Exploring The Northern Tradition: A Guide To The Gods, Lore, Rites And Celebrations From The Norse, German And Anglo-saxon Traditions (Exploring Series)

Readers will have the opportunity to explore the sacred stories of the various Heathen Gods like Odin, Frigga, Freya, and Thor and will be granted a look into the devotional practices of modern votaries. The most common devotional rite: the faining or blót is examined in rich detail with examples given for personal use. Additionally, readers are introduced to the concept of wyrd or fate, so integral to the Heathen worldview.

Unlike many books on Heathenry, Exploring the Northern Tradition is not denomination specific, nor does it seek to overwhelm the reader with unfamiliar Anglo-Saxon or Norse terminology. For those new to Heathenry, Pagans who wish to learn more about the Norse Deities, or those simply interested in learning about this unique religion, this book is the perfect introduction.

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All Customer Reviews
Average Customer Review:
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful:

Good with a grain of salt., 2008-11-02
While I am glad I purchased this book, I think I need to add a note of caution to all the glowing reviews above this one. Gallina has written a very thorough book, with solid descriptions of the different branches of heathenry, but when it comes to describing the Gods and Goddesses I find her a bit fluffy. She is very good at mentioning the lesser known dieties, but this is where the caution comes in: Where we lack lore, she has inserted her own personal experiences, which to me makes this less of an authentic piece of research and more of an unverified personal gnosis.

I wouldn't recommend this as a first book on heathenry, because without a little bit of previous experience it would be difficult to work out the fact from the guesswork. However for somebody who wants a well rounded idea of what's out there, and/or who is able to weed out the good bits, it is a very valuable addition to a home library.


0 of 0 people found the following review helpful:

Excellent beginners' information, 2008-10-12
This is one of the better introductory books to Heathenry, outlining the rites of Heathendom as well as the nature of the Gods, in a way that is easy to understand without "dumbing it down". It does focus more on the Anglo-Saxon side of Heathenry, rather than "generic Norse" Asatru, but this (in my opinion) does not detract from the information within. It presents Heathenry as a wholistic practice, truly connecting with the Gods, wights, and ancestors, and bringing Their gifts into Midgard.


3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

Useful and Practical, 2008-08-07
Galina Krasskova has written a wonderful and practical contribution to Heathen spirituality. From a very broad outline, Krasskova leads the reader through a brief, but far from superficial, overview of the development of modern Heathenry, basic information about the Gods and Goddesses, and the metaphysical worldview. Along the way, she provides personal examples drawn from her own life along with suggestions on how the reader can develop his or her own devotions.

The topics of Wyrd and Soul Matrix were particularly well done and interesting, and the outlines of ritual (Blot and Symbel) are helpful -- though I am familiar with the basics, I found new and inspired details in these sections. I should also point out that I found Krasskova's honest and practical attitude regarding syncretization quite refreshing.

While trying to be "non-denominational", this material is slightly slanted toward the Anglo-Saxon varieties of religious reconstruction. This is to be somewhat expected given her own experience in Thaet Angelseaxisce Ealdriht. My comment is not at all meant as a criticism, but merely a piece of information the reader should be aware of.

In closing, "Exploring the Northern Tradition" is more than a simple introduction to this spiritual path; it is a very readable reference that the new, or even seasoned, Heathen can turn to on a frequent basis.


6 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

Insipid and trite, 2008-06-19
The purpose of this book is certainly to introduce individuals to the basic concepts that inform what has been called Germanic Neopaganism; and, as the subtitle informs us, it attempts to be a "guide to the gods, lore, rites and celebrations" which such Germanic Neopagans incorporate into their lives.

It is my assertion, however, that this book provides us with an understanding of this religious and cultural movement, only in the most basic of ways, even below what one might expect an introductory work on a topic to provide. Indeed, the information contained therein, is trivial, speculative, and utterly bereft of any sort of depth or pofundity. Allow me, however, to further state that I find the writing style and personality of the author to be charming, that she most certainly conveys a passion and love for her subject, and that there is nothing whatever in this book which is unfairly presented.

The concept which our author attempts to inform us of, nonetheless, is one which is alien and strange to a modern, rational person. We are asked to consider the possibility, that the ancient gods of Germanic peoples are entities which exist in a supernatural realm, that they interact with humans, and that the are worthy of adoration. I am personally quite prepared to consider such a possibility, but I would at the very least like to be respected enough as an intelligent reader to be informed why such a drastic step towards a modern and absolutely invented religion is necessary.

What is the evidence that one wishes to advance for the existence of Odin, for example? Why should we believe in an afterlife and a soul? What is magick, and what does it do? In terms of socio-psychological forces, why have individuals attempted to return to the "religion" of their forebears? Such questions are not addressed in this book, and it is my opinion that this lack of philosophical inquiry adds to the aforementioned triviality of this text. In order to introduce a person to this religious paradigm, is it not wise to offer some sort of reasoning for why it should be held closely within the heart, and guarded with sincere love?

But if philosophy is not attempted by the author, then neither is mysticism. We read hints here and there that Krasskova has had intimate spiritual experience with these beings that are ancient gods, once worshipped by the northern tribes of Europe. We are then asked, by implication, to believe such assertions without the slightest understanding of what such experiences were, how they were arrived at, and why they should be taken seriously. Such personal gnosis, then, is merely hinted at without further elaboration, making it useless to anyone who does not simply smile and marvel at the wonder of the whole thing.

The last criticism of the book at I will offer, is that the information presented by it barely suffices in its role as a rough outline. Indeed, the entirety of the first chapter, and its stated aim of introducing the evolution of this religion from ancient times to the present, contains half of the information that the humble Wikipedia article on the subject does.

Likewise, the third chapter introduces to the reader the gods of the Nordic pantheon, and it comprises a full 45 per cent of this overall work. It amounts to being nothing beyond a listing of gods and goddesses which treats them as living entities, but which, as I've said, offers nothing more on such a fascinating prospect. Again, if you wish to learn about Germanic mythology, you are respectfully advised to seek out one of the many works on this subject, as their depth will be far beyond the listing found in this book. A reader may hope that a book that spends nearly half of its pages addressing a particular topic, would do so in a manner which is advanced enough to merit its cost, and not merely be a rehashing of information which is readily found on internet websites.

Chapter six, which is about Heathen ethics and values, is so trite and condescending that it would perhaps suffice as a statement of morality only if it were given to a kindly adolescent. We are told what concepts like self-reliance, truth, and perseverance are, and the value of such concepts is hinted at. Forgive me, but was this chapter truly necessary? A redeeming factor of it, is that the chapter offers two books which deal with the subject in greater depth.

Overall, then, I must conclude that this book introduces Heathenry in a way which may be of benefit to young people more than to educated adults, who no doubt may feel slightly frustrated at the lack of flesh upon this very fragile skeleton.


2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

Fantastic Faith based Material., 2008-04-03
I am a reader. obviously. i love reading, studying and learning everything i can. and when i became an Asatruar, i grabbed up everything i could on the faith both online and in local bookstores.

When i came across this book, i was perusing through a barnes and noble, i believe; in California. from the instant i stuck my nose in the book, i was enthralled. The information within was comprehensive and intriguing. i couldn't stop reading it, and the prayers to each god and goddess were a fantastic help for me, as i was a recent convert from Christianity and was unsure of how to pray to any god or goddess other than my previous one.
This book really helped me come out of my shell as a heathen, and now, several years later, i still hand people this book whenever they begin to ask about my faith. i feel it, more than any other i've found, properly shows most sides of our faith. which is important, because our faith isn't as simple as christianity. it isn't "all sin, Jesus died for sin, you need jesus for heaven" it's so much more indepth and complex. you simply cannot describe heathenry in just a few words.
I heard a description once that trying to define heathenry is like trying to nail Jello to a tree, yet this book does a fantastic job. I love this book! ^_^

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