34 of 37 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
One of the best books on the subject, June 29, 2003
This review is from: Northern Mysteries and Magick: Runes & Feminine Powers (Paperback)
This is the fourth printing of "Northern Mysteries and Magick" and if you are into runes or Scandinavian mythology and mysteries then it is easy to see why it has been so popular. Starting with a short piece on the northern tradition in perspective, it proceeds quickly into a detailed section on runes. For each rune it gives the Germanic, Anglo-Saxon and Old Norse names, the phonetic value and the traditional meaning as well as an illustration of the rune. Beneath this there is a detailed analysis of the rune in terms of the culture of the time, it's derivation when known, other words it is associated with, how it was related to specific Norse gods and myths, and various other pieces of information as appropriate. While the information is detailed the writing style is not very technical in nature and so creates a flowing, easy to follow read that anyone can understand.
Following this section is an excellent piece on runic divination including the nine worlds of Nordic mythology and how they relate to the conscious. Divination methods discussed include the basic fourfold wheel and the more detailed eightfold wheel techniques. This is followed by a very informative section on runic magic and traditional magic techniques and beliefs. Each of the traditional Scandinavian gods is presented with a detailed profile that includes their name in Norse, English, Dutch, and German, their primary element, secondary element, color, number, totem animals, personal sigils, magical items, the purpose for which they are typically invoked and the runes used for them.
The book ends with a chapter on feminine mysteries that includes a short piece on the practice of Seith (mostly the casting spells and enchantments), an examination of Odin and how he related to the feminine mysteries, and detailed profiles of the feminine gods such as Frigga and Freyja. For those who are interested in runes, northern magic beliefs and systems, or just a detailed account of how runes and magic were used historically and what they meant to the people of that time it is a highly recommended read.
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24 of 28 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
Questionable Scholarship, August 28, 2001
By A Customer
This review is from: Northern Mysteries and Magick: Runes & Feminine Powers (Paperback)
While the rune information in this book is quite good. There are several deficiencies. First, her claims are not supported by adequate citations to any sort of literature or research apart from her own observations and those of a handful of friends. So if we want to do further research, we cannot rely on Aswynn to provide a trail to sources. The bibliography reads more like a recommended reading list rather than a proper bibliography. The result is that one simply has to take her word for everything that she claims. Not good enough. Second, she continually interjects anecdotal and snide remarks about Christianity. Although I am not a Christian and did not grow up in a Christian culture, I found this to be distracting. Her claims about the "hardiness" and the "warrior" quality of the Northern People are called into question by her claims that they were forced to convert by the sword. (How do "soft" Middle Eastern people overcome the "fierce" Northerners...this is a strange contradiction). Histories that I have read claim that key leaders converted to Christianity and that this was the way in which it spread. Moreover,is this pseudo-history at all necessary to her main subject? Aswynn's lack of clarity and internal contradictions make her claims less credible. Aswynn also tends to use a rather patronizing tone when it comes to modern Wicca. She claims to have progressed beyond Wicca to Asatru. Again, is this really necessary? While arguing that the runes can only be understood within the Northern Mystery tradition and framework, she "dares" to posit that an 8th chakra exists below one's feet. How is it that a purist in Asatru feels that it is not hypocrisy to bastardize another tradition's teachings? All in all, an interesting book as far as the runes go, but poor citations, personal bitterness which colors the prose, unnecessary one-up-manship, and contradictions within her own arguments detract from the value of Aswynn's insights.
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18 of 21 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
An Excellent introduction to Northern Magick, October 25, 2000
This review is from: Northern Mysteries and Magick: Runes & Feminine Powers (Paperback)
This book gets two thumbs up from me. One for the material in the book, the other for the CD. Freya Aswynn is to be highly commended for her work in this area which is a blend of scholastic research and soul searching. There are some aspects that differ from a purely academic approach to Runelore and Northern Magic, but the book also illustrates the powerful results from this sort of magio-spiritual work which is rooted in academia and made manifest through personal experience.
The CD is chilling and awsome in the recital of the Havamal and vibration of the runes. I highly reccomend it.
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