I’ve actually written quite a bit about the ‘essence and power’ aspect of ‘virtue’ in Heathen esoteric work and ethics, though only certain aspects are in that book, Jeff. I base my work in this direction on the old Germanic words that were used to translate Latin ‘virtus,’ namely ‘mod and maegen’ and their equivalents, which in Old Norse are also the names of Thor’s sons Modi and Magni. His daughter Thudhr, ‘Strength,’ plays a role too.

Mod is one of the Heathen souls, an essence if you will, and is also a form of power both within beings and in the ambient environment. I’m laying the foundations for a form of Heathen practice focused on ethical use of ‘might and main’ on both mundane and esoteric levels through working with Thor’s children, the Thorlings as I call them, and how they can help us shape and direct ‘virtue’ or ‘essence and power’ in our lives and work, as part of working with our Mod soul. Though this work is not limited to the esoteric and ethical development of manhood or masculinity, it can definitely be used for that purpose if one chooses.

Winifred