An Interview With |
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Conducted
per e-mail August, 1998 |
| Last
Sigh: Could you briefly describe the music you presently
create, and the issues you explore therein?
Andrea: Hagalaz'
Runedance is devoted to the spiritual essence of the ancient northern lands. Hagalaz'
Runedance is a part of my foundation bearing the same name. This entity focuses
on the revival of the ancient northern traditions, traditions which were destroyed, or
stolen and disguised into Christian customs, by the bringers of Christianity. I hope to
inspire individuals all over the world to rekindle the spirit of their pagan ancestors and
practice those traditions natural for them... I like to bring across the spirit of the
past, the spirit of my pagan ancestors, the passions and joys of nature. I try to create a
visual atmosphere of the ancient mysteries. I also try to bring across sadness and despair
because the old ways have been destroyed and our wise, proud pagan ancestors became slaves
to the alien, unnatural, oppressive Christian god, and our society still lives with the
lies and threats the church keeps them bound to. I further try to bring across a feeling
of anger because the common man of today sees nothing sacred anymore about nature. Andrea: I was doing guest-vocals for an English metal band in '93 and got really into doing my music. My first musical expression was in '94 with Aghast, a dark atmospheric project I did with another female from Norway. Last Sigh: At what point in your life did you become conscious of Paganism (begin to practise it as a lifestyle)? Was there a connection between these two incidents? Andrea: I have always had a
general interest in mythology, folklore and legends. I really became into the study of
northern magic and northern mythology about eight years ago through people like Ian
Read and Freya Aswynn. The more I studied about the pagans in
recent years, I realised that the European pagans had a very natural perception of life
and a lot of knowledge about the universe. It just feels natural for me to walk the
spiritual path of my ancestors and I think everybody has the right to reclaim the
spiritual heritage which has been stolen from them a long time ago. Andrea: I create all the music and lyrics myself. The lyrics of Hagalaz' Runedance deal with my philosophies and my passion for the ways and wisdom of the ancient Germanic pagans. Some songs describe Seidr rituals, the ancient natural magic which was practised by the wise women of the North, soul journeys and other shamanic practices. Last Sigh: You have recently taken up residence in Norway. Could you explain the reason(s) for this move? Andrea: Like I said above, I went to Norway to make music with a Norwegian girl. I liked to stay, so I did. I think the northern spirit is much more alive here in the Scandinavian forests. There are also so few people here. And all my plans just happened to work out here as well. Last Sigh: You seem to have achieved a great unity between your beliefs, your work, and your way of life. Is this due to a very conscious effort on your part? Or, has one thing simply led to another? Also, could you describe how you live, and give us an idea as to what a typical day in the life of Andrea Haugen is like? Andrea: I do not really know. I
have been very conscious about how to present my work, but I guess one thing led to
another naturally. I spend most of my days looking after my little daughter and write on
interviews, letters, my book and other Hagalaz' Runedance matters. I am
also rather busy with other things, making arrangements, meetings people and in the little
time that is left I try to do some exercise, meditation etc. Andrea: First of all look within the self. Spend some time alone in nature, and discover the nature around you. I think this is the best way to come in contact with the gods and goddesses and nature's wisdom. There are many books on the market, some are valuable and others are not, i.e. written rather Christian. There is a very good book called "Myths of the Norsemen" by Grueber, which discusses the balanced thinking and understanding the Germanic pagans had about nature and themselves. I also know of other good books in Scandinavian language… Last Sigh: Are there any aspects
of "mainstream" European society/culture that you find encouraging with regards
to what you value and believe in? Beneath the dominance of Judaeo-Christian values and the
scientific reign of reason, do you see any traces of the Northern/Pagan tradition/values? Last Sigh: Do you think that there is much hope for survival of the Pagan beliefs/ways of life in the future? Andrea: I hope so. It might be the only chance we have left to live a harmonious, more down to earth and positive life-style again. Pagan beliefs, being the belief in nature, are the only ones worth practising and by doing so the people from all over the world would have something in common again…to worship the planet and its forces that give us life. Last Sigh: One of the areas of life, where one (or, I at least) most often encounter references to the Nordic/Pagan tradition, is in (underground) music. Why do you think this is so? (Or, is this simply a result of my ignorance of other aspects of life)? Do you think this is a particularly good medium in which to express these beliefs? Or, do you think it may actually be a detriment? (Seeing as how this music scene has a tendency to be frowned upon) Andrea: I think the reason why
there is so much underground pagan music is because the main ignorant masses would not
care to hear about such issues. They like spiritless music with meaningless lyrics. |
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