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Pacific North West Wolf Pack (PNWWP)
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pnwkindreds.com
info@pnwkindreds.com
Overview
The purpose of this document is to compile the ever changing and growing laws of our
coalition of kindreds within the PNWWP. Each law is voted on by all the Gothar/Gythiar and
are upheld by the appointed Alherjar Law Speaker. Sanctions for violating these laws will be
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voted on by the Gothar/Gythiar of the PNWWP and announced to all kindred members by
the appointed Alherjar Law Speaker.
Politics
1. Federal Laws: No law of the PNWWP may violate state or federal laws. We are a
federally recognized religious non-profit organization and therefore operate our
501(c)(3) within the rights and laws of the United States Of America. Any criminal
violations of state or federal laws is strictly forbidden for members of the PNWWP in
official capacities of our organization.
2. Political Views: We recognize every member might have a different political leaning
and we respect everyone’s opinions on these matters. To maintain the frith (peace),
we encourage members to keep their opinions to themselves, and if they feel the
need to discuss politics, to do it outside official ceremonies. Political views are not
allowed to be spoken at official PNWWP events.
3. No Political Proselytizing: There will be no political proselytizing or advertising of
political views at official PNWWP functions.
Kindreds
1. Coalition: The PNWWP is a coalition of confederate kindreds.
2. Kindreds & Houses: A “kindred” must be formed and consist of 2 or more “houses”
with the 2 heads of households as hammer holders and children in both houses, or
with 3 or more houses- at least one of those houses must have at least 1 child. A
“house” must include 2 or more members, traditionally a man and woman, or
people of blood relations, or one can be a child as a hammer holder as well, and
that house must present the child to complete the hammer test to PNWWP.
Adopted children will count as blood relations, when considering members of a
“house.” If an individual is too old to be adopted, it will be up to the “kindred’s”
discretion on if that “house” has the ability to sponsor the individual into their
“house.” Every new “kindred” will be mentored by already existing “kindreds,” to
make sure there is no deviation or confusion concerning the proper formation of a
“kindred” within the PNWWP.
3. Bind Rune: A “house” may create a bind rune and when a “kindred” is created, there
may also be the creation of a kindred bind rune.
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4. Bylaws: Any kindred recognized as an official kindred within the PNWWP must
create a set of bylaws that conform to PNWWP standards and laws. No kindred shall
be allowed to have a bylaw which violates PNWWP laws, state laws, or federal laws.
5. Accountability: Guests, non-kindred members, probationary, and prospectives may
be invited to PNWWP functions, but are accountable to the kindred member that
invited them. Members are accountable to their “house.” A “house” is accountable to
their “kindred.” A “kindred” is accountable to the PNWWP.
Positions
Alherjar: The prefix of “Chief of All'' is added to the PNWWP member that has a position
that supports and guides the other similar positions in other kindreds. For example, the
Alherjar-Gothi is the highest ranking of all the Gothar/Gythiar, the Alherjar-Vitki is the
highest ranking of all the Vitkis, etc.
Gothi/Gythia: The priest/priestess of a kindred. This is a hammer holder whose
responsibilities include scheduling, orchestrating, and leading all religious ceremonies.
They are responsible for managing and providing education materials to their kindred.
They may create a council of kindred members, usually from the other positions listed
below, but they may also reach out to other kindreds if needed.
Vitki: The wisdom of a kindred. This is a hammer holder whose responsibilities include
having an in-depth understanding of the runes to better interpret rune pulls and rune
castings. A Vitki is the back up to the Gothi/Gythia, should that position be vacant. They
may create a council of kindred members, usually from their own kindred.
Law Speaker: The judiciary of a kindred. This is a hammer holder whose responsibilities
include maintaining the voted upon laws, keeping an unbiased view when enforcing the
laws, and being humble enough to take advice on how to sanction the laws. A Law Speaker
must have ⅔ of the voted upon laws memorized. They may create a council of kindred
members, preferably from other kindreds within the PNWWP, since these laws affect the
entirety of the PNWWP, and to prevent favoritism or biased opinions.
Thullr: The librarian of a kindred. This is a hammer holder whose responsibilities include
having a full understanding of our ancestral lore and having no dogmatic views on others’
or regional interpretations of the lore. This also includes the growing lore of the PNWWP’s
development. A Thullr is the back up to the Law Speaker, memorizing ⅓ or the voted upon
laws. They may create a council of kindred members, especially when needing help in the
telling of our lore.
Keeper of the Flame: The hearth or fireplace tender. This is a hammer holder whose
responsibilities include being able to start a fire from scratch, maintaining the fire during
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the ceremonies, and respecting the spiritual duties associated with making the Nauthiz fire
for rituals.
Treasurer: The banker of a kindred. Not all kindreds need to have a treasurer but it is
strongly recommended. The PNWWP as a non-profit will generate fund raising and only
spend these funds on a vote during Althing (parliament).
Hammer Holder: A member that has passed the hammer test (basic knowledge test of
Asatru), has voting rights within a kindred, and may openly wear a Mjolnir medallion
necklace.
Kindred Member: An individual practitioner of Asatru that is part of a kindred. Accepted
members have passed a background check, been vetted by at least two members, and
completed a one year probationary period (or accepted in by an unanimous vote by all the
Gothi/Gythia if it is less than one year).
Non-Kindred Member: An individual practitioner of Asatru that is not part of any “house”
or “kindred.” These individuals may be represented by the kindred that is sponsoring them.
If an individual is being sponsored by a “house” that becomes broken up (death, divorce,
excommunication, etc.), they need to find a new “house” to sponsor them. A non-kindred
member may be a guest or a hammer holder (but has no voting rights if not sponsored
within a house). Should a non-kindred member be unable to build their own house, they
may gain voting rights within the PNWWP after attending 4 Althings (parliaments), and
being voted as having sound worth by the Gothar counsel.
Prospected Member: An individual that is interested in Asatru and wants to become part
of a kindred. The probationary period is usually one year to allow for studying and an
understanding of what Asatru is. Prospectives will have a sponsor to help guide them in
their studies, learning Asatru, and understanding what the conduct befitting a PNWWP
member is.
Guest: An individual that may be interested in Asatru, was invited, or is a family member of
an attending individual. Guests are only allowed into ceremonial activities upon request.
Whoever sponsors the guest takes on full responsibilities of their actions and behavior.
Restrictions
1. Sex Offenses & Misogyny: All members, sponsees, and prospectives of the PNNWP
must not have any criminal convictions or crimes against women or children.
2. Drugs: An individual must be clean of all illegal drugs for 6 months in order to join
any PNWWP ceremonies or functions. Marijuana is legal in Washington and Oregon
but not yet federally. Therefore, usage of this substance must be held in a
designated area outside of religious areas.
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3. Ex-felons: An individual recently released from jail or prison must be out and on a
good path for at least 6 months prior to being able to attend any PNWWP functions.
4. Past Crimes: If an individual’s past incarcerations ever violate the standards of the
PNWWP, a voting council of Gothi/Gythia can determine an extended probationary
time, or additional steps needed to be re-admitted into PNWWP membership.
5. No Loki Worshippers: Loki has been romanticized in cinema but in our traditions is
the advocator of Ragnarok. Betrayal, deceit, and lies is the antithesis of frith.
6. Media: All photos and videos taken at PNWWP ceremonies are not allowed without
permission. If someone disagrees with having their pictures taken, it will not be
taken. If inadvertently taken, they will be censored. Photo opts off to the side are
suggested. Sharing on social media must be agreed upon before posting, with proof
of agreement.
Values
1. Virtues: There are many different versions to the modern day neo-pagan Asatru
“Code Of 9” or “9 Noble Virtues.” Regardless of the list a member follows, as long as
it encourages wholesome values, it should remain the template we of the PNWWP
live by.
2. Fundraising & Purchasing: As a non-profit organization, all fundraising and
purchases will be made by a vote.
3. Healthy Families: Stable folk and family is of the utmost importance to our
organization. For family is the very root of our faith. Our values, principles, and laws
require us to promote only that which is good for our families. We reject anything
that might harm individuals or families within the PNWWP.
4. Folkish: We are not “universalists,” we share common ancestors from Europe, and
follow a European folkish religion. We are not prejudiced against other cultures or
races, we believe we are descendants of our gods, and therefore don’t think it’s
respectful for someone not descended from our pantheons to hail them during our
religious ceremonies. If someone wants to pay our gods respect by hailing them in
their own free time, that is not our concern. Equally, we would not disrespect other
cultures by hailing their gods at our religious ceremonies.
5. Cancel Culture: This degeneration in our society has made it easy for our freedom
of speech to be censored. No one shall be silenced for speaking their thoughts nor
removed from any forums (electronic or in person) without an official vote.
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6. Misseri Calendar: We have scheduled our major events and holidays as closely to
this historical calendar as possible. Some flexibility is allowed with everyone’s busy
schedules not allowing exact days to be celebrated.
Representation
Hammers: To be a recognized hammer holder, you must pass a basic knowledge test. This
is governed by gothar at the individual kindred level. The hammer medallion is to be worn
around the neck. Wearing the hammer medallion as jewelry on other areas of the body is
merely decorative and does not give the wearer voting rights amongst their kindred.
Insignia: To bear a PNWWP insignia, you must be a full PNWWP member, hammer holder,
attended at least 2 Althings (parliaments), and be in good standing. This insignia indicates a
connection to us and may not be displayed when doing any activity outside of our
standards of practice. The insignia is to be worn over the heart, over the left breast, can not
be worn at political events, or worn with other insignias with political affiliations.
Flags: To be a PNWWP flag holder, you must be a full PNWWP member, hammer holder,
patch holder, attended at least 3 PNWWP events, can read the runes along the flag,
attended at least one work party on Frey’s Land, and receive a unanimous vote from a
Gothi/Gythia counsel.
Misrepresentation: If you break the oath you made over your hammer, you may lose the
right to wear such a medallion for a period of time. If you do anything illegal or
dishonorable with a patch on, you may lose the right to wear this article of clothing for a
period of time. If you abuse the flag or fly it inappropriately, you may lose the right to own
such a banner representing the PNWWP for a period of time. All sanctions will be
determined by a counsel of Gothi/Gythia.
Grievances
Wergild: Compensation for a wrong committed. Literal translation is “man price,” which
comes from the monetary compensation given to the family that has suffered the loss by
the offending party. Members of the PNWWP may demand wergild for any wrong they feel
has been committed against them, their house, or their kindred. A counsel of
Gothis/Gythias will hear the debates of both parties and come to a fair decision of what
that compensation should look like, if any. Be it literal money, skilled labor, apology letter,
corporal punishment, burpees, exclusion from PNWWP events, or anything else agreed
upon by the counsel of Gothis/Gythias.
Einvigi: A challenge made between two individuals for either play or settling a wrong.
Literal translation is “single combat,” which can be made both formally or informally.
Formally is made in front of a Gothi/Gythia, while informally is done in front of a reliable
witness (should something go wrong). Both parties must agree upon the rules and terms of
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the challenge. This can be as aggressive as pugilism, as traditional as glima (like how Thor
wrestled Elli), as harmless as a race (on foot, vehicle, swimming, obstacle course, etc., like
how Thjalfi raced Hugi), target shooting, drinking contest (like Thor did in Skrymir’s hall),
weight lifting contest (like how Thor took on the challenge of attempting to lift Jormungand
twice in the Eddas), knowledge or riddle contest (like Odin had with Vafthrudnir), skill
contest (like how Loki pitted the dvergs Ivaldi against Sindri), or any other agreed upon
challenge. Sneak attacks and on sight attacks will not be tolerated under this law.
Holmgang: A very formal challenge, sanctioned by a counsel of Gothis/Gythias, held in an
arena by several witnesses, and controlled by a referee. Literal translation is “going to the
island,” which comes from the tradition of high stress levels on long sea voyages causing
short tempers, but since fighting on a longship would put the other passengers’ lives at risk,
aggressions would have to be controlled until they could find an island to beach at. This
tradition continued on with land voyages, the “island” then becoming a makeshift arena
made from cloaks or blankets laid on the ground, and surrounded by witnesses in a ring
around this arena. This tradition evolved over time, eventually turning into permanent and
semi-permanent arenas (much like modern day combat arenas) to hold trials by combat,
traditionally held on Tuesdays (Tyr’s Day).
Utlagi: The excommunication sanction of “outlaw” comes in two versions, skogarmaor
“man of the forest” and skoggangr “going to the forest.” These terms come from how the
outlaw was rejected by society and forced to live in the forest like a wild animal. The former
being a temporary excommunication, usually with a set of tasks to be fulfilled before
readmittance can be considered. The latter being a permanent excommunication. Either
sanction can only be enforced by a counsel of Gothis/Gythias with a unanimous vote. Once
voted as an outcast, this person can no longer be in communication with a PNWWP
member, or receive their hospitality.
Nithing: The ultimate insult within our culture was to be called a nithing or “nothing.”
Lower than low, not even of a caste, having no honor, no morals, and not respected.
Nithings have a special place in the nether realms of Helheim called Niflhel, skinned alive
by Nidhogg, dismembered by Garm, and suffering various tortures by the numerous rivers
and halls there. To be called a Nithing was punishable by death. In our modern day culture,
this is someone that is unredeemable.
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Upon Entering the Sacred Circle
DO NOT ENTER INTO CIRCLE IF YOU ARE INEBRIATED!
It is the tradition of PNWWP to hold all blot and ritual of clear body and mind upon entering
the circle. It is the responsibility of the individual to identify selves as being of clear mind
and body.
Gate keeper of the circle hammering people in: If someone is not of clear mind and body
they should not enter into the sacred circle. If someone enters the circle of unsound mind
and body with the person’s knowledge that they were unfit, they will be held accountable
through kindred processies. If action is not satisfactorily resolved, the matter may be
brought to the larger Thing.
Consumption of alcohol is allowed AFTER ritual when Sumble begins.