! Assembly of The Elder Troth - Rememberance Day for Raud the Strong !

What is The AET?

Contacts Database

The Assembly of The Elder Troth would like to welcome you to our website. Please click on the links to the left to enter the relevant area of our site.

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 Raud the Strong

January 9th (Suggested)

A long time ago, back when King Olaf Tryggvason was converting Norway to Christianity by the time-honoured method of killing heathens, there lived a man named Raud the Strong. Like other truly strong men, he was a follower of the old Nordic Gods and had little time for the newly-mandated faith.

Raud was not only strong, he was also rich and influential - which made him an especially tempting target for the royal wrath. Tryggvason, hereafter known as Olaf the Lawbreaker for his numerous crimes against Norwegian law and custom, had him captured and forced to swallow a snake, resulting in his death. This got rid of an influential Asaman and cleared the way for the king to confiscate his land for his own use.

I have always thought that Raud must have been a Thor's man. First of all, "raud" means "red", the colour most associated with our blustery, thundering friend. And of course Thor is most renowned for his strength. Finally, there is the matter of that snake, a tiny cousin to old redbeard's nemesis, the World Serpent.

How to honour Raud:

His name wasn't Raud the Sissy. Do something to get strong today! Work on your physical fitness by exercise and good health habits. Sign on at a health club, or go jogging, or give up smoking.
Make the Hammersign over your meals today, in memory of Raud and his probable patron, Thor.
Meditate on the rune thurisaz ( , "the strong one").
Send a contribution to an Asatru organisation. Write "Choke on it, Tryggvason!" at the bottom of your explanatory note.
Light a red candle, symbolising that the spirit of courage and defiance yet lives.
Think, and write - What were Raud's virtues, and what can you do to increase their presence in your personality? What do you plan to do about them?

HOME | Calendar Home | Top Of Page

Page maintained by Schmitt Services

Last Update: Monday, June 30, 2003