Download or read book Rites of Anglo Saxon and Norse Paganism written by Eric Wodening and published by Createspace Independent Publishing Platform. This book was released on 2017-03-05 with total page pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: In Rites of Anglo-Saxon and Norse Paganism Eric Wodening examines Old English, Old Norse, and Icelandic sources to see how the Anglo-Saxons and Scandinavians of the Viking Age performed various rites, including sacrifices, birth rituals, weddings, and funerals.
Download or read book Hammer of the Gods written by Swain Wodening and published by Createspace Independent Publishing Platform. This book was released on 2010-02-09 with total page 0 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Hammer of the Gods covers the beliefs, rites, and practices of modern day Anglo-Saxon Heathenry, a pagan religion derived from years of research into the beliefs of the ancient Anglo-Saxons and Norse
Download or read book Heathen Paths written by Pete Jennings and published by . This book was released on 2007 with total page 274 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: A detailed, researched and inspired book on Norse and Anglo Saxon tradition Paganism. This book is written from a different perspective to other books published on aspects of what is known variously as Asatru, The Northern Tradition and Odinism to present a handbook of accumulated data so that people can read and interpret it for themselves, aided by sometimes conflicting or complementary opinions clearly labelled, enabling the reader to develop and adapt their own theories and practices, rather than have them laid out by someone else. Where possible Pete compares more than one source of information. Trying to subjectively observe a movement from within, whilst being a part of it oneself is a delicate path to tread, but in this book Pete does an admirable job, separating them from the historical data being presented.
Download or read book Exploring the Northern Tradition written by Galina Krasskova and published by Red Wheel/Weiser. This book was released on 2005-01-01 with total page 221 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Provides an overview of Heathenry, a modern polytheistic religious movement based on the ancient religion of the Germanic and Scandinavian peoples.
Download or read book Exploring the Northern Tradition written by Galina Krasskova and published by Red Wheel/Weiser. This book was released on 2005-05-15 with total page 221 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Exploring the Northern Tradition is an introduction to the modern reconstruction of the ancient religion of the Germanic and Scandinavian peoples. This religion, called Heathenry, is one of the fastest growing polytheistic religious movements in the United States today. This book provides a thorough guide to the cosmology, values, ethics, and rituals practiced by modern Heathens. It crosses denominational lines, examining practices common to all branches of Heathenry in an easily accessible format. Readers will have the opportunity to explore the sacred stories of the various Heathen Gods, like Odin, Frigga, Freya, and Thor, and the devotional practices of modern votaries. The most common devotional rite--the faining or blot--is examined in rich detail, with examples given for personal use. Additionally, readers are introduced to the concept of wyrd or fate, so integral to the Heathen worldview. For those new to Heathenry, Pagans who wish to learn more about the Norse Deities, or those simply interested in learning about this unique religion, Exploring the Northern Tradition is the perfect introduction. Subjects covered include: -- The gods and goddesses -- Symbel -- The soul matrix -- Ethics and values of the modern heathen -- The history and evolution of modern Heathenry Unlike many books on Heathenry, Exploring the Northern Tradition is not denomination specific, nor does it seek to overwhelm the reader with unfamiliar Anglo-Saxon or Norse terminology. Every new concept covered is presented in a clear and easy-to-understand manner. Readers will come away from this book with a thorough knowledge of what the Heathen community is like and what newcomers to that community can expect. Experienced Heathens will find a wealth of lore and inter-denominational critique that will make this book an excellent addition to their libraries. The author, Galina Krasskova draws on her own 12 years of experience as a Heathen priest or weofodthignen. She is currently Aeweweard in Thaet Angelseaxisce Ealdriht and has studied interfaith ministry in NYC (where she is registered with the state as a minister). Drawing upon the foundation of her own experience as a Heathen, Rev. Krasskova provides a window into this faith that seeks to unite the wisdom of the past with the devotional inspiration of the present.
Download or read book Anglo Saxon Paganism written by Jamie Lang and published by . This book was released on 2021-05-23 with total page 348 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: How Anglo-Saxons in Britain Understood their World 1,500 Years Ago When Anglo-Saxon tribes first settled in Britain in the mid fifth century CE, their beliefs, though varied and developing over time, were essentially pagan and polytheistic. The history of the ways in which the early English understood their world is told here in terms of both the character of specific deities they followed, and the broader nature of their pre-Christian culture. Key themes include the ways in which Anglo-Saxon paganism differed from Scandinavian (Viking) spirituality, and how early English deities compared to those of other early polytheistic cultures, such as the Greek and Sumerian. In order to better comprehend the pagan Anglo-Saxon mind-set, basic Germanic materialist philosophy is contrasted with aspects of ancient Greek idealist philosophy, in particular neoplatonism, and related changing perceptions of the goddess Hecate. Loki's role as an agent of cultural dissent and gender diversity is analysed, and differing views of life after death reviewed. Particular attention is paid to what the Old English Beowulf poem might tell us about English tribal foundation myths, and chapters on the uses of runes and the place of trees in pagan culture are also included. The author seeks to make a case that the early English revered the divine feminine to a degree not found in either Scandinavian paganism or Roman Christianity. As part of this analysis eight north European myths are adapted, retold in short story formats, and evaluated in terms of what they can tell us about important features of early English pagan belief. Early Anglo-Saxon ways of looking at and understanding the world were complex, sophisticated, diverse and pluralistic, and very different from 21st century belief systems. This book seeks to help us comprehend the thought processes of the early English living in Britain one and a half thousand years ago.
Download or read book Anglo Saxon Paganism written by David Raoul Wilson and published by Taylor & Francis. This book was released on 1992 with total page 197 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This book draws together the varied evidence for the pagan religion of the early Saxons and interprets this evidence. The comprehensive investigation which David Wilson presents has long been needed, since the subject thus far has only been treated in a limited way in articles and occasional chapters in books dealing generally with the period. David Wilson's approach is distinctive in that the evidence is in the main taken from this country, without using later Scandinavian material and back-projecting it into early England. Much of what has been gleaned about Saxon paganism comes from the funeral rites of the people, and their sometimes sinister overtones, and these are dealt with at some length, together with the sorts of evidence that tell us about gods and the places where they might have been worshipped, and the impact of the coming of Christianity. The book concentrates on factual evidence rather than on extreme and unsubstantiated theories, although interpretations must often be matters of conjecture or controversy, even more so as this was a non-literate society and consequently there are no contemporary writings to help. Anglo-Saxon Paganism should appeal to all students and teachers of the history, archaeology and religion of the Anglo-Saxon period. It addresses in a fresh way many of the problems associated with the Dark Age.
Download or read book The Christianization of the Anglo Saxons c 597 c 700 written by Marilyn Dunn and published by Bloomsbury Publishing. This book was released on 2010-07-26 with total page 289 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This groundbreaking work treats the Christianization of the Anglo-Saxons as a process of religious change and is the first to establish the importance of Christian doctrines and popular intuitions about death and the dead in the transition, focusing on the outbreak of epidemic disease between 664 and 687 as a crucial period for the survival of Christianity in Anglo-Saxon England. It analyzes Anglo-Saxon conceptions of the soul and afterlife as well as traditional mortuary rituals, re-interpreting archaeological evidence to argue that the change from furnished to unfurnished burial in the late seventh and early eighth century demonstrates the success of the church's attempts to counter popular fears that the plague was caused by the return of the dead to carry off the living. The study employs ethnographic comparisons and anthropological theory to further our understanding of pagan Anglo-Saxon deities, ritual and ritual practitioners, and also considers the challenges confronting the Anglo-Saxon church, as it faced not only popular attachment to traditional values and beliefs, but also gendered responses to, or syncretistic constructions of, Christianity.
Download or read book The Way of Fire and Ice written by Ryan Smith and published by Llewellyn Worldwide. This book was released on 2019-10-08 with total page 269 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: A Radical New Take On Norse Paganism The Way of Fire and Ice reimagines Norse Paganism with mystical practices and rituals for today's world as well as tips for building community and resisting fascism. This approach to working with Norse deities and beliefs is a living, adaptable tradition, representing a strong alternative to the reconstructionist perspectives of Asatru and Heathenry. In these pages, the old ways come alive in a radically inclusive form. You will explore the secrets of the World Tree and the mysteries of the gods, work with the many spirits around us, and feel the deep rhythms that drive all life while creating new songs of power. You will also discover how to make these practices part of your every waking moment, developing your own personal spirituality and building healthy, sustainable communities along the way.
Download or read book Travels Through Middle Earth written by Alaric Albertsson and published by Llewellyn Worldwide. This book was released on 2009 with total page 120 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Tolkien's enduring vision of Middle Earth was largely inspired by the worldview of ancient Saxon Pagans. In this pagan guidebook, Alaric Albertsson presents a complete introduction to Anglo-Saxon cosmology, deities, spirits, and rituals. Travels Through Middle Earth offers practical information about the Saxon Pagan path, including many ways to incorporate Saxon rituals into contemporary spiritual life. Discover the húsel, a basic ritual for honoring personal ancestors, the Gods, and dwarves and elves. Learn how to set up a wéofod, the Saxon altar, to connect with the Gods. Also covered in this handbook: the concept of wyrd and how it shapes your destiny, the holy tides and how to celebrate them, rites of passage, worship, magic, and even instructions for making mead.
Download or read book Britain After Rome written by Robin Fleming and published by Penguin Global. This book was released on 2010 with total page 488 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The enormous hoard of beautiful gold military objects found in 2009 in a field in Staffordshire has focused huge attention on the mysterious world of 7th and 8th century Britain. This book discusses the tumultuous centuries between the departure of the Roman legions and the arrival of Norman invaders nearly seven centuries later.
Download or read book Pagan Magic of the Northern Tradition written by Nigel Pennick and published by Simon and Schuster. This book was released on 2015-05-21 with total page 352 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: A practical guide to the magical history, customs, and practices of pre-Christian Northern Europe • Details the everyday magic of the Northern Tradition, including household magic, protection spells, and the significance of the days of the week • Explores direct natural magic, such as shapeshifting and soul travel, and talismanic or sigil magic, including runes and rituals to unlock the power of crafted objects • Explains how many of these customs continue to the present day In the pre-Christian societies of Northern Europe, magic was embedded in the practical skills of everyday life. Everything in Nature was ensouled with an inner spirit, as was anything made by hand. People believed in magic because it worked and because it was part of the functionality of their day-to-day lives. Many of these practical observances and customs continue to the present day as rural traditions, folk customs, household magic, and celebrations of the high and holy days of the calendar. Exploring the magical pagan traditions of the people now called Celtic, Germanic, Scandinavian, Slavonic, and Baltic, Nigel Pennick examines the underlying principle of the Northern Tradition--the concept of Wyrd--and how it empowers the arts of operative magic, such as direct natural magic and talismanic or sigil magic. Through direct natural magic, individuals can shape shift, journey out of the body, or send one of their three souls (fylgia or “fetch”) ahead of them. Sigil magic involves the powers contained in objects, which can be channeled after the appropriate ritual. Runes are the most powerful sigils in the Northern Tradition and were used to ward off illness, danger, hostile magic, and malevolent spirits. Emphasizing the importance of the cycles of Nature to the tradition, Pennick explores the eightfold sun dials and the four ways the solar year is defined. He looks at the days of the week and their symbolic association with different deities as well as why particular acts are performed on certain days and what the customary lucky and unlucky days are. He also examines sacred spaces, household magic, protection spells, and the role of music in the Northern Tradition. Explaining all the traditional holidays and activities necessary to honor them, Pennick shows how anyone can participate authentically in the magic of the Northern Tradition if they take care to do things properly, with respect, and on the right day.
Download or read book Signals of Belief in Early England written by M. O. H. Carver and published by Oxbow Books Limited. This book was released on 2010 with total page 212 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This volume attempts to throw new light on the mentality of the earliest English - the way they thought, the way they viewed nature and the supernatural. Previous approaches have regarded the English as adherents of two consecutive religions, paganism and Christianity. Paganism held sway among the Anglo-Saxon settlers from the 4th to the 6th century, but Christianity superseded it from the 7th to the 10th century. Of the two Christianity documented itself thoroughly. Paganism failed to do so, and thereby laid itself open to centuries of abuse, conjecture or mindless admiration. Although archaeology does not provide direct access to the mind, it can reveal a great deal about pagan mentalities through analysis of the signals of belief left in material culture. Scrutinising a range of material from locations across northern Europe in Scandinavia as well as England the authors of the current volume demonstrate that beliefs varied from place to place. The conclusion of this volume is that `paganism' does not refer to a specific set of religious beliefs with geographically widespread rules and institutions. Instead `paganism' is a loose term for a variety of local world views and practices. Anglo-Saxon Christianity also appears in a similar light as a source on which communities in different localities drew selectively. Overall the volume offers a new perspective on the preoccupations and anxieties of a crucial age.
Download or read book Myths of the Pagan North written by Christopher Abram and published by A&C Black. This book was released on 2011-05-05 with total page 274 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: An engaging account of the world of the Vikings and their gods.
Download or read book Heathen Gods in Old English Literature written by Richard North and published by Cambridge University Press. This book was released on 1997-12-11 with total page 104 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Heathen gods are hard to find in Old English literature. Most Anglo-Saxon writers had no interest in them, and scholars today prefer to concentrate on the Christian civilization for which the Anglo-Saxons were so famous. Richard North offers an interesting view of Anglo-Saxon and Scandinavian paganism and mythology in the pre-Viking and Viking age. He discusses the pre-Christian gods of Bede's history of the Anglo-Saxon conversion with reference to an orgiastic figure known as Ingui, whom Bede called 'god of this age'. Using expert knowledge of comparative literary material from Old Norse-Icelandic and other Old Germanic languages, North reconstructs the slender Old English evidence in a highly imaginative treatment of poems such as Deor and The Dream of the Rood. Other gods such as Woden are considered with reference to Odin and his family in Old Norse-Icelandic mythology. In conclusion, it is argued that the cult of Ingui was defeated only when the ideology of the god Woden was sponsored by the Anglo-Saxon church. The book will interest students interested in Old English, Old Norse-Icelandic and Germanic literatures, Anglo-Saxon history and archaeology.
Download or read book Gods and Worshippers written by Thor Ewing and published by . This book was released on 2008 with total page 162 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: What was paganism really like? Who were the gods and how were they worshipped? These are the questions Thor Ewing addresses in this fresh perspective on the pagan beliefs and rituals of the Viking and the Germanic world, a world which encompasses not only Scandanavia and Germany, but also Anglo-Saxon England. Gods and Worshippers explores ancient cult sites and religious gatherings, as well as burial customs and the rites of the dead, and it reveals the intimate links between religious and secular power. Using the surviving archaeological evidence as well as the recorded myths and poetry from the various regions, Ewing explores the realities of day-to-day worship, such as sacrifices and sacred space, as well as arguing that traditional magical-religious societies operated in parallel to mainstream society, according to their own distinctive morality and laws. The picture that emerges is that of a complex pattern of powers which are respected, honoured, propitiated or even cajoled. It is in this relationship between powers and people that the religion exists, and though it takes many forms it is fundamentally one of respect, honour and worship - a relationship between gods and worshippers.
Download or read book The Wanderer s Havamal written by and published by Hackett Publishing. This book was released on 2019-11-15 with total page 219 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The Wanderer's Hávamál features Jackson Crawford’s complete, carefully revised English translation of the Old Norse poem Hávamál, newly annotated for this volume, together with facing original Old Norse text sourced directly from the Codex Regius manuscript. Rounding out the volume are Crawford’s classic Cowboy Hávamál and translations of other related texts central to understanding the character, wisdom, and mysteries of Óðinn (Odin). Portable and reader-friendly, it makes an ideal companion for both lovers of Old Norse mythology and those new to the wisdom of this central Eddic poem wherever they may find themselves.
