Asgard: Northern Magic (ePub)

This book will acquaint you with many of Norse paganism's key concepts and practices, specifically those originating in Scandinavia, Germany and Iceland. Norse paganism is the ancient religion of the Germanic peoples and is often associated with runic magic. Runes are ancient symbols that were used by the priests and magicians of long ago during the consecration of acts of magic, while predicting the future and during the assembly of amulets. Norse paganism is a lens for viewing the world that differs from those of the people of the South and East; people developed their own philosophy in the harsh climate of the North.

There are several branches of Norse paganism, with one of the main ones being Troth. Troth is a path through which an aspirant may learn about the Norse gods and goddesses as well as about the cultural traditions of the Norse people. Another branch is the runic galdr, which revolves heavily around a constant, magic induced transformation of runes. Galdr is a specific magical technique which magicians use to change the inner and outer worlds according to their own desires. Seidhr is yet another branch of Norse paganism. Like Norse runeology, Seidhr involves various signs and symbols and comes with its own set of techniques, but besides that, the two hold very little in common despite popular misconception. Followers of seidhr come under a trance during which they come to understand the will of the gods.

This book is written in a simple and comprehensible manner, as it is intended to serve a wide range of readers interested in ancient occultist teachings, alternate history, mythology, runic magic, runic meditation and ancient Germanic and Scandinavian customs, rituals and beliefs. The authors of this book have worked to forge extensive scattered materials on Norse paganism into one complete work.

In engaging with the pages of this book, you will become familiar with the realm of the ancient Northern gods, the prayers recited in their honor, the legends of the earliest Germanic kings, Germanic runes, runic approaches to different life occurances, the galdrastafir and the womanly magic of the goddess Freyja. Other facets of ancient Northern European life illuminated by this book include newly revived and reconstructed religious rites from ancient Scandinavia and the magical properties of Nordic herbs, amulets and talismans.