Product Description

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 Western world 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 blót-is examined in rich detail with examples given for personal use. 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.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #94131 in Books
• Published on: 2005-05-01
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 220 pages

Customer Reviews

It will convert you
This is an amazing book, very spiritual. written by a modern heathen (someone who believes in the old anglo-saxon/viking gods) a great guide to the gods and a great chapter on the soul (much better that the christian idea of a soul). This talks about sacrifices/holidays/modern worship/ethics and much much more. I dont believe in the gods but i still loved this book as it is what you make of it (e.g. for me worshipping the war gods, i am really bringing out the warrior within, my inner courage). This book helped me understand that I am a proud Anglo-saxon heathen (not a neo pagan). Go and read it, you will learn something. Highly recommended.

An Excellent Work!
As a Universalist and Modernist Heathen, i loved this book. Fair enough the die-hard reconstructionist brigade won't like it, but then their worldview is so dreary that the resultant depression means they can't appreciate a good read when they encounter one! This is one of the better books on Heathenism/Asatru available today, written by someone of genuine intelligence and spiritual integrity. If you want heathen history, then read a book about that. If you want Heathen Religion and Spirituality as experienced by a practitioner in the here and now, then this book is a good place to start.

I liked it
So I bought this book never having read anything about Heathenry before (aside from various things online) thus I was a utter novice and had no idea what was deemed good information or not. This book seemed well received so I bought it on faith (not always a particularly sensible decision when it comes to pagan-type books)! I certainly chose a good book because Krasskova does an great job of outlining modern Heathenry in a concise manner, one that's easy to read and conversationalist.

Unlike other reconstructionist religions Heathenry deals with a broad range of countries not just Greece like Hellenic Polytheism for example. Rather, Heathenry covers the Norse tribes, Germanic, Anglo-Saxon etc. each with their own names for the gods and their own cultural idiosyncrasies -- thus the subject matter can seem rather intimidatingly broad to newbies like myself so a book like this is essential and very helpful!

The contents is as follows: The Evolution of Modern Heathenry, Cosmology, Gods and Goddesses, Wyrd, The Soul Matrix, Heathen Ethics and Values, Basic Blot, Symbel, Personal Devotions, and Holy Tides.

'Exploring the Northern Tradition: A Guide to the Gods, Lore, Rites, and Celebrations from the Norse, German, and Anglo-Saxon Traditions' does exactly what it says on the tin. Krasskova has a deep passion for her subject matter and that is quite easily sensed. I particularly adored her descriptions of the various gods and goddesses -- she provided the reader with her own prayer for each one as well as a description of how they can guide you in life. The list is very long and she talks about some very obscure gods like Nerthus, Holda and Sif. Those of us who are English will be pleased that Krasskova is a Anglo-Saxon recon because she gives us the Anglo-Saxon names for the gods where appropriate (Woden, Frige, Thunor, Tiw, Ing etc).

She also rather helpfully suggests meditations and activities for the various deities. In that respect this book can help other recons possibly expand their own practice by seeing how others do things, but also by giving some great ideas on devotional activities. I particularly liked the idea of devotional baths which is something else I'll be stealing and adapting. All the rituals and various rites are easily explained as well as the metaphysical and spiritual meaning behind them too. The fascinating concept of wyrd (loosely meaning 'fate') is also well expounded; although I was already familiar with the belief the explanation presented here is quite explanatory. The festivals are dealt with quickly and there's some very interesting information about the soul in Heathen theology, the all important discussion of Yggdrasil and Heathen ethics.

All in all, a very helpful handbook! Recommended.