Leader Bio: Bjorn Pattson - ADF Neopagan Druidism

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I have always been fascinated with all things ancient, military, and mythical. I grew up reading about the Samurai of Japan, the Ghurkas of Nepal, the Knights of the medieval period, the ancient Spartans... basically reading anything I can get my hands on with a martial theme.

I enjoyed different myths of the Greeks and Romans, and then I discovered the Norse myths... all at an early age. Never a really religious person, I confounded my parents when I dated my first girlfriend... a Wiccan. That was my first experience with another religion other than Catholicism and Catholicism-light (Episcopal), my father and mother's upbringing respectively.

Did it have any effect on me? Not really... I have always considered myself open-minded and religion was never a real concern of mine. No surprise to my family, I enlisted in the Marine Corps (Infantry all the way) immediately after school and shipped out. I was Honorably Discharged after four years of service and a six-month stint supporting NATO in Bosnia in 95/96. I got a lot out of those years, discovered the Military Pagan Network, but what hit home was that I discovered I really didn't have a lot in common with eclectic Wicca or Celtic paths.

When I discovered an organization in '97, Ár nDraíocht Féin, A Druid Fellowship, I was very surprised. Thinking it to be another Celt centered organization, I almost passed it up without a second glance. However, when I looked deeper, this organization appealed to me because it is not a Celt centered organization. Instead it recognizes that all P-I-E (Proto-Indo-European) religions are similar and ADF encourages paths other than Celtic. Determined to follow the ancestral ways, I was pleased when I was quickly pulled back to my childhood love of the Germanic/Norse gods. The only problem I've ever had with ADF is a lack of groves in the south. The grove in Houston went defunct as soon as I found them, which left me as a solitaire down in Beaumont, Texas.

So in the course of finding Norse oriented writings, I found Irmin's Way's (an Asatru Kindred) and began studying, learning, and growing since 1997. Irmin's Way was a very formative and shaping point in my development as a Heathen. Within Irmin's Way I became a full-member and achieved full ordination as a Goði (priest). Irmin's way also expedited the discovery of other contacts in the Heathen community, I discovered the Texas-Asatru-League (which lead to discovering numerous other Kindreds in Texas) and I also discovered the Rune-Gild. Even after finding Irmin's Way, I never left ADF. It's been a constant in my vision, simply because the scholarship and the scope aren't rivaled in any other inter- or national Heathen/pagan organization.

In March of 2002, I founded a protogrove named Miðgarð Hearth in the Houston area. Initially this was comprised of my wife, my brother-in-law, and myself. In June of 2002, I was elected to the Board of Directors of ADF in the capacity of a Regional Representative. In short, I respect and admire the work ADF does and the level of scholarship the organization and members put forth. In late 2002, my wife and I made a hard decision to leave Irmin's Way. When I left Irmin's Way, on a Thursday, the upcoming blessing was Harvest, that Saturday (9/21) ... in a scant two days! So I called up a friend, Dæg Freysgoði, that Thursday night and we had the first Blot of the new Miðgarð Hearth Kindred. I say new, because Dæg is the southern Steward for the Troth. What we did, was we re-formed Miðgarð Hearth with a dual affiliation to both ADF and the Troth. So far, it meshes well... and we're happily growing with an eye towards what the future holds! So ends the religious development Saga and we start the things I'm most proud of... my family.

In Oct. 2001, I had the most wonderful birthday any man could expect to have... three wonderful women entered my life; well, one wonderful woman and two terrific kiddos. I married my wife, Shelly and became the father of two lovely little girls Emily and Kaitlin. Children really change you... they're your hopes and dreams... you'll never understand how someone you love so much can piss you off so bad ;) In Oct. 2002, my birthday got better; my son was born on Oct 3rd. Barrett arrived at 5:37pm and at 8lbs 12oz. The amount of noise, and lack of sleep, which emanates from this little guy is astounding!

Well, thus ends the bio as we've pretty well caught-up to current events. If you're ever in the Houston, TX area... please drop me an email and we'll try and find ya.

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