asatru (icelandic: ásatrú) is a religion which involves the worship of ancient germanic and scandinavian viking spirits and gods. it received official legal establishment in 1970s in iceland through the efforts of and other icelanders, who rejected christianity and performed "launblót" (secret offering) to pre-"kristnitaka" (christianization of iceland) nordic gods and goddesses. the current recognized national organization of asatru in iceland is ásatrúarfélagið. the name is derived from two old norse words. it means "faith in the æsir," the germanic and viking gods.