About Haukafell's Kin

Thanks to my wonderful bohemian parents, I have never felt I had to escape from my family's religion the way so many others do. They always encouraged me to find answers for myself. I have studied a good deal of eastern philosophy and Buddhism and these still inform my path as does Native American folklore and wisdom. I majored in English and Anthropology in school. I found my way home to Asatru around 2002. Not long afterwards I first bloted in private to Freyr. About a month after that offering, I had landed a new job. And about a month after that, I found out my wife was expecting our first child. (D'oh!) I think this helps maintain the old "preponderance of suspicious coincidences" theory of paganism.

I am a professional writer working in advertising. I guess I have been writing for most of my life, though I have yet to do the novel thing. I am more of an essayist. That explains my site "Munson's Mead Hall". Very informal, it documents some of my early experiences as a Heathen and is meant to serve as a resource for new folks.

I am an avid amateur historian and participate in living history activities with the Society for Creative Anachronism (SCA) which is how Jen and I met. Thanks to the SCA, I have a modicum of experience doing public and private events and with assisting new members. I am hoping to use these skills to help boost Heathenry.

If you have time to waste and the stamina, ask me about…Japanese gardening, bonsai, ikebana, Zen, pulp novels and retro SF, Victorian England, fogeyism, men's fashion, camping, ska, tiki bar culture and drinks.

Cheers!

Jen

Jen has considered herself Asatru since 2006. Of all the Aesir she feels closest to Frigga because of her associations with spinning and other textile arts. She is especially interested in drawing inspiration from women in the Lore and enhancing the modern female role in the Heathen community. Along with costuming and many textile arts, she enjoys cooking and bread baking and spending time with her family on day hikes and camping trips.

Academically she has a Bachelor's degree from Muhlenberg College in Latin American Studies. She presented a paper entitled "Only Rock and Reel" on Medieval Spinning Technique at the 42nd International Congress on Medieval Studies. She also loves to teach classes in the SCA and within the Heathen community.

At work she is a Unix Systems Administrator who just played a major part in a large Nagios implementation and is gradually improving her Perl skills. In the SCA she is known as Mistress AnneLiese Wolkenhaar and is a member of the Order of the Laurel for her textile work.

Rebecca

I think it's fair to say that for those who know me, I am a tad quirky. I grew up a child of the woods deep in the heart of PA German culture in PA - playing at the running well in our back yard, inquisitor-extraordinaire, healer-in-progress, and wild plant forager from childhood. Never really interested in the mainstream, I've been largely drawn to mysterious and obscure crafts, and ideas (sometimes to a fault!).

As a child, I was not exposed to religion - in any sense. I was not baptized, nor taught to worship. I stepped into a church for the first time at the age of 9 for a wedding, and thus began my search in this new concept of "religion." I quickly came to the conclusion that I had no interest in Christianity by 10 years old. Shortly after I stumbled on neo-Pagan texts. Knowing I wasn't Wiccan or eclectic, I continued my search until I found Heathenry in my late teen years, and have been comfortably nestled "at home" here ever since.

I'm currently in my mid-20s. With my husband, Jesse, I have two boys, Draven (7 yrs) and Rowan (5 yrs). My current career path is moving towards being a Naturopathic/Holistic Scientist and Teacher [majoring in Herbalism]. On a more personal note, I think I've always aspired to teach others, and hope to someday be considered an Elder in the ways of natural healing and in our Spirituality and Faith. Some hobbies include sewing, quilting, embroidering, sketching, cooking/baking, brewing mead, gardening, yoga, tai chi, camping & hiking, foraging, herbalism, and spending time with my family. I've also been studying the Runes for many years, and have begun teaching the wider, local community. Our family’s long-term goal is to have a homestead in which we can live self-sufficiently, and indeed remain "wealthy" in our prosperous simplicity that is farming and living.

In the Pagan community, I am the "Events & Field Trips Coordinator" of the Reading Pagans & Witches non-profit organization. In addition to the aforementioned Rune classes and studies, Jen and I maintain a bi-weekly Rune Study together with friends of Haukafell kindred. I'm currently learning and working with journeying, and beginning a life-long exploration in Shamanism. Humble and curious, I continue to explore history, time, and the mysteries! Wæs hal!