Monday, November 27, 2006

The Lay Of Sigrdrifa

The Lay Of Sigrdrifa Cover

Book: The Lay Of Sigrdrifa by Wh Auden

Sigrdrifumal or Brynhildarljod is one of the heroic poems of the Poetic Edda. It relates the meeting of the valkyrie Sigrdrifa with the hero Sigurdr and largely consists of Sigrdrifa's advice to him, which includes cryptic References to Norse Mythology and magical runes. The metre is fornyrdislag.

The beginning of the poem is preserved in the Codex Regius where it follows Fafnismal. The end is in the lost part of the manuscript but it is preserved in later copies. The Volsunga Saga describes the scene and contains some of the poem.

Download Wh Auden's eBook: The Lay Of Sigrdrifa

Free eBooks (Can Be Downloaded):

Austin Osman Spare - The Logomachy Of Zos
Asatru Free Assembly - The Lessons Of Asgard
Aleister Crowley - The Litany Of Satan
Aleister Crowley - The Soul Of Osiris
Wh Auden - The Lay Of Sigrdrifa

Tuesday, November 14, 2006

Heathen Bookhoard A Reading List

Heathen Bookhoard A Reading List Cover

Book: Heathen Bookhoard A Reading List by The Troth

At this writing, this is the only mass-market book in print by a heathen author that deals directly with today's heathen religion. Features many beautifully written prayers to the gods and goddesses. The author reviews the lore on the deities, giving a number of her own personal understandings, which not everyone will agree with, but which are always thought-provoking.

An excellent Brief Introduction to the history of runes (letters used by the Norse and Germanic peoples for both magical and mundane purposes), with lots of pictures of artifacts. Deep thinking on ethics and morals from a heathen perspective, written by a highly respected author in the heathen community.

A compendious tome of rune-lore, presenting the fruits of years of study and personal Experience With the runes. Edred has been involved in Asatru and studying the runes since the early 1980s; he has a PhD from the University of Texas. He's written many books on
runes from a heathen standpoint; Runelore emphasizes academics and theology, and FUTHARK emphasizes magic.

Download The Troth's eBook: Heathen Bookhoard A Reading List

Books in PDF format to read:

Ralph Blum - The New Book Of Runes
Miyamoto Musashi - A Book Of Five Rings
Leonardo Da Vinci - The Notebooks Of Leonardo Da Vinci
The Troth - Heathen Bookhoard A Reading List

Sunday, November 12, 2006

Mannaz Rune

Mannaz Rune Cover The Rune Mannaz signifies a man and the human species in general. The impulse that manifests itself as herd instinct in animals, in humans it's the tendency to live in a group and this is one of the basic qualities of Mannaz. Belonging to a people, community, group or sports club, all of these are different shapes Mannaz appears in. In Mannaz man realizes that he's a part of humanity, his role in society and his place in the system of social Relationships. Seeing how this Rune is Connected to human relations it can be used to strengthen relationships that are based on communication, cooperation, mutual helping and support. Mannaz actually represents Gebo in a higher level, so the harmonic relation includes not only lovers or co-workers but the whole community. In his works, Tacitus mentions a Germanic God called Tuist who had a son called Mannus, so some authors connect the Rune to this deity because of the similarity of the name.

divination:

Positive meaning: friendship, support, assistance and mutual activity.

Negative meaning: helplessness, isolation, loss of connexion to people, retreating into oneself.

Books in PDF format to read:

Stephen Flowers - Black Runa
Bernard King - Meanings Of The Runes
Samael Aun Weor - Magic Runes
Karl Hans Welz - Armanen Runes

Thursday, November 2, 2006

God Njord

God Njord Cover Njord is the father of Frey and Freya. He is a Vanir God who lives by the seacoast in his palace, Noatun. In ancient times, he was called upon by sailors to bless them by giving them fair winds and calm seas near shore. Even farmers living near the shore called upon him to bless their harvests. He has a bumpy Marriage with Skathi because they live separately, he by the sea and she in the mountains. Njord dwells in Noatun, by the sea, and rules the course of the wind, stills the ocean, and quenches fire. He is prayed to by fishermen and sailors. He is a Vanir, and is said to be so rich that those who desire a superfluity of wealth also pray to him. He was married to Skadhi. His sister is Nerthus, and he may have been the Original male deity sacrificed to her yearly. They are the parents also of Frey and Freya.

Books in PDF format to read:

Ross Arthur - English Old Norse Dictionary
Franceska De Grandis - Goddess Initiation
Aleister Crowley - World Tragedy

Sunday, October 8, 2006

Why Did Asatru Die Out If It Was The Right Religion For Europeans

Why Did Asatru Die Out If It Was The Right Religion For Europeans Cover Asatru was subjected to a violent campaign of repression over a period of hundreds of years. Countless thousands of people were murdered, maimed, and exiled in the process. The common people (your ancestors!) did not give up their cherished beliefs easily. Eventually, the monolithic organization of the Christian church, bolstered by threats of economic isolation and assisted by an energetic propaganda campaign, triumphed over the valiant but unsophisticated tribes.

Or so it seemed! Despite this persecution, elements of Asatru continued down to our own times - often in the guise of folklore - proving that our own native religion appeals to our innermost beings in a fundamental way. Now, a thousand years after its supposed demise, it is alive and growing. Indeed, so long as there are men and women of European descent, it cannot really die because it springs from the soul of our people. Asatru isn't just what we believe, it's what we are.

Free eBooks (Can Be Downloaded):

Chantepie De La Saussaye - The Religion Of The Teutons
Lynn Thorndike - The Place Of Magic In The Intellectual History Of Europe
Frances Billinghurst - Is Wicca The Right Spiritual Path For Me
Aleister Crowley - Brief Introduction To The Religion Of Thelema

Sunday, August 27, 2006

Icelandic Poetry Or The Edda Of Saemund

Icelandic Poetry Or The Edda Of Saemund Cover

Book: Icelandic Poetry Or The Edda Of Saemund by Loptsson

The Poetic Edda is a collection of Old Norse poems primarily preserved in the Icelandic mediaeval manuscript Codex Regius. Along with Snorri Sturluson's Prose Edda, the Poetic Edda is the most important extant source on Norse Mythology and Germanic heroic legends.

Codex Regius was written in the 13th century but nothing is known of its whereabouts until 1643 when it came into the possession of Brynjolfur Sveinsson, then Bishop of Skalholt. At that time versions of the Prose Edda were well known in Iceland but scholars speculated that there once was another Edda—an Elder Edda—which contained the pagan poems which Snorri quotes in his Prose Edda. When Codex Regius was discovered, it seemed that this speculation had proven correct. Brynjolfur attributed the manuscript to Semundr the Learned, a larger-than-life 12th century Icelandic priest. While this attribution is rejected by modern scholars, the name Semundar Edda is still sometimes encountered.

Bishop Brynjolfur sent Codex Regius as a present to the Danish king, hence the name. For centuries it was stored in the Royal Library in Copenhagen but in 1971 it was returned to Iceland.

Download Loptsson's eBook: Icelandic Poetry Or The Edda Of Saemund

Books in PDF format to read:

Saint Synaptics - Metaclysmia Discordia Or The Chaonomicon
Wim Van Den Dungen - Enoch And The Day Of The End
Stephen Flowers - Fire And Ice Magical Order The Brotherhood Of Saturn
Loptsson - Icelandic Poetry Or The Edda Of Saemund

Wednesday, August 16, 2006

Asatru And Racialism

Asatru And Racialism Cover Kaplan (1996) documents the growth of Odinism in the United States and its link with the American Neo-Nazi scene. He notes that there is a division between Odinists embracing Nazi ideology and others without racist motivations responding to "childhood memories". The tensions between racist and non-racist Odinists are cast into the "folkish" ("traditional Asatru") vs. "universalist" ("New Age Asatru") debate. It was these tensions that led to the demise of the Asatru Free Assembly in 1986 and the emergence of two separate movements, the Asatru Alliance and The Troth in the following year.

Odalism (a philosophy of Social Darwinism) and Wotanism (a racialist / neo-Nazi position held by e.g. David Lane) are two terms primarily focused on politics rather than religion. On his homepage, Varg Vikernes, one proponent of Odalism, explains his Understanding of 'Paganism' with explicit racist referencing.

When the FBI identified threats towards the domestic security of the USA related to the turn of the Millennium in 2000 in the Project Megiddo report, it stated that: "Without question, this initiative has revealed indicators of potential violent activity on the part of extremists in this country. Militias, adherents of racist belief systems such as Christian Identity and Odinism, and other radical domestic extremists are clearly focusing on the millennium as a time of action." Among other, the FBI lists Robert Jay Mathews as an Odinist in this report.

In the 2002 white supremacist terror plot Leo V. Felton and Erica Chase, a couple who claimed to belong to the Odinist White Order of Thule, were convicted of plotting to blow up landmarks associated with Jews and African-Americans.

Books in PDF format to read:

Anton Szandor Lavey - The Satanic Rituals
Sepharial - Astrology And Marriage
Reeves Hall - Asatru In Brief
Anonymous - Asatru And The Paranormal
Miac - Asatru And Odinism

Tuesday, August 15, 2006

Goddess Hel

Goddess Hel Cover Hel is the Goddess of the underworld and death. She rules over the place of shadows, also called Hel, where the souls of common folk go upon death. Hel is daughter of Loki, queen of one of the realms of the dead, also called Hel. Hel (the goddess) is half livng flesh, fair to behold, and half decaying corpse. This is because she wears the two faces death has for humans, the fair and the terrifying. Hel (the realm) is the polar opposite of Valhalla in many ways. As Valhalla is the height of activity, Hel is the height of inertia, a dark, still, resting.

Free eBooks (Can Be Downloaded):

Aleister Crowley - Rosa Coeli
Franceska De Grandis - Goddess Initiation
Franceska De Grandis - Be A Goddess

Saturday, August 12, 2006

Magical And Psychological Considerations Of The Oath

Magical And Psychological Considerations Of The Oath Cover When we are professed in the Odinic Rite we take an oath. Let us just reflect for a minute or two on the inner implications of this.

As we all know, we can come a cross the kind of situation when we might make a promise that we cannot keep. This is part of the human condition. But an oath such as we take in the OR as a professed member is quite a different matter.

Although the OR as such is not a 'magical' organisation in the same sense as a coven or lodge it nevertheless does use a magical principle in oath taking. When, as sometimes happens, we don't get on with the people in the community we have joined and taken an oath with we are always at perfect liberty to leave. I have myself changed my religious affiliations mere than once.

What one just does not do after leaving is to stab former comrades in the back and seek to bring the community of which one was a member into disrepute by making accusations in the hope of gaining favour With Other people who hold different views or with the intent to gain financially. It seems obvious to me that if a person leaves a group and breaks an oath given then the next group which will have the privilege of admitting him to fellowship would be well advised to consider the likelihood that any oaths taken there will also be broken. Unless one 'takes a measure'

Even if the person to whom the oath was given has no malicious intent the mere fact that the oath has been taken on a magical level, and at that moment being meant sincerely (even supposing one has been drunk the first time round and the oath was therefore retaken), the breaking of the oath will automatically initiate an equal and opposite reaction that will result in the penalties which were invoked when the oath was taken. On a common psychological level the disastrous effect is that an oathbreaker will never be able to trust himself again.

Individuals should consider very carefully whether they really wish to be oath-bound. And perhaps a community such as the Odinic Rite should examine people more carefully before considering them for Profession.

Free eBooks (Can Be Downloaded):

Amber Lynne Ault - Witches Wicca And Revitalization Reconsiderations
John David Chambers - The Theological And Philosophical Works Of Hermes Trismegistus
Richard Alan Miller - The Magical And Ritual Use Of Herbs

Friday, July 28, 2006

Yule Celebrations In Sweden

Yule Celebrations In Sweden Cover Yule or Yule-tide is a winter festival that was initially celebrated by the Historical Germanic Peoples as a pagan religious festival, though it was later absorbed into, and equated with, the Christian festival of Christmas. The festival was originally celebrated from late December to early January on a date determined by the lunar Germanic calendar. The festival was placed on December 25 when the Christian calendar (Julian calendar) was adopted. Some historians claim that the celebration is connected to the Wild Hunt or was influenced by Saturnalia, the Roman winter festival.

Terms with an etymological equivalent to “Yule” are still used in the Nordic Countries for the Christian Christmas, but also for other religious holidays of the season. In modern times this has gradually led to a more secular tradition under the same name as Christmas. Yule is also used to a lesser extent in English-speaking countries to refer to Christmas. Customs such as the Yule log, Yule goat, Yule boar, Yule singing, and others stem from Yule. In modern times, Yule is observed as a cultural festival and also with religious rites by some Christians and by some Neopagans.

As in many other countries in northern Europe Jultomten brings presents on julafton (“Yule Eve”), December 24, the day generally thought of as the main jul day. Many Swedes watch Kalle Anka och hans vanner (lit. Donald Duck and his friends), a compilation of Disney shorts broadcast at 3pm.

Almost all Swedish families celebrate with a julbord, which traditionally includes julskinka (baked ham), sill (pickled herring), janssons frestelse, and a Collection of meatballs, sausages, meats and pates. The julbord is traditionally served with beer, julmust, mumma (a mix of beer, liquor and svagdricka) and snaps. The dishes vary throughout the country. Businesses invite staff to a julbord dinner or lunch in preceding weeks, and people go privately to restaurants offering julbord during December. Swedes also enjoy glogg (mulled wine with raisins and almonds). Gifts are distributed either by Jultomten (usually from a sack) or from under the Christmas tree. In older days a julbock (yule goat, still used in Finland called Joulupukki) was an alternative to Jultomten; now it is used as an ornament, ranging in size from 10 cm to huge constructions like the Gavle goat. The following day some people attend a julotta and even more venture to the movies, as December 25 is a day of big premieres.

Free eBooks (Can Be Downloaded):

Walter Rowe - Mysterious Delusions Witchcraft In Salem
Kathryn Paulsen - Witches Potions And Spells
Barbara Obrist - Visualization In Medieval Alchemy
Phil Hine - Devotions And Demonesses

Sunday, July 16, 2006

The Gods And Us

The Gods And Us Cover We weighed monotheism against polytheism, and found the arguments for a multitude of deities more convincing than the support for a single God such as that proposed in the Bible. We focused on one particular pantheon, that of ancient Europe, and considered the idea that these deities might have a reality outside of mythological lore and the human imagination.

But if we are going to assume that these divine powers are real, another question quickly becomes important: What is the Relationship between them and us?

With Bible-based religions, there is no doubt where you stand...or kneel, as the case may be. The Abrahamic religions, as we call Christianity, Judaism, and Islam, decree that humans are utterly nothing in the face of The Almighty. Human beings have rights and dignity only because God has given it to them; they have no innate worth aside from this gift. Nor can they earn such right or dignity - these are gifts given unconditionally to those who could never, ever actually deserve them.

The Bible makes an attempt to portray its God as a father, and humans as his sons and daughters, but what really comes through is the idea of God as a patriarchal and arbitrary dictator of the kind popular in the Middle East. Yahweh wipes out cities, slays the first born of Egypt, urges his chosen tribe to commit genocide against their neighbors, and annihilates all who will not give him his due. In the New Testament, this harsh picture is somewhat softened, and we are given the image of Jesus as a shepherd looking over his flock of sheep. This is not much better, since sheep are herded to and fro, sheared, sold and slaughtered as the shepherd wishes. When we want to portray passivity and submissiveness, what animal do we choose? The sheep, of course.

The Germanic peoples, on the other hand, looked to their Gods as their kin. The kings of the ancient tribes listed Wotan or Freyr, two of our Gods, as their forebears. In one myth, the God named Heimdal travels among humans, impregnating women and establishing the social order. The Holy Powers are thought of as the Elder Kin, and we men and women as the corresponding Younger Kin.

The idea that Gods and humans are two parts of a single family is one that carries implications. Most obviously, it means there is a reciprocation of loyalty and duty. This stands in stark contrast to the Biblical religions, where only one party - God - is owed anything at all.

Free eBooks (Can Be Downloaded):

Anonymous - The Gospel Of Thomas
Kathryn Paulsen - Witches Potions And Spells
Arlo Bates - The Pagans
Morwyn - The Golden Dawn

Friday, July 7, 2006

Yule Celebrations In Finland

Yule Celebrations In Finland Cover Yule or Yule-tide is a winter festival that was initially celebrated by the historical Germanic peoples as a pagan religious festival, though it was later absorbed into, and equated with, the Christian festival of Christmas. The festival was originally celebrated from late December to early January on a date determined by the lunar Germanic calendar. The festival was placed on December 25 when the Christian calendar (Julian calendar) was adopted. Some historians claim that the celebration is connected to the Wild Hunt or was influenced by Saturnalia, the Roman winter festival.

Terms with an etymological equivalent to “Yule” are still used in the Nordic Countries for the Christian Christmas, but also for other religious holidays of the season. In modern times this has gradually led to a more secular tradition under the same name as Christmas. Yule is also used to a lesser extent in English-speaking countries to refer to Christmas. Customs such as the Yule log, Yule goat, Yule boar, Yule singing, and others stem from Yule. In modern times, Yule is observed as a cultural festival and also with religious rites by some Christians and by some Neopagans.

On the eve of the Finnish Joulu, children are visited by Joulupukki, a character similar to Santa Claus. The word Joulupukki means “Yule Goat” and probably derives from an old Finnish tradition where people called nuuttipukkis dressed in goat hides circulated in homes after Joulu, eating leftover food. Joulupukki visits people’s homes and rides a sleigh pulled by a number of reindeer. He knocks on the front door during Jouluaatto, rather than sneaking in through the chimney at night. When he comes in, his first words are usually “Onkos taalla kiltteja lapsia?“, “Are there (any) good (well-behaved) children here?”. Presents are given and opened immediately. He usually wears red, warm clothes and often carries a wooden walking stick. His workshop is in Korvatunturi, Lapland, Finland, rather than at the North Pole like Santa Claus, or in Greenland. He is married to Joulumuori (tr. Mother Yule).

Typical Finnish yule dishes include ham, various root vegetable casseroles, beetroot salad, gingerbread and star-shaped plum-filled pastries. Other traditions with a non-Christian yule background include joulukuusi (“Yule spruce”) and joulusauna (“yule sauna”).

Free eBooks (Can Be Downloaded):

John Sebastian Marlowe Ward - The Master Masons Handbook
Solomonic Grimoires - Lemegeton V Ars Nova
Julia Phillips - History Of Wicca In England
Devi Spring - The Emerging Indo Pagans

Loki And Freya

Loki And Freya Cover Owing to his extreme acuteness of hearing, Heimdall was greatly disturbed one night by hearing soft, catlike footsteps in the direction of Freya’s palace, Folkvang. Gazing fixedly towards that side with his eagle eyes, Heimdall soon perceived, in spite of the darkness, that the sound was produced by Loki, who stealthily entered the palace as a fly, stole to Freya’s bedside, and strove to purloin her shining golden necklace Brisinga-men, the emblem of the fruitfulness of the earth.

As it happened, however, the Goddess had turned in her sleep in such a way that he could not Possibly unclasp the necklace Without awaking her. Loki stood hesitatingly by the bedside for a few moments, and then rapidly began to mutter the runes which enabled the Gods to change their form at will. As he was doing this, Heimdall saw him shrivel up until he was changed to the size and form of a flea, when he crept under the bedclothes and bit Freya’s side, thus making her change her position without really rousing her.

The clasp was now free, and Loki, cautiously unfastening it, secured the coveted ornament, with which he proceeded to steal away. Heimdall immediately started out in pursuit of the Midnight thief, and drawing his sword from its scabbard, was about to cut off his head when the God suddenly transformed himself into a flickering blue flame. Quick as thought, Heimdall changed himself into a cloud and sent down a deluge of rain to quench the fire; but Loki as promptly altered his form to that of a huge polar bear, and opened wide his jaws to swallow the water. Heimdall, nothing daunted, then assumed the form of a bear also, and fought fiercely with him; but the combat threatening to end disastrously for Loki, he changed himself into a seal, and, Heimdall imitating him, a last struggle took place, at the end of which Loki, vanquished, was forced to give up the necklace, which was duly restored to Freya.

In this tale, Loki is an emblem of the drought, or of the baleful effects of the too ardent heat of the sun, which comes to rob the earth (Freya) of its most cherished ornament (Brisinga-men). Heimdall is a personification of the gentle rain and dew, which, after struggling for a while with his foe the drought, manages to conquer him and force him to relinquish his prize.

Free eBooks (Can Be Downloaded):

Hermes Trismegistus - Book Iv The Key
Sepharial - Astrology And Marriage
Hermes Trismegistus - Book Ii Poemander
Aristotle - On Dreams

Tuesday, June 6, 2006

Groa List Of Recommended Heathen Reading

Groa List Of Recommended Heathen Reading Cover

Book: Groa List Of Recommended Heathen Reading by Ann Groa Sheffield

This list contains only books that I have personally read and found to be of value in some way. Since I haven't read everything, this inevitably means that some excellent books have been omitted. My personal opinions and tastes are evident throughout; they are no
more and no less than that.

Mostly, I have listed only books that I believe to be in print, or at least easily obtainable. If you find that a work listed here has gone out-of-print or become hard to find, or if you find errors in ISBN’s or other key data, please let me know. -Ann Groa Sheffield

Download Ann Groa Sheffield's eBook: Groa List Of Recommended Heathen Reading

Free eBooks (Can Be Downloaded):

Hermes Trismegistus - Book Xi Of The Common Mind To Tat
Israel Regardie - The Art Of True Healing
The Troth - Gods Of The Heaten Way A Brief Guide
Ann Groa Sheffield - Groa List Of Recommended Heathen Reading

Saturday, April 22, 2006

History Of Nordic Runes

History Of Nordic Runes Cover

Book: History Of Nordic Runes by Anonymous

Runes are an alphabetic script used by the peoples of Northern Europe from the first century until well into the Middle Ages. In addition to their use as a written alphabet, the runes also served as a system of symbols used for magic and divination. Runes fell into disuse as the Roman Alphabets became the preferred script of most of Europe, but their forms and meanings were preserved in inscriptions and manuscripts.

There is some debate over the origin of the "alphabet" aspect of the runes. Cases have been made for both Latin and Greek derivation, and several scholars are once again arguing in favor of both these theories. However, the strongest evidence still seems to point to a North Italic origin. The parallels between the two alphabets are too close to be ignored, particularly in the forms of the letters, as well as in the variable direction of the writing, and certain structural and even symbolic characteristics. This would also explain why so many of the runes resemble Roman letters, since both Italic and Latin scripts are derived from the Etruscan alphabet (itself a branch of the Western Greek family of alphabets). This theory would place the original creation of the futhark sometime before the 1st. century, when the Italic scripts were absorbed and replaced by the Latin alphabet. Linguistic and phonetic analysis points to an even earlier inception date, perhaps as far back as 200 B.C..

Buy Anonymous's book: History Of Nordic Runes

Free eBooks (Can Be Downloaded):

Thomas Potts - Discovery Of Witches
Julia Phillips - History Of Wicca In England
Anonymous - History Of Nordic Runes P9

Tuesday, April 11, 2006

Learning Magic In The Sagas

Learning Magic In The Sagas Cover

Book: Learning Magic In The Sagas by Stephen Mitchell

The image of magic spells being taught by more seasoned practitioners to others eager to learn them comports well with what can be deduced about the actual practice of witchcraft and magic in medieval Scandinavia. For example, at the conclusion of that most remarkable document on love magic, jealousy and sexual intrigue from ca. 1325, De quadam lapsa in haeresin Ragnhilda Tregagaas, Ragnhildr tregagas of Bergen claims that the incantation and performative magic she uses against her erstwhile lover are ones she learned in her youth from Solli Sukk. In a similar case from Sweden in 1471, a witch in Arboga referred to in the surviving records as galna kadhrin 'Crazy Katherine' instructs Birgitta Andirssadotthir on how to prevent her lover from pursuing another woman.Another late 15th-century Swedish case likewise describeshow Margit halffstop says that she learned from another woman, Anna finszka, the spell by which she could bewitch a man from a distance.3 The Norwegian laws, especially Borgarflings kristinrettr hinn eldri and Eidsivaflings kristinrettr, express deep concern that people should not consult with the Sami: En ef madr faer til finna is a phrase which occurs often, and would appear to mean, as Fritzner writes about it in its nominal form, finnfor, "Reise til Finnerne for at soge Hjaelp af deres Trolddomskunst." All of the terms in this complex (e.g., finnvitka 'to Finn-witch, i.e., to bewitch like a Finn [or Sami]'), terms which seem only to appear in Norwegian and Icelandic sources, turn on the presumed greater skill, magic or learning of the Sami, and the practice of their sharing this learning or its outcome with others. This is precisely the sort of scene presented vividly in Vatnsdaela saga, when Ingimundr, Grimr and their men inquire of a visiting Sami witch ("Finna ein fj?lkunnig") about their futures.6 In addition to such testimony targetting the "lower" practices of magic, church statutes (e.g., the Arboga statute of 1412) and other ecclesiastical writing (e.g., the late 13th-century Fornsvenska legendariet) often cite the existence of grimoires (fj?lkyngisbaekr, galdrabaekr) and other learning aids associated with "high" magic.7 Nordic books of this sort are in fact known, albeit only from the post-medieval period,8 and are frequently mentioned in legends and other folklore texts (e.g., Raudskinna),9 suggesting wide-spread familiarity with the idea. A fully developed narrative about such a magic book is found in the 14thcentury story of the Skalholt bishop Jon Halldorsson.10 That the idea of learned clerics dabbling in the magical arts ran deep in the Middle Ages is also to be seen in the theme of "Escape from the Black School" (ML 3000), found in connection with Saemundr the Wise already in Jons saga helga.

Download Stephen Mitchell's eBook: Learning Magic In The Sagas

Recommended reading (pdf e-books):

Naomi Janowitz - Magic In The Roman World
Tuesday Lobsang Rampa - Living With The Lama
Stephen Mitchell - Learning Magic In The Sagas

Wednesday, March 29, 2006

Goddess Sunna

Goddess Sunna Cover Sunna is the sun Goddess. We derive the English word ’Sun’ from her name and Sunday is named for her. Her brother is Manni, the moon. She is known to drive her Chariot across the sky, chased by wolves which seek to devour her. However, she is known for her life-giving Blessings and can be asked for victory blessings.

Books in PDF format to read:

Dean Hildebrandt - Essay On Enochiana
Hrafnagaldr Odi - Odin Ravens Song
Franceska De Grandis - Be A Goddess
Franceska De Grandis - Goddess Initiation

Monday, March 20, 2006

Asatru Beliefs

Asatru Beliefs Cover Asatru beliefs:

- Asatru is a polytheistic religion. There are three races of Deities in the Norse pantheon. They are all regarded as living entities who are involved in human life:
1.The ?sir: These are the Gods of the tribe or clan, representing Kingship, order, craft, etc.
2.The Vanir: These represent the fertility of the earth and forces of nature. They are associated with the clan but are not part of it.
3.The Jotnar: These are giants who are in a constant state of war with the ?sir. They represent chaos and destruction. At the battle of Ragnarok, many of the ?sir will die. The world will come to an end and then be reborn.

- Specific Gods: Some of the more important are:
1.Thor is the Thunderer, who wields Mjolnir, the divine Hammer. His chariot racing across the sky generates thunder. Thursday (Thor's Day) was named after him.
2.Odin is the one-eyed God; he gave up one of his eyes in order to drink from the Fountain of Knowledge (some sources say Fountain of Wisdom). He is a magician. He learned the secrets of the runes (Northern European alphabet) by hanging himself on the tree Yggdrasil for nine nights.
3.Frey (a.k.a. Freyr) is the God of fertility, the weather and farming. He was born on the Winter Solstice, typically December 21. His father was Njord.

- Specific Goddesses: Some important ones are:
1.Freya (aka Freyja) is the Goddess of love, beauty and sexuality, and perhaps a dozen other attributes. She leads the Valkyries who take the souls of some slain soldiers to Valhalla (Odin's great hall).
2.Frigg is Odin's wife. Her name has been secularized to a slang term which refers to sexual intercourse. She is the patroness of the household and of married women.
3.Skadi is the Goddess of independence, death, hunting and skiing. Scandinavia may have been named after her.
4.Ostara, is a Goddess of fertility who is celebrated at the time of the Spring equinox. She was known by the Saxons as Eostre, the Goddess of Spring, from whom we have derived the word Easter. Ostara's symbols are the hare and the egg.

- Other Entities Other Deities are Aegir, Balder, Bragi, Forseti, Heimdall, Hel, Loki, Njord, Ran, Tyr, Ull and Vithar. Followers of Asatru also honor the Landvaettir (land spirits) of the forest, earth and streams.

- Life Values: Asatruars in North America have created a list of Nine Noble Virtues: Courage, Truth, Honor, Fidelity, Discipline, Hospitality, Industriousness, Self-Reliance and Perseverance. The family is greatly valued and honored. They reject any form of Discrimination based on ethnicity, gender, language, nationality, race, sexual orientation, or "other divisive criteria".

- Origins: Humanity is literally descended from the Gods. Three brothers, Odin, Vili, and Ve created people from two trees and gave them the names Ask and Embla. One deity, Rig visited the earth and established the social classes.

- Od: This is the gift of ecstasy provided to humans by the Gods. It is what separates humanity from other animals, and is our eternal link with the Gods.

- Creation Story: A poem Voluspa (Prophecy of the Seeress) contains an Asatru story of the creation of the universe. Between Muspelheim (The Land of Fire) and Niflheim the Land of Ice was an empty space called Ginnungigap. The fire and ice moved towards each other; when they collided, the universe came into being. Odin, Vili and Ve later created the world from the body of a giant that they had slain.

- After death: Unlike many other religions that have Heaven or Hell as a final destination after death, Norse myths indicate that there are many possible locations. Half of the heroic, battle-slain warriors go to Freyja's field, Folkvangr. She is said to get first pick. Helheim is the neutral realm where most people go upon death. Helheim is ruled by the goddess, Hel (or Hela). Oathbreakers and other dishonorable people are eaten by Niddhog, a dragon. Those who die at sea are said to enter another hall. However, most Asatruar do not believe in the myths literally. Some believe in reincarnation along family lines. Still, others believe that the dead inhabit their graves.

- The end of the world: Ragnar'k (a.k.a. Ragnar'kkr, Ragnar'k, Ragnarok; literally the fate of the Gods) is the anticipated apocalypse. It involves a great battle between the Gods and the J'tnar -- a race of giants with superhuman strength. Unlike Revelation in the Christian Scriptures, prophecies of Ragnar'k are very specific: the events leading up to the battle, the timing of the battle, who will kill whom, etc. are all known. Wolves will eat the sun and moon. The stars will stop shining. Mountains will fall; trees will be uprooted; "Fumes will reek and flames will burst, scorching the sky with fire. The earth will sink into the sea." Most of the Gods will die. Only one woman and one man, Lifthrasir and Lif, will survive. Their offspring will eventually repopulate the world and live in peace. 11

Free eBooks (Can Be Downloaded):

Aleister Crowley - Leah Sublime
Tuesday Lobsang Rampa - Three Lives
Reeves Hall - Asatru In Brief

Saturday, February 25, 2006

Isa Rune

Isa Rune Cover Isa translates as “ice” and the interpretations of this Rune are almost always negative. Whenever one's blocked in life, whether it's an emotional, sexual or even a financial block, it's ruled by the force contained in Isa. Therefore, Isa is the state of stagnation and one's inability to move psychologically, which often causes sadness and depression. One needs lots of strength to overcome Isa, which is evident from the physical characteristics of ice. Isa's action prevents any possible movement, be it phychological or physical; it also blocks the action of other Runes which are opened with Isa in divination. This Rune is also connected to the Ego which can be the source of stagnation. Isa is actually a representation of a frozen state in which hides the germ of life. A mind in the state of stagnation actually hides within itself the possibility of spiritual progress, possibilities that can be accomplished with extraordinary effort, but is in no way unattainable. Regardless of its alleged negativity, Isa can be a very useful Rune. As a magical image it's used to stop some processes as well as to stabilize a current state of affairs.

Divination:

Positive meaning: possibility of overcoming, blockage of negative processes (sickness, spiritual degeneration).

Negative meaning: egotism, psychological and physical numbness, standstill.

Recommended reading (pdf e-books):

Karl Hans Welz - Armanen Runes
Samael Aun Weor - Magic Runes

Friday, February 17, 2006

The Nordic Runes

The Nordic Runes Cover I know that I hung on Yggdrasil
For nine nights long
Wounded by spear
Consecrated to Odin
Myself a sacrifice to myself
Upon that tree
The wisest know not the roots
of ancient times whence it sprang.

None brought me bread
None gave me mead
Down to the depths I searched
I took up the Runes
Raised them with song
And from that tree I fell.

Runes you shall know, and readable staves,
Very powerful staves,Very great staves
Graven by the mighty one who speaks
Carved by the highest hosts

Odin among the Aesir,
Dvalin (sleeper) among dwarfs,
Dain (dead) among alfs,
Alvitter (all-knowing) among etins,
I myself carved some for mankind

The following are not recomendations, Alfather commands you to know the following if you are asatruar.

Know how to carve, know how to read,
know how to stain, know how to understand,
know how to ask, know how to offer,
know how to evoke, know how to sacrifice.

The Runes go back when time began, we of asatru have set a date from when the first Futhark was discovered 2253 years ago. This is known as the Runic Era which places us to date in the year 2253 R.E..

asatruar have always lived in close harmony with the environment, the seasonal and stellar cycles, their Gods and Goddesses, and their ancestors. These forces come together in the mysterious symbols known as Runes. The word Rune means a secret or a whisper. Runes are magical tools for both divination and spell casting.

Free eBooks (Can Be Downloaded):

Ona - The Dark Forces
Samael Aun Weor - Magic Runes
Anton Szandor Lavey - The Satanic Rituals
Ralph Blum - The New Book Of Runes
Anonymous - History Of Nordic Runes P9

Monday, February 13, 2006

Goddess Perchta

Goddess Perchta Cover Perchta: A birch goddess. She was a patron of spinning, and led the Wild Hunt during the winter. Some of her worshippers comprised a Mystery cult, and were called Perchten. They became possessed by the dead, or by the Goddess herself, in a Ritual apparently related to her procession as leader of the Wild Hunt. She seems almost certainly to be another name for Bertha. Both names are derived from the name for birch.

Books in PDF format to read:

John Dee - De Heptarchia Mystica
Franceska De Grandis - Be A Goddess
Franceska De Grandis - Goddess Initiation

Saturday, February 11, 2006

Exploring The Northern Tradition

Exploring The Northern Tradition Cover

Book: Exploring The Northern Tradition by Galina Krasskova

Exploring the Northern Tradition is an overview of 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 with over forty thousand adherents. This book provides a thorough guide to the cosmology, values, ethics, and rituals practiced by modern Heathens.

Readers will have the opportunity to explore the sacred stories of the various Heathen Gods like Odin, Frigga, Freya, and Thor and will be granted a look into 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.

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. 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, this book is the perfect introduction.

There was a time when all of Northern Europe followed a common faith. The people shared a belief in the same Gods, common ethics and common values. A small portion of these beliefs and values have been passed down to us in the Eddas, Sagas and other history. In modern times there are those who still follow the old ways. All modern Heathens (those who follow the Northern Tradition) share a common theology, a common set of core values and a common documented history going back 1000+ years.

In Exploring The Northern Tradition, Galina Krasskova has captured the essence of this theology, values and history in a book that is both highly informative and at the same time enjoyable to just sit and read.

After a brief look at the history of the Northern Tradition, Galina Krasskova introduces us to what might be considered the three major branches of modern Heathenry: the Tribalist, the Universalist, and the Folkish Heathen. We are then introduced to the Theodish Belief ~ a form of Tribal Heathenry, bound together by a "web-of-oaths". Here we see tribal bonds formed between men of varying social status by means of sacred oaths. It is also pointed out that while all Theods are Tribalists, not all Tribalists hold fast to the Theodish Belief.

Galina Krasskova next introduces us to the Cosmology of the Northern Tradition. From Ginungagap to Yggdrasil; and each of the nine worlds, from Midgard to Asgard, to Helheim. We learn the structure of the Universe as it is understood by those who follow the Northern Tradition.

As we continue Exploring The Northern Tradition, Galina Krasskova introduces us to the Gods and goddesses of our ancestors, of our blood and of the Northern People. But here we have much more than a list of the Gods. For each of the Gods and Goddesses we are offered an invocation as well as their history and stories of their deeds. Consisting of about one-third of the book, this section gives the reader the opportunity to know the Gods and Goddesses that still call to us, even today.

After meeting the Gods of our ancestors we are introduced to concepts unique to the Northern Tradition. Galina Krasskova explains the concept of Wyrd and the Soul Matrix. Heathern ethics and values are explained, giving us an introduction to the Nine Noble Virtues and the 12 AEtheling Thews.

Finally, Exploring The Northern Tradition closes with chapters on the Blot, Symbel, and Personal Devotions.

I found Exploring The Northern Tradition to be well-written, properly researched, informative and enjoyable to read. If you have never experienced the Northern Tradition, here is a guide to let you begin your exploration. If you set sail toward the Northern Star many years ago, Exploring The Northern Tradition will be a reminder of old friends, of the call of the Gods and of the honor and virtues of the people of the Northern Lands.

Galina Krasskova draws on her own 12 years of experience as a Heathen priest. She is currently Aeweweard in Thaet Angelseaxisce Ealdriht, a member of The Troth, and has also studied interfaith ministry in NYC. Galina cofounded the New York Metro Asatru Society in October of 2000. She is a frequent contributor to such respected Pagan and Heathen magazines as Sagewoman, New Witch, Idunna, The Ealdriht Boc, and Marklander.

Highly Recommended !

Buy Galina Krasskova's book: Exploring The Northern Tradition

Free eBooks (Can Be Downloaded):

Marcus Cordey - Magical Theory And Tradition
Eleanor Hull - The Northmen In Britain
The Troth - Welcome To The Troth Honoring The Northern Tradition

Wednesday, February 8, 2006

Let Say Grace

Let Say Grace Cover CHARLES LAMB, the gentlest and one of the best loved of our English writers, once wrote an essay on the subject of saying grace before (or after) a meal. The Tradition is probably as old as our religion for it is really an Expression of gratitude to our gods for the fruits of the earth and to the animals that provide us, often ungrateful and unthinking, humans with nourishment.

The grace before meat that forms part of our rituals is straightforward and easy to remember. Standing before one's place at the table each person takes the hand of his neighbour to left and right. Then together they say, 'For food and friends we give thanks'. That's all.

Note that we do not direct our words to a particular god or goddess - too many are concerned for us to remember all their names and, moreover, we owe at least same debt to the toilers who nourished the food through its various stages until it was ready for the table. We can't spend all our time thinking of such details. But we should occasionally remember them and those of our ancestors to whom we are indebted for all that we have inherited from them: the cultivated soil, the livestock, the skills of the kitchen and the peace in which to enjoy them, so hardly fought for and so costly in blood spilled.

The meal - every meal - should be an act of worship in itself, a communal sacrifice and a symbol of the family. When we eat together after the Ceremonial Blot we call it by its proper name, the feast. So let us, whenever we eat, start off with this simple act of worship. Invite other family members and friends, whether Odinist or not, to join in. They might think it is fun but they just might start to think our way. So, FOR FOOD AND FRIENDS WE GIVE THANKS!

Free eBooks (Can Be Downloaded):

Tuesday Lobsang Rampa - The Saffron Robe
Ona - The Dark Forces
Tuesday Lobsang Rampa - Tibetan Sage

Sunday, January 29, 2006

God Odin

God Odin Cover Odin, also known as the Allfather, was involved in the creation of the universe and humanity. His chief Weapons are the spear and his deep
knowledge. A strong seeker of wisdom, he has sacrificed an eye for Greater knowledge, leaving him with only one eye. His quests have brought humanity the Runes and the Mead of Inspiration.

Odin is the most ephemeral and intangible of sky gods, the god of the windy sky. Whereas Thor is the transient and violent sky god of the thunder-flash. But Tyr - for Dieus also implies radiance or brilliance - is the god of the bright clear day sky. Just like the sky, Tyr is always there, constant and reliable like a father.

Free eBooks (Can Be Downloaded):

Ross Arthur - English Old Norse Dictionary
Miac - Asatru And Odinism
Irv Slauson - The Religion Of Odin
Morwyn - The Golden Dawn

Friday, January 27, 2006

Asatru Poem First Act

Asatru Poem First Act Cover Beyond the Dawn, of Godkind's Walk
Through all Nine Worlds, and Mankind's Heart
Lay awaiting, All Things, No Thing
Ginungagap, the Well unfilled

In this Placeness, what could be found
To Call to Life, The Everything
To bring about, The Beingness
Ginungagap, the Well unfilled

Without Being, can be no Deed
And without Deed, is no Orlay
To lack Orlay, is to lack Wyrd
Ginungagap, the Well unfilled

Within the Dream, beyond All Dream
Something did stir, Shifting, Pulsing
Forces livened, from Where, Unknown
Ginungagap, the Well filling

From Isa's breath, the hoar frost grew
And formless Void, was brought to Shape
Primal layers, growing, silent
Ginungagap, the Well filling

Kenaz did dance, in glowing spark
And quickened Things, along their way
Brought Action to the Static growth
Ginungagap, the Well filling

Thus Perthro's womb, took needful Form
Within, Around, Becomingness
And Life did come, both Rude and Right
Ginungagap, the Well full filled

Free eBooks (Can Be Downloaded):

Allen Greenfield - A True History Of Witchcraft
Tuesday Lobsang Rampa - Wisdom Of The Ancients
Daniel Defoe - A System Of Magic
Reeves Hall - Asatru In Brief

Wednesday, January 25, 2006

Group That Worships Norse Gods To Become Officially Accepted Religious Community

Group That Worships Norse Gods To Become Officially Accepted Religious Community Cover Home to the Vikings of yore, Denmark said Wednesday it will let a group that worships Thor, Odin and other Norse gods conduct legally-recognized marriages.

"To me, it would be wrong if the indigenous religion of this country wasn't recognized," Tove Fergo, the minister for Ecclesiastic Affairs and a Lutheran priest, told The Associated Press.

Under Danish law, the state Evangelical Lutheran Church has sole authority to recognize other religious communities.

The 240-member Forn Sidr, which worships Odin, Thor, Freya and the other members of the Norse pantheon, sought recognition in 1999, said Tissel Jacobsen, the group's president.

Last year, an Ecclesiastic Affairs panel of scholars recommended that Forn Sidr, whose name mean "Old Custom" in old Norse, be approved, but only if their rituals were clearly detailed in its bylaws.

"At a general assembly, we added and described our four annual heathen rituals -- spring and fall equinoxes, and the summer and winter solstices, and our marriage ceremony," Jacobsen told the AP. "We then returned our application and the panel approved it."

Fergo said she would give her final approval "in a few days."

About 1,000 people worship the ancient gods in Denmark, Jacobsen said.

Since 1998, the panel of theology, law and history scholars have advised the government on which groups seeking to become religious communities, should be recognized.

"It was not up to me to evaluate whether they are telling the truth or the quality of their religion," Fergo said. "Based on the commission's evaluation and what I have read, I consider it a good religion."

Officially recognized religious communities can marry people and exempt their members from the 1 percent income tax that is imposed on members of the state church.

People born in Denmark are automatically made members of the state church, but can choose to leave it if they want. Members of other recognized religious communities, such Catholics, Muslims and Jews, are also exempt from the tax.

Free eBooks (Can Be Downloaded):

The Troth - Introduction To The Runes Some Frequently Asked Questions
The Troth - Heathen Gods And Rites Some Frequently Asked Questions
Ellen Friedman - As Above So Below A System Of Value Based Ethics For Wiccan Clergy
Sir James George Frazer - The Golden Bough A Study Of Magic And Religion

Tuesday, January 3, 2006

A Practical Guide To The Runes Their Uses In Divination And Magic

A Practical Guide To The Runes Their Uses In Divination And Magic Cover

Book: A Practical Guide To The Runes Their Uses In Divination And Magic by Lisa Peschel

EIHWAZ the yew, URUZ the wild ox, KENAZ the hearth fire. Created by the Nordic and Germanic tribes of northern Europe, the runes began as a magickal system of pictographs representing the forces and objects in nature. This guidebook will help you discover the oracular nature of the runes and how to use them as a magickal tool for insight, protection, and luck. Practical and concise, this book includes:

- Complete descriptions of the twenty-four runes of the Elder Futhark, plus WYRD, the blank rune
- The differences between bindrunes and runescripts
- Four rune layouts and detailed rune Interpretations, including reversed position meanings
- How to carve runes and create talismans
- Meanings and uses of the runes in magick

As a beginning rune caster (coming from a good Understanding of tarot), I find this book very helpful and very clear to understand (as opposed to a guide that came with purchased runes, which were too vague and hard to interpret.) Not only does it help to make solid associations with each rune, it also explains how to make your own runes and talismans and includes lots of other useful information, including suggested reading. I'd imagine this is also a great book for someone who is experienced with runes.

This book is perfect and easy. The explanations of runes within its pages are perfect for the beginner as well as the veteran. The refrence tables in the book for magick works are also one of the best I've seen so far. Though small and compact, this book holds a king's ransom in runic knowledge and no one should pass up the opportunity to get it. The author gives you a good introduction with a style that reminds me of Scott Cunningham, its easy to read and has room for individuality. All at the same time remaining for the most part historically accurate, I think that the only thing that isnt accurate is the blank rune, which has little to none signifigance to the Elder Futhark and i would reccomend getting rid of it (like another reviewer said, "tear it out! ". Otherwise this book is one of the best introduction books on runes that i own. And i would reccomend this to anyone interested in runes.

Buy Lisa Peschel's book: A Practical Guide To The Runes Their Uses In Divination And Magic

Books in PDF format to read:

Gerina Dunwich - Herbal Magick A Witchs Guide To Herbal Enchantments Folklore And Divinations
Joanne Pearson - Wicca And The Christian Heritage Ritual Sex And Magic
Michael De Molinos - The Spiritual Guide The Rich Treasure Of Internal Peace
Cassandra Eason - A Practical Guide To Witchcraft And Magic Spells