I'm looking for a list of good books for someone just starting to learn about Asatru. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.
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Books for begginers
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Dragon Lady
- Apr 2012
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- eclectic Heathen
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Re: Books for begginers
Both the Prose and Poetic Edda's are the best place to startAlways taking art commissions, especially for fantasy and pagan related artwork
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Opinionated
- Jun 2013
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- Northern Tradition Shaminist Demonolator. Or something along those lines...
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Re: Books for begginers
I second 'Essential Asatru' by Diana Paxson as one of the best books for beginners. I also like 'Teutonic Magic' by Kveldulf Gundarsson, 'Northern Myths and Magic' by Freya Aswynn and 'Exploring the Northern Tradition' by Galina Krasskova as a good range of introductory books that cover the spectrum of Heathen and NT ideas.
Contrary to popular opinion, I think the Edda are actually NOT a good place to start for most people. Most people get more out of the Edda if they have a bit of background under their belts first. So unless you are academically minded or really love old literature, I'd recommend reading one or two introductory books first.
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Re: Books for begginers
Originally posted by Rae'ya View PostContrary to popular opinion, I think the Edda are actually NOT a good place to start for most people. Most people get more out of the Edda if they have a bit of background under their belts first. So unless you are academically minded or really love old literature, I'd recommend reading one or two introductory books first.
Personally I'm not a great fan of Diana Paxson's book as I veer a bit more reconstructionist - it's a long time sInce I read it so I'm not going to be able to come up with a more coherent argument right now! I'm by no means totally recon, after all I'd recommend 'Our Troth 1&2' which full on reconstruction types I've known would dismiss, but I distinctly remember giving it the side eye. It's also worth pointing out to the OP that Northern Tradition is not Asatru (and I'm neither, just being Heathen). How useful are NT books to a newbie Asatruar? Given there are distinct differences.
OP There is a resources sticky in this sub forum which will have further recommendations.
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Oh damn the edit period has passed. I was going to add recommendations for reading the history of the norse, anglo-saxons et al. The very short intro style history books might be a good place to start but H.E.Davidson is brilliant and I'm a big fan of Stephen Pollington on anglo saxon history.* * *
You can find some of my creative writing at http://libbyscribbles.com
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Re: Books for begginers
This thread:
Post your favourite Heathen resources here! ;D Is there a mod with some glue around maybe? I'll kick it off with a couple... Books: Norse Myths by Kevin Crossley Holland The Poetic Edda, The Prose Edda, Beowulf and the Icelandic sagas in various translations. For a start! Many available on the web. Our Troth vols 1
Rather than the above mentioned "Teutonic Magic," I'd recommend "Teutonic Religion," also by Kveldulf Gundarrson (who is also the author of the Our Troth books, which I equally recommend). I agree with Maythe, not a huge fan of D. Paxson's works, but neither am I a fan of Steve McNallen.
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Opinionated
- Jun 2013
- 2447
- Northern Tradition Shaminist Demonolator. Or something along those lines...
- female
- Adelaide, Australia
Re: Books for begginers
Originally posted by Maythe View PostHow useful are NT books to a newbie Asatruar? Given there are distinct differences.
When you are "just starting to learn" as the OP said, I think it's important to be exposed to the views of the entire spectrum of Heathen and NT in some basic way. Not everyone comes to Asatru knowing that Asatru is the path they want to follow, or even that there ARE different factions within the Heathen spectrum. How many of us started with Asatru and evolved out of it? I know I did.
So when I say that I like certain books as a good introduction covering the Heathen-NT range, I think they are all of value to the newbie, regardless of how traditionally Asatru they are. I'd include an Anglo Saxon book too, except that I've never read an introductory level Anglo Saxon book so I don't have any to recommend.
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Originally posted by Rick View PostThis thread:
Post your favourite Heathen resources here! ;D Is there a mod with some glue around maybe? I'll kick it off with a couple... Books: Norse Myths by Kevin Crossley Holland The Poetic Edda, The Prose Edda, Beowulf and the Icelandic sagas in various translations. For a start! Many available on the web. Our Troth vols 1
Rather than the above mentioned "Teutonic Magic," I'd recommend "Teutonic Religion," also by Kveldulf Gundarrson (who is also the author of the Our Troth books, which I equally recommend). I agree with Maythe, not a huge fan of D. Paxson's works, but neither am I a fan of Steve McNallen.
www.heathengods.com has a large library with many free (legal) downloads.
Heathen Gods is an invaluable site for free downloads. You can get a LOT of the academia, some of which is really tricky to find in print. I quite liked the 'Heathen Tribes' book by Mark Stitson as an intro level book.
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Re: Books for begginers
I have to admit to being sceptical of any 101 book written for heathens as I find them long on woo and short on fact but, like I said, I'm recon influenced though not actually recon, so I would think that! I think the myths and history are the best places to start.* * *
You can find some of my creative writing at http://libbyscribbles.com
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Re: Books for begginers
Originally posted by Rae'ya View PostI'd include an Anglo Saxon book too, except that I've never read an introductory level Anglo Saxon book so I don't have any to recommend.
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Opinionated
- Jun 2013
- 2447
- Northern Tradition Shaminist Demonolator. Or something along those lines...
- female
- Adelaide, Australia
Re: Books for begginers
Originally posted by Ahvoo View PostIf you are after Anglo-Saxon books for beginners I highly recommend Travels Through Middle Earth: The Path of a Saxon Pagan by Alaric Albertsson. If you want more of a Theodist/Recon viewpoint, Path to the Gods: Anglo-Saxon Paganism for Beginners by Swain Wodening is great.
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Originally posted by Maythe View PostI have to admit to being sceptical of any 101 book written for heathens as I find them long on woo and short on fact...
Of course, if you lack discernment or depth, then taking 101 books at face value can be detrimental to your path. But then, if you lack discernment and depth, you're unlikely to get far going straight into academia and primary sources, aren't you?
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Re: Books for begginers
But if we're being realistic, how many of us picked up an academic text FIRST, or were first drawn to a Heathen or NT path via an academic text? Not that many.
In ancient days no doubt it worked mostly through storytelling, and in some cases it can still work that way. My kindred and other local friends back in Essex had some lively storytelling events; they work to inform people of the myths, get them interested and they act as social glue too. There were almost always stories told at our blots and we had a few attendees who really didn't know very much at all and so they went away with a better understanding than they came with. I guess I'm arguing for more social connection (frith building ftw) instead of book knowledge for both newbies and those who are always going to open a copy of Beowulf and back away slowly. Unfortunately the loneliness of many modern Heathens is a problem there (myself included, having moved away from my kindred, stupid woman). As a grouchy, introverted misanthrope it can be easy to go 'bah! I don't need people' but sumble just isn't the same (is it even sumble alone?) without others there.
Huh this got a bit off track.* * *
You can find some of my creative writing at http://libbyscribbles.com
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Re: Books for begginers
Although not a heathen, I do have some material (my book hoard has something on everything from medieval Cambodian armies to how to drive a steam engine...) - Kevin Crossley Holland, Hilda Ellis Davidson, and Patricia Lafayllve. Patricia's Practical heathen's guide to AsatruTanglewood tales, though I can't remember where I first read of Thor's trip to Utgard at the same age.
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Silver Member
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Re: Books for begginers
You could also look at "The Magical World of the Anglo-Saxons" - which is one of my books and available on Kindle (which is probably the cheapest way to buy although if you want the paperback just pm me). This deals almost exclusively with the heathen Anglo-Saxons and what we can discover about their beliefs and practices. I've referenced it properly so you can then do further research yourself.
Shameless plug, but never mind
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