Open Days
OPEN DAYS AT THE NEWARK ODINIST TEMPLE ARE HELD ON MOST WEDNESDAYS FROM 1pm TO 5pm. IF YOU ARE TRAVELLING FROM SOME DISTANCE, IT IS BEST TO CHECK BEFOREHAND THAT THE OPEN DAY IS GOING AHEAD, SO FEEL FREE TO E-MAIL US AT [email protected]. AND OF COURSE TEMPLE MEMBERS MEET REGULARLY AT THE FESTIVALS TO CELEBRATE THE SACRIFICE. SEE YOU THERE!
A FILM ABOUT THE TEMPLE
At last, an excellent film about the Newark Odinist Temple has been produced with great professionalism and creative aplomb. The Director is “The Wessex Nomad”, and it will be of particular interest to those who have not yet been able to visit our beautiful, little, heathen Temple in the middle of England. I particularly liked the fact that so many different voices expressed varying views about the Temple, and how this was presented as part of a wider debate concerning the interface between a growing Odinism and a declining Christianity. The section of the film about the deceased Lance Corporal and his military headstone emblazoned with the Thor’s Hammer brought a tear to my eye.
Not only will this do wonders in spreading the message of England’s old religion, but it will also torpedo malign misrepresentations by ne’er-do-wells.
If you want to view it, you can find it using this link: (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ukwZtIYGMGU “England’s Odinist Temple”) Or just enter “England’s Odinist Temple Youtube” in your search engine. Enjoy!
A HARVEST FOR ODINISM
Our Harvest Eve moot on 21 September 2025, which was the Eve of the Equinox, was a wonderful event, welcoming twenty-four attendees, including four children. The musical accompaniments by RP were delightful. What a voice! His rendition of “John Barleycorn” and “The Farmer’s Toast”, two traditional seasonal folk songs, were really enjoyed by all.
John Barleycorn is, of course, a personalisation of the barley harvest and of ale-brewing, and is known in the Eddas as the God, Byggvir, who is a companion of Frey, and therefore almost certainly one of the Vanir deities. His other companion, Beyla, is divine patron of bee-keeping and mead-making. I think it is fascinating how England’s old religion can persist in its influences, operating “under the radar”, so to speak, in the form of folk songs, despite the centuries in which the church reigned supreme.
Two Pledges of Faith were carried out in which CV, a local, elderly blind gentleman, and ZC, who travelled all the way up from Hampshire for the occasion, solemnly swore allegiance to the Gods. And this was followed by a lively and friendly discussion. As always, it was a very friendly and memorable moot.
MARVELLOUS MIDSUMMER GATHERING
A fantastic Midsummer Gathering 2025 took place at the Temple with just under three dozen people attending. And what a wonderful atmosphere, which was rather like a family reunion, with members from around the country. We started with the Cup of Remembrance rite for Midsummer, and I was struck by the vigour and fervour of the people’s responses. With our doors and window open because of the warm weather, I am sure we could be heard half way down the next street! And a lady member took the Pledge of Faith, and was congratulated all round. There is always plenty of opportunity for making new friends and catching up on the news with old comrades. After a break we held our business meeting. One item decided on, after much debate, was that next year’s Gathering will be scheduled for late September, as this seems a better time of year for getting down to business. However, a member who owns a farm in Norfolk, Primrose Farm, invited us all for a Midsummer Moot and Feast to his place. So look out for notices about Primrose Farm in future! After the conclusion of business, many of us retired to a nice, local hostelry for a meal or a drink, and we continued our convivial conversations till later in the evening. It was another memorable day!
SIGURD'S DAY PAGEANT
Sigurd’s Day celebrates the famed dragon-slayer of ancient Germanic legend, who is better known by many today in his later avatar of St. George. The 23rd April is England’s national festival, and I think one can tell the difference between a patriot and an indifferentist by whether one celebrates the day or not. Well, at the Newark Odinist Temple we certainly celebrated it in style with a costumed pageant performed on the podium to the great amusement of our congregation. One visitor waxed lyrical in his praise of our efforts which he had not expected to be part of the day’s events. May I extend hearty thanks to Leo (Sigurd), Paul (Greybeard), George (Fafnir), Finn (King Hjalprek), Richard (musical accompaniment) and me, who played the baddy, Regin! All I can say, is that if we put on the pageant again, it can only improve!
RADIO INTERVIEW
The Newark Odinist Temple is discussed, among other Odinist-related matters, in this interview between the priest-in-charge and Fyrgen Radio. You can copy the link below and paste it into your search engine to listen to it. It is quite amusing. Warning: it is one and a half hours long!