Freya Aswynn

Hakkımda:

I, Freya Aswynn was born in Holland in November 1949 to a outwardly strict, Roman Catholic family. I was number 9 out of 14. As a child I displayed natural psychic abilities, and this, combined with my reactions to a hostile family environment and subjected to serious physical, mental as well as some sexual abuse, which was not recognized by the system as it was then, prompted the official diagnosis that I was 'maladjusted'. Entrusted to the so-called 'care' system, I was institutionalized for nine years. From the age of ten to the age of nineteen . My intelligence, combined with a capacity for aggressive self-assertion, allowed me to emerge from this ordeal more or less psychologically unscathed at the age of 19. Deprived of any secondary education, I resorted to taking on cleaning work, until I met and married my first husband, George. Somewhat older in years, George introduced me to the basics of philosophy (particularly the works of Friedrich Nietzsche) and classical music, predominantly Richard Wagner. He also was the first person who ever spoke to me about the esoteric nature of the runes. Sadly, after two years of marriage, George died of cancer; but he left me with a pension that, for the first time, gave me a measure of financial independence. Determined now to make good my lack of learning, I taught myself English and some German by means of books and tapes. At the same time, I took an interest in the development of my long-suppressed psychic gifts. I received my first paranormal training in a spiritualist environ-ment, and from there progressed to the study of Rosicrucianism, Astrology, Cabbala and Thelema. At the age of 30, I felt unable to progress further in Holland and left for England, where I was soon recognized by prominent magicians and witches as a natural. I was initiated into Wicca by Jim Bennet under the supervision of Alex Sanders in 1980, I then in April that year got involved with a Gardnerian coven and from there formed my own coven with the High Priest Lionel Hornby. This coven was active for a number of years. The next major turning point for me was a life-changing spiritual and magical experience:in 1982/3 an intense, spontaneous invocation of the God Woden. I took this to be a calling to open up the Northern pathway, which until then, was virtually non-existent within the occult community. I embarked on an intensive study of the runes and began work on my first book, "Leaves of Yggdrasil" (revised and updated in 1998 under the title, "Northern Mysteries and Magick") Within Pagan circles, this initiative was at first viewed with scepticism and suspicion as to whether I had a covert political agenda (which at that time was often the case with some Odinists). I soon overcame these perceptions and won the respect and affection of the majority of the Pagan and occult community. Over the last 20 years I have been extensively involved with workshops and giving talks all over the world. In 1993 I decided to choose a celibate path, for my own spiritual reasons. After Lionel's death in 1994, I sold the house and with my share I bought a large farmhouse in Scotland in 1996. In 1993 I had started up a UK branch of the the Troth, originally an American organization founded by Edred Thorsson and James Chisholm. Having led this organization as Steerswoman for a number of years, I recently stepped down from this role and other positions of power. I now concentrate on teaching and guiding as an Heathen Elder I facility for rune readings via the net, via my websiteI also run a correspondence course, which at present is being updated. WWW.ASWYNN.CO.UK I also have written anotehr book: Principles and Power of the runes published by Thoth UK. I live in Southern Spain.