Galina KrasskovaA Modern Guide to Heathenry: Lore, Celebrations, and Mysteries of the Northern Traditions

I have eagerly awaited publication of "A Modern Guide to Heathenry: Lore, Celebrations & Mysteries of the Northern Traditions", Galina Krasskova’s revision of her seminal work, "Exploring the Northern Tradition" (issued in 2004), and find the new text to be a significant improvement on the book which introduced so many to Heathenism. In this revision, she beautifully frames a polytheist faith rooted in the past but vibrantly alive today, and while honoring the works collectively referred to as ‘The Lore’, places those works in a solid historical context, beginning with an exploration of the development of modern Heathenry.Krasskova opens by offering a survey of the primary denominations and how they differ. This is followed up with a comprehensive exploration of the rather complex cosmology that forms the foundation of Heathen belief, followed up by introductions to some of the many deities revered in this tradition. The concept of Wyrd or Causality is beautifully explained, as is the rich and complex Heathen understanding of the Soul. The author also sets forth core ethics and values that still find such relevance in our current world.Having established a solid foundation, she moves on to exploration of the rituals and sacred practices of Heathenry, rites such as the blót and symbel, and the calendar of Holy Tides which anchors practitioners in the rhythms of nature. Within this context, Krasskova invites the reader into deep and meaningful personal relationship with the Gods and Ancestors through the creation of personal shrines and altars, and devotional practices such as prayers, offerings and traditional meditation. The deep reverence and emphasis on piety which mark Krasskova’s work serve to make this so much more than a “How To” text, and she reminds us of the devotion and reverence that were hallmarks of historical Heathenry and remain the beating heart of this faith today.

This is a very good book, lots of good information and well put together. It reads really well.

I highly recommend this book to anyone that wants to know more about Heathen ways and more about the Gods.

I really enjoyed this and will keep it to read and refer to again!

I have been studying all sorts of religions and spiritual "paths" and found one thing is remarkably similar to each and every religious text Ive come across. They're dryer than a biscuit from Popeyes. This book I am only half way through reading and it is just the most refreshing thing I have found in quite some time. Big thanks to the author and Please Please Please give this book a try.

This book is not a good introduction to Heathenry. It begins really well, and the author clearly loves the Norse/Northern Gods. Where it goes wrong is when the author misunderstands basic Heathen concepts and seems to be still clinging to her old Kemetic/ Hellenic/ Catholic beliefs. Our Germanic ancestors worshiped standing up, the author actually writes about being on your knees- a very Eastern concept. The main idea of autonomy, so vital in Heathenry, does not even make it into the book. The worse is the authors addition of concepts that are foreign to Heathenry, such as miasma ( an example that the author is still in the process of conversion herself ). The worse is the authors’s addition of a “Nameless” entity as a substitute for the Jotums during Ragnarok. Unfortunately the author’s own lack of understanding of Northern beliefs has her using her knowledge of Kemetic/Hellenic beliefs to fill in her own lacks. Ragnarok is clearly the Gods versus the chaotic powers of the Jotums, the destruction of order by chaos so that order will be restored anew. This is NOT a “good vs evil” concept, and the fact that the author blatantly tries to change this is insulting to the very Gods themselves, hence the once star review.

I've only read a small portion, but it seems well written and very knowledgeable. My issue is that A LOT of the pages fall out. About every 5 pages or so, 1 page will come right out as if it was never stitched in.

If you are a vegetarian you definitely should be looking into heathenry lol and we were put here as top of the food chain every species thru out the world is a predator to any living thing under them in the food chain that's always been the way of the world this vegetarian stuff makes no sense at all smh

This book is a great introductory guide to modern heathenry. I like the format of the chapters in introducing the reader gradually to the different aspects of heathenry

A well done book and a perfect guide for a person looking to start there heathen journey

This book is very misleading and misses the total point of heathenry. The author claims personal connections with goddesses through staring into the mirror long enough.The train of thought of this book mainly circles around trendy esotheric concepts and has done very small research in the exciting field of paganism...