Customer Reviews

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

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(8)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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.

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.

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.

I must admit this isn't Thorsson at his best, but it's still a very good book for introduction into the northern magical systems. It's simpler and broader than some of his other work, making it more suitable for the general public. Perhaps the most interesting feature is that he doesn't stick to the popular rune system here. He goes into explanation of Troth (religious tradition), touches on Rune magic and the lesser-known system of the younger Futhark, and proceeds to Seith (shamanism) and Dutch hex symbols. If you're curious about all forms of northern magic then I recommend this book. I've never been led wrong by Thorsson's research, and I trust his accuracy over any other writer on the subject. This book gives good background on the religion, gods, and beliefs of the northern traditions. If you want a well-researched and intelligent book on these subjects you can start here. If not, buy a book by Ralph Plume and live in ignorance.

This book is one that i almost always recommend to beginners at magic and witchcraft, because it really does contain a little bit of everything, from pennsylvania "hex" signs to Seidr (shamanism, prophecy, etc..) to runic symbols like the helm of awe from the out of print _Galdrabok_. Best of all, it covers the younger futhark of runes thoroughly enough to begin practicing with them. It is NOT the only book one ever needs, but an introduction to just what the northern traditions are all about. At the same time, much of this info is useful outside of the northern traditions to seriouss practitioners of witchcraft, folk magic, or the runes in general, although i'd recommend atleast a copy of the prose edda before one begins trying to fully understand the runes if not many other scholarly works on germanic mythology. Little here will be of use to the more experienced runeworker, however, except perhaps the brief chapter on hex signs, if one is interested in that kind of thing. if you do find _Northern Magic_ useful, you should also check out the author's other works, especially _Futhark_.

Edred Thorsson is prolific writer on Norse Runelore and Magick. This book is an excellent distillation of this knowledge into a useable form for the beginner. It also makes for an excellent springboard for more rigorous scholarship. (The bibliography alone is worth the price of the book!)

Overall, I found this to be an excellent sourcebook on Teutonic magical beliefs and practices. Thorsson obviously knows his stuff and has a very readable style. The problem, however, is that Thorsson seemed to be making a concious effort not to repeat things that he has covered in his other books. Since this book is an entry in the World Magic Series, though, it seems like it should have been more of a general overview than it was. An introduction even. Instead, it went off in several different directions. The hex signs of the Pennsylvania Dutch, for instance, seemed a bit out of place. There are many useful things in this book, but it should not be used as an introduction to Northern Magic.

Northern Magic is one of the best books for a beginning student of the Runic arts. It provides an excellent look into the ways of the Northern European shamanic and magical practices. The book is detailed and interesting while proving a decently easy read. It covers rune carving, galdr and seidh work as well as some further rune esoterics and even a section on the Pennsylvania Dutch Hexagrams, a Germanic magical artform.

Thorsson as an author is one of the supreme authorities of this age on Runology. He has an impressive university record as Stephen Flowers and his basis in Germanic history and language provide an excellent background for his work in the Northern historical and esoteric fields. His list of published works is impressive considering the quality of the materials he has presented.

Northern Magic is one of my personal favorites of his works as Edred Thorsson. Along with Futhark: A Handbook of Runes it has lead me far in my path. Any serious Odian should at least give this one a look.

As one further note, the Kindle edition is lovely! The layout is excellent. The pictures are clear and easy to view. I highly recommend it to any Kindle-owning Runer!

I give this book 5 stars not for its information on runes or norse mythology, but for the small chapter on the Pennsylvania Dutch Hexsigns. I am very interested in Hexology and Powwow, and read anything I can get my hands on about it. Mr. Thorsson has given the reader a basic introduction to Hexology, examples of Hexsigns, and pretty good history too. I cannot speak about the rest of the book, but buy it for the hex information if for nothing else.

Edred Thorrson is perhaps the most trusted modern authority when it comes to the Runes and Northern occult tradition.

This book is a great introduction to many practices rooted in the Northern way, including a fascinating section on the only system of unique colonial American magic that I have come into acquaintance with, Pennsylvania "Dutch" Hex-signs.

Very informative and suitable for beginners as well.