Its my very special pleasure to interview Chris Loscar today, as some of you know he is the "Folk Builder" for the AFA or Asatru Folk Assembly, here in Pennsylvania and the tri state area. He is a personal friend of mine and i have been to his home in the Poconos, for several Germanic Fainings. Chris is a behind the scenes guy, very knowledgable way beyond his years and he never ceases to surprise me. Anyway first question:
1. Can you tell us where you are from and your background in Deutsch Heathenism?
Heil, Hunter! I am honored to be here! I am originally from Pittsburgh, PA. I was introduced to various heathen and pagan paths as a teenager through the Tuchux, a medieval recreation combat group that I was part of. My “foster” mother was a shaman and it was she who introduced me to the runes and their uses. I began practicing as a solitary Asatruar during my military service and joined the Asatru Folk Assembly around ’96-’97. The AFA proved to be a good resource and I was able to make some decent local contacts. Unfortunately, at the time, the AFA was still concentrated on the West Coast and I was looking for something more active in this area. I was also looking for a belief system that was more ancestral, more “ethno-specific”. My ancestors are primarily Germanic, not Norse, and it was their pre-Christian practices that I wanted to honor. So around 2000, myself, and some others formed the Gutisk Luida., or Gothic Folk. It was a purely folkish, Germanic tribal organization based on the great Visigothic and Ostrogothic tribes. After some substantial initial success, the group fell prey to uncontrolled egos and in-fighting. I carried on as leader for a few years and it eventually disbanded. From there, I went back to the AFA and took on the responsibility of being the Folkbuilder for the PA/NJ/NY region. I’ve been working with the regional AFA members and other groups for the last few years in an effort to build a stronger, local heathen community. As of late, my focus has returned to Germanic heathen practice and I’ve been working with the Yrman Folk of NY and am currently establishing another folkish Germanic group. More to follow….
2. What are your goals for Deutsch Heathenism in Pennsylvania and the surrounding areas, I know that you are active also in NY?
My current project is the establishment of a folkish Germanic heathen group in eastern PA. A group that is not Internet based and is active and productive. No cyber-heathenry here. We have several kindreds/groups in the area and each has its own significance, merit and focus. What we do not have is a group that is specific to the elder Germanic practice. Longer term, I would like to see similar groups coming together and working with each other on a more regional level. One step in that direction has been the work I’ve been doing with the Yrman Folk in metro and upstate NY. I have been honored to be part of their fainings and am looking forward to working with them in the future. With the new group, I’m looking at holding at least one event per month in the area.
3. How does Deutsch Heathenism differ from the Nordic tradition and what are your thoughts regarding the Norse, is it all the same?
No, I do not feel they are the same. Norse heathenry is its own viable and specific path. Each has its own ethnic and cultural beliefs and practices and, once again, it is ancestor-based. Every race and ethnicity has its own unique ancestral belief system or religion.
4. What about the Armanen Futhark? How does it operate differently from the Elder/Younger?
Aside from the outward differences in number of runes and general format, the Armanen futhark is organically German. Even though it is a later development, it is a purely Germanic construct, developed, practiced and carried on by Germanic rune magicians. I find it provides a more functional approach, 18 runes, divisible by 9 & 3, and it works well with kalic formulae. To me, it is stripped down, like a chopper. It offers just what you need, nothing extraneous. Eternal thanks to Guido von List, Lanz von Liebenfels and Stephen Flowers.
5. Is there a connection between the Mountains and Germanic Mysticism? How about the Appalachian Mountains?
Absolutely. Mountains have always been held sacred as the dwelling places of our Gods & Goddesses. Our mythology is full of stories involving mountains. Heroes are interred within them, awaiting a new dawn. Siegfried, Frederick Barbarossa in Kyffhauser Mountain, Austrian Emperor Karl and his army in Odenberg. The ravens still fly…Our lore also lists mountains as places of curses & banishment, treasure hordes, dragons, dark elves, and witches.
I wouldn’t say there is a direct connection between the Appalachians and Germanic mysticism, but we do have a connection to them through our respect & love of nature. Many German immigrants settled in the Appalachian range & have established their own local connections to them over time.
6. How do you view the Pennsylvania Deitsch Kultur in relationship to Deutsch Heathenism? and/or what differences are there between the PA Deutsch and the PA Deitsch?
I see the PA Deitsch Kultur as just that, a culture that developed in a specific region of North America from German immigrant stock. I have a tremendous amount of respect for these folks for their industriousness, self-sufficiency, craftsmanship and pride. But they are essentially Christian folk with no actual heathen practices. Deutsch Heathenism is something completely different. It is the pre-Christian belief system and practices of our Germanic ancestors. It is a reawakening of our folk soul that encompasses all those of Germanic descent. It is the establishment of a modern form of tribalism. It is us taking what was and adapting it to who we are today.
7. How does an organized religion as defined by ASATRU differ in your mind from Hexerei, (Germanic Witchcraft)?
I see Asatru as something of an umbrella term under which many different forms of heathenry fall under. Much like the generalized Wicca, which has many sub sets, Asatru is a popular and generalized label. Regardless, Asatru , in itself, is a religion, or more appropriately, a belief system. It is way of life. Germanic Heathenry falls under that umbrella and Hexerei would be the essential magical practices specific to that branch of heathenry.
8. I know you are a Veteran, It seems that Heathenism has some popularity in the military, why is that?
It’s a martial institution. It’s the most contemporary vestige of the ancient mannerbund. It provides something of a warrior culture in our modern society where men are often emasculated. It’s in our blood. It is good to see a significant increase in heathens in the military. When I was on active duty in the early nineties, being openly heathen or pagan often made one pariah. There seems to be more tolerance these days. I’ve seen runes painted on gun trucks in Iraq. That would have never happened 15 years ago (although we did have Totenkopfs painted on our Bradleys).
9. How do you account for the surge in interest in Heathenism in general, Deutsch Heathenism in particular?
People are searching for something that works. There are a lot of folks out there who lack any form of spirituality and our modern society actively works against the concept. The Big Three religions really have little to offer – subjugation, humiliation, and servitude – in essence, slavery. They teach blind obedience, prey upon fears and rely on salvation for a price. To quote Nietzsche, “I sought great human beings, but all I found were the apes of their God.”
I prefer beliefs such as the Nine Noble Virtues and practical guidance from the Havamal. I’m not looking for forgiveness or atonement, just to live my life to the best of my ability and generate my own good magan and lay some positive urlag in the Well.
10. Finally, the word 'poltergeist' is Deutsch, I know you have an interest or an aptitude for sensing this phenomena, What experiences can you share with us regarding them and how have you handled them in the past?
My first true paranormal experience occurred when my wife, Tracey, and I were on our honeymoon in Scotland. We were staying in a restored baronial estate in Tain. I awoke, wide awake, in the middle of the night with paresthesia (feeling of pins & needles) along the entire left side of my body. I looked over at the large, front facing bay windows that over looked the immense front yard. There was a female figure standing in the room, gazing out the window. She was tannish in color & somewhat translucent, wearing older period dress. She didn’t turn or move and I did not sense a threat. I watched her for a little while and then turned back over and went to sleep. The next morning, at breakfast, I spoke with the owners and they confirmed what I had seen. It was one of the past ladies of the house that makes fairly regular appearances.
As a family, we take ghost tours in the cities that we visit. Battlefields are also of particular interest to us. Philadelphia has no shortage of active locations and one of the best walking ghost tours that we’ve been on. Tracey and my older son, Owen, are much more sensitive to the paranormal than I am, and they tend to have more significant experiences. I’m looking forward to checking out your new place in Fishtown!
Danke, Hunter, for the opportunity to share this with you. May our Gods and Goddesses look favorably upon our endeavors and best of luck to you! DO RIGHT AND FEAR NO ONE!
