The Way of the Heathen: A Handbook of Greater Theodism [Paperback]

Garman Lord (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 1, 2000

A handbook of the group or solitary practice of the alternative religious discipline known as Greater Theodism. Theodism, or Theodish Belief, is a revived Prechristian European form of folk-religious polytheism, the primary goals of which are religious and historical authenticity.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

A GIS Cartographer by profession, and at the time a Wiccan, Garman Lord founded Theodish Belief in 1976, as the result of a religious epiphany of the old Preconversion European gods.

Product Details

• Paperback: 229 pages
• Publisher: THEOD (January 1, 2000)
• ISBN-10: 192934001X
• ISBN-13: 978-1929340019
• Product Dimensions: 7.7 x 4.9 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,579,492 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

24 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Insightful, January 9, 2001

By 

Mark Henderson (Sammamish, WA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Way of the Heathen: A Handbook of Greater Theodism (Paperback)

High Theodism is in many ways an extreme version of Heathenry/Asatru with an emphasis on the Anglo-Saxon side of things. In this book Garman Lord discusses what he terms "Greater Theodism" - in essence Theodism for those who are not quite up to the degree of committment that High Theodism requires.

The most striking difference between Theodism and most other forms of Asatru/Heathenry is the belief in "Sacral Kingship", i.e. that men are directly connected to the Gods through the appointment of a sacral king who also fulfills the role of High Priest. One can see that Theodism is a different sort of religion than the more common individualistic/family-based forms of Heathenry which often have social structures which are loosely based on the old Icelandic commonwealth.

The book describes Heathen notions of "good" and "evil" in a fairly standard way. Nothing new here.

Other terms which are common in Heathenry are explained, e.g. frith, orlog, wyrd, wigh!t. There are detailed descriptions of the blot and the symbel.

It also spends a fair bit of time detailing the workings of the Theodish Leode (essentially a Kindred in more typical Asatru terminology)

There is an interesting discussion of why so many people in our society are chronically alienated, "sleepwalking" through life, lost, and powerless, and how Theodish society counters that by providing power and significance.

A glossary of potentially unfamiliar terms is provided. Garman Lord also includes a well thought out reading list.

The book is fascinating. It has given me some things to ponder. I'll definitely re-read it.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Alternative To Mainstream, June 2, 2000

By 

Jill Goldstein (Skiatook, OK USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Way of the Heathen: A Handbook of Greater Theodism (Paperback)

Way of the Heathen is an excellently written instruction manual of Theodish Belief. Garman Lord takes great pains to explain step by step how to be an Heathen. Everything you need to know down to the smallest detail is in this book. There are explicit explanations of everything. Plus, he encourages contact if there are any more questions that may arise in your introduction to Germanic Heathenry.

It helps take the mystique of the word Heathen and explains exactly what that means.

This book is an excellent start to anyone wanting to start his pagan/heathen lifestyle with honour and ethics.

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A daring and interesting book, May 15, 2002

By 

Brooke A. Storm "Whac-a-Mole" (NY United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Way of the Heathen: A Handbook of Greater Theodism (Paperback)

This book is a wonderful read. It challenges popularly held notions of community outside and *inside* heathenism today. I am also impressed with the Theodish reconstruction of the vertical relationships of the Anglo-Saxons, which stand in some degree of contrast with the family relation focus of the Icelanders. Although I do not completely agree with all of his assertions, I highly recommend Garman Lord's ideas for thought and consideration. It has deeply influenced me, and I recommend it to any other heathen.