unusual appearance, as well as the durability of his skull. As his father and grandfather were also described as having similar unique features, geneticists have begun to look more closely at several possibilities, leading to more genetic research involving the Folk at large. While no conclusions have been made, new discoveries about our DNA are always a boon and may prove useful to future generations. May Egil continue to inspire our Folk, in poetry, bravery, or discovery!
Hail Egil Skallagrimsson!
Anna Szczepanski
Gythia,
Asatru Folk Assembly
The AFA is proud to introduce Andrew Johnston of Colorado as our newest Apprentice Folkbuilder! Andrew will be helping out Jason Plourde in the AFA Four Corners region, a region that is seeing increased activity recently. Let’s give Andrew a warm welcome and watch as his successes pile up.
Matthew D. Flavel
Alsherjargothi,
Asatru Folk Assembly