Warrior Spirit “A Guide for a Modern Viking”

Warrior Spirit

A Guide for a Modern Viking

By Jesse Walter

Smashwords Edition

Copyright 2013 Jesse Walter

Smashwords Edition, License Notes

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Foreword

The history of the Northman is rich and full of interesting stories. When the Viking Era began, this complex culture was spread throughout the known world. While they were bakers, farmers, smiths, and a huge variety of tradesmen, the reality of living in the unforgiving north also made them fit warriors. Some were warriors by trade, but most were warriors by necessity. The women and the men all fought. They fought to survive. They celebrated the victories of their tribe. The celebrated the dead who etched out a better life for those that came after. These warriors had a deep love for life. They were connected to their people in a way that we can barely understand now.

This spirit of adventure pushed the Northern people through into an era of prosperity. Raids boosted the economy back home. Innovation brought on advances in technology. Through this passion for invention and drive to push on beyond the horizon, their culture was able to not only survive, but thrive. Even in modern times, many of the original Norse trading posts are still active, and in some cases, the largest cities in their respective countries. Dublin, London, Normandy, and many other important cities all bear the mark of Teutonic influence.

But it wasn’t the marks of trade and commerce that struck fear into the hearts and minds of those conquered by the Norse—it was the bearded, helmed demons storming the beaches. It was the cries and promises of Valhalla. It was the images of Valkyries, and the fierce Gods and Goddesses of the Northmen that burnt themselves into the collective memory of the rest of the world. Neither the scholar, the tradesman, or the priest ultimately held the responsibility for expanding the Teutonic empire—the blade was what bought them a reputation and often times condemnation. Terror had village after village leaving their wealth at the gate, hoping that they would be left alone. It was the warrior that changed the continent. It was the warrior that became story. It was the great heroes of our ancestors that went on the Viking.

So they bathed in the blood of their enemies, and gathered precious metals and glory alike. They did this in a time and place when war was extremely close and personal. They watched their brothers, sisters, friends, and family die around them. They drank from their enemies skulls to honor them for fighting valiantly. They did this and they did it well, facing issues that we in the modern world would have trouble understanding, much less surviving. While they had their war-weary people, the reason they kept going was because of a unique cultural structure which allowed them to fight on, understand their sacrifice, and enjoy the rest of their life if the warrior’s death was not for them. The Norse managed to maintain a fierce independence yet remain connected to their people in a very selfless way. They achieved this because they understood the roles everyone had to play in their survival as a people, yet they did not pigeonhole each other based on assumptions of gender or birth. So they found balance in their way of life.

In embracing this warrior’s spirit, I have found balance in my own life. Not bliss or peace, but balance. I still have nightmares about my time spent as a warrior, but I do not let them consume me. I have been on my Viking several times. Some might say I never stopped. As I am writing this I am looking at my next deployment, but I am not looking at it with fear and fear alone. I am looking at it with wonder, and dancing in my mind. I am looking at the opportunity I have to share things with my tribe. I am looking at the adventure. I am looking at the glory that I can bring back for my people. I am now looking forward to embracing this Viking. I do not wish to die, but if I do, I understand that it will have value to my people. So this is the modern Viking, and I ready myself. I prepare my equipment and I offer a short prayer as I am readied to step out the door yet again. Il Valhal.

Chapter 1 A WAY

Throughout time there have been many warrior cultures. Some of the most renowned historical pieces of literature are about warriors. Ancient carvings, decorations, and other works of art speak of great heroes, all with the warrior spirit. I am sure you have at least heard of the tales of Beowulf, Achilles, Odysseus, and so many other brave warriors as we grew up. The great sagas speak of their praise, and you do not have to go far to find any of their tales.

For me it was GI Joe and Transformers that captured my attention as a kid. It was a struggle as old as time: good versus evil. We knew even as children who was good and who was evil. We knew there was a code the good guys followed, and the bad guys were bent on conquest and greed. It was not selfless. As we got older, we found out it was not as clear-cut, and reading the Iliad we found that even the greatest heroes were rarely morally just. They raped and scored plunder like so many they fought. King David of the Old Testament Bible was a perfect example of a hero who strayed from the code, but even by Christian standards, he was still considered a hero. There are rare exceptions of recorded perfection, and yes even the Gods have been accused of straying from the path from time to time.

We still admired many of the heroes who were also men of war, because amidst the chaos, there were still those who adhered to a code. They did not compromise on this and would die before they violated that code. Throughout history people wrote down these codes, refining them from culture to culture. Chivalry and Bushido are famous examples of this. Great works like The Art of War further refine these codes and apply them with a practical guidebook.

I am a personal fan of Bushido. I really like stories of the East. They not only show the adherence to these codes, but also hold a certain romance. What I have learned showed the warrior lifestyle as an art form. I would recommend reading Bushido, the Soul of Japan, The Book of the Five Rings, and, of course, The Art of War. You should not limit your education to the Havamal, or Voluspa. While there are great lessons to be had, the world offers wisdom in many forms. Of course we will look into the Havamal, and one translation will be in the back of this book. Yet here I would like to focus on the Nine Noble Virtues and Bushido (both considered modern codes) they comprise and simplify the ancient codes of two cultures half a globe apart. By doing a comparison with a modern eye we can get a comparison glimpse into two ancient cultures.

We will look into them and dissect them, not because they are the gospel as it were, but because they offer an example that we can apply to our daily life. These codes, like chivalry, are merely guidelines to help a warrior stay on a path that honors their culture, their tribe, their family, and themselves. Warriors do stray from the righteous, because war is not righteous, but these codes are here to serve as reminders to us, keep us on the path, and to walk with honor. It is a shared belief for modern Heathens that honor is not yours. You borrow it from your children and inherit that burden from your ancestors. It should be your life goal to leave your honor intact and in better shape than you found it, before you move to the life after Midgard.

A firm code gives our inner warrior the reason to progress. To fight for no reason makes you a bully or a brigand. Cause separates the warrior from the rest of men, and adherence to the code has defined the heroes of the ages. Now, with purpose, your inner warrior can step out into the world, understanding what it is you wish to accomplish, and how. To me, the most important step is purpose; everything must be done with purpose no matter how humble. Purpose is not something easy to find, nor easy to oath too. In America less than three percent of the population has actually served in the military. Granted that is the easiest way to find those with a warrior spirit, but by no means the only way to find those warriors walking amongst us. I only mention the military service to let you know how unique the warrior mentality is, and how rare it is displayed publicly.

Introduction to Bushido;

The seven virtues of Bushido are a great tool for embracing the inner warrior. They not only help you acclimate to the warrior lifestyle, they are also applicable to people in all walks of life. They hold a very similar outlook offered by the Nine Noble Virtues. Bushido means the way of the warrior. Though deeply ingrained in Japanese culture, the word Bushido and its singular code were not universal until the nineteenth century. Before this, there were many house and family codes. Many believed the codes were derived from the many great works, including the Hagakure of Yamamoto Tsunetomo. I believe it carried serious influence from the Five Rings, Kojiki, the Shoku Nihongi, Kokin Wakashi, and the Heiki Monogatari Chronicles. So Bushido is bound in the history of another people, on the other side of the planet, yet it carries certain universal views that are apparent when compared to the great works of the North.

The seven virtues of Bushido sum up the code. The three associated virtues make it applicable to all walks of life. Rectitude, Courage, Benevolence, Respect, Honesty, Honor, and Loyalty are the primary seven. The associated virtues are Filial Piety or respect for your parents and ancestors, Wisdom, and Care for the Aged. Later on, I will break these down in much deeper detail; however, I recommend that you look deeply into yourself to grasp their meaning without outside influence. With this you will take your first step on a journey of self-reflection. Until then, these virtues are only words; you give them their value by taking that first step. I also challenge you to compare them to the Noble Virtues, as well as other codes that warriors followed throughout time.

About Sources;

I will discuss in detail some sources like the Book of the Five Rings because purpose is not enough. With a code you know how to be a warrior, or at least the standard by which you should be held, but how do you achieve that? The Five Rings are that how. It guides you on the journey toward being a warrior. The book itself is broken down into five elements; earth, water, fire, wind, and void. Each will help a warrior hone