American Vinland Association

The American Vinland Association (AVA), founded in the 1980s, is a fellowship of Pagan folk following the traditions of Northern and Central Europe. It is based upon the ancient Paganism, popularly termed Norse, that was practiced from Iceland across Scandinavia to Poland, Russia, and Siberia. Practitioners are united in following the same deities, the old gods of the Aesir and Vanir (the Asatru ), but have a wide range of beliefs and practices and use some very different terminology.

The AVA promotes the reestablishment of the old religions of Northern and Central Pagan Europe. It has a broad and inclusive approach that welcomes people who claim to follow Asatru, Vanatru, Finnish, Swedish, Polish, and indigenous Siberian traditions, among others that could be in Northern and Central Europe. The AVA has no official Holy Book, "accepted" sacred catechism, or infallible authority. It does adhere to the noble virtues and strive for the sixfold goal of Right, Wisdom, Might, Harvest, Frith (Peace), and Love.

The association is headed by a board of directors, the Jafner. It functions as a licensing board for priests, priestesses, and elders. The current Jafnar consists of Andy Biggers (Canada), Gamlinginn (New Mexico), Prudence Priest (California), and Dan Proulx (Canada). Regional coordinators have been appointed for Massachusetts, Wisconsin, Oregon, and New Mexico. International headquarters is at 537 Jones, San Francisco, CA 94102. At the end of the century, the AVA had some 100 members in the United States and 20 members in Canada. The AVA Internet site is at http://www.freyasfolk.org/.