Reclaiming Paganism: Navigating the Crossroads of Faith, Identity, and Extremism

Written by Elisa Garbil – 19.05.2025

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In recent years, the revival of Norse and Germanic pagan traditions, often termed Heathenry or Ásatrú, has sparked global fascination. With roots in pre-Christian spirituality, this resurgence is more than a historical curiosity; it’s an evolving movement rich with myth, ritual, and cultural heritage. Yet, this revival faces a profound challenge: its increasing misappropriation by extremist ideologies. What began as a search for identity and meaning has, in some corners, been weaponised to fuel radicalisation, particularly in prisons and online spaces. At the same time, a growing number of modern Pagans are pushing back, determined to reclaim their beliefs from the grip of hate.

A Spiritual Revival Tied to Heritage

Modern Paganism, especially Norse-inspired practices, centres around figures from ancient mythology, such as Odin, Thor, and Freya for example, and draws from historical texts like the Poetic Edda. For many practitioners, Heathenry is about personal connection to ancestors, nature, and a worldview emphasising reciprocity and honour. It’s a deeply spiritual path, not a political one.

But the visibility of Norse symbols such as runes, the Valknut, or the Black Sun, has led to unintended consequences. These symbols, once sacred and spiritual, have been co-opted by nationalist and white supremacist groups to project messages of racial purity and ethnic identity. This appropriation has complicated public perception and sparked alarm across security and academic communities.

Paganism and Radicalisation: The Prison Pipeline

In the United Kingdom, the expansion of Heathenry within prisons has prompted new concerns. According to research published by the London School of Economics, some inmates have adopted Germanic Pagan practices not for spiritual enrichment, but as a way to access extremist ideologies under the guise of religion. In an environment where belonging is currency, Paganism is sometimes distorted into a framework that valorises racial exclusivity and pseudo-historical narratives of “European purity.”

This isn’t an isolated phenomenon. Correctional institutions across the Western world have reported similar cases. Paganism, especially in its folkish or ethnocentric forms, can serve as a gateway for far-right networks seeking recruits in vulnerable populations.

Symbols Hijacked by Hate

The exploitation of Pagan symbolism by extremist movements has intensified over the past decade. Iconography rooted in Norse mythology now appears frequently in the aesthetics of white supremacist groups. Research by intelligence and geopolitical organisations has shown how groups use these symbols to signal allegiance, propagate ideology, and create a faux-historical legitimacy.

This trend isn’t limited to fringe movements. Mass shooters and militant groups alike have adopted runic motifs, Norse gods, and “ancestral warrior” narratives to justify acts of violence. Such rebranding of sacred traditions distorts their original meaning and unfairly tars the entire faith with the brush of radicalism.

A Community Fights Back

Despite these challenges, the wider Pagan community is not standing idle. Across the UK, U.S., and Scandinavia, Heathens are organising to reject hate and redefine the public narrative around their faith. Many groups have publicly condemned extremism, launched inclusivity initiatives, and emphasised the universal values found in Norse mythology: hospitality, kinship, and respect for the earth.

Authors and practitioners are urging others to move beyond the binary of tradition versus modernity. Instead, they advocate a Paganism that evolves: one rooted in myth and ritual, but firmly grounded in ethics that reject racial or national superiority.Some authors specifically challenges the idea that Heathenry is an exclusionary or tribal faith. It presents a vision of Norse Paganism that is diverse, globally relevant, and deeply human. For many, this vision is not just a spiritual alternative but a necessary cultural correction.

The Double-Edged Sword of Pop Culture

Mainstream portrayals of Viking culture have also played a role in this dynamic. Shows like Vikings and video games like Assassin’s Creed: Valhalla have fueled a widespread fascination with Norse mythology. While this visibility has attracted new followers to Paganism, it also opens the door for shallow interpretations and misuse by those more interested in aesthetics than theology.

For radical groups, pop culture creates an easy gateway, images of strength, conquest, and “ancestral glory” are re-contextualised to support extremist ideologies. The challenge for genuine practitioners is to keep their tradition grounded, nuanced, and resistant to such surface-level appropriation.

Beyond the Far Right: Paganism in Broader Political Discourse

Interestingly, the reach of Pagan motifs extends into political arguments outside the far-right spectrum as well. Some conservative critiques have linked liberal views on abortion to ancient Pagan fertility worship, suggesting that reverence for nature and feminine power has been repurposed into modern activism. While often polemical, these interpretations show how Pagan themes continue to resonate, albeit in vastly different contexts. Whether these parallels are valid or strained, they underscore a central fact: Paganism’s imagery and mythology still hold cultural power. And that power, if left unexamined, can be reshaped for agendas far removed from its roots.

The Importance of Informed Recognition

Given the overlapping risks and opportunities in Pagan resurgence, informed understanding is crucial, especially in institutional settings. Police, prison staff, and policymakers need better tools to distinguish between genuine religious practice and radicalised mimicry. Resources like those from the Police Pagan Association and interfaith forums can provide crucial guidance in this regard.

In turn, the Pagan community must continue its efforts to clearly define its values, educate the public, and hold itself accountable. The path forward is not about gatekeeping but about clarity: recognising where sacred ends and political distortion begins.

Conclusion: A Faith Worth Fighting For

Paganism, particularly in its Norse and Germanic forms, stands at a crossroads. It offers a rich, mythic worldview filled with beauty, complexity, and ancestral resonance. But its symbols and stories have become contested ground, claimed by those who seek wisdom, and those who seek to divide.

The struggle to reclaim Paganism from extremism is not just about religious freedom, it’s about cultural integrity. Through scholarship, activism, and community vigilance, modern Heathens are working to protect the soul of their tradition. The runes, once silenced by history, speak again, not of war or supremacy, but of a living faith grounded in meaning, memory, and mutual respect.