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Just as with many organisations and faiths, the Assembly of The Elder Troth too has special days and events which are celebrated by many Asatruar. The links below provide a list of months and the events that you will find occur during those months. We hope you find the information both informative and useful.

From Living Asatru: A handbook of Simple Celebrations by Stephen A. McNallen, 1993.
Edited and adapted by Rurik Grimnisson, Shope and Steersman of the A.E.T. Inc.1996.

Day of Rememberance for Herman of the Cherusci

September 9th (Suggested)

Few mortals have been privileged to serve our Folk as greatly as did Herman, a leader of the German tribe called the Cherusci. His people were under the heel of Rome, and he himself served the Imperial standard as a mercenary. Carefully, he learned the ways of war as taught in the world's most efficient army. Then, when the time was right, he led the Cherusci in revolt. His most memorable victory was the annihilation of Varus' three legions in the Teutoberger Forest in the autumn of 9 C.E.

Thanks to Herman's rallying of the Cherusci, the Roman advance across the Rhine was drastically slowed. Had he not bought us time as he did, Roman settlements would have sprung up deep in German territory, bringing a cultural mish-mash from all over the Empire into our heartland. Herman gave us the time and territory we needed.

Here are some ways to honour Herman:

• Go to a German restaurant. Better yet, use your Teutonic self-reliance and cook a German meal at home. Toast Herman with fine wine from the Fatherland.
• Herman learned from his enemies, then used the knowledge he had acquired against them. How can you benefit from studying the ways of your own foe?
• Find an encyclopedia or other reference work, and read the story of Herman.
• Join the local German-Australian club and support the culture for which Herman fought. While you're at it, decide to attend next month's Oktoberfest.
• The Cherusci triumph was partly due to the German forests, which gave cover to the tribal forces and allowed them to cut the Roman legions to pieces in the forbidding terrain. Plant a tree (an oak?) in honour of the Continental woodlands that helped give us this victory.
• Read The Eagle and the Raven by Pauline Gedge, even though it's not about the Germans! This glorious and tragic novel tells the story of the British tribes' struggle to keep their independence from Rome. The situation parallels that of their German cousins - and has important lessons for us today.
• Give thanks to the God Tyr, deity of the just victory. Do something conspicuously honourable, so your deeds match your words.

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