Northern Magic: Mysteries of the Norse, Germans & English (Llewellyn's World Magic) [Paperback]

Edred Thorsson (Author)

Book Description

Series: Llewellyn's World Magic | Publication Date: October 8, 1995

This primer of the magic of the Northern Way introduces the major concepts and practices of Gothic or Germanic magic. It outlines the character of the Northern magician and explores the theories of traditional Northern psychology in some depth, as well as the religious tradition of the Troth and the whole Germanic theology. Contains four "mini-grimoires" on rune-magic, galdor staves, hex-signs and seith (or shamanism).

Product Details

• Paperback: 221 pages
• Publisher: Llewellyn Publications; 1st edition (October 8, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0875427820
• ISBN-13: 978-0875427829
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 8.3 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,693,727 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

37 of 37 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Surprisingly Informative, November 26, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Northern Magic: Rune Mysteries and Shamanism (Llewellyn's World Religion & Magick) (Paperback)

This is a really good reference for the very busy professional person who needs a clear presentation of ideas in a very short space. It would function as an excellent primer to Runelore and/or Futhark.

This book gives a really good quick overview of the Northern Way as it exists in its present remanifestation. In Chapter III, Dr. Thorsson explains the similarities and differences between the Troth, Rune-Galdor (operative rune magick), and Seith (norse shamanism) in a clear and concise manner.

Chapters IV and V explain Teutonic Cosmology and Theology in a quick, clear, and concise manner.

Dr. Thorsson does make a run at describing the Teutonic "soul" concept, but this is not as satisfying as the foregoing-described concise summaries.

Dr. Thorsson focuses on the younger runes and some home-grown Pennsylvania Dutch magick in this book, which might be interesting to some.

In my opinion, this book is most valuable for the quick summaries, and illustrations accompanying same, discussed above.

21 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good intro into runes, February 19, 2002

By 

Annette Hrisko-Allen (pdx,usa) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Northern Magic: Rune Mysteries and Shamanism (Llewellyn's World Religion & Magick) (Paperback)

Since I don't know anything about the author himself, I can only take the book at, literally, face value.

This book provides a clear introduction into the ways of the pre-Christian Northern Europeans, and how those practices can be implemented today. Thorsson gives concise definitions of the Younger Futhark and some suggestions for their layouts in divination.

I also enjoyed reading his abbreviated outline of Germanic magical history, from around 1100 a.c.e. to the present. Thorsson goes far to explain how the German National Socialist movement co-opted and perverted the Teutonic mythology and symbology in order to conquer others.

Recommended for beginners.

25 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Recommended to all Pagans interested in the Northern Way!!, March 10, 2002

By 

Dustin Messer (FL, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Northern Magic: Rune Mysteries and Shamanism (Llewellyn's World Religion & Magick) (Paperback)

Another of Thorsson's masterpieces! I strongly recommend this book to all pagans who follow the Northern Way. I don't quite understand the bad reviews about Edred Thorsson being a satanist, he is quite far from it!

This is an excellent book for beginners of Asatru, due to the book wide variations of Norse paganism. This book covers many subjects and customs such as: The Troth, Runes, Hex-signs, Seith Magic, and much more. This book, however, is not in depth in these subjects, but a great introduction to them. If you are looking for information on Runes of the Elder Futhark, I wouldn't count on this book, however Thorsson introduces the Younger Futhark and covers them pretty well (one page on each rune, front and back!) I also recommend this book for the advanced, because it introduces new customs as well. Be sure to check out other books by Thorsson.