What is Skergard?

Skergard (pronounced "skur-gard") is an organization that is open to all people regardless of age, gender, race, national origin, or sexual orientation; individually. Localized group membership is determined based on the groups consensus. Group membership may not be dictated by HQ against the will of the group in question.

Skergard was founded in the summer of 1992 in El Paso, TX by VolundR Lars Agnarsson and Ingrón Vanirsson. In 1995 Skergard was temporarily "dissolved" by V. L. Agnarsson, however because Skergard was based on common belief system (Skertru) the belief system continues to this day, thus the "awakening" of Skergard was inevitable.

In 2000ce the goddess Holde appeared to several members on Mount La Grange encouraging the rule of silence and "In silence is All-There-Is". The rule was enforced by pulling the website offline, the name being kept current. The organization itself was restructured and now reflects a new and improved Skergard; the only change being the office of Elder, or those over 65 who have been members no less than 3 years.

Our magazine, Fjallabok (book of the mountain), began monthly publication in autumn of 1992 and ceased publication in 1995 for financial reasons, along with three other publications from Skergard. Skergard "awakened" Fjallabok in the form of Utgard Online Magazine of Northern Traditions for a few years, but the demand became to much for the obligation of the volunteers. We then "awakened" Ravens' Wyrd, once a postal newsletter, it is now an online one... This is current, even showing the "Silence". There are currently no plans to continue any online magazines.

Here are some of our accomplishments of the past and present:

• The first Norse Pagan organization to adopt a highway.
• The first Norse Pagan organization to be listed in the yellow pages.
• The first Norse Pagan organization with a toll free phone number that spans the United States and Canada.
• The first Norse Pagan magazine to go "full-color".
• The first Norse Pagan organization to unify the beliefs of Asatru and Vanatru into one belief system based on a general consensus.
• The first Norse Pagan organization to translate and compile their own version of the Edda.
• The first Norse Pagan web site that is able to be navigated efficiently by the blind.
• The first Norse Pagan organization to have a web site with a chat room that conducts "online meetings" open to the public.
• The first Norse Pagan web site to contain the Poetic Edda.
• Our Godhar may become legally ordained if they choose.
• The first Norse Pagan oganization to translate their works and web site into Spanish, German, and Russian.
• The fastest growing Norse Pagan organization (prior to Silence).
• The first NPO to offer free pop email accounts and email forwarding along with web space to its members (yourname@skergard.org and www.skergard.org/yourname)
• The most globally diverse NPO and probably the largest membership base after the first year.

Skergard is not governed by any one leader, but rather by a ruling council, The Council of Godhar. The voting system is based on "years" in Skergard. For example each Godhi/Gydhja has one vote for every year they have been Skergard.

Skergard recognizes the autonomy of each of its members, and godhar, and encourages their own personal belief systems as individuals.

Skergard is open to everyone regardless of their personal belief system (Norse/Germanic Pagan). All offices in Skergard are open to everyone regardless of their beliefs (Norse/Germanic Pagan).

See also FAQ.

For questions about membership please see the Membership Requirements.

Home

©1997-1999 Skergard Temple of Skertru & Imagika Web Design