The Rites of Odin (Llewellyn's Teutonic Magick Series) [Paperback]

Ed Fitch (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 8, 2002

Open the door to the ancient Norse world of magic and spirituality with The Rites of Odin by Ed Fitch. The ancient religion of Northern Europe was one of remarkable strength and power, as well as magic and beauty. Its adherents were themselves a solid and adventurous lot: the Norse, Slavs, Germans, ancient Russians, and of course, the Vikings.

The Rites of Odin is a complete sourcebook that brings the ancient values back to these turbulent times. What you read here is poetic and powerful, perfect for groups who have chose to follow the Old Ways, for families who wish to be unified by warm and close ceremonies, and for the solitary seeker.

- The history and philosophy of ancient Norse magic made practical for today
- Basic ritual preparation and design
- Seasonal festivals for groups, families, and individuals
- Protection rites
- Wedding rites
- Norse lore
- The Runes: their symbolism and use in divination
- A Rune-Talisman rite
- Crafting a drinking horn
- Brewing your own mead

The Rites of Odin puts forth the message, in rites, practice, and background lore, that you are uniquely important. You are in charge of your own destiny. The family and friends who constitute your "extended family" are also important: by working together and helping one another, all of you can prosper and be happy.

Ed Fitch, one of the founders and major scholars of modern Paganism wrote The Rites of Odin. Initiated into Gardnerian Wicca during the mid-1960s, he has continually added to the existing background lore on Wicca and mainstream Paganism, and is widely considered to be one of the best and most influential writers of rituals in the U.S. today.

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

Come! Explore the ancient magical and spiritual practices of the Norse, Slavs, Russians, and Germans. When you practice the lyrical and elegant rituals and magical methods in The Rites of Odin by Ed Fitch, you'll be able to take charge of your life, seize your destiny, and experience the remarkable strength of this compelling way of life.

The ancient Norse knew a rough magic drawn from the beautiful grandeur of vast mountains and deep forests, from the power of rolling oceans and thundering storms. Discover the religious and magical system of these explorers, farmers, warriors, and hunters with The Rites of Odin. Rituals, traditions, lore, and mythology all combine to demonstrate the simple yet profound truth that each of us is a valuable individual and responsible for our own destiny. You'll discover how to live life with passion and honor, the way the ancient northern Europeans once did.

The Rites of Odin has been assembled from the best sources available in Scandinavia, Germany, and Eastern Europe. The background lore and rituals are fully integrated into a complete religious and magical system. Here are mystical teachings and magical rites for the solitary practitioner, groups of seekers, and even special materials for families who choose to explore this heritage together.

The archaic Way of Valhalla has a beauty and magic, a magnificence and power, that has not lessened over the past thousand years. Today, as well as in ages long past, it remains the way of the bold!

About the Author

Ed Fitch is one of the major figures in modern Wicca and neo-Paganism.  He has traveled the world as an Air Force officer, an aerospace engineer and a private investigator.  He spends as much time as possible each year in the California wilderness exploring mines, caves, and old ghost town sites.

Product Details

• Paperback: 360 pages
• Publisher: Llewellyn Publications (September 8, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0875422241
• ISBN-13: 978-0875422244
• Product Dimensions: 8.7 x 6 x 0.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 2.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (41 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #123,577 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #17 in Books > History > Europe > Scandinavia

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

36 of 39 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Not a heathen book., July 20, 2005

By 

Benjamin Smith - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Rites of Odin (Llewellyn's Teutonic Magick Series) (Paperback)

As a heathen, I detest this book. But, for the Norse Wiccan it isn't that bad. The book clearly states it is a "tremendous contribution toward the unfolding of a real 'Norse Wicca.'" It's right there in the foreward, page xiii.

I'll admit it is somewhat misleading, as there are a few mentions of Odinism in the book. But anyone with any knowledge of Odinism, Asatru, Theodish, or any other heathen denomination will see right through it. Fitch's definition of Odinism is apparently much more simple than what most of us think of it as. Fitch defines Odinism as "one who worships Odin, et al." and that is the only requirement.

I don't see the book trying to be about Asatru or heathenry. The foreward was written by none other than Edred Thorsson, the biggest flake "heathen" author in existence. Thorsson was a founding member of the Ring of Troth, but he was also forced out due to his involvement with the Temple of Set, an offshoot cult of the Church of Satan. His endorement of the book should tell you something.

The entire section on runes would be better used as toilet paper. As someone with several years of runic knowledge, this book is certainly unique, in that the information found here is found no where else. Fitch is worse that Blum in that respect (and I never thought that was possible). The entire lore section is also worthless. The seasonal rituals have an obvious Wiccan influence, but some of the Rites of Passage have some good ideas.

Another obvious Wiccan influence is the ever present duality during the rituals. Every ritual has a "godi" and "godia."

The 26 parts of the Rede of Honor fails by comparison to the Nine Noble Virtues. His information on specific gods and goddesses are laughably wrong (Vali is not a son of Loki, Freyr is not the son of Skadi, Idunna does not represent the earth, Ostara is the Germanic name for Idunna, and not a seperate goddess, Fenrir does not devour the sun, etc.) His everpresent term "Gods of Valhalla" is just plain stupid. I don't think the book mentions Asgard even once. Niflheim and Muspellheim are also omitted from the pages. Alfheim and Svartalfheim also didn't make the cut. In fact of the Nine Worlds, only Midgard ad Hel made in into the book.

Basically, the book is worthless to those reconstructionists who try to be as accurate as possible when it comes to the religion of our ancestors. Accuracy is not something Fitch seemed too concerned about when he wrote this book. For the Wiccan, where accuracy and authenticity are simply suggestions to be considered, this book would be worth checking out. As a book for Asatruar, this still is useful as a guide of "what not to do," and I would still recommend it to beginners into heathenry for that purpose.

Still if you must, buy it used, borrow it, steal it if it comes to that. But never, ever pay full price for this book.

24 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars I Preferred Going Straight To The Eddas, Thank You, July 25, 2001

By 

Mv2.3 "This Is My Fake Name Badge" (In the Aether and in the Other) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Rites of Odin (Llewellyn's Teutonic Magick Series) (Paperback)

The Nordic traditions/Asatru/Odinism are way out of my depth as far as personal practice, but nevertheless I reach out to educate myself anyway. I picked up this book on a recommendation and had some rather high hopes. Unfortunately, I felt absolutely nothing. You might say "Oh, well, she's not in the trad, how does she know?" I'm comparing the experience of reading Fitch's book to reading the Poetic and Prose Eddas in addition to other works on the Teutonic way which did capture my interest and imagination. Perhaps if you're a seeker looking to Nordic ways you may find this book of greater value than I did, but I do not feel this is a good choice for the person seeking to broaden their background.

30 of 35 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars A rather mediocre veiw of Odinism., July 9, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: The Rites of Odin (Llewellyn's Teutonic Magick Series) (Paperback)

Definity not a book for beginners.Their was a complete lack of explanation of the gods, blots, sumbels, ve's, horgs, and other essential stuff that is necessary for the religion.I will admit though that the mead making instructions and the horn crafting instructions were good.His expanation of Seidr magic was terrible and he failed to give an overveiw on the proper ritual tools.When the author put out books on Wicca he furthur proved his lack of genuinity in the Nordic Path.Sorry Mr. Fitch, Odinists want to buy books made by Odinists, not some wiccan trying to make a few extra bucks.To all Asatru/Odinists:If you want books on Odinism I suggest The Book of Troth written by Edred Thorrson and Asatru Rituals series written by Steven McNallen.(you can find this in the World Tree Publications, just go to the search engine, type World Tree Publications and you can find it from their.)The one thing I hate most is watching fellow kinsmen getting the wrong Info.