I've been researching Odinism, Asatru, and Heathenry on the web (not the best source to find a clear description) and I am not sure what the difference is between them? All I can find is that there IS a difference but nothing is telling me what it is?
I have been very interested in paganism for the past 4 years and I am now wanting to find a path and specific religion to follow and devote myself to, i just need to find the religion that falls in line with myself as well. I think I might be very interested in one of these 3 but I am having trouble understanding what they are about.
All I can really find out is that they are very focused on self responsibility (not blaming some evil spirit for their "sins"/ bad behavior and not blindly following a (awful) god, as well as being very family centered.
Purely in the differences of terminology, Heathenry would be an umbrella term for different forms of Norse Neopaganism while the other two fall as categories under that. Asatru is a popular revival of Norse Paganism, specifically following the Aesir and Asynjur. Odinism is along those same lines, but is more heavily focused on folkish Heathenry in seemingly placing more importance on Northern European ancestry than the Norse Gods.
Rokkatru, as a further example, pulls from the same pantheon as the rest of Heathenry, except we worship different Vaettir as our deities (I personally worship Jormungandr, Angrboda, Fenris-Ulfr, and Hela of the Norse Gods). Northern Tradition Paganism, however, does not identify as a part of Heathenry, though it is often mixed with Rokkatru.
Personally I say to Niflheimr with the labels and find out who in the Norse pantheon you are more inclined to and go from there. The different forms of Norse Paganism are really more about how the religion is practiced than anything, anyway.
This forum by LokisDottir has majority of common Heathen sects/branches defined, including those you have mentioned. It might clarify differences you may be struggling to find. I suggest looking at it since are interested in Heathenry.
