11 of 14 people found the following review helpful:
1.0 out of 5 stars
Inspiring, but academically poor., January 10, 2001
This review is from: Lady of the Northern Light: A Feminist Guide to the Runes (Paperback)
When I bought this book, I was excited at the prospect that someone had written a thorough book on the runes from a feministic approach. After reading the first twenty pages, I was disappointed to discover that this was not the book.
Gitlin-Emmer immediately sets the stage for disappointment by making appeals to the concepts of the cult of the "Great Goddess of Old Europe" and the "peaceful matriarchy" as historical fact. Indeed these two concepts are topics of heavy debate among different historians, particularly where Northern Europe is concerned. The fact that this author does not even acknowledge the existance of debate shows her willingness to completely ignore evidence and academic thought contrary to her own opinions. This is further exemplified in her constant appeal to enigmatic claims as to what "most scholars" believe.
Her interpretations of the runes begin by giving various single-word meanings for individual runes that come from traditional runelore (yes she doesn't seem to make reference to any of the rune poems on which this lore has been based). She then piles on various pieces of goddess-oriented mythology. While these pieces may "sound good," the fragments of myths she chose to associate with each rune are apparently based on nothing more than her own conjecture and not research demonstrating a sound reason for her associations.
Finally, some of her mythology is highly questionable. She confidently describes Goddesses in grand detail that scholars like Pennick and Davidson have trouble making even a rough picture based on the fragmented literary references we have. As if that was not bad enough, some of her characteristics of various goddesses (Gollveig comes to mind quickly) are unsupported -- and even contrary to -- the literary depictions we DO have.
If you want a feel-good book on the runes from a speculative feminist perspective, this is the book for you. However, if you wish a more academic study, I would advise you to steer away fromt his work as mere conjecture and poorly (or un-)supported personal opinion piled on top of debatable assumptions. For those who want some sense of feminism in the Northern traditions (and a sense of what thorough scholarship on the topic is like), I would encourage you to check out "Roles of the Northern Goddess" by Hilda Davidson.
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6 of 9 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Smorgasbord of Goddess Lore disguised as a guide to Runes., June 1, 2001
This review is from: Lady of the Northern Light: A Feminist Guide to the Runes (Paperback)
This book is beautiful and inspiring. It is written from the perspective of Feminist Witchcraft not from Heathenism which is why I think some of the reviewers did not like it.The author uses the meanings of the Elder Futhark as an outline for sharing the nature of Norse Goddesses. I admit that i have no intention of ever using the Runes for divination and read this book because i am devoted to the Goddess in all her aspects and wanted to learn more about her Norse identity. I can't really comment on how this book works as a guide to the Runes but as a guide to the "lady of the northern light" it is brilliant.Ms. Giltlin-Emmer weaves together a tapestry of the Northern Goddess using many sources including the Eddas, Saxo Grammaticus, Tacitus, compartive mythology, folk-lore, ancient and modern folk practice, and feminist witchraft. The book stems from the premise that there was once a Great Goddess of Europe but even if you don't believe that is true the rest of the book provides a wealth of information.The author admits the runes as we know them come from patriarchal times but supposes they caught on because the ideas behind them were familiar to the Goddess loving people--"Yet, suppose they are older. Not the runes themselves, but the concepts behind them". She then spends the rest of the book linking the ideas behind each rune to Northern Goddess lore.In my oppinion the ideas in this book are as valid as any others on the runes. Modern Pagans, and Heathens have to admit that the information we have on ancients who had and oral tradition of spirituality is very scarce--and that the information we have is highly suspect because it was written down by christians. Modern practice is 1% fact and 99% conjecture and intuition. And this is how it should be if it is to be a living tradition. I do not know if i would reccomend this book to beginners. It assumes the reader has a fair amount of knowledge of myths and the meanings behind pagan concepts. But perhaps a beginner could read the book, then do some more research and read it again.This really is a wonderful book. Susan Gitlin-Emmer should be honored along side women like Barbara Walker and Patricia Monaghan. I hope it becomes a classic of the Goddess path.
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6 of 10 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
I feel this is a corrected view of Runic lore., November 16, 1998
By A Customer
This review is from: Lady of the Northern Light: A Feminist Guide to the Runes (Paperback)
This book, although aimmed at a feminine audience, brings forward the mother based concept of a nurturing world.I feel it is an important work for both men and women to come in touch with. Through the intuitive insight of its author, this book is destined to become a classic in its field. The ease of using the book is very apparent, and creates an atmosphere of truth giving. You won't go wrong by purchasing this wonderful volume. If you're looking for a shift of insight in your life and KNOW there is something more expansive, then this book is one to have in your own library.
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