Examining the Aesirian Code: Conflict

By Mike Taylor, Drótinn of the Mannerbund

This is the ninth, and final, article in a series in which I will examine the Aesirian Code of Nine, focusing on a single code per article and with the following disclaimer:

In contrast to deeper and purely esoteric examinations by members of the gothar class, my series of articles will be from the lay practitioner. Each will contain aspects from the exoteric and esoteric, but will not focus on one or the other. My goal is to provide a ground-eye view of the Aesirian Code of Nine based solely on my own personal experiences, research, and study. As with all articles I write, my examinations are mine and mine alone. I neither seek to impose my perspectives on any of the folk nor dictate any single means of belief, interpretation, or view. I simply mean to share my experiences in the hope they foster conversation, discussion, and further inquiry.

According to the dictionary, “conflict” has a few definitions, necessary because “conflict” can be both a verb and a noun. Each requires a short but deep look to capture the true essence of this simple yet complex term. As a verb, “conflict” can mean to be contrary, different, or opposed – to not be in accord. As a noun, “conflict” refers battle, a fight, or war – antagonistic action; a struggle – incompatible or opposing sides of divergent ideas, interests, or persons.

The various definitions all refer to conflict as being a form of opposition – individuals, entities, or groups with opposing ideas, principles, interests, or any number of things. This comprises external conflict, but conflict can also be internal. A person could face conflicting emotions or thoughts, opposing desires or needs, or incompatible demands or wants. This can seem daunting but for our purposes, conflict is a good thing. Not only is it human nature, but it is also natural. We want to conflict; we need conflict. We cannot become our better and higher selves without conflict, both internal and external.

For followers of The Way, “conflict” means all the above and so much more:

Those who follow the way of the warrior must know the art of combat, weapons, and vengeance. War is an accepted part of the path. Always be prepared for hostility against you. It is a destiny woven into the very fiber of our people. Keep your body, mind, and training up at all times. Have no remorse when you must be savage during a conflict. Win, prevail, and survive.

Short and simple, yet connected by its very nature and definition to other Aesirian codes. Like others, it captures the layered complexity of the code, connecting not only key elements – body and mind, combat and vengeance - but also a warning against failure. But what does it all mean? Let us break it down into its component parts.

Those who follow the way of the warrior must know the art of combat, weapons, and vengeance. This broad statement lays the foundation for the final tenet of the Aesirian Code of Nine, to which all others contribute. One cannot be a warrior without balance, control, honor, knowledge, and fairness, nor can one protect the folk or enable it to change or flourish. Conflict, the culmination of the code, requires a warrior to know the art of combat, be skilled in its weapons, and able to exact vengeance. Towards these ends, the warrior strives, trains, and works.

War is an accepted part of the path. The path of the warrior is long and arduous, and it ultimately leads one to war. War with oneself brings about change and growth, as the warrior overcomes personal limitations and obstacles to become better. War with others protects the folk from outside threats and enables it to flourish and grow. The noble warrior prepares for war and accepts the possibility of death in doing one’s duty.

Always be prepared for hostility against you. The warrior must be many things – observant, wary, honorable, disciplined, willful, resilient, the list goes on – but prepared for hostility is at the core. By virtue of one’s status as a warrior, one becomes a target. One will face challenges from those seeking status; one will find threats wherever one looks. Considering the environment in which the warrior exists, one must always be prepared for all manner of hostility. To be unprepared is to risk all – one’s life, one’s honor, and the survival of the folk.

It is a destiny woven into the very fiber of our people. Our ancestral heritage is that of a warrior. Yes, some were farmers, others were tradesmen; some were bards, others were gothar; some were leaders, others were followers. But all were warriors. For the folk in the modern world, threats are everywhere. We must revive the warrior spirit of old, that core value that drove our ancestors to seek adventure, to wander and conquer, and to live lives of honor. That warrior spirit resides within us. Wake it and let it drive you to glory.

Keep your body, mind, and training up at all times. A warrior must always be training – body, mind, and spirit. To do otherwise is to atrophy, to wither. One must always seek to improve the skills one has and gain new skills one lacks. Become your better self – bigger, faster, stronger – and become the warrior you dream of being. Become the warrior your folk deserve and need.

Have no remorse when you must be savage during a conflict. Remorse at necessary savagery in war is weakness and created vulnerability. At the individual level, it will make you hesitate or be merciful; the enemy not completely dealt with always comes back. Remove the threat early and forever. At the group level, remorse will foster second-guessing of decisions, strategic or tactical. Rid yourself of remorse so you can do what must be done – for you, for your family, for your folk.

Win, prevail, and survive. Everything leads to this. That which does not contribute to winning, prevailing, and surviving needs to be cast aside. All that is part of winning, prevailing, and surviving must be fully embraced. What are you willing to do to win…to prevail…to survive?

Conflict is as much a part of human nature as it is part of the natural order. Conflict is the purse essence of struggle and struggle is life; therefore, it follows that conflict is life. There is no room for discussion, for it is fact and it is codified in the Aesirian Code of Nine. Become your better self so that you can take every advantage and come out the other side of any conflict better and smarter than you were when you entered. Embrace conflict. This is your duty – to yourself and to your folk.

Conflict is part of life and a life without conflict is unworthy of living. Preparation for conflict improves the individual and the community. Live, prepare, fight – for the self and the folk. This is the Aesirian way.