This is the journal of woman new to the Heathen faith and finding her home in it. Here you will read about my explorations of Heathen ethics, thew, lore and news – as well as the story of my study group, Tyr’s Good Hand. I’ll do my best to share what it is like to be a new member of this community and hopefully encourage other beginners to learn, connect, and share their own stories and ideas. So how about I introduce myself?

Corbie is the name I go by, a nickname from the SCA. Corbie is Scottish slang for crow. Long before I knew who Huginn and Muninn were – I was drawn to those dark birds. Whenever I saw crows or ravens in pairs I considered it good luck and good luck never hurts. I’m an archery marshal in that organization and my love of archery is one of the reasons I find myself a modern Heathen. It’s one of the many “old world” activities I adore. I’m also an avid hunter, falconer, homesteader, spinner, martial artist, trail rider and horse cart driver. These are the things I love to do—that I feel the most authentic version of myself doing—and I do them often. While there are plenty of Heathens out there with zero interest in medieval reenactment or assorted activities – I’m not one of them. I love living my real life doing the things I used to only read about in Tolkien novels. I promise you I still have a solid head on my shoulders. No one who raises and butchers pigs on a regular basis is too much of a fruitcake. I don’t wear capes. I don’t have a wand. I refuse to wield a foam sword. I want to learn to use a real one, though.

If it sounds like I’m retired at 32, all I can say is NOPE. I’m not wealthy, far from it. I quit my corporate gig as a graphic designer to be a full time writer and farmer on 7 acres in upstate New York. I am barely scraping by – but I consider scraping by doing what you love in a place you love a successful life. My farm is my life, my pride, and my boasting. It’s as much a part of my practice as blot and study. You’ll hear a lot about it. You have been warned.

Thank you for reading along on this journey. I don’t claim to be any sort of expert, and the opinions here are my own. I don’t speak for the folk of Tyr’s Good Hand or Heathenry at large – only myself. This will be a very personal collection of growth, change, community building, and becoming a better woman one day at a time.

In Your Service,
Corbie M.