The Noble Virtue - Courage

By

Lilium Carlson

Courage today is associated with military officials, fire fighters and other life saving members of society. But what does courage mean? Courage is placed in two categories.

Physical courage is courage in the face of physical pain, hardship, or the threat of death. It is the courage to survive through a physically demanding ordeal. Throwing yourself to the wind is not courage. Courage takes place after you have realised what the threat is and weighed out your options. Our ancestors could have given up when they were attacked by the foreign religious leaders. But instead they fought valiantly even until death to preserve the lifestyle and Gods they had come to love. How can we be physically courageous in this current age?  Strive to be healthy. Exercise to become stronger. There is more to be gained than lost while having the courage to become stronger. It could mean saving your life or making it longer and fuller!

Moral courage is the courage to act rightly in the face of popular opposition, shame, scandal, or discouragements. It is the practice of doing what you feel is right no matter who says you are wrong. Moral courage is not egotistical and it isn't spiteful.  Using moral courage as a status symbol is just as bad as not having any moral courage at all! What is popular is not always right and what is right is not always popular. Are you trying to please those around you? Or are you showing the courage to stand up for what you believe in. For example, when Odin steals the mead of the moon back, he dishonours Sutr's sister. Because of that, he causes Ragnarok. Odin has to steal the mead or creation is destroyed. At the same time if he doesn't steal the mead Ragnarok never happens. Odin has to choose between his own life and the life of those he cares about, and creation. Odin's mighty moral courage knew that it was right to steal the mead of the moon even though it would cost him his life.

Courage is the first of the Nine Noble Virtues and a very important virtue indeed! Society has taught you to go with the flow and only speak up if you are to gain something. Asatru is not about damnation and silent obedience. It isn't about who is right and who is wrong. Everyone has their own beliefs and they should be respected. Courage today is about helping those who are in need of being stood up for. Its having the courage to say that society is wrong and that all people should have a voice and should be able to live how they believe is the right way to live. Even if people hate you. Weigh your goals. Would you rather have friends or would you rather love your life without having to restrain who you are?

THE NINE NOBLE VIRTUES

Lillium is a 22 yet old Heathen living in Scotland and is extremely devoted to her Asatru path