The two main “forces” that make up our entire cosmos, the two forces whose relationship is what creates entire worldviews, are cosmic order and natural law.
Cosmic order is the Æsir (not initially including the Vanir) in Ásatrú, or Yahweh/Jehovah/Allah in the Abrahamic faiths. It is the “supernatural,” the heavenly, the higher truths of the world.
Natural law is the Vanir in Ásatrú, and simply the natural world in general. It is exactly what it sounds like—nature, land, and sea—basic truths.
As mentioned above, the relationship between these two primordial forces is what makes up the foundation of every worldview. For example, in monotheistic faiths, cosmic order should trample and conquer natural law. This is clear in Christianity, where this world and its laws and machinations are seen as a prison of suffering, nothing more than a punishment for the righteous Christian to pass through in order to get to their afterlife. Think of all of the “be IN the world, not OF the world” bumper stickers you see on the way to AFA events!
In modern atheism or “science” worship, cosmic order is absent, but natural law must still be subdued by man. This life is their *only* life, but nature is still seen as barbaric and evil.
In Aryan faith, and likely many other pre-monotheism faiths, these two forces compliment each other. Cosmic order is “higher” than natural law, yes, but it does not conquer it. It works alongside it, the two both being necessary and integral pieces to the tapestry that is the Nine Worlds. The only time in our stories where cosmic order and natural law clashed is represented by the Æsir-Vanir War, before the Vanir joined the Æsir. This is symbolic of cosmic order’s true relationship with natural law; the two working together, with natural law almost being a part of cosmic order.
Witan Erickson wisely noted once that the worldviews that despise natural law are world-rejecting faiths, while Ásatrú is a world-affirming faith. We recognize that this life is good, that this life is worth living, and that our corner of Miðgarðr is worth fighting for.
The Æsir gave us this world and this life, with all of its creatures and its laws, so that we may make use of it and enjoy its many bounties! We do not hide from nature, and we do not look forward to some sort of apocalypse where our Gods will burn it all down. It is not only possible, but also morally correct, to both worship the Æsir AND love the world they gave us!
Goði Trent East
~ From The Runestone, November 2024 ~