Northern Lore Book Review by Freya Aswynn

Book Review by Freya Aswynn

[Author of Northern Mysteries and Magick: Runes & Feminine Powers, Power and Principle of the Runes, Songs of Yggdrasil: Shamanic Chants from the Northern Mysteries, and more]

This book comes 3 parts each containing 3 chapters [9 chapters total] this format in itself is  magical and keeping within the traditions of sacred numbers in the Northern Tradition.

This book is the single most comprehensive guide to various branches of the Northern Tradition.

Part One is named: Mind of the North.

 

Chapter One introduces the legacy of the North, giving a brief summary of the history of the Norse peoples and various influences.

The first thing which strikes me about this book, is the writing style, easy and unpretentious, simple and straight. No waffle anywhere. The first chapter especially is written with a enthusiasm for the subject radiating of every page. I especially noticed that it would be very very suitable for kids. Especially young boys who can identify with ‘Viking’ and Anglo/Saxon 'Warrior' culture.

It should be introduced at schools. So many of books on this subject, mine included, would be ‘boring’ for kids, this is written like and adventure story of discovery. If I wouldn’t know anything about the author I would surmise from his writing that he’s a Teacher at a secondary school and a bloody good one. I wholeheartedly recommend Heather parents and groups to use this book as a teaching for school kids. It's just right, not to complicated and not boring, and with lot's of visual delights!

The Second Chapter is about the Runes. A wonderful and well written overview of the meaning and usage of Runes, their history in so as known, and the various systems all with wonderful illustrations this makes it a really accessible book on runes for the beginners.

Wonderful information on the deeper meanings of the Runes and their relation to the Northern Mysteries as well as a good look at the Northern Gods and Goddesses. A high quality book. Odinsson has introduced all subjects in an approachable way. Although it is academically responsible and accurate he avoid overly scholastic style but rather a gentle introduction for beginners.

The Third Chapter is about weather lore. Very detailed quotes and folk lore pertaining to the weather.. I loved this folklore, weather proverbs and yes, even quotes from the bible. This if nothing else show a broad minded approach to this subject. Also referred to are old wives tales, genuine observances and solid science.

Part Two Body of the North:

 

Subjects discussed in detail are Stav, a Northern Martial Art form involving Runic positions. Rune yoga is also included with clear photographs and detailed instructions as to how.

Next section of the book is occupied with healing and herb lore, derived from original source material mostly Anglo/Saxon. Wonderfully balanced and backed up by tradition and comparisons with other healing traditions. Recipes of herbs and remedies for a variety of conditions are detailed described from traditional lore but also it's chemical compositions.

A sound reference for home made remedies for small ailments. All with beautiful illustrations.
The next chapter is about tradition Viking cooking! And brewing mead! Very important.
This makes it a book for all the family or Kindred and will appeal to people from all walks of life be they interested in this material for either religious or cultural reasons.

Part Three: Spirit of the North:

 

This is the largest section of the book and Odinsson gets really down to business!
Starting with a very fine re telling of the creation Myths and it's attended Cosmology including the Nine Worlds, Then it's to the gods and goddesses. Each one is accurately profiled and their functions explained again accompanied with the most wonderful illustrations and quotes from Saga's and Edda's.

The remaining two chapter 8 and 9 respectively are dedicated to Spiritual issues and practices.

Chapter 8 is Aptly named: Tao of the North.

It opens with a discussion and interpretation of Havamal. Of great spiritual and practical value.... The whole of Havamal is reproduced at the end of the essay.

The last chapter, 9, discussed the Runes as a working tool for divination it lists general accepted meanings of the runes and gives examples of casts. It also includes the Anglo/Saxon Rune poem which clarifies and elucidates the meaning of the Runes. The information supplied is sufficient for anyone who has a natural affinity to the Path of the North in any of it's aspects to practice Rune divination.

This chapter ends with a discussion of the fylgja or fetch and includes a guided meditation make contact with this being.

---

It's an honest book, quotes from other sources have been properly accredited, and this book contains a substantial bibliography.
It's an excellent addition to any library.
Freya Aswynn, May 9'th, 2011

Get a Copy of the Book on the Author's website

 

Freya kindly pointed out 2 errors, which were faithful reproductions of the quoted material, but opinions have changed in the last 150 years or so since some of the quoted authors had lived. 

 

In Myths of Northern Lands, H.A. Gureber says "...Delling, who was of the race of the Aesir.." and 

 

From his essay Old Northern Ethics for Life, Patrick Lafcadio Hearn says "...when for one moment England and Sweden were one kingdom."

TreeStory: how-one-tree-can-change-your-life

Please check out the video in the link below. I absolutely LOVE trees, and feel an incredibly strong connection to all trees. In Norse mythology Yggdrasil, the world tree, unites and connects the multiverse.

Thanks to Fred Bower for sharing this link with me.

"TreeStory is an innovative film with an ambitious plan to reconnect people to nature. Using a timeless form of activism: story-telling, it will explore the dramatic changes that can happen to people thanks to an experience with one important tree in their life."

http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1920957372/treestory-how-one-tree-can-change-your-life?ref=live

Quantum Physics is Wyrd (weird?)

Ok, firstly, I am NOT a Physicist. I did take a Physics class at University, but that's was years ago, and not my area of expertise. So please take what I say with a grain of Salt, and feel free to set me straight if I'm off base.

For those of you who are new to the Northern Traditions, Wyrd is somewhat like fate. The word “Wyrd” is cognate (related) to many words in the Germanic languages and roughly means "to come to pass, to become, to be due".

Wyrd is not your fate or destiny carved in stone, we are not trapped by Wyrd, but our lives are shaped by it. For example, suppose you were born with no legs. Would that mean you would be fated to never run a marathon? Certainly not. It would make it a big challenge, but with today’s technology could be over come – via prosthetics for example.

So Wyrd sets us on a certain course, but we have the ability to alter course, and change our lives – so our forefathers believed.

My thoughts one day happened on Wyrd, and my belief in it. From time to time I like to consider what I “believe” in…..we all change, and sometimes it’s good to re-examine old beliefs in light of new experience, evidence etc.

Here’s where we get to the Scientific stuff (cover your ears if you must).
The Physics our grandfathers learned were heavily dependent on the works of Sir Isaac Newton – you know the guy who thought up gravity after being hit on the head by an apple . So we know that branch of physics as Newtonian Physics. I like Newtonian Physics; it’s neat, tidy, and certain. You can calculate things, and know what to expect.

If the multiverse were governed purely by Newtonian Physics, then the Universe should be totally predictive...that is, if I had all the information, I could predict any event with 100% accuracy. So life would be pre-destined, which would contradict our understanding of Wyrd - which we can influence. Hmmm….so do we throw out the concept of Wyrd in favour of Newtonian Physics? Not yet.

Quantum physics or mechanics, tells us that there is no certainty, only probability (things exist in multiple states simultaneously), there can be no prediction of a single outcome, all outcomes are viable, and do occur. So we likely have layers of realities - multiple universes, or the multiverse – a bubbly frothy foam of possibility.

So actions I take, according to Quantum Physics, will affect things in a way nobody can predict ahead of time. We can only talk about probable outcomes. So then my “fate” is not set in stone! My “Wyrd” is mine to manipulate, and even the Gods don’t know where I’ll end up.

So, Quantum Physics gives me faith in Wyrd!

Eoghan

Spirit Guide or Fylgia Meditation

Contacting your Spirit Guide

Some describe a fylgja as a supernatural being or creature which accompanies a person in connection to their fate or fortune. Others contend that the fylgia is a part of your overall being, yet is semi–independent.

Fylgjur (plural), usually appear in the form of an animal and commonly appears during sleep, but the sagas relate that they could appear while a person is awake as well, and that seeing one's fylgja is an omen of one's impending death. However, when fylgjur appear in the form of women, they are then supposedly guardian spirits for people or clans.

In his books “ His Dark Materials” Philip Pullman draws on this theme, and applies a daemon to each person, which is described as an integral part of the persons soul, but takes the form of an independent, or perhaps interdependent,  animal.

 

 

- his first book was also made in to a Movie - the Golden Compass

My Stáv instructor Graham Butcher introduced me to a meditation technique to contact my Fylgia. He guided us through the meditation, which is an ideal way to try this, but if you are doing this solo, here is a transcript of a similar session you can use for reference.

The text below is a transcript of a recorded guided meditation conducted by Philip Brough. I would suggest you record this, either yourself, or have someone do it for you. Then play it back to guide you in the meditation. I used this technique and it was very effective.

Fylgia meditation - Philip Brough

“You are in a comfortable familiar room. The room is warm and comfortable. The carpet on the floor is warm and soft to the touch. There is a fire in the middle of the room on a raised hearth. There is a small fire burning on the hearth, you feel the warmth on your face. On the fire there is a small grill and also a stove. You look around the room and return to the hearth. You see on the hearth a jug with a drink. Next to the jug there are vessels. You pick one up and feel the weight of the vessel and the texture against your skin. You fill the vessel from the jug and then look down at the drink. You see the reflection in the surface of the liquid. You bring the vessel up to your lips to drink, still watching the reflections, you see your own eyes in the surface as you begin to drink.

When you have drunk, you replace the vessel by the hearth and look again around the room. As you look around again you notice the details of the room. There are doors on each wall. They are old doors, well used and solid. There are carvings around the edge of the door and a raised panel in the middle of each door. You turn to the North and focus on one of the four doors on that wall. You look at the panel and see the Rune carved on it. You focus on that rune, chanting it over and over in your mind

You continue to look at the door and slowly start walking towards it. As you approach, the door slowly opens. You still focus on the rune and watch it . You stoop as you slowly pass through the door all the time focusing on the rune, chanting the sound of it, over and over in your mind.

When you pass through the door, you see the land before you. You travel through the land seeing all around you. You go deeper and deeper into the world, moving closer to a meeting place deep in the heart of the land. You look around you and see all the colors of the land and you stop and listen for a moment and hear the sounds of the land. You move on again moving deeper into this land, continue your journey, proceed until you find a safe place.

Once you’re there, stop, take a moment to feel the place, you become aware of a presence, turn around and look.”

{…breath and meditate on your Fylgia for 5 minutes…….}

“You now feel that it is time to return. You bid farewell to the creature and beings you have met, and you make your way back through the land to the doorway. You still take in your surroundings, the smells, the sounds, the colors. As you approach the doorway, you stoop again to pass through it. When you are back in the room you turn around to watch it close behind you.

You once again look around the comfortable familiar room, and when you are ready you open your eyes.”

Click the Otter (my Fylgia)  to download or play the MP3 file narrated by Phil Brough.

Quotes from Freya Aswynn's Review of my book..

Freya Aswynn (world famous author on runes) is about half way through my book, and is writing the review as she goes. She shared some material with me this morning, and I wanted to share it with you. I've pulled out snippets, as the review is lengthy. I feel like a kid at Yule!

Overall:

"This book is the single most comprehensive guide to manifold branches of the Northern Tradition." - Freya Aswynn

Chapter 1:

"The first thing which strikes me about this book, is the writing style, easy and unpretentious, simple and straight. No waffle anywhere. The first chapter is written with a enthusiasm for the subject radiating off every page. I especially noticed that it would be very very suitable for kids. Especially young boys who can identify with ‘Viking’ and Anglo/Saxon Warrior culture. It should be introduced at schools. " - Freya Aswynn

On my Herb Lore Chapter:

"The Next section of the book is occupied with healing herb lore derived from original source material. Wonderfully balanced and backed up by comparisons with other healing traditions. Recipes of herbs and remedies for a variety of conditions are detailed described from traditional lore but also it's chemical compositions. A sound reference for home made remedies for small ailments. A viking first aid kit:-)" - Freya Aswynn


Anyway, needless to say I'm pretty thrilled, Freya has been an inspiration to me for many years, and to get such praise from her is a dream come true.

This will be great for the back cover of my next edition :)

Check out Northern Lore on Jacket Flap

Check out the book at : http://www.jacketflap.com/bookdetail.asp?bookid=1452851433

Review by Sweyn Plowright

A Heathen Resource

“Northern Lore” is one of the rare well researched books available on Heathen Lore for Heathen folk. Such books were almost impossible to find in previous decades, leaving a choice between dry academic tomes, or cobbled-together New-Age fantasies. Since 2000, a small but growing number of authors have made the effort to bring academic sources and honest analysis to bear, and put their findings into a useful form.

The book begins with a history of Northern Europe, our ancestors, and the cultural influences that we came to inherit. It then covers the runes in detail, explaining the Futharks with a straightforward but academically accurate approach.

The middle sections cover a wide variety of traditional lore, including  weather, food, and health. There is also an honest discussion of modern practices, such as “rune yoga”, including its history and origins in early 20th Century Germany.

Finally, mythology, ethics, divination, and religious practices are covered in an educated and down to earth manner.

This is one of a handful of books I could recommend to a student or seeker of Northern Lore that does not need an accompanying list of caveats.  Well done.

Sweyn Plowright

Author of "The Rune Primer: A Down to Earth Guide to the Runes", and "True Helm a Practical Guide to Northern Warriorship".