Norse Mysticism: An Exploration of Viking Traditions and Magical Practices

by Disa Forvitin

Immerse yourself in the rich history and mysticism of Nordic legends and engage with them first hand with this elegantly designed guide.

The gods and goddesses of the Norse pantheon are larger-than-life beings who practice and wield magic like no other. Norse Mysticism introduces you to these deities and the customs and traditions that surround them,
 
With this guidebook for both newcomers and experts alike, experience the magical and beautiful spirituality of the Vikings and foster a deeper connection to yourself and the world as a whole.

The  Mystic Traditions series  explores mystical and spiritual traditions and magical practices from around the world from a modern perspective. These guides offer concise introductions to the origins of mystical practices; explain key concepts, figures, and legends in these traditions; and give straightforward and engaging instruction on how to connect directly with these practices through rituals, spells, and more.

Also available in the Mystic Traditions   Native American Spiritualism , Zen Buddhism , Celtic Mysticism , and Indian Spirituality .

Genres: History, Folklore, Nonfiction, Mythology

144 pages, Hardcover

Published May 9, 2024

Reviews

[Leah M · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley, Wellfleet Press, and Lydia Anderson for sending me a copy of this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I’d like to start this review out with a special shoutout to Wellfleet Press and especially Lydia Anderson. I didn’t realize that the archive date for this had passed before I read it, and when I reached out to the publisher, they sent me a beautiful finished copy of this book. I’m so glad that they did, because firstly the book is just so pretty that I love having a copy to refer back to, and secondly because it’s so full of wonderful information that I had to bookmark so many pages and I can easily flip back to them whenever I want.

While this is a basic exploration and introduction to Norse culture, history, mythology, religion, and practices, it also provides a surprisingly deep analysis into the world of the Norse. The material is broken down into chapters that are clearly divided topics, but they flow into each other perfectly: early Nordic society, mystic practitioners, the Elder Futhark runes, Norse poetry, Norse mythology and the pantheon of deities, and folk magic, with a great, comprehensive index in the back of the book.

Starting with the origins of the Norse culture as an offshoot of Northern Germanic tribes, Forvitin explores how Norse society evolved and the fundamental differences between paganism and monotheism. One of these major differences is how Christian stories and myths contrast good and evil, moral and unethical situations or choices to teach a lesson, while the Norse myths functioned more similarly to riddles designed to get readers or listeners to think and come to their own conclusions. The high value on community and honor meant that the myths were important to demonstrate the different types of behaviors and dynamics between various personalities.

As someone who has spent a bit of time learning about Norse culture, mythology, and mysticism, I still found plenty of helpful information that was new to me. I shared this with a much more well-versed friend, and she was impressed at how much great information was crammed into this slim volume. The information about the gods and goddesses is especially well-researched and clear to understand, which can be a challenge in a field saturated with conflicting information, Christian influences, and differing interpretations of the source material, some of which has been lost to time.

Overall, this is a fantastic read. I’m thrilled to have a hard copy to keep on my shelves, since I’ll be returning back to this one plenty in the future. There are some spells included in the text that sound wonderful and that I’ll be giving a try, and some pages that I’ll be flipping to often, which I’ve flagged. There are such pretty chapter headers and pieces of art at the end of chapter sections, and I looked forward to seeing each of them, whether it was an owl, a cat, or a Norse longboat. It’s clear that Forvitin did her research for this book, and It’s presented in a logical, coherent, and easy to understand way whether you’re new to Norse mysticism or a well-versed practitioner, or even someone just looking to learn more about Norse culture at a basic level.

[Mandy · Rating 2 out of 5]

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[J. d'Merricksson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Forvisin’s Norse Mysticism explores the ancient mysteries of myth and magic. There are chapters on runes, Norse deities, and traditional magic, as well as historical contexts. I love how the author pointed out how myth informs a culture’s values. The author addresses how the culture has changed, and how today many racist violent groups have tried to appropriate this ancient culture to their own vile ends. Being not just pagan, but following a druidic rokkatru path that works with the “darker” deities and beings such as Loki, I take great offense at these groups’ efforts to subvert Norse culture, spirituality, and mysticism to support their vicious ignorant agendas. Overall, Norse Mysticism is a great introduction to this vibrant spirituality and philosophy!

***Many thanks to the Netgalley & Quarto Publishing for providing an egalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.

[Alexandra · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this introductory exploration of Norse Mysticism and what it builds upon!

I am interested in Norse Mythology and the people who believed in the Norse gods and I have done some courses in both the Norse religion and the runic alphabet. This book is a perfect introduction to both of these topics especially so for those with limited or no experience in the field.

I appreciated how easy and engaging the language in this book is, and how it tends to speak directly to the reader, making the reading experience very nice.

I also really do love the formatting of this book, it really enhanced the whole experience while reading. I loved the little Norse-inspired illustrations that are scattered throughout the book.

Thank you Net-Galley for this ARC!

[Siobhain · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was a little wary about reading this book given the increase of certain groups appropriating Norse symbols and twisting narratives to try and fit racist and divisive groups. Thankfully Forvitin covers this and highlights that we should try and counter this a sentiment I fully agree with.

The book itself is perfect for those either starting their journey into Norse Mysticism or those who want to know a little bit more. It’s a good reference for those who are already on their journey or those who follow an electric path.

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think this book does exactly what it sets out to do—to provide an introduction to the Norse deities and the customs that have grown up around them, and to offer some ideas about how to positively engage with the traditions today, particularly in light of how Norse symbology has been misappropriated by ideological extremists.

Overall, Norse Mysticism is a useful little book.

[I received an ARC of this title in exchange for an honest review.]

[Chelsea · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you Netgalley for the advance reader copy of Norse Mysticism by Disa Fortivin in exchange for an honest review. This was an amazing and interesting book for anyone interested in the history of Norse traditions and spiritualism. I am a quarter Norwegian and this has always had a strong influence in my life. I love learning more about how my ancestors lived and what they worshipped.

[Kat Ninteau · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC.

This is a wonderful little introduction to Norse mythology. There’s a taste of everything here, enough to give you a basic understanding but also lays a groundwork suitable for someone who wanted to learn more about Heathenry or the old Gods in general.

[QueenDee · Rating 5 out of 5]

#NetGalley #NorseMysticism

This book is an amazing beginner's guide to learning Norse Paganism/ Mysticism. It gives a general overview of the various aspects of Norse mythology and magic.

[Natassja Jones · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great resource for anyone interested in Norse or Viking beliefs. I really enjoyed it. The tales and legends are fun.