38 of 44 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
The Call of the Gods and of the Honor and Virtues of the People of the Northern Lands, February 1, 2006
This review is from: Exploring the Northern Tradition: A Guide to the Gods, Lore, Rites, and Celebrations from the Norse, German, and Anglo-Saxon Traditions (Paperback)
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.
Highly Recommended !
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29 of 33 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
Good with a grain of salt., November 2, 2008
This review is from: Exploring the Northern Tradition: A Guide to the Gods, Lore, Rites, and Celebrations from the Norse, German, and Anglo-Saxon Traditions (Paperback)
While I am glad I purchased this book, I think I need to add a note of caution to all the glowing reviews above this one. Gallina has written a very thorough book, with solid descriptions of the different branches of heathenry, but when it comes to describing the Gods and Goddesses I find her a bit fluffy. She is very good at mentioning the lesser known dieties, but this is where the caution comes in: Where we lack lore, she has inserted her own personal experiences, which to me makes this less of an authentic piece of research and more of an unverified personal gnosis.
I wouldn't recommend this as a first book on heathenry, because without a little bit of previous experience it would be difficult to work out the fact from the guesswork. However for somebody who wants a well rounded idea of what's out there, and/or who is able to weed out the good bits, it is a very valuable addition to a home library.
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18 of 22 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Not a bad introduction, If a bit FB (Fluffy B.)., May 27, 2007
This review is from: Exploring the Northern Tradition: A Guide to the Gods, Lore, Rites, and Celebrations from the Norse, German, and Anglo-Saxon Traditions (Paperback)
Exploring the Northern Tradition, Galina Krasskova
This is a fairly good introduction to, as the title states, the northern tradition. It gives a basic breakdown of several modern Norse schools of thought ranging from Folkish Tribalism to Universalism, (a.k.a. WICCATRU). While several reviewers criticized the lack of documentation of this book, I found the footnotes to be more than adequate for this "general overview" type of work. I did think that the glossary should have been a little more in-depth. After all this is an introductory book and the target audience generally has little or no idea what your talking about. The bibliography and suggested reading sections were quite good for the beginner. I did like the way the book was presented. Too many Heathen/Asatru/Lore/Saga's etc works fall into one of two formats, the ridiculously cartoonish formats, ("The Rites of Odin" comes to mind) or the massive scholarly & overwhelming tome's of the ancients, (My hardcover copy of "The Kalevala" or "Sagas of the Icelanders" fall into the massive tome category). EtNT's format was non-intimidating, functional and respectful.
Many readers with experience in Heathenry will immediately note a slight to heavy, (depending on your view), WICCAN flavor to the work. This I attribute to the authors former association with that group. While I do not agree with some of the authors "insights" into Heathenism I will agree to disagree. All & all a good starting point and easy read for the beginner.
In Frith,
Spence
"Sic gorgiamus allos subjectatos nunc"
M. Addams
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