The Vanic Warrior
Vanic warrior. To many, the term would seem to be a contradiction. After all, Vanic values emphasize frith, family, home, good food, good sex, love, peace, etc. Taken together at face value, these values would suggest the philosophy of a hippie. "Make love, not war!", "Flower power!", "Peace!" and other slogans come to mind. With the general lack of emphasis on conflict, it would seem as if being Vanic means being a pacifist. It's true that someone with such values would rather spend quality time with good people and improving the home. It's the love of such things in life that prevents unnecessary conflict. Yet it's that same love that becomes a strong motivating factor when these very things are threatened. The need to protect oneself, family, home, and community require actions to secure them. Sometimes enough action is required to escalate into open warfare. The difference is in the core values and goals. Vanic warriors seek to use the most effective tools to protect their homes, as their homes are more important than battle glory.
A Vanic warrior is of two passions--the love of home, and anger toward those who threaten it. They help produce the energy and focus required for learning, practicing, and applying the skills of war. They also help maintain that focus on the goal, rather than on extraneous matters. Because of that focus, there less desire for things like conquest or battle glory. More specifically, one would want to survive and return home safely rather than die and go to Valhalla. This is not to say that there's anything wrong with recognition of victory or prowess. Nor does it preclude working with those who have different motivations and goals. Working together with allies to achieve something in common has been a time-tested strategy, and in matters of warfare, effectiveness matters the most. It's also a matter of efficiency; the less time and resources required to effectively protect the home, the more time can be spent at home.
There spheres of protection can be thought of as starting with the individual, and moving outward to cover others. The first of these is self-defense. The desire to protect oneself is instinctive, and widely considered legitimate. All martial arts start out with basic self-defense, as it is the foundation not only for survival, but also for taking additional military action. It is mainly tactical in focus, due to the realities of one's own immediate survival. The next level is family and loved ones. The desire to protect them has been around as long as such relationships have existed. It is very strong, and in some cases can be stronger than one's own need for self-defense. It starts involving more strategic elements in protection, as there are more to take care of than just oneself. Next in the line of protection is one's land. It can be as small as the space in a room or small shack, or as large as the borders of a farm. It involves the protection of one's property, and has involved shelter, animals, crops, and food. These things are necessary for survival, and many have been willing to fight hard to protect them, even if they were not interested in fighting. Then there's the community or tribe. The kinship one feels toward one's own people, often with a shared culture and history, such as a village, can be a strong motivating factor in protecting it. It is an extension of the feelings one has toward immediate family, and historically, many communities were comprised of extended families. Such protection needs more organization and strategy to be effective, even though the basic values and goals are still the same.
There are symbolic clues we have about Vanic warrior values. The Vanic gods themselves represent fertility, prosperity, frith, and protection. We can also see how such protection is reflected in their choices of weapons. First among these is Frey, who had the most valuable sword, given up as a bride price for Gerda. A sword is a sophisticated weapon, for almost the entire length of it is used both for attacking and for protection, which requires substantial skill both in making and wielding it. During the Dark Ages, many people fought out of necessity, but it was the mark of a warrior to know how to effectively use a sword. For Frey to be a swordsman with that quality of sword (along with His ability to kill bare-handed) shows that He's a top-caliber warrior. And yet we don't see Him getting involved in needless wars. He's a great example of martial competence being applied (and limited) to protection of home and family. Ullr uses a bow and is an expert hunter; He's also the god of single combat (dueling). The bow is used for hunting for food, but is also used to defend one's land. And single combat is both about training (including forms like Glíma, practiced widely during the Dark Ages) and self-defense. And then there is Njord, whose weapon is an axe. It is a utilitarian tool, not only used for chopping wood, but also for carving and shaping it (seen on many Scandinavian buildings), and hammering nails, stakes, and the like. As a weapon, it is short range but good striking power, and has been a good cheap hand weapon for many thousands of years. From a Vanic perspective, it is fitting that such a tool would encompass such primary utility at home, yet be suitable as a weapon if the home is threatened.
It's interesting to note the difference between Frey's weapon (a sword) and Odin's weapon (a spear). A sword is the finest personal weapon, yet in many cases, a spear makes a better military weapon. A spear has good reach and attacking power, and can be clustered in unit formations, but doesn't have the same defense or countering abilities that a sword does. A sword is great for close combat, can defend as well as attack (in addition to shield use), and can be used in any direction, but is not good for close troop formations or use as a throwing weapon. There's also a different mentality at work; many Odin's men sought to die and go to Valhalla, whereas homesteaders and their lords wanted to return home to their own lands. It is a reflection of a difference in Aesic vs. Vanic values.
Considering historical lore, a valid question is how such values take shape in the modern age that we live in. After all, we don't live in the same age, and our technology for living is significantly different. Yet the fundamentals of who we are and what we value as human beings are still the same. The question then becomes one of how to define such values in practical terms for today, and how to apply them effectively. The first part is defining our philosophy. This would be having clarity on what makes one's lifestyle, one's family and peers, one's home, and one's community. Then one can begin to put together a strategy for protecting these things, within the limits of technology, society, and laws. Since we generally don't have community militias, and modern military technology is infinitely stronger than what an individual can do, this often limits the scope to self-defense, and protecting the home and immediate family; community defense more often involves police and politics.
The reason one would look to learning weapons and related skills goes deeper than simple defense of self and loved ones. The process of physical conditioning, technique training, drilling, and sparring hones the body, mind, and spirit. It is in this process that one discovers and faces various psychological blocks to living more effectively. Many martial artists train to be effective, but many train without any certain expectation that they will need their skills in combat. And it is this process of discovery that is psychologically and spiritually rewarding, for it involved becoming a healthier person. Over time, such training yields tangible results, which are fulfilling in and of themselves. And the confidence gained from such results improves one's psyche, but also makes for much more consistent and coherent action if the skills are ever needed in an emergency.
The tools that one would use for defense depend on practicality, local laws, and the relevance to particular situations. The strongest type of weapon for modern use is firearms. They don't rely on strength as much as other types of weapons, although one should still be able to handle the recoil. Handguns are a modern analog of swords, not only because they are small and have limited range, but also because the vast majority of modern gunfights involving pistols take place at a range of less than 8 feet. They are usually a first choice for home defense, although they are most often affected by gun laws. Rifles are a modern counterpart to bows in range and stopping power, though they are more difficult to handle in close quarters, and there is a greater risk of hitting an innocent neighbor in dense urban situations. A good compromise on this is shotguns, which have tremendous stopping power, but are less intuitive and take more training and practice to use effectively when under stress.
Of course, the weapons that have worked for thousands of years still work today. Axes are commonly available, though they are usually weighted to be effective at log splitting rather than in combat. Swords (good ones that won't lose their edge or break easily) are more expensive, and take more training to use effectively, but are amazingly powerful in the right hands, both for attacking as well as protecting against close-combat melées. Spears have good range and stopping power (depending on the design), but are very clumsy in close quarters, including most urban situations. Daggers and other knives work, but many knife wounds will slow or kill someone over time rather than drop them in the heat of combat. Bows have good range and decent stopping power, but are awkward to use indoors, and require a lot of practice. Crossbows are more intuitive, but you really have only one shot, and there's a good chance that it won't stop the opponent right away.
Unarmed practice is always good, not just for one's own immediate defense, but also as a foundation for integrating weapon skills. And to be effective at unarmed practice, a reasonable level of physical conditioning is required--the more the better. Your skills and tools won't be of much help if you pass out from exhaustion. There are many styles of martial arts, though selecting one should be based on practical combat effectiveness (i.e. 'getting physical' a lot in training), and probably should be something you find culturally or aesthetically pleasing, so you can find the motivation to keep training when you're tired. There are also environmental tools, from simple things like fences, doors, and locks, to more advanced things like security cameras, alarms, and cellphones. And weapons can be improvised from surrounding items, such as hammers, chains, cords, kitchen knives, and even fire extinguishers. Ultimately, it's about learning one's environment, whether natural, physical, or social.
Another part of Vanic warriorhood is how one interacts with others; it's not just about sex and violence, so to speak. It's about taking care of the people and things that are valued, and protecting them from harm. This is done through regular interaction with friends and family, along with talking or writing for those more distant, and showing them hospitality when they come to visit. Healthier contacts with those you know strengthens community ties, makes people happier, and provides valuable information and allies in the event of trouble. There is also a spiritual component to this. It is through regular work with Gods that They become part of one's family. Like physical family, They appreciate food (offerings) and friendly talk (prayer), and are good to have on one's side when the unexpected happens from time to time. Having good relationships with both people and Gods brings both security and peace of mind.
The Vanic way places a priority on local people and community, starting with self and family. It maintains these relationships through active frithweaving. People make these efforts because of love for others, and it's the ties to home that help prevent needless strife, both within the community and with other peoples. We see the symbols of this within the lore, with the gods and with their choices of weapons. The values of a Vanic warrior are still valuable and relevant today, though the forms they take may look different. One reflects such values by putting them into practice through building relationships with people and Gods, and building a better relationship with oneself by training and building skills. And with such values and effort comes a healthier life and a deeper peace of mind.
A Vanic warrior is of two passions--the love of home, and anger toward those who threaten it. They help produce the energy and focus required for learning, practicing, and applying the skills of war. They also help maintain that focus on the goal, rather than on extraneous matters. Because of that focus, there less desire for things like conquest or battle glory. More specifically, one would want to survive and return home safely rather than die and go to Valhalla. This is not to say that there's anything wrong with recognition of victory or prowess. Nor does it preclude working with those who have different motivations and goals. Working together with allies to achieve something in common has been a time-tested strategy, and in matters of warfare, effectiveness matters the most. It's also a matter of efficiency; the less time and resources required to effectively protect the home, the more time can be spent at home.
There spheres of protection can be thought of as starting with the individual, and moving outward to cover others. The first of these is self-defense. The desire to protect oneself is instinctive, and widely considered legitimate. All martial arts start out with basic self-defense, as it is the foundation not only for survival, but also for taking additional military action. It is mainly tactical in focus, due to the realities of one's own immediate survival. The next level is family and loved ones. The desire to protect them has been around as long as such relationships have existed. It is very strong, and in some cases can be stronger than one's own need for self-defense. It starts involving more strategic elements in protection, as there are more to take care of than just oneself. Next in the line of protection is one's land. It can be as small as the space in a room or small shack, or as large as the borders of a farm. It involves the protection of one's property, and has involved shelter, animals, crops, and food. These things are necessary for survival, and many have been willing to fight hard to protect them, even if they were not interested in fighting. Then there's the community or tribe. The kinship one feels toward one's own people, often with a shared culture and history, such as a village, can be a strong motivating factor in protecting it. It is an extension of the feelings one has toward immediate family, and historically, many communities were comprised of extended families. Such protection needs more organization and strategy to be effective, even though the basic values and goals are still the same.
There are symbolic clues we have about Vanic warrior values. The Vanic gods themselves represent fertility, prosperity, frith, and protection. We can also see how such protection is reflected in their choices of weapons. First among these is Frey, who had the most valuable sword, given up as a bride price for Gerda. A sword is a sophisticated weapon, for almost the entire length of it is used both for attacking and for protection, which requires substantial skill both in making and wielding it. During the Dark Ages, many people fought out of necessity, but it was the mark of a warrior to know how to effectively use a sword. For Frey to be a swordsman with that quality of sword (along with His ability to kill bare-handed) shows that He's a top-caliber warrior. And yet we don't see Him getting involved in needless wars. He's a great example of martial competence being applied (and limited) to protection of home and family. Ullr uses a bow and is an expert hunter; He's also the god of single combat (dueling). The bow is used for hunting for food, but is also used to defend one's land. And single combat is both about training (including forms like Glíma, practiced widely during the Dark Ages) and self-defense. And then there is Njord, whose weapon is an axe. It is a utilitarian tool, not only used for chopping wood, but also for carving and shaping it (seen on many Scandinavian buildings), and hammering nails, stakes, and the like. As a weapon, it is short range but good striking power, and has been a good cheap hand weapon for many thousands of years. From a Vanic perspective, it is fitting that such a tool would encompass such primary utility at home, yet be suitable as a weapon if the home is threatened.
It's interesting to note the difference between Frey's weapon (a sword) and Odin's weapon (a spear). A sword is the finest personal weapon, yet in many cases, a spear makes a better military weapon. A spear has good reach and attacking power, and can be clustered in unit formations, but doesn't have the same defense or countering abilities that a sword does. A sword is great for close combat, can defend as well as attack (in addition to shield use), and can be used in any direction, but is not good for close troop formations or use as a throwing weapon. There's also a different mentality at work; many Odin's men sought to die and go to Valhalla, whereas homesteaders and their lords wanted to return home to their own lands. It is a reflection of a difference in Aesic vs. Vanic values.
Considering historical lore, a valid question is how such values take shape in the modern age that we live in. After all, we don't live in the same age, and our technology for living is significantly different. Yet the fundamentals of who we are and what we value as human beings are still the same. The question then becomes one of how to define such values in practical terms for today, and how to apply them effectively. The first part is defining our philosophy. This would be having clarity on what makes one's lifestyle, one's family and peers, one's home, and one's community. Then one can begin to put together a strategy for protecting these things, within the limits of technology, society, and laws. Since we generally don't have community militias, and modern military technology is infinitely stronger than what an individual can do, this often limits the scope to self-defense, and protecting the home and immediate family; community defense more often involves police and politics.
The reason one would look to learning weapons and related skills goes deeper than simple defense of self and loved ones. The process of physical conditioning, technique training, drilling, and sparring hones the body, mind, and spirit. It is in this process that one discovers and faces various psychological blocks to living more effectively. Many martial artists train to be effective, but many train without any certain expectation that they will need their skills in combat. And it is this process of discovery that is psychologically and spiritually rewarding, for it involved becoming a healthier person. Over time, such training yields tangible results, which are fulfilling in and of themselves. And the confidence gained from such results improves one's psyche, but also makes for much more consistent and coherent action if the skills are ever needed in an emergency.
The tools that one would use for defense depend on practicality, local laws, and the relevance to particular situations. The strongest type of weapon for modern use is firearms. They don't rely on strength as much as other types of weapons, although one should still be able to handle the recoil. Handguns are a modern analog of swords, not only because they are small and have limited range, but also because the vast majority of modern gunfights involving pistols take place at a range of less than 8 feet. They are usually a first choice for home defense, although they are most often affected by gun laws. Rifles are a modern counterpart to bows in range and stopping power, though they are more difficult to handle in close quarters, and there is a greater risk of hitting an innocent neighbor in dense urban situations. A good compromise on this is shotguns, which have tremendous stopping power, but are less intuitive and take more training and practice to use effectively when under stress.
Of course, the weapons that have worked for thousands of years still work today. Axes are commonly available, though they are usually weighted to be effective at log splitting rather than in combat. Swords (good ones that won't lose their edge or break easily) are more expensive, and take more training to use effectively, but are amazingly powerful in the right hands, both for attacking as well as protecting against close-combat melées. Spears have good range and stopping power (depending on the design), but are very clumsy in close quarters, including most urban situations. Daggers and other knives work, but many knife wounds will slow or kill someone over time rather than drop them in the heat of combat. Bows have good range and decent stopping power, but are awkward to use indoors, and require a lot of practice. Crossbows are more intuitive, but you really have only one shot, and there's a good chance that it won't stop the opponent right away.
Unarmed practice is always good, not just for one's own immediate defense, but also as a foundation for integrating weapon skills. And to be effective at unarmed practice, a reasonable level of physical conditioning is required--the more the better. Your skills and tools won't be of much help if you pass out from exhaustion. There are many styles of martial arts, though selecting one should be based on practical combat effectiveness (i.e. 'getting physical' a lot in training), and probably should be something you find culturally or aesthetically pleasing, so you can find the motivation to keep training when you're tired. There are also environmental tools, from simple things like fences, doors, and locks, to more advanced things like security cameras, alarms, and cellphones. And weapons can be improvised from surrounding items, such as hammers, chains, cords, kitchen knives, and even fire extinguishers. Ultimately, it's about learning one's environment, whether natural, physical, or social.
Another part of Vanic warriorhood is how one interacts with others; it's not just about sex and violence, so to speak. It's about taking care of the people and things that are valued, and protecting them from harm. This is done through regular interaction with friends and family, along with talking or writing for those more distant, and showing them hospitality when they come to visit. Healthier contacts with those you know strengthens community ties, makes people happier, and provides valuable information and allies in the event of trouble. There is also a spiritual component to this. It is through regular work with Gods that They become part of one's family. Like physical family, They appreciate food (offerings) and friendly talk (prayer), and are good to have on one's side when the unexpected happens from time to time. Having good relationships with both people and Gods brings both security and peace of mind.
The Vanic way places a priority on local people and community, starting with self and family. It maintains these relationships through active frithweaving. People make these efforts because of love for others, and it's the ties to home that help prevent needless strife, both within the community and with other peoples. We see the symbols of this within the lore, with the gods and with their choices of weapons. The values of a Vanic warrior are still valuable and relevant today, though the forms they take may look different. One reflects such values by putting them into practice through building relationships with people and Gods, and building a better relationship with oneself by training and building skills. And with such values and effort comes a healthier life and a deeper peace of mind.