As we now look back on 2025, we can conclude that it has been a year of historic victories, deeper roots, and a community that has grown stronger than it has been in a very long time. It has been the year when a long struggle finally bore fruit, and when we quite literally put the spade into the ground for the future. A year in which perseverance, unity, and long-term commitment proved their true worth. We have demonstrated that Ásatrú is not a relic of the past – it is a living reality for thousands of people here and now.
The Pope Stone in Old Uppsala – When Endurance Became Victory
It is often said that perseverance wins, and never has this been clearer than in the spring of 2025. For eight years, the Nordic Asa-community has pursued the issue of the Pope Stone in Old Uppsala. We have written petitions, maintained dialogue with authorities, and clearly emphasized that a foreign religious symbol does not belong at one of the most important pre-Christian sacred sites in the Nordic world.
Many claimed the struggle was futile. But we knew why we stood there – and we did not give up. In April 2025, the announcement came: the Pope Stone had been removed. This was not merely the relocation of a stone block, but a principled acknowledgment that pre-Christian sacred sites also deserve respect. A victory for cultural heritage, religious freedom, and for all those who refused to accept the marginalization of our legacy. When the cranes lifted the 3,5-ton stone, it was a victory for everyone who honors Nordic cultural heritage.
It proved that a religious community, if sufficiently united and organized, can influence decisions at the highest levels of the state. The victory firmly established NAS/NAC as the leading defender of our sacred places.
Related links – The Pope Stone:
- Community petition: https://asa-samfundet.se/upprop/
- News on the removal: https://asa-samfundet.se/pavestenen-i-gamla-uppsala-ar-nu-borttagen-nordiska-asa-samfundet-valkomnar-beskedet-efter-lang-och-flerarig-kamp/
- SVT: The stone being moved: https://www.svt.se/nyheter/local/uppsala/har-flyttas-den-35-ton-tunga-pavestenen-i-gamla-uppsala
- Video of the removal: https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=2846566728884953&rdid=v34My3mQiOCniC0B
A Place for Final Rest – The Burial Ground in Molkom.
2025 was not only the year when we corrected the past – it was the year when we built for the future. The work on Sweden’s first burial ground for Ásatrú practitioners, located in Nyhed outside Molkom, reached its decisive milestone. After years of archaeological investigations, bureaucratic processes, and dialogue with authorities, the building permit was granted. The historic first groundbreaking took place, and construction is now underway, with completion estimated for 2026.
This is Sweden’s first official burial ground for Ásatrú practitioners in modern times. Here, followers of Ásatrú will be able to rest beneath burial mounds, in an environment not dominated by Christian crosses but by the natural order itself. This project is the ultimate proof that NAS/NAC takes responsibility for the future of Ásatrú – from cradle to grave.
Related links – The Burial Ground in Molkom:
The community’s own texts:
- Proposed design: https://asa-samfundet.se/gravplatsen-for-asatroende-i-molkom-sa-har-kommer-den-att-se-ut-enligt-forslaget/
- One step closer: https://asa-samfundet.se/nas-ar-ett-steg-narmare-en-begravningsplats-for-asatroende/
- Historic building permit decision: https://asa-samfundet.se/historiskt-beslut-bygglov-beviljat-for-begravningsplatsen-i-molkom/
Newspapers & news websites:
- SVT Värmland: Building permit approved: https://www.svt.se/nyheter/lokalt/varmland/bygglov-godkant-for-gravplats-for-asatroende-i-molkom
- SVT Värmland: One step closer: https://www.svt.se/nyheter/lokalt/varmland/asatroende-ett-steg-narmre-gravplatser-i-nyed
- SVT Värmland: Beginning to take shape: https://www.svt.se/nyheter/lokalt/varmland/sveriges-forsta-gravplats-for-asatroende-borjar-ta-form
- SVT Culture: We will invoke Odin: https://www.svt.se/kultur/forsta-begravningsplatsen-for-asatroende-vi-kommer-tillkalla-oden-allfadern
- SVT Play Cultural News: https://www.svtplay.se/video/jEqwXxW/kulturnyheterna/ikvall-18-24
- Swedish Radio (SR): The building permit decision: https://www.sverigesradio.se/artikel/beskedet-begravningsplatsen-for-asatroende-far-bygglov
- Swedish Radio (SR): Great interest in Molkom: https://www.sverigesradio.se/artikel/asatroende-vill-begravas-i-molkom-stort-intresse
- Expressen Direct: https://www.expressen.se/nyheter/expressen-direkt/?post=5734c2ae-c50a-4299-9bf7-4dac2f760f2e
- Göteborgs-Posten: https://www.gp.se/nyheter/sverige/begravningsplats-for-asatroende-far-bygglov.1b2344c2-e5fb-4013-9cdc-6095fa8f38bb
- Värmlands Folkblad (Proposal): https://www.vf.se/2025/06/16/samfund-foreslas-fa-bygglov-och-dispens-for-historisk-gravplats-i-molkom-225fd/
- Värmlands Folkblad (Ancient remains): https://www.vf.se/2025/04/28/fornlamningar-stoppade-gravplats-men-de-asatroende-har-hittat-nytt-omrade-f3e72/
- Nya Wermlands-Tidningen (Location): https://www.nwt.se/2025/03/12/efter-fynden-har-ska-de-asatroendes-gravplatser-ligga-en-fin-placering-b10db/
- Nya Wermlands-Tidningen (Delays): https://www.nwt.se/2025/01/29/darfor-drojer-gravplatser-for-asatroende-i-molkom-det-var-lite-mindre-fynd-199e4/
- Nya Wermlands-Tidningen (The first site): https://www.nwt.se/2024/07/09/har-kan-sveriges-forsta-gravplats-for-asatroende-hamna-passar-valdigt-bra-f1943/
- Smålandsposten: https://www.smp.se/sverige/asatroende-far-egen-begravningsplats/
- Borås Tidning: https://www.bt.se/sverige/asatroende-far-egen-begravningsplats/
- Barometern: https://www.barometern.se/sverige/asatroende-far-egen-begravningsplats/
- News55: https://www.news55.se/samhalle/inrikes/asatroende-kan-fa-sin-forsta-gravplats-i-sverige/
- Nyheter24: https://nyheter24.se/nyheter/inrikes/1403921-asatroende-far-egen-begravningsplats
- Dagens Nyheter: https://www.dn.se/direkt/2025-03-12/framsteg-for-gravplats-at-asatroende/
- Omni: https://omni.se/gravplats-for-asatroende-kan-snart-bli-verklighet/a/639OJQ
- Feber.se: https://feber.se/samhalle/gravplats-for-asatroende-far-bygglov/480859/
- TextTV.nu: https://texttv.nu/107/asatroende-far-begravningsplats-36508453
- MSN News: https://www.msn.com/sv-se/nyheter/inrikes/asatroende-f%C3%A5r-egen-begravningsplats/ar-AA1H41ug
- Katrineholms-Kuriren: https://etidning.eposten.se/p/katrineholms-kuriren/2025-06-21/a/det-kanns-i-hjartat-att-vi-kan-erbjuda-vara-medlemmar-en-sista-viloplats-i-samklang-med-var-tro/1991/1924043/63853357
The Church of Sweden:
- Church of Sweden, Karlstad: https://www.svenskakyrkan.se/karlstad/gravplats-for-asatroende
International:
- Hufvudstadsbladet (Finland): https://www.hbl.fi/2024-07-10/asatroende-kan-fa-sin-forsta-gravplats-i-sverige-BcubH/
- Ålandstidningen: https://www.alandstidningen.ax/tt/asatroende-far-egen-begravningsplats/869986
- Epoch Times Sweden: https://www.epochtimes.se/asatroende-far-egen-begravningsplats
- Sweden Herald (English): https://swedenherald.com/article/asatru-followers-in-sweden-to-get-dedicated-burial-ground
Blót, Weddings, and Lived Faith – The Ceremonial Core.
During 2025, the community conducted a large number of blóts, name-givings, and weddings across the country. The absolute spiritual highlight of the year was the Summer Blót of 2025. At the historic Rök Stone in Östergötland – a place where the runes themselves speak of ancient heroes and gods – hundreds of Ásatrú followers gathered in July.
The blót was led by our national blót responsible, Thommy Vähäsalo, and deputy national blót responsible Lena Salomonsson, together with NAS/NAC blót officiants. To see hundreds of kinsmen and kinswomen raise their horns in shared reverence to the powers was a reminder of our collective strength. The sense of community at the Summer Blót is unique; here everyone meets regardless of profession – from young families and youth to retirees. The event has resonated far beyond Sweden’s borders, and we are seeing a growing number of international guests traveling to Sweden to experience how we steward our faith in a modern and organized way.
The Summer Blót – Media Coverage:
- Corren: 200 expected to gather: https://www.corren.se/nyheter/odeshog/artikel/over-200-asatroende-vantas-samlas-for-blot-vid-rokstenen/r247qvpj
- Corren: Ásatrú followers gather here: https://www.corren.se/nyheter/odeshog/artikel/har-samlas-200-asatroende-vid-rokstenen-for-att-fira-blot/r04gd20l
- Swedish Radio: 200 gather for blót: https://www.sverigesradio.se/artikel/200-asatroende-samlas-for-blot-i-helgen-citat
- Aftonbladet: Summer blót at the Rök Stone: https://www.aftonbladet.se/nyheter/a/Rzg4d5/sommarblot-for-asatroende-vid-rokstenen
- Morgunblaðið (Iceland): https://www.mbl.is/frettir/erlent/2025/07/12/saenskir_asatruarmenn_blota_sumar/
We Are Growing – And Thus Ásatrú Is Strengthened
After a natural decline during the pandemic, the curve has steadily pointed upward, and during 2025 the community grew by around 150 new members. This is an impressive figure that shows the growing desire for fellowship and authentic spirituality. Your membership is part of the force that truly makes a difference and gives us weight in dialogue with authorities and in the work for religious freedom.
It is thanks to our members that projects such as Sweden’s first burial ground have become possible. The members are the foundation that ensures Ásatrú not only survives – but takes its rightful place. We also see a gratifying trend of more families with children joining, giving children a natural relationship to nature and history. During the year, the community’s blót kindreds have continued to develop and grow across large parts of Sweden, strengthening local activity and Ásatrú as a living tradition.
The Community in the Media – Setting the Agenda
During 2025, the Nordic Asa-community (NAS/NAC) cemented its role as a natural participant in public discourse. We have gone from being a curiosity to being an authority. Media coverage has been broader than ever: from national Public Service news to local reports and specialist press.
In total, the community’s work and representatives have appeared in approximately 34 articles, news segments, and interviews during the year. This is proof that when we act – Sweden listens. Here is a selection:
- Vaken med P3 & P4 (Thommy Vähäsalo): https://www.sverigesradio.se/vakenmedp3p4
- Icelandic wedding in Halland: https://www.mbl.is/frettir/innlent/2025/06/06/giftu_sig_ad_asatruarsid_i_svithjod/
- Lena Hildebrand Svensson – GP video: https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=1069424581985849
- Lena Hildebrand Svensson – GP article: https://www.gp.se/nyheter/vastsverige/asatron-i-sverige-far-allt-fler-anhangare-offrar-till-gudarna.1b237c38-5f10-4101-b261-c2b161e297ac
- Håkan Ljunggren – NLT: https://www.nlt.se/2025/08/30/asatron-vaxer-i-sverige-hakan-ljunggren-fran-larv-leder-nordiska-asasamfundet-16103
Looking Toward 2026 – The Year of Freyja
We leave 2025 with heads held high, but we do not pause. According to our nine-year ritual cycle, we now enter the Year of Freyja, 2026. Freyja is both a goddess of war and fertility – a powerful figure who unites struggle, responsibility, and the continuation of life. To enter Freyja’s year is to direct our gaze toward strength, renewal, action, and the future.
During 2026, we will place special emphasis on the Vanir goddess Freyja. At the same time, work in Molkom continues with the goal of inaugurating the burial ground in a dignified manner. In parallel, efforts to establish additional burial grounds across the country will intensify. Applications have been submitted previously, and during 2026 these processes will be resumed with increased focus.
Our national blót responsible, Thommy Vähäsalo, has explained in a newly recorded video what the Year of Freyja means and her role in Ásatrú – an invitation to both reflection and action.
Watch Thommy Vähäsalo speak about Freyja: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U2a3Z2RIWek
Subscribe to our channel for more updates: https://www.youtube.com/@NordiskaAsasamfundet2014
Closing Words: Together, We Are Writing History
A deep thanks is extended to every single person who has stood by our side throughout the year. Thank you to every member whose support has laid the foundation for our shared guardianship, and to all of you who have entrusted our ceremonial leaders to guide life’s great passages.
Through the blóts held by the community’s blót kindreds and the flames that have risen toward the sky, Ásatrú has been granted renewed strength. We have only just begun. The roots grow deeper with every passing day, and the branches stretch ever higher toward the heavens.
Til árs ok friðar!
Hail all.
Hail Freyja.
Hail the Nordic Asa-community.
Hail Ásatrú.
