Heathenry is a term used to describe the religious practices of two main groups of people, one historical and one modern.
The original Heathens were the pre-Christian North European peoples who lived over a thousand years ago in the lands around what is now called the North Sea. These included the peoples of Anglo-Saxon England, Scandinavia, Germany, and Frisia (Modern-day Belgium and the Netherlands).
Modern Heathen groups around the world are reviving these old practices under various names including Asatru, The Northern Tradition, Forn Sed, Germanic Pagan Reconstructionism, or, simply, Heathenry. In Iceland, which did not convert to Christianity until the 11th Century, Heathenry has once again become an official (nationally recognized) religion, and there are groups and individuals working for the same level of recognition in many other countries. Heathenry is officially recognized by the Department of Defense in the United States, and in the UK the Defense Pagan Network has ensured that Heathenry is recognized by the Ministry of Defense, alongside other forms of Paganism.
Heathens work to build healthy relationships with Gods and Goddesses, ancestors, spirits of the land, and others in their communities, both through holy rites and through their day-to-day actions.
Heathenry, like all ancient European pagan religions, is polytheistic and recognizes many Gods and other spiritual entities. Although the Heathen Gods are best known from Norse mythology (and often called by Anglicized versions of their Old Norse names) they were honored by many peoples outside of Scandinavia. For example, the God known to early Germanic tribes as Wodhanaz became Odin in Old Norse, Woden in Anglo-Saxon and Old Saxon, and Wuotan in Old High German. He is now most commonly known as Odin.
Much like any other religious belief, there are many other beliefs that branch off of Heathenism, one such belief is Chaos Heathenism. This is the belief that not only Norse gods and goddesses can guide you, but gods from any religion such as Egyptian or Greek gods. In this, any and all things in one's life are either a gift, a punishment, or a teaching at all times. The song is inspired by this belief.
The song's lyrics are about someone struggling with their own thoughts and clarity of judgment. Feeling as though darkness invades one's mind and is taking a toll on their view of the world around them. In Norse Mythology, the Owl is seen as an ally that can help with this. The Owl has eyes that can see through the darkness and help one find a path out of that confusion and struggle. This is what the lyrics are about.
lyrics
V1
You, have seen the horizon breaking But have you witnessed the bleeding sky descend You, have seen The Earth itself cracking But can you fathom the depth It has blackened You, have seen the fields, as they're burning But have you felt the struggle to catch your breath You, have seen depression consuming But do you know what it takes to face down death
Bridge
You only see What's meant to be seen While now within lies something of burden
Chorus
God grant me the eyes of the owl To navigate through the dark within To face down that which waits in the shadows
Bridge 2
All anyone can see is this shell Even while within we face our hell As the statue crumbles with time All it takes is one crack due to design
V2
You, have seen the oceans consuming But have you held on to the ship as it's sinking You, have felt The Earth as it's quaking But have stood below as buildings are falling
Bridge
There is No way For someone to comprehend Without the burden of knowing their demons
Chorus
God grant me the eyes of the owl To navigate through the dark within To face down that which waits in the shadows God grant me the eyes of the owl To navigate the chaos that is To face down that which waits in the shadows The dark that spawns from within
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"Unto the Wolves" is an online Metal project with one goal in mind, to inspire tolerance and acceptance of all races, religious beliefs, and cultures.
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