Steve's Comments
Roots of the Irminenschaft, Feb 13, 2011 (used by permission)
The roots of Irminenschaft lie in the Armanic Renaissance during the First Reawakening. It is, thus, much older than Ásatrú, Théodish Belief, and even Odinism (Odinism was also born during the First Reawakening but the efforts of A. R. Mills were still a decade or two after the corresponding movements in Germany began). In keeping with the Armanen tradition, the name Irminenschaft is a German play on words that means both “Armanenschaft” and simultaneously “Odinism”. It represents the German tradition of Heathenry as it has come down to us through the ages.
While our tradition emerged out of the Armanic movement, our influences have been much wider than Armanenschaft, as we represent the whole of the German tradition. Movements in this direction began with writers such as Rudolf John Gorsleben who coalesced the ideas coming from the various movements across Germany at the time including those began by Prof. Ludwig Fahenkrog, Peryt Shou, and others. The Irminic tradition continues this, with much of our influence coming from Friedrich Bernhard Marby, the Grimm brothers and Karl Maria Wiligut.
The German tradition includes ancient sources, of course. die Merseburger Zaubersprüche, Der Nibelungenlied, Der Heliand, and the Germania by Corneilius Tacitus being the most significant. Like the Anglo-Saxon tradition, one may also find a number of brief references interspersed in other materials. Sadly, the German tradition lacks any convenient mythological compendium equivalent to the Eddas.
The recent Irminic revival began with an organization known as the Irminsul Volksstamm, which came into being as something of a breakoff from the Odinic Rite [Vinland] headed by Deitrich (sometimes writing under the name of Osferth). This group was predominantly composed of ex-Théodmen, and, as a result, much of Théodish theory and practice were absorbed into the Irminic tradition. Upon the dissolution of the Irminsul Volksstamm (caused by internal disruptions) the Irminen-Gesellschaft was formed in its stead by Hjuka Coulter. Early in its development I was asked to take over much of the public relations work for the IG. My own Odinist background moved much of the IG toward less Théodish influence into a more Odinic direction. Hjuka left his position as president in the Spring of 2010, asking me to take over the presidency in his stead. I agreed to do so on a temporary basis until someone more qualified might be elected to fill that slot. That person had not been found.
Other Irminic organizations have cropped up here and there, mostly copying the work of the IG. To my knowledge, though, none have withstood the tests of time. The Irminen-Gesellschaft officially closed its doors in March of 2012, but the work of that organization will continue through the Irminen Gefolgschaft.
Many ask what we mean when we say that we represent „the German tradition as it has come down through the ages“. What we mean by this is that we do not attempt to recreate Heathendom as it was in the 13th century or the 9th, or what have you; but instead we practice the German tradition as it has evolved in accordance with Rita (the rhythm of cosmic law). Just as we are not trying to reinvent the past, we are not trying to create something new, either – we are simply building upon that which has been handed to us.
Is the German tradition the same as the Scandinavian? For the most part, yes. We do honour some deities that don't exist in the Scandinavian pantheon(s), just as Scandinavian honour some deities that are unknown to us. Some differences in ritual and ritual objects exist. But for the most part the difference is much more in cultural flavour than in anything concrete.
The German tradition bears much more in common with the Anglo-Saxon tradition. The only significant differences between the German and the English stem from the fact that the two countries have seen very divergent histories, especially in the years after the Middle Ages.
While our tradition emerged out of the Armanic movement, our influences have been much wider than Armanenschaft, as we represent the whole of the German tradition. Movements in this direction began with writers such as Rudolf John Gorsleben who coalesced the ideas coming from the various movements across Germany at the time including those began by Prof. Ludwig Fahenkrog, Peryt Shou, and others. The Irminic tradition continues this, with much of our influence coming from Friedrich Bernhard Marby, the Grimm brothers and Karl Maria Wiligut.
The German tradition includes ancient sources, of course. die Merseburger Zaubersprüche, Der Nibelungenlied, Der Heliand, and the Germania by Corneilius Tacitus being the most significant. Like the Anglo-Saxon tradition, one may also find a number of brief references interspersed in other materials. Sadly, the German tradition lacks any convenient mythological compendium equivalent to the Eddas.
The recent Irminic revival began with an organization known as the Irminsul Volksstamm, which came into being as something of a breakoff from the Odinic Rite [Vinland] headed by Deitrich (sometimes writing under the name of Osferth). This group was predominantly composed of ex-Théodmen, and, as a result, much of Théodish theory and practice were absorbed into the Irminic tradition. Upon the dissolution of the Irminsul Volksstamm (caused by internal disruptions) the Irminen-Gesellschaft was formed in its stead by Hjuka Coulter. Early in its development I was asked to take over much of the public relations work for the IG. My own Odinist background moved much of the IG toward less Théodish influence into a more Odinic direction. Hjuka left his position as president in the Spring of 2010, asking me to take over the presidency in his stead. I agreed to do so on a temporary basis until someone more qualified might be elected to fill that slot. That person had not been found.
Other Irminic organizations have cropped up here and there, mostly copying the work of the IG. To my knowledge, though, none have withstood the tests of time. The Irminen-Gesellschaft officially closed its doors in March of 2012, but the work of that organization will continue through the Irminen Gefolgschaft.
Many ask what we mean when we say that we represent „the German tradition as it has come down through the ages“. What we mean by this is that we do not attempt to recreate Heathendom as it was in the 13th century or the 9th, or what have you; but instead we practice the German tradition as it has evolved in accordance with Rita (the rhythm of cosmic law). Just as we are not trying to reinvent the past, we are not trying to create something new, either – we are simply building upon that which has been handed to us.
Is the German tradition the same as the Scandinavian? For the most part, yes. We do honour some deities that don't exist in the Scandinavian pantheon(s), just as Scandinavian honour some deities that are unknown to us. Some differences in ritual and ritual objects exist. But for the most part the difference is much more in cultural flavour than in anything concrete.
The German tradition bears much more in common with the Anglo-Saxon tradition. The only significant differences between the German and the English stem from the fact that the two countries have seen very divergent histories, especially in the years after the Middle Ages.