Foreword by Isaac Bonewits. One of the best books on Norse and Germanic spirituality.

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Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #191188 in Books
• Published on: 2006-12-01
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 224 pages

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Customer Reviews

Very good first read of the religion
It's got a bit of a slow start, but that's only because it gives a ruff history of the religion and the people who worshiped these deity's. It's a very good read for those who are new to this religion or those who are interested in what it is. It answers a lot of questions, and give very good list of what to read next if indeed you what to know more. I'd suggest it to anyone interested in the religion.

excellent introduction
An excellent guide to Northern European legend, culture and lore by the noted fantasy novelist and author of Taking Up The Runes. Beginning with a concise and scholarly history of the origins and spread of the Germanic peoples, proceeding to an account of their gods and customs and magicks, outlining religious ritual in both ancient and modern forms, explaining the various retro-heathen Asatru groups, their core values and issues, their parallels to and differences from other neo-pagan traditions including Wicca, and ending with a guide to further study and the various organizations of modern times. One of the most significant differences between the Norse and Celtic revivalists is that the Norse generally have a stronger emphasis on accurate cultural information and a firm basis in the surviving texts of the Poetic & Prose Eddas and the various folktales and sagas. This is a clear and complete introduction to an important part of the 21st century's diverse spiritual traditions, by an author who clearly knows whereof she speaks!

An excellent overview!
There are a few books out now that offer a general overview of Asatru, and for the novice, I think this is the best one to start with. Diana Paxson has a great way of writing, and the book is a quick, fun read. I certainly don't think the aspiring heathen should stop there - the book IS of course only a brief introduction, but it covers the basics and provides plenty of resources to continue with.

One thing I like about this book is that TO ME, at least, it seems that the author made a very solid attempt to remain un-biased. (Although I see that some here disagree). Remaining unbiased is very difficult in Asatru, because the source material is so far removed from us and thus rather mysterious and difficult to interpret. Thus, each scholar makes his or her own interpretations, and obviously every person has their own biases and pre-conceived notions that they can't help inserting into the lore they read. There is absolutely NO authoritative overview on Asatru, because each author colors it with their own biases. That is why in Asatru it is ESSENTIAL that a person read as many authors as possible (both those considered 'liberal' and those considered 'conservative') and read the lore themselves, and then make their own determinations. The remarks here about feminism, by the way, I don't even understand where they got this from. Is it because the Goddesses are given equal weight to the Gods? I don't see any other basis! But where in the lore does it say that the Goddesses are less important? I have a feeling that perhaps some people didn't really read the book, perhaps they just assume that a female author can't possibly write a good book on Asatru.

Anyway, I do think that Ms. Paxson made a great effort to include a mention of EVERY interpretation of Asatru, even those she obviously doesn't agree with. I think this is to her credit. As I mentioned in a comment to someone else's review, all novices deserve to be exposed to EVERY interpretation before they make up their own minds. And in fact, I think numerous sections including the very important "Questions and Conflicts" does a very good job of outlining these very tense ongoing arguments (Universalist or Folkish? Honor Loki or ban Loki? Earth religion or not? Is it Wicca, or is it Tru? Liberal or Conservative? etc etc etc) In most (though admittedly not all) cases Ms. Paxson does a great job of self-restraint in regards to not pushing her own opinion, and simply lets the readers know what the different opinions are.

All that said, again I maintain that this is a perfect choice for a first book, before going on to other overview books and the lore itself. It's got a little bit of everything: some history, descriptions of the Gods and Goddesses (including very nice prayers and songs for each one), a brief description of the runes and other heathen esoteric practices, as well as both a very handy list of references and heathen organizations AND descriptions of heathen rituals and how to show good manners therein!

All in all, I can't praise this book enough, and just for it's "quick reference" value, it's definitely a keeper no matter how many more in-depth books one reads.