Walking the Path of Norse Paganism - Essential Asatru

Yet another Asatru book that only covers the VERY basics, and yet another book on Asatru that is trying to liberalize the religion. What this book represents is about one step away from "Norse Wicca".

As you may or may not know, the media, including book publishers tend to be very liberal. Asatru tends to be very conservative. If you want a liberal "new age" or neo-pagan religion there are plenty of them, Wicca being the main one as well as many new age books etc. The problem is few publishers are willing to publish books on the true nature of the Asatru religion, because it is a heritage based germanic religion which is politically incorrect, even though heritage based Asian religions or native american religions or of any other ethnic group is perfectly ok. If you want a good introduction into typical conservative Asatru moral beliefs take a look at Mark Puryears "The Nature of Asatru: and introduction to the ideals and philosophys of the indigenous religion of northern europe" though flawed in some ways (as I point out in my review) it is very close to what most practicing heathens believe. Also for a much more accurate introduction to Asatru, though of equal liberal bias try Galina Krasskovas exploring the heathen tradition. In other words, I wouldn't consider this book very authoritive because it is NOT presenting true Asatru. The book even admits in the opening that the book may present a "different way of looking at Asatru" and goes on to say that it was mainly written as intoroduction to the religion for Wiccan practicers or people with a relative who practices Asatru and wants to know what the religion is all about. I say it is not accurate because firstly the holy days are mostly wiccan with some germanic cultural elements (almost every day is listed as a holy day, because she simply lifted any day celebrated in german history as a holyday for everyone, and she gives very wiccanish ways of celebrating them rather than typical Asatru practice) and not commonly accepted Asatru holy days. Secondly the general presentation and philosophy is Wiccan with a few Asatru concepts grudgingly allowed.

The book seems to also be written for a teenager or someone in their early twenties, in other words geared towards a younger audience. The book is also rather thin. Now to the good parts: Diana Paxson is a fiction writer primarily and the book is very well written. It is an enjoyable read overall, even though its not really presenting true Asatru, it does present some good information for those who want a feminized liberal version of Asatru. The first half of the book is almost completely a detailed acount of the history of Asatru starting with pre-history and what we know about the Proto indo-european practices. It is very detailed, well researched and accurate (though it doesn't list contrary views, there are many theories regarding pre-historical Europe). This alone could make the book worth reading to a serious Asatruar. It also gives some a decent recomended reading list and lists some great folk metal and folk bands (though for some reason omits Midnattsol?).

Let me clarify what I mean by "liberal" or "conservative", I do not mean a political affiliation. Liberal= the self is most important. Each individual interprets the religion differently. People are mostly solitary practioners loosely connected into groups of people of various backgrounds. Women for some reason must be promoted to positions of leadership and multiculturalism is strongly promoted. Everything submissive and womanly is praised (yet by default someone is always in charge which makes me theorize at least that people who want to manipulate and control the masses promote religions that teach servitude, and weakness and unquestioning obedience, which the liberal movement seems to be trying to move Asatru back to the very things it was brought back to life to fight against (unquestioning obedience etc.) Womanly virtues are given a disproportianate amount of reverence and manly virtues (bravery, strength, physical prowess, "balls" etc.) is generally looked at as primitive and of the past.
Conservative= the family, community, heritage etc. comes first. You put the communities needs above your own and selfishness is frowned upon. Tradition is consider very important (as opposed to liberal views of challenging tradition at every turn). Groups are usually hertiage/familial based and a strong emphasis is put on familial heritage and honoring the ancestors. Men and Women are seen as equals but in totally different ways, each complimenting each other. A man would not take the role of a women because he could not possibly adequately fulfill this role. A woman similiarly is not suited for manly activities. Though at times there are crossovers. Actually the women are sometimes considered more important as their wombs carry the very essense of the folk and it is considered a neccesity to have strong family values, and to have children and carry on the line, in this way women are highly celebrated and revered and is one reason why they are not to take "manly" possitions, because the very survival of a family or folk is more important than whatever gain could be had by placing a woman in battle or politics.

Of course there are other differences but those are the primary differences I am speaking of.

Overall I felt a bit misled. Instead of "essential Asatru" it should read "a very basic and biased introduction to Asatru"

Along with the exponetnial growth of Wicca and Neo Paganism there has been an upsurge of interest in the Norse Gods and their mythology. Those that follow the Norse ways are often identified as heathens. Heathen do their best to reconstruct rituals from Norse sources such as the Edda and the Younger Edda. Diana Paxson give forth a great over view for the newcomer and a good refresher for someone more advanced in their studies. Hence it also makes a great reference.

Europe has had the same population for thousands of years. DNA tests show that most Europeans are inter related and there has been little change in the population. As Glaciers melted various tribes settled in the European continent. As the climate would get colder the Germanic tribes would move further south, over taking the Roman Empire and reaching as far south as North Africa. In prehistoric times Indo European tribes moved into Europe from India. They believed in three gods; sovereign magic god, war god and the agricultural god. These people were known as the Kurgans and their buried their dead in mounds. they also had a sect that wore animal skins and would act like these animals on wild hunts. They did not impact the genetics of Europe but their culture made a profound change.

Most Europeans descend from seven women who in turn descended from 23 women that came out of Africa. These twenty three are bre from the original Eve. In the beginning there was probably a mother earth goddess and maybe a sky god. The Romans recgnized the Earth Goddess as Nerthus but no Norse text suports such. According to the mytholgy the Fire world and the ice world came into contact with each other. This created Ymir and a giant calf. The giant calf licked the ice world and created Bor. Later Bor's children would slay him and use his remains to make the world in which we live. From the Giants came forth the Gods. Odin , Vili and Vi tied together three types of tree and Odin breathed life into them. This there is als0 a description of festivals, blots and sumbles.

Magic is not all that central to Heathen but it is their. There are three types the first being Rune magic where in something is inscribed with Runes to give it magical properties. There is also spoken magic where a rhyme is recited for magical effect. Lastly there is Seid or trance magic.

The book is concise and easy to read. I found it enjoyable, exciting, comphendable and informative. This book is a must read for anyone just browsing into Norse Heathenism or someone just starting out. Five hammer out of five.

I was disappointed in this book. Though it had potential to be a great intro to Asatru, I found some influence from subtley racist sources, including:
1. Claiming folkish groups, who are known racists, are not really racist.
2. Referencing Stephen McNallan, also a known racist.
3. Suggesting Wagner's Ring Cycle as music to use in one's practice.

I wanted a resource that would be a great intro for myself, as well as to share with friends and family who might want info, but I cannot pass on a book that chooses to turn a blind eye to the problems of racism. I do not believe the author is participating in a hate group, but passive acceptance of racism is also not OK.

Ms Paxson has little idea about Asatru and the few she does have are highly influenced by her wiccan roots. If you're interested in Heathen practices or Asatru, do yourself a favor and pick up Hilda R.E. Davidsons Gods and Myths of Northern Europe.

It is seriously creepy to see an endorsement for 'Essential Asatru' written by someone who died in 1999. Marion Zimmer Bradley's endorsement on the back cover is sufficiently vague that it could refer to Ms Paxson's works of fiction. It is an ethically questionable tactic to use the endorsement without qualifying it.

It has been about 20 years since Asatru gained a foothold in the US. In recent years, there has been a surge of 'beginner' books on the subject, few of which carry the substance that those earlier books did and still do.

There is, in my opinion, nothing unique in 'Essential Asatru'. I recommend 'Living Asatru - A Handbook of Simple Celebrations' by Stephen McNallen; 'True Hearth - A Practical Guide to Traditional Householding' by James Chisholm; 'A Book of Troth' by Edred Thorsson; or (reluctantly) 'Exploring the Northern Trandition' by Galina Krasskova before 'Essential Asatru'. There are also several on-line sources available.

Diana Paxson has been revising history for decades. I met her at a conference in the eighties and she was esposuing pagan beliefs that were totally feminist in nature and had little connection to ancient realities. Marion Zimmer Bradley was the grand damme of such "find a fertility figure invent a religion" points of view. Later, Ms. Paxson "converted" to heathenism and the "asatru movement" has never been the same. This book is the usual intro for young feminized followers, but with a twist: fictionl passages that quietly promote Ms. Paxson's touchy-feely, warm and snuggly agenda. Haven't people had enough of this hippy revisionist history making?? Need I point out that Germanic and Norse peoples were fierce warriors living harsh lives and that the Vikings were vicious conquerors, thieves and plunderers? I have no problem with this personally. I am proud of my ancestors. At least Bjork, of all contemporary artists from such a magnificent background, is wildly imaginative, talented and unique, which is more than can be said for the authors of this post-Starhawk, seventies-era style manual for armchair heathens.

I was disappointed in this book. Though it had potential to be a great intro to Asatru, I found some influence from subtley racist sources, including:
1. Claiming folkish groups, who are known racists, are not really racist.
2. Referencing Stephen McNallan, also a known racist.
3. Suggesting Wagner's Ring Cycle as music to use in one's practice.

I wanted a resource that would be a great intro for myself, as well as to share with friends and family who might want info, but I cannot pass on a book that chooses to turn a blind eye to the problems of racism. I do not believe the author is participating in a hate group, but passive acceptance of racism is also not OK.

Ms Paxson has little idea about Asatru and the few she does have are highly influenced by her wiccan roots. If you're interested in Heathen practices or Asatru, do yourself a favor and pick up Hilda R.E. Davidsons Gods and Myths of Northern Europe.

It is seriously creepy to see an endorsement for 'Essential Asatru' written by someone who died in 1999. Marion Zimmer Bradley's endorsement on the back cover is sufficiently vague that it could refer to Ms Paxson's works of fiction. It is an ethically questionable tactic to use the endorsement without qualifying it.

It has been about 20 years since Asatru gained a foothold in the US. In recent years, there has been a surge of 'beginner' books on the subject, few of which carry the substance that those earlier books did and still do.

There is, in my opinion, nothing unique in 'Essential Asatru'. I recommend 'Living Asatru - A Handbook of Simple Celebrations' by Stephen McNallen; 'True Hearth - A Practical Guide to Traditional Householding' by James Chisholm; 'A Book of Troth' by Edred Thorsson; or (reluctantly) 'Exploring the Northern Trandition' by Galina Krasskova before 'Essential Asatru'. There are also several on-line sources available.

Diana Paxson has been revising history for decades. I met her at a conference in the eighties and she was esposuing pagan beliefs that were totally feminist in nature and had little connection to ancient realities. Marion Zimmer Bradley was the grand damme of such "find a fertility figure invent a religion" points of view. Later, Ms. Paxson "converted" to heathenism and the "asatru movement" has never been the same. This book is the usual intro for young feminized followers, but with a twist: fictionl passages that quietly promote Ms. Paxson's touchy-feely, warm and snuggly agenda. Haven't people had enough of this hippy revisionist history making?? Need I point out that Germanic and Norse peoples were fierce warriors living harsh lives and that the Vikings were vicious conquerors, thieves and plunderers? I have no problem with this personally. I am proud of my ancestors. At least Bjork, of all contemporary artists from such a magnificent background, is wildly imaginative, talented and unique, which is more than can be said for the authors of this post-Starhawk, seventies-era style manual for armchair heathens.