A reading list primer for Heathenism?

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Jennifer Renee on November 16, 2010 at 5:16pm

Yes...Yarrow, I actually just emailed him about this very thing:))....I hope to have something from him in a day or two...he would definitely know some great reliable sources and the best websites to frequent as well...He also plans to contribute some thoughts of his own on the subject. Thanks for bringing this up..I was telling my husband it would be so great when he can get on and get involved...he is all about authenticity!

Permalink Reply by ScarlettWitch on December 5, 2010 at 10:12pm

Hello! May I make a few recommendations?

Our Troth, Vol. 1 & 2. The first book goes into the lore behind the various deities and other beings found in the lore, as well as history of the germanic culture. The second book explains the holidays and rituals. Very good stuff!

Taking up the Runes by Diana Paxson. This deals mostly with runes, obviously, but she also throws in some interesting theories about certain Heathen traditions.

Exploring the Northern Tradition by Galina Krasskova. I'm not a huge fan of hers, but this book does a pretty good job of giving an overview of Heathenry, as well as explaining the different paths found in it, such as Folkish, Theodish, Asatru, Vanatru, etc.

Also, check out www.asatru-u.org. It hasn't been updated in years, but the beginner section is still available, and I believe they also have a pretty comprehensive reading list.

Hope that helps!!

Permalink Reply by YarrowSage(the path is changing) on December 6, 2010 at 8:59am

Thank you for the recommendations, I shall check them out!

ScarlettWitch said:

Hello! May I make a few recommendations?

Our Troth, Vol. 1 & 2. The first book goes into the lore behind the various deities and other beings found in the lore, as well as history of the germanic culture. The second book explains the holidays and rituals. Very good stuff!

Taking up the Runes by Diana Paxson. This deals mostly with runes, obviously, but she also throws in some interesting theories about certain Heathen traditions.

Exploring the Northern Tradition by Galina Krasskova. I'm not a huge fan of hers, but this book does a pretty good job of giving an overview of Heathenry, as well as explaining the different paths found in it, such as Folkish, Theodish, Asatru, Vanatru, etc.

Also, check out www.asatru-u.org. It hasn't been updated in years, but the beginner section is still available, and I believe they also have a pretty comprehensive reading list.

Hope that helps!!

Permalink Reply by Svartulfr on January 1, 2011 at 12:58pm

I will try not to be redundant but if you want heathen lore to work from then I suggest you read "The Eddas", "The Heimskringla", "Teutonic Magic" and "Teutonic Religion" along aside  "Our Troth"  Vol 1& 2. A word of warning, Though Gundarsson is one of my fave writers he along with the others used ceremonial magick and adapted it to the Northern perspective. Both Thorssson and Aswynn did the same,I suggest Diana Paxson as another source to refer from.

Permalink Reply by Jennifer Renee on January 1, 2011 at 1:13pm

My husband just gave me Diana Paxson's book for my birthday! Can't wait to read it!

Permalink Reply by Liofrun Ealubora on Wednesday

I would not recommend Aswynn personally, she seems much too flighty and fluffy for any serious practitioner to take.
I would recommend ALL of the epics, from Beowulf to the Iliad and any book written by Ronald Hutton, an archaeologist who has done immense studies on old Heathenism and modern Neopaganism in a straightforward, factual and objective manner. Anything by Brendan Myers as well. Diana Paxson I also found to be very informative during my formative years as a Heathenling many years ago.

Also, though I don't agree with everything he says, the book Reclaiming the Pagan Worldview by Robin Artisson is essential for anyone thinking about becoming Heathen.

Permalink Reply by YarrowSage(the path is changing) on Friday

Thanks for the recommendations, this post was a bit old, but I do appreciate you and everyone else for taking the time to chime in.

 

I've read "Our Troth" vol. 1 and 2 and I found them to be good, I am currently working through Kveldulf Gundarsson's "Teutonic Religion" and I find that to be a good read so far, and I am also reading through Diana Paxon's "Taking up the runes". I found her book, "Essential Asatru" to be a very good read that I went over it twice.

 

With Aswynn, I get the feeling that she's combined her path with many other elements and it's changed it over the years. I'm going to read her book, but I will take your comment under advisement. I think that with her, from what I have read about her, her time with a coven has skewed her working into something that isn't quite heathen centric if that makes any sense. I shall have read Robin Artisson's book, since it sounds really good.

 

Thanks again!

 

Liofrun Ealubora said:

I would not recommend Aswynn personally, she seems much too flighty and fluffy for any serious practitioner to take.
I would recommend ALL of the epics, from Beowulf to the Iliad and any book written by Ronald Hutton, an archaeologist who has done immense studies on old Heathenism and modern Neopaganism in a straightforward, factual and objective manner. Anything by Brendan Myers as well. Diana Paxson I also found to be very informative during my formative years as a Heathenling many years ago.

Also, though I don't agree with everything he says, the book Reclaiming the Pagan Worldview by Robin Artisson is essential for anyone thinking about becoming Heathen.

Permalink Reply by Liofrun Ealubora on Friday

No problem. Yeah Aswynn is still worth the read as it gives you an idea of contemporary Heathen culture. Robin Artisson's book is short and to the point and can be found in pdf form by a quick google search. :)

Permalink Reply by Frecnedeor on Sunday

I actually flipped through Diana Paxon's "Essential Asatru" and it looked pretty promising. Might be one to consider.