The Disclaimer: I am not now, nor have I ever been, a member of any Asatru or Heathen group. I do not identify as Asatru or Heathen. I am a northern-tradition Pagan, which is a religious tradition that is reconstructionist-derived, rather than a reconstructionist tradition such as Asatru and/or Heathenry. The views espoused in these pages may or may not reflect the views of most Asatru and/or Heathen people or religious groups. They are derived from the personal gnosis of myself and other people whom I trust and respect. I do not claim that they are provable by academic sources, nor that they are anything other than what I say they are. Read at your own risk.
The Nine Clans of the Iron Wood
There are nine clans of the Iron Wood. Their totems are Wolf, Serpent, Hyena, Lightning, Ghost Deer, Cave Bear, Knife River, Blood-Alder, and Hound-Beetle.
The folk of the different tribes have different gifts, although there is so much intermarriage and mixed blood that only half of any given tribe is likely to have the classic gifts and appearance of that tribe. But, in general, the Wolf tribe does have the most werewolves and weredogs, and the Cave Bear tribe is full of werebears and tend to be large and shaggy. The Lightning tribe carries the strongest fire-etin blood, as well as a good deal of fiery red hair (which is actually unlike pure fire-etins, as they tend to be dark and swarthy). Serpent-clan are often weresnakes - Jormundgand was proof positive of some Serpent-clan in Angrboda's bloodline - and specialize in poisons; some can poison with a mere touch, although they can often also create poisons with their blood that are strong medicines and fight disease; they are as likely to be healers as assassins. Hyena-clan folk are carrion-eaters and carry a good deal of psychic vampirism in their lines. Both Serpent-clan and Hyena-clan are known for having a high number of hermaphroditic offspring. The Ghost Deer clan are great hunters, and work with the Dead and the Ancestors; the priests who oversee funerals are usually Ghost Deer clan members. Knife River clan folk are largely fisherfolk and know a lot of freshwater magic, as well as being the best carvers and toolmakers. Blood-Alder clan folk have a lot of healers, herbalists, midwives, and some folk who seem to be able to shape themselves into trees and bushes. They do the most sex magic, although it is a very ordeal-oriented variety. Hound-Beetle clan, named for the carrion beetle much loved by Hela, live in the high ground of the Iron Wood, where it slopes up the mountains, and are the most generally troll-like; they have a strong affinity for insects and small vermin.
I will post symbols for each of the clans as I get them.
Lightning Clan
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Serpent Clan
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Hound Beetle Clan
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Blood Alder Clan
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Knife River Clan
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Raven Kaldera
cauldronfarm@hotmail.com
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