ᛁᚱᛗᛁᚾᛁᛊᛗ
Irminism is the term we use for anyone engaging in pagan
reconstruction practices that relate to the Netherlands
(heemkunde) and Germany (ortsgeschichte); any other meaning
or ideology one may apply to it is beyond our control and is
simply met with apathy. As Westphalia is split between two
countries, the term 'Dutch,' i.e., anyone who speaks a
Central Germanic dialect or language, is preferred over
"Germanic." The word Germanic is too broad and may have been
applied to non-Germanic people in the past.
At present we can be found in Germany and the Netherlands, the Hamalanden known as North Rhine-Westphalia and Gelderland. Anyone associated with us speaks Low Saxon, Dutch, or German, and our writings or other media are published in those languages. We do not seek to convert others, nor do we proselytise. Encouraging others to abandon the ways of their ancestors is antithetical to our goals.
As the roots of Irminism predate Guido von List's work, we do not engage in Ariosophy, and the use of Armanenrunen is not accepted. This website is intended to be a brief summation of Irminism within Westphalia. There is no entity nor group outside the stated areas above associated with us.
The beliefs, traditions, and ways of life in Westphalia
While Irminism aims to reconstruct a pagan religion, even Christianity struggles to fully understand their ancestors' beliefs from a thousand years ago, let alone past centuries. Even if we could reconstitute 7th-century Saxony's belief system, the pagan religion of Westphalia would still differ today. An analysis of Anglo-Saxon customs and the Gothic language reveals that Saxon mythology differed from the traditional "Germanic religion" of those who did not migrate to England. Folklore, customs, and culture of the Saxons, Gueldrians, and Frisians lend weight to this notion. Irminism maintains that examining the Icelandic sagas is of little use and runs counter to its intended purpose. And owing to the popularity of 'vikings', countless individuals already conduct research on this subject matter for a number of reasons. Irminism today disregards some basic notions that are usually held to be central to Germanic paganism. We have several branches, one of which is more flexible and open but nevertheless holds the same contradicting viewpoints. The numerous Asatrú movements can be referred to as Azetrouw, a compound noun similar in meaning, who share beliefs or traditions but are not Irminists.At present we can be found in Germany and the Netherlands, the Hamalanden known as North Rhine-Westphalia and Gelderland. Anyone associated with us speaks Low Saxon, Dutch, or German, and our writings or other media are published in those languages. We do not seek to convert others, nor do we proselytise. Encouraging others to abandon the ways of their ancestors is antithetical to our goals.
As the roots of Irminism predate Guido von List's work, we do not engage in Ariosophy, and the use of Armanenrunen is not accepted. This website is intended to be a brief summation of Irminism within Westphalia. There is no entity nor group outside the stated areas above associated with us.