The Asatru Folk Assembly gives the following definition for Asatru: “Asatru is an expression of the native, pre-Christian spirituality of Europe. More specifically, it is the Way by which the Germanic peoples have traditionally related to the Divine and to the world around them.” In this sense “Germanic” does not refer to the specific country of Germany, but to those who ethnically speak a Germanic language such as English and those ethnic speakers are often referred to in this blog as the folk. The word “Asatru” is an Old Norse word when translated roughly means”true to the Asa (The Norse Gods & Goddesses, which are collectively referred to as the Aesir)”. Other common words encountered that are “generally” synonymous with Asatru are: Forn Sidr (old tradition), Fyrnsidu, Forn Sed, Odinist, Odinic, Odalist, Vanatru, Theodism, Northern Tradition, Anglo-Saxon Paganism, and Heathen. There are regional variations of the northern European deities, different concepts concerning the deities and various approaches to veneration; just as there were before the imposition of the middle eastern monotheistic religion on northern Europe. In North America the terms asatru and heathen are most often used; while some, such as Chris Jacheo, will be very specific using the term American Heathen to differentiate themselves from Europeans who follow the old tradition. A follower of Asatru is referred to as an Asatruar. This blog is not a primer for the novice, who are referred to organizations such as the Asatru Folk Assembly or the Odinic Rite.