Re Asatru, I don't blame you for not wanting to own a label so much associated with racism and with a religion that is more religious than spiritual. My father has said something pretty similar about Christianity, hence he no longer calls himself a Christian.

Re Buddhism, I'm not sure what you've heard that makes it sound depressing. Zen — the form I practice — is very much like Taoism, and the lineage of Zen I'm a member of is particularly characterized by something called don't know mind, which can, if taken to heart, induce a strong sense of love, compassion, equilibrium, and joy.

ETA: I'm not trying to interest you in Zen, just explaining that it's not depressing to most of us who practice it.