Axenthof Thiad is a group of men and women practicing a form of Theodish Belief. Theodish Belief, meaning Belief of the Tribe, is an approach to Germanic Polytheism characterized by an attempt to organize along the line of ancient Germanic tribal structure, adapted for use in small intentional groups of religious practitioners. Our religion is essentially votive, centered on the idea of entering into a cycle of giving to and receiving from the gods. Our religious rites are characterized by the use of poetry in ancient languages, the giving of gifts (usually either through burial, burning, or tying to a tree branch), processions, dance, and sacred fire. We also have the rite of symbel (boasting, reciting poetry, singing, etc over a sacred draught) and feasting.

Axenthof has been around under that name since the early 2000s. It is currently centered in Minnesota but has had members in a number of places around the country. It is a descendant of Fresena Thiad, which had its beginnings around 1994. The original intent of Fresena Thiad had been to create a tradition following the traditions of the Frisians, just as at the time there were Anglo-Saxon and Norse heathen traditions that were active. Its leader, Gerd, had associated himself with the Winland Rice and its Lord, Garman, in a role as a fosterling, with the intention that he would be taught to hold his own as a Theodish Lord. Eventually, Fresena went its own way, while maintaining frith (peace and respect) with Garman and the Winland Rice.

Although Axenthof continues the tradition of Fresena, the focus has changed. We remain Theodish, although our version of Theodish Belief has evolved in some different ways than that of the current Winland Rice, with whom we have no official ties. Instead of focusing specifically on only Frisian tradition, we tend to use what seems good from the various people from whom we are descended or in whom we are interested. Our thew (custom) is not Frisian but is our own, and we feel that there is nothing wrong with constructing it from the thew of various related Germanic peoples, including the Frisians, the Old Saxons, and the Anglo-Saxons.

Our Name

Axenthof Thiad gets its name from the place where, in an old Frisian story, a mysterious stranger threw his axe, kicking up turf and creating a holy spring. At this spring the stranger gave the Frisians their laws. We believe, as do many scholars, that this story is a somewhat transposed version of an older myth about the god Fosite, the Frisian name for the god known as Forseti in Scandinavia. In giving the people their laws, the god in essence gave them their identity as a tribe. Thus, our name represents our appreciation for the god Fosite as well as representing our tight bonds as a tribe.