Kinfylga

In Asatru, a Fylga is an external energy that takes the form of an entity. The two main forms are the Fetch, or spirit animal, and the Kinfylga, or family spirit. We discuss the family one here.

As with all systems in close contact, there are energies shared. Each member of a family has Hamingja. The Hamingja of each individual builds resonance with that of the others. Eventually, there is another glob of energy shared with the family members. This is the Kinfylga.

Like Hamingja, Kinfylga is built and used up by the persons in contact with it. This makes some families stronger than others. Do not despair if your family seems to be one of the weaker ones; your personal Hamingja can make up for it.

Unlike Hamingja, Kinfylga builds up over generations. Each generation adds, or subtracts, its bit. This means that you have access to the energy of your ancestors. You can tap into it. Most modern people do not understand Kinfylga, so they do not tap in intentionally. The connections and use tend to be haphazard. There is, however energy there if you need it. Just as important, you can use Kinfylga to help your family by building your own Hamingja and adding it to the pool.

The Disir

As mentioned in the first paragraph, a Fylga usually takes the form of an entity. In the case of Kinfylga, this form is that of a Dis (plural is Disir). This is the spirit of an ancestor, almost always female, who cared so much about the family that she hung around to look after things. If you are doing things that are good for the family, the Dis will usually be very helpful. If, however, she believes that you will harm the family, she can become quite cross. Keep in mind that the Dis is an ancestor and her personality is probably the same as it was in life, for better or worse. Your family may have more than one Dis. If your family energy has grown weak enough, you may not be able to find even one Dis.

The Definition of Family

The definition of family can become quite complicated. When two people produce offspring, do their children belong to one Kinfylga or the other? Are adopted or foster children included in the family, or do they have Kinfylga from their biological families? If a couple marry, dose one of them join the family of the other? These questions are difficult to answer because so much depends on the person and the family spirit.

A child will typically find that he or she feels more connected to one of the two families. The qualities of the Kinfylga will resonate better with the child. There is nothing wrong with this unless the child or family fights it.

Stories tell of foster and adopted children that take up the spirit of the host family and do well. In other stories, the character of the biological family asserts itself too strongly and the child returns to his or her original family in the end. Again, it has to do with the strength of the familial connection. Note that in some cases, a Dis may not consider an adopted child to be part of the family, and in other cases, the Dis will bring the child in as one of her own.

After marriage, the strength of the families and the individuals of the couple will determine what happens. In some cases, one family will be so much stronger that the new member will be brought is with little connection with his or her family spirit. This is not something that can be mandated or physically manipulated. In fact, to try to force this will probably strengthen the connection with the biological family and anger that family's Disir. Not a good thing.

What Good Does this Do You?

You have little direct control over the character of your family spirit. You are a contributor, however, and it is your responsibility to add the sort of character you want for your family. You do this through strengthening yourself in all ways and helping your family in constructive ways.

The other thing you can do is to honor your Disir. Hold a ceremony in their honor. Thank them for their help, protection, and guidance. Listen to their advice. Keep in mind that their advice may be better suited to an earlier age, but consider it and try to find the modern equivalent if you can. In any case, be respectful.

Building the strength of your family makes you stronger and prepares a good family for your offspring. Honoring the Disir will only make your family better.