What is Mannaheim?
Mannaheim is the German word for "Midgard" (Miđgarđr), or Middle Earth, the place we humans call home. Because we live here in this place, we choose to be anchored in the "now". We believe in respecting the Earth and we each work in our own way to improve the world in which we live. We are proud to have Asatruar, Wiccans, and other Neopagans in our membership and alliances. We are normal people with normal jobs. We worship the Deities of the Northern Tradition wearing ordinary street clothes. Men and women equally pursue all aspects of the Northern Mystery Tradition.
Our symbol is the Elder Futhark rune, Mannaz; the rune of humanity. It represents both male and female energy and links us all at our most fundamental level. To us, Mannaz speaks of both gender and social equality. No one person is above another. Mannaz is also the rune of community. It reminds us of our responsibility to others.
Mannaz also represents the search for the inner Self. Ultimately, Mannaz is about people, tolerance, compassion and kindness whether we are interacting in the workplace, our community or in our closest relationships with our family, tribe, Kindreds or Covens.
Mannaheim also takes its name from the word "Manna/Mana", meaning spiritual sustenance and power. It is similar to "Chi", the life force of all things, which can be strengthened and manipulated.
Mannaheim Mid-Atlantic is dedicated to the idea of creating community that includes individuals, their children and their kin. We are "inclusive" not exclusive. We do not discriminate based upon sexual orientation, race, creed, gender or age. We follow the "No Tolerance For Intolerance" rule (Heathens Against Hate).
Our main goal is to provide a safe and supportive environment for spiritual education and worship as well as to promote a child-friendly cultural heritage tradition based upon the Northern Cosmology, the Nine Noble Virtues, Frith-Keeping, the study of the Havamal, the Norse Sagas and Lore and, practical application of the Runes and other Northern Mysteries. Many of us have leadership training and are recognized as leaders within our individual communities of origin. We often look to each other for guidance, support, and training. We use group e-mail to address issues and concerns that may arise and to plan activities.
We encourage members to network and become affiliated with other groups as they deem appropriate in order to strengthen our overall bonds within the Greater Community, however they choose to define “Greater Community”. (This minimizes the problem associated with having to "choose" between "them" or "us".)
While individual Members of Mannaheim Mid-Atlantic may have affiliations and bonds with other people and groups at the local, state, national or international level, the overall organization does not engage in alliances or affiliations in order to remain politically neutral.
Because we believe that everyone possesses the gift of speaking to the Gods we have no leadership class distinction. While we often worship in our Hofs, weather permitting, Blots and other events are held out of doors where possible; and always out of the sight and ears of the mundane community.
While we do not require that our members "profess" to the gods and goddesses of the Northern Tradition, we do request that only these deities be addressed during our Blots, and, that only the Northern gods and goddesses be worshiped in our Hofs.
We do not require people to forsake affiliations with their Covens, Kindreds or Families of Origin in order to be a member of Mannaheim. While we do not prohibit oaths of blood brotherhood/sisterhood, they are considered to be a private matter between the parties involved, and, are therefore none of our concern.
We expect interpersonal issues involving such oaths or other private matters (including internal Coven or Kindred politics) to be solved within the hearths of the individuals involved, and, to not be brought into the general fellowship of Mannaheim for indiscriminate arbitration. If Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) is required, it will follow generally accepted ADR procedures, and will be considered binding by all parties.
Because we believe in "Personal Sovereignty of the Soul" and taking responsibility for both our actions and the quality of our relationships with others, individuals "not in possession of their measures" and individuals who withhold the measures of others, or those who consider other people their property (as some teachers may view their students) may feel uncomfortable within the Mannaheim paradigm.
What We Do
Education
Learning and education is an on-going pursuit, and, each of us pursues individual as well as shared interests. In coming together to hone our skills (through group practice and weekend seminars with nationally known teachers) we share our strength with one another within Mannaheim Mid-Atlantic.
We typically gather in a spot convenient to all members for Weekend Intensives to study, share, and/or practice various aspects of the Northern Mystery Tradition. Often our members travel to events as a group to study under particular teachers. Other times we bring teachers in that we’ve met other places. We also endorse peer-based instruction. We’ve found that we have a wealth of resources within our own ranks, and, we share much of that knowledge freely with one another. Adult study groups and activities for children and young people are both strongly supported.
"Kinder Moots"
Because our kids have to sometimes suffer through a “boring” adult weekend for protracted periods where the older kids mind the younger ones (with the adults taking turns monitoring all of them) we make a point of getting together for “Kinder Moot” weekend campouts where the focus is entirely on them. We try to find inexpensive, safe, and fun camping sites where adults and children can swim, boat, fish, hike, and play traditional summer-time games.
Children and Heathen Values
All good parents want to impart their values to their children. A great way of doing that is to attend regional Heathen events as a family. Year after year, as the children meet anew, they "grow up together" knowing other children just like them. In this way, Heathen parents get to talk to one another, their children become friends, and, the next generation is instilled with our values. Our favorite venue for this purpose is the East Coast Thing, which takes place during late summer.
