Welcome to the official home page of Théodish Belief. Théodish Belief, also known as Þéodisc Geléafa or Théodism, is a rekindling of the manygodded, tribal religion that was held by our Anglo-Saxon heathen forebears before the coming of Christianity. As Théodsmen, we are given to the mystery of sacral kingship and to the worship of such gods and goddesses as Tíw, Wóden, Þunor, Fríge, and Éastre who are remembered still today in the names for Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and Easter.
First founded by Gárman Lord in 1976 as the Witan Théod, the Wínland Ríce is the tribal folkdom (society) within which fellowships known as théods are bound together by a Web of Oaths. Led by a hláford (lord) and/or hlæfdige (lady), each théod is made up of Théodsmen who are beholden to each other either by oaths or by the bonds of true kinship. In turn, the hláford or hlæfdige of each Théod is oathed to the Ríce’s cyning. It is then the cyning‘s holy work to “hold the Ríce” and to offer blót (offerings) to the gods on its behalf.
Today the Wínland Ríce, also known as the Théodish Ríce, has théods in North America and Australia. The foremost of these are Géring Théod in New York, the Ealdríce Théod in Central Virginia, Brádléahweald Léode in Northern Virginia, Hræfnscír Théod in British Columbia, and Æppeldor Heall in Tasmania. Moreover, new théods and halls are continually sprouting up within the Théodish Ríce as it welcomes those who earnestly seek the ancient, manygodded belief of their heathen ancestors. To learn more about how to become a Théodsman, you can write to us at Winland.Rice@gmail.com.
Who is Théodish, and Who is Not?
Théodish Belief is not merely a method, a style, a structure, or an approach to Heathenry nor is it merely a set of practices that one can adopt or creeds that one can ascribe to. Théodish Belief is the trow of a folkdom, that being the folkdom of Théodsmen. One might well be inspired by and even borrow bits of Théodish thew, but that does not make one a Théodsman any more than following the customs of another country makes one a citizen of said country. Théodsmen are those who are bound together in the Théodish Ríce by its Web of Oaths, by its Web of Thew, by its Orlay, and by their love for and leave to the Hálig Cynescipe of the Théodish Ríce. Théodsmen are also those Théods outside the Ríce, that were fostered from it, and that are still acknowledged as Théodish by it.
As Théodish Belief is often misunderstood by Neopagans, Neoheathens, and the like, there are a handful of groups and individuals who are not Théodish, but who nevertheless wrongly present themselves as such. Sometimes they use variations such as “Theodist,” “Theodisc,” and “Theedish,” but no such groups are truly Théodish. The only way to know for sure if a group or individual is Théodish is to contact the Wínland Ríce. We know our Théodsmen well and we can check the Théodish Dómesdægbóc (registry) to see if the group or individual in question is listed there.
Looking to learn more about Théodish Belief or how to become a Théodsman?
Publications on Théodish Belief are available from Háliggyld Books. Moreover, the Wínland Ríce publishes a quarterly newsletter, Spellstów Magazine. Questions or inquiries into how to become a Théodsman can be sent to Winland.Rice@gmail.com.
The Wínland Ríce 