A Practical Heathen's Guide to Asatru

by Patricia M. Lafayllve

Flowing from its early, pre-Christian beginnings through its modern worldview, this book explores the deities, history, rituals, magic, and religion of Asatru from the unique perspective of a Gythja (Godwoman) within that path. The Heathen tradition revealed here describes the entire structure of Asatru and shows how its ancient themes, ideas, and practices are relevant to modern spiritual seekers.

Clear and easy to understand yet thorough and comprehensive, A Practical Heathen's Guide to Asatru will add depth to the Asatru experience for those who have practiced this faith for years while remaining accessible to beginners. It reveals Heathen perspectives on the nature of time, creation, spirits, worship, ethics, and hospitality. It shares practical techniques with meditation, prayer, runes, charms, and life rituals covering birth/naming, entry into adulthood, weddings, divorces, funerals, and more. An in-depth glossary, index, and bibliography help make this the must-read book for everyone interested in Asatru.

Genres: Paganism, Religion, Spirituality, Witchcraft, Nonfiction, Philosophy, Occult

264 pages, Paperback

First published November 8, 2013

Reviews

[~Merrideth Hawk ~Filthy Fahrenheit Book Blog~ · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was the first book I attempted to read regarding Asatru. At first glance, there is a ton of information and the chapter titles give a sense of this. However, my excitement led into dread as I began reading and getting further into the book. The writing is really horrible, I'm sad to say. Most sentences are run-ons or just make no sense at all. The sentences seem as though they were cut and pasted from parts of other sentences. The most problematic issue in the reading is that the paragraphs are not cohesive at all. The author jumps back and forth in time from one thought to another all within one paragraph which makes it beyond frustrating to read. I forced myself to read to page 70 and had to put the book away. After completing another book on the subject, I went back to finish this one. After 2 more attempts I just wasn't able to complete it. It's a shame because the author seems quite knowledgeable but the writing should have been edited properly and by someone more professional.

[Carrie (The Butterfly Reader) · Rating 3 out of 5]

So I've been getting more and more into the Norse Pagan path and this was the first book I decided to read because my library had it available. I learned quite a but but it also made me sad that I can't trace my family line back as far as most can. Hell, I can't even trace my line back past my great-grandparents because my family all hates each other and you can't talk to anyone and ask questions. So yeah it's great for beginners just don't let the family line stuff bother you. Do what feels right to you.

[Owen · Rating 3 out of 5]

I had only heard of Asatru once before, and given that I am pretentiously trying to become more "cultured" and "educated" about religions, people, the world, etc. I figured this would be a good opportunity to do some learning.

I'm not into mythology or anything but I like some bits of Norse mythology and Asatru definitely beats every other religion in how detailed its creation stories and divine hierarchy are. Even if you haven't heard of this religion, you've probably heard of some of its gods and goddesses (Odin, Loki, Freya,...)

While their religion isn't all magic spells and stuff, it has aspects of magical practice and paganism just like Wicca, shamanism, etc. I like how it emphasizes a connection and respect for nature.

This book serves as more of an introductory guide to what Asatru is than a book of how to practice Asatru. There are some examples of rituals but it is not like other books that are more in-depth guides to beginner practice. Also, it is not necessary to read this whole book at a time or from front to back, because it is divided into chapters for specific information.

Worth a read if you are interested in trying out Asatru or just want to learn more about it.

[Kasmira · Rating 3 out of 5]

A solid introduction, this covers the basics of the myths and the way of living a heathen life. It also includes a good amount of examples of different heathen rituals. While it does not cover any one topic in-depth, it provides a solid overview for anyone looking to learn more about Asatru and Heathenry. Others have stated that they dislike the writing style, I disagree, I found the writing easy to read and understand.

4/5

[Aaron Blum · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm sorry but I couldn't get through this one. The writing was horribly done. It makes it even more challenging to look into my roots (Norwegian & Jewish), which is hard enough already lol. From a Rainbowdinist ;0

[Jillyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

A few months back, I read a fictional book in which one of the characters practices the pagan religion of Asatru. I had never heard of it before, but was intrigued when he mentioned that he wore Mjolnir -the hammer of Thor- on a pendant on his neck. I was super excited to see this title, because I was eager to learn more about it.

This is a handy guide of what gods and goddesses are affiliated with this particular branch of paganism. Each is mentioned and explained in detail, and their mythologies are given. I learned a lot, since my own knowledge of Norse gods pretty much only involved Loki and Thor.

This useful book also has instructions and guidance for how to set up prayers and ceremonies, and offers a pronunciation guide for those hard-to-pronounce names and words used in Norse and Icelandic worship. It's well rounded, offering a sampling of knowledge on various aspects of the religion.

While I did learn a lot about Asatru, I feel like this is a title I'd have to read more than once to fully comprehend. It was a slow read for me, because I was so completely unfamiliar with terminology and concepts, I had a bit of a hard time sorting things out.

This is a good book for those who already have an understanding about Asatru, or for those who are looking to learn more about the deities of Norse origins. But if you're new to it like I was, brace yourself. There's a lot of new information packed into this book, and it can be intimidating and difficult to get through.

Thanks to Netgalley and Llewellyn for my copy. This review can also be found on my new blog, Bitches n Prose.

[Mark Folse · Rating 4 out of 5]

Leaving this on my Currently Reading shelf as I will certainly be returning to it for information and suggestions on ritual. I found this an easily digestible first-read in my explorations of Ásatrú. I selected it over some recommendations of a knowledgeable friend (still waiting for Paxton's book in hard copy), but came away feeling I had a basic grounding in the pantheon, world view, and ritual practice of the faith. Nothing I have read so far in Davidson's Gods & Myths of Northern Europe would lead me to think the author has lead me astray in anyway mythologically, so I am encouraged that here writing on practice (she is very clear when she is stating her view rather than a widely accepted or documented one) is solid. For me, this was a very good place to start.

[Frances · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was chock full of information. I would say it is not for someone with a passing interest in this tradition. Yet, if you wish to know more about Asatru, Heathenry, and/or its respective traditions, stories, and mythos, this book is very informative and also a great jumping-off point for more in-depth study.

[Andrew Pixton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great introduction to the religion of modern paganism. It leans reconstructionist but I wouldn't say it's exclusively such. It touches on both mystical experiences and history very lightly, so I'd suggest this as a good starting point then if you want to dive more into one or the other, you can launch into those directions from here. I'd have liked more explorations of the interpretations of the myths, such as how people view Ragnarok and the creation vs. history and science, or spiritually as metaphors. I see Ragnarok as the perfect metaphor for apocalyptic events, if one not already past then either climate change or nuclear war fit perfectly.

Granted that affects us more than the gods per se, but since I see the gods as extensions or reflections of us. If it was only about the gods then what does that have to do with me? I'm coming at this from a more skeptical, technically atheist mindset. The gods represent certain aspects of humanity and the universe. That helps me better follow them, because Odin as a person is someone I can't really trust or even admire due to his treachery and selfishness, but Odin as a symbol of humanity, that's worth studying. Examining that and other alternatives would've been appreciated. It's also repetitive, though I suppose for someone brand new to the mythos that's helpful. I also have to note the rather sugared coating of it, the violence of the ancient peoples and white supermacism of modern pagans get mentions so brief you'd almost miss them. I think they deserve more acknowledgement, as does our current ethics. We need to accept nuance or set ourselves up for failure. In either case, Tyr is still my god, with fondness for Heimdall, Thor, Bragi, and Skadi. I'm not sure how I feel about vaettir worship, I like to pay tribute but not dance around complicated, invisible relationships in addition to the gods. I don't really like the term Asatru, not only because it neglects the Vanir but also what other tribes not mentioned? Why the Aesir in the first place? Maybe there's no answer to this but it just seems so arbitrary.

[Julian S. · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a pretty good overview of Asatru, and gives a number of sample rituals that can be edited to one's personal preference. I really liked the part where the author talks about how, when someone comes to her wanting to be taken on as a student, she tells them to go spend a year learning to breathe, not just to weed out people who aren't serious, but also to emphasize the importance of breath to one's personal practice.

The only thing I didn't like was the way that orlog and wyrd were explained. I thought that both concepts came through in a rather muddled way. I found another description online that suits my needs much better, which was a story about a man in the South of the US shooting an armadillo. When he shot it, the bullet ricocheted and hit him. The man's ancestry and personal history were explained as orlog, that is, everything leading up to him firing the gun. Wyrd was what happened as, and after, he pulled the trigger. Your mileage may vary.

[Indigo Crow · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've never read anything specifically about heathenry or Asatru, but I want to know more. While I don't think the writing in this book is nearly so awful as some others have complained it is, I'm not that thrilled with the book as a whole, either. But not on the count of the writing.

It just seems lacking.

I suppose this works for a bare bones introduction. Even so, I wish there was more detail on some subjects. For example, holidays and how they're celebrated is only touched on. I feel like giving more information on that and less on repeating what Wyrd is for the hundredth time would've done the book a lot more good.

Eh, I guess this is an okay place to start, but if this subject interests you, definitely don't stop here!

[Corrinne · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great introduction to Asatru. As a 16 year experienced Heathen, it was a good read too! The only thing I didn't like was the ritual parts. Most were way too involved for a beginner, and if I was a beginner I would have been entirely lost and overwhelmed. So to the beginners out there reading this book...I'd recommend not taking the ritual aspect to heart. There are WAY easier rituals to do, so I suggest YouTube videos or joining some inclusive Facebook groups to learn Blôt and Sumble from. It would be good to read the rituals, but do not feel like that is an accurate representation of a ritual in Asatru. They are not like that 99% of the time. Everything else was really good, solid, informed study information!!

[Daylee · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have mixed feelings about this one. It is very much a beginner level book and I felt that the author spent way too much time explaining certain concepts that really only needed a paragraph or two. She also frequently repeats the same info which makes reading at certain points annoying. And if you've read a lot or been involved in paganism/witchcraft for a bit, a lot of the concepts/rituals are very familiar or essentially the same but with a Norse name. I was hoping for something more in depth, especially about the gods, or more personal/UPG. But overall it was a quick and easy read and I found the sections on ancestor worship particularly helpful and interesting.

[Bill Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

I honestly did not finish this book. However it is not due to the quality at all. It is a great book for those of the Asatru path. It is a great book for those wanting to learn or needing books for reference. I am sure I’ll have to pull it from my shelves in the future. However my path is slightly different, but due to the differences and similarities being such a fine line it’s easier to not read this book as in depth while I’m studying even though this book came highly recommended to me. I will continue recommending this book as well.

[Helen Griffus · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've been wanting to learn more about Asatru and I think this was a really good book to start off my study. There's a great deal of really good information in this book and it packs a solid punch. Sample rituals, cosmology and a really good glossary are all in here, as well as a solid bibliography to use as a stepping point for my next read. I highly recommend if you're interested in learning more.

[APBeans · Rating 3 out of 5]

It covered the basics. There were a few things not quite right, from a recon point of view, but it got there. Not a fan of disregarding anything but Vanir and Aesir, especially in modern times it's pretty widely accepted to expand beyond that. But it was an okay introduction to other concepts. Very easy to read and provided other resources/references for the information in most chapters. I plan to keep the book since it was an okay introduction.

[Naomi Ruth · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book had a lot of good information. I didn't quite vibe with the author's energy and there were definitely points I disagreed with, but she did a really good job of being fair to all sides of an argument, even if it was evident where she landed in the discussion, which I really appreciated. Would recommend for those wanting to learn more about Asatru or Heathenism.

[Zackary · Rating 4 out of 5]

Absolutely wonderful and helpful, though it has a bit too much UPG for my tastes. While I respect the author's practices, I am afraid her own styles of worship will be seen as the standard by the uninformed reader, despite the author's attempts to point out that Asatru has no orthodoxy.

[Alex Ramos · Rating 2 out of 5]

From a Heathen perspective, I can give this book 2 stars. It’s a crash course on Heathen ideas, but there’s way too much woo for anyone to actually get much use out of it. Also, the Hammer Rite? Now there’s some real wiccatru.

[Eric · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a good and comprehensive overview as Ásatrú as a whole. Allowing the reader to understand the current & historical context behind it as a whole. While providing rituals for the user if they are so inclined to perform them.

[Crystal Ratcliffe · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have been highly recommending this book to any and all of my friends new to Heathenry. Even ones who have been heathens while finding something of service in this book. It gives the basics and then give examples and ways to make it a way of life. Priceless.

[Clint · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a very good introductory book into the practice of Asatru or Norse Paganism. Going over the basics of how to hold events ad practice by yourself. The book has example rites, a large bibliography as well as a list of other books to read to continue your journey.

[Phillip · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good entry into the faith for someone lacking guidance. Should not be taken simply at face value, especially the rituals which can be sorta weird sometimes. Nonetheless, a good starting point to norse heathenry.

[Declan · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book has good introductory information, but it does feel a feel a bit uninspired and matter of fact. Wish there was more for the introductory solo practioner to begin growing their connection to the old gods and wights.

[Anna · Rating 1 out of 5]

interesting

These heathen remind me of the “reformed druids” who worship bushes. Taking old stories and extrapolating a fully fledged worship and belief system had to have taken up a large portion of someone’s day

[Gwendolyn Karnstein · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good basics on Norse philosophy. Provides sources to more in depth research. Provides a good idea on meditations and rituals to start out.

[Jesse · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book had good information but the writing style just didn’t connect with me. I had a hard time getting into it and honestly found myself skimming by the end just to get through it.

[Jack The Heathen Castellano · Rating 4 out of 5]

Better than most introductory texts to Heathenry but by no means comprehensive

[Mariell · Rating 2 out of 5]

For a beginners resource, it's ironically not very beginner friendly. You could do worse, and I'd much rather a beginner reads this before a lot else out there... but it is a flawed book...

So to say it mildly, this book frustrated me a lot. It is not well sourced, and badly paced, and there's absolutely no escaping that. The best way I can describe the first half of this book is ''Squirrels chasing thoughts''. The author is much more interested in the ritual parts of the book than they are much else and the book suffers for it.

Many chapters doesn't have a single citation for any of the concepts they talk about. Which is a shame, as there are a few chapters that are cited ok. Not well, Ok. So this inconsistency makes me drag out my red pen to write ''Citation Needed'' whenever a claim gets made way more than I should. *Especially when I caught factual mistakes while I went fact checking them.*
I checked and went through the sources and I am severely disappointed.

If we're going to salvage this, as there is potential here, it needs a really good editor, better pacing, deeper research and source criticism, and a second edition. It also needs to fulfill the promise it sat up for itself to do, that I consider failed... I don't expect miracles, but I expect an improvement.

[Rae · Rating 2 out of 5]

Revised: Ok so I reread this after a year or so of more heathen reading. This is so painfully dated, sprinkled with inaccuracies, can be at times difficult to distinguish where Lafayllve is getting information from (citations are a mess), use of dubious sources, weird advice on oaths that is not clear at all, and I'm confused why a chapter on Seidr was included considering how little we have on it. The biggest offense in my opinion is the lack of citations, Lafayllve will quote something and just not cite where it came from. I understand this isn't an academic book, but I would hope that there would be some standard of giving credit for an idea that is not one's own. This isn't the worst book, it's just disappointing and dated. Even in 2013 I would hope that maybe we can go harder against the *literal white supremacists* that exist in heathenry. She has an appendix dedicated to the "Loki Problem" where she takes a condescending tone towards Lokeans, which is wild because she doesn't mention the larger problem of bigotry substantively anywhere in the book. Take this book with a grain of salt but I will be searching for a better heathen intro book than this.

Original: This was an easy and relatively short read, making it very accessible to non-readers and newbies alike. The history included is very informative and includes a bibliography for further reading, although could have used in-text citations to clarify what the author's claims were. If you have a discerning eye for these things, Lafayllve's opinion is kind of easy to identify; her intro included the necessary and good caveats to include on topics like this. I liked that it included some of Lafayllve's own personal (yet pretty indicative of heathenry as a whole) philosophy, this includes some sample blots, which is helpful to any of those who are unfamiliar. I think there are better available elsewhere, but this gets your feet wet My main criticism is that it's dated. The issues heathenry was facing were quite different when this was written and there are some yikes things to do with genetics included. With any intro book, take it with a grain of salt. Overall, it's an ok guide to modern practice and an overview of the religion as a whole.