This is the one Virtue that got me started on really thinking about the NNV. Our ancestors fought with courage and bravery. They fought for survival. They were not afraid of life. It’s sad to see so many of our so-called “Folk” too damn scared to leave the safety of their home or internet to meet other folk. When I started looking for Heathens in my area, all those that I knew were “Odinist” were simply calling themselves that because of the “white” aspect of the religion. Yes, I have my tainted past, but I know much more than that. These “brothers” didn’t know anything about the faith and folkway, and didn’t seem to want to learn. They certainly didn’t want to get together with other Heathens to actually do something. One of the big parts of being a Heathen is community. Part of being Heathen is Folk.

There have been Heathens that have been invited to events within a 30 minute drive, but have never made an effort to come out. I know Heathens that have driven 19 hours with 2 small children to attend a Moot. How do I know? I did it. I know Heathens that are happy when they find other Heathens that are ONLY 4-6 hours away. I’ve “met” Heathens online that were less than an hour drive, but wouldn’t come out to attend anything. I suspect that it is out of fear.

When I met Corbie through a website, I quickly found that he and I were different on many things, and I had concerns that we would not work well together. Through talking, we did decide to meet up for coffee, and invited several others to come, too. Very few came, but it was a new thing for the area. Corbie and I soon realized that our differences were not that great, and that we had a lot more in common than we ever imagined. Over time, we did have many others that would show up for events. But, there are still many that we’ve talked to that either wanted us to bring events to them, or still refuse to come out for anything.

Courage is defined as such:   the quality of mind or spirit that enables a person to face difficulty, danger, pain, etc., without fear; bravery.

Courage is defined as to stand up in the face of danger or other severe situation. It shouldn’t take much courage to hop over to a Starbucks or Caribou Coffee to sit in a public place and chat with others for an hour or two. If someone lacks the courage to do this simple task, why should the person be expected to have courage in a dangerous situation?  These are not the people that I would stand beside in battle or against oppression, or at Ragnarok. I don’t speak for the Gods, but I have a feeling that with such a level of cowardliness the Gods frown.