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Heather 'Vedis' Koerner

I was born during the great Wild Hunt in October of 1979 and Raised in Central Illinois surrounded on all sides by rolling cornfields. My Mother and Grandparents raised me. My family is pretty much Scots-Irish on my mother's side and Norman English on my father's side.

Having learned to read at a very early age, I bought books rather frequently with what little my mother could spare. One of the first books I laid my hands on was about Nordic Mythology. But school teaches you that Mythology was not real. So I never took them to be anything more than a really great read.

I started my journey into Paganism when I was 8 years old. I found a book on crystal magic by Scott Cunningham and was delighted.

It was also at this time that I became aware of my ability to speak with the dead and receive information from people's bodies. I couldn't interpret things yet, and had to deal with a massive influx of information that I couldn't do anything with. It took me till I was 17 to figure out how to control and understand it.

Thank goodness for supportive families. I couldn't have done it without my Mom and Grandparents. They are not Pagan or Heathen, but they had gone through the same thing, and had some helpful advice. Even if it was couched with an inability to believe it wasn't the work of their over active imaginations. Everything was done in hushed whispers and 'aside' conversation. No one spoke of it directly. I learned a lot of control from them, and for that I am thankful.

After the usual adolescent fascination with Wicca, as it was the most available 'alternative religion' at the time, I came to realize that 'Mythology' used to be 'Theology.' I turned towards a more family focused faith. I turned towards Irish Mythology.

When I met my husband at the age of 19 I was already dipping into Celtic reconstruction, as a way to connect with my ancestors. We formed the Central Illinois Pagan Support Group, which, do to massive infighting, didn't last long. But there was still something missing from my spiritualiy, a connection not quite made. My husband had introduced me to Asatru a few years earlier, and I kept looking towards it for ideas for my Irish faith. Finally I went back and re-read that first book I had bought, years earlier and well worn by now. It's tales inspired me again and I switched my focus.

Now I am Asatru. I keep the honor of the Ancients. I keep the holy days of my People. I worship the Gods of my Family.

I received my Associates in Art in May of '01

I was married in April of '01

I graduated from Massage School in May of '05 (stemming from my fascination with biology and energy-work.)

Our personal group has gone through several incarnations. We started out as Celto-Germanic but when I wanted to focus on Asatru, no one else would pick up the Celtic Holiday rituals. So our group went purely Nordic, and we lost several members. We still are in contact with most of them.

I joined ADF in 1999 and had to rejoin when I had the funds in 2001. Over the years I volunteered to be the Artisans Guild's Archivist, and the Art Director for Oak Leaves. Currently I am ADF's Chronicler where I am helping to plan and implement their Publishing Branch. I still hold the title of Artisan Guild Archivist and for a while yet.

My husband and I became members of the Troth in 2003 and went to our first TrothMoot in 2005 where we met many wonderful people both from the Troth and from ADF. These organizations really are about the people and not about the lists. Sometimes I think we forget that.

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