Heathen Books…
It’s been my
misfortune to read a lot of Heathen dross over the years – but I have decided (for
now) to include books I recommend on my site rather than wasting space with
details about books I couldn’t stand!
There are SO
many books around it’s difficult to know where to start – it’s not possible
include all the books I’ve read.
Therefore, I have decided only to include those books that I feel are exceptional and would be of interest and
benefit to Heathens everywhere.
Without
reservation I recommend all the Icelandic sagas and the Eddas. I have recommended the Odin’s Journey Cards
(which include a book) – there is a review of them accessible by the ‘Reviews
Menu’.
I would also
like to recommend Eric Wodening’s ‘Rites of Heathendon’.
This book
examines how rites of celebration, blots, sumbels, weddings and funerals were
performed by our ancestors and really gives you a ‘feel’ for these things. Eric clearly cites his sources throughout the
book and does not try to ‘fill in the blanks’ as many modern authors have done. This means Rites of Heathendom is a breath of
fresh air for anyone wanting to find out about how these things were REALLY
done and the reasons why.
As well as the
factual but highly inspirational content, the book is extremely well written
and each chapter includes a ‘wordhoard’ where Old English and Norse words are
clarified.
No matter how
many books you have that claim to include ‘authentic’ rites and rituals of our
ancestors, very little has actually survived as to the precise nature of these
events. Eric has painstakingly collected
the bits and pieces we do know from ancient texts and bound them all together
in one volume. All the information is
there at your fingertips. Eric really
has done us all a great service in this work!
I love this book
and I’m sure you will too.
It can be
purchased through the café press…follow this link to Eric’s Café Press Shop….