Havamal: The Ballad of the High One

by Henry Adams Bellows (Translator)

The Havamal - Sayings of the High One <> Paperback <> HenryAdamsBellows <> AbelaPublishing

Genres: Poetry

88 pages, Paperback

First published January 3, 2014

About the author

Henry Adams Bellows was a newspaper editor and radio executive who was an early member of the U.S. Federal Communications Commission. He is also known for his translation of the Poetic Edda for The American-Scandinavian Foundation.

Reviews

[Jacob Lang · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very entertaining. The Havamal gives us some of the old spiritual wisdom of the Norse peoples. It presents a subtle guide for naturalistic philosophy in the form of a "wanderer" ethic, and simultaneously shows that the Norse did not take themselves overly seriously - several references to mead and ale along the way! There are too many spiritual texts in the world that are SO cold and take themselves incredibly seriously, but this is not one of them. It exposes the vulnerabilities in the human condition, discipline, and un-attachment to material/trivial matters, but also reminds us we can have fun and live a little. This is especially powerful, given its Dark Age context. It is its most serious on matters of trust and the codes/oaths of the warrior. This text humanizes the indigenous Northern European peoples labelled as "barbarians" by the medieval Church and their ancestors during the Roman Empire alike.

I really enjoy referring to this set of spiritual and practical proverbs. It takes a few reads though, and I will try to refer to these and contemplate further.

[McKenzie · Rating 4 out of 5]

some sexist or confusing philosophies, but otherwise good philosophies. Worth the read.

[Jack Dawes · Rating 3 out of 5]

A quick, 9 page, read. A much less poetic and fractile collection of "wisdom" than Proverbs. Hardly "revealing" about Norse myths or beliefs, but interesting.

[Fernando Pavon · Rating 3 out of 5]

Overlooking the misogyny in stanzas 81-95, the “Words of the High One” offer relevant wisdom for even today. From the benefits of waking up early, to the way one should interact with friends and foes, this work offers wise counsel and is enjoyable to read