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The Jotunbok: Working with the Giants of the Northern Tradition
The Gods of the Northern Tradition--the religion of the ancient Norse/Germanic/Anglo-Saxon peoples--have been rediscovered in growing numbers in the past years, as have the elves and dwarves that inhabit the Nine Worlds of the Cosmic Tree along with them. However, few have written about the Giants of those worlds and the Gods who number among them--Loki, Hela, Fenris, the World Serpent, and others--until now. The Jotunbok--the first book in the Northern-Tradition Shamanism series--is a collection of the wisdom, ways and tales of the Giants and their Gods, told by those who revere and work with them.
538 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 12, 2006
31 people are currently reading
120 people want to read
About the author
Raven Kaldera
89 books107 followersA female-to-male transgendered activist and shaman, Raven Kaldera is a pagan priest, intersex transgender activist, parent, astrologer, musician and homesteader. Kaldera is also the author of "Hermaphrodeities: The Transgender Spirituality Workbook" from XLibris Press. The founder and leader of the Pagan Kingdom of Asphodel and the Asphodel Pagan Choir, Kaldera has been a neo-pagan since the age of 14, when he was converted by a "fam-trad" teen on a date. Since then, he's been through half a dozen traditions, including Gardnerian, Dianic, granola paganism, Umbanda, Heithnir, and the Peasant Tradition. He is currently happily married to artist and eco-experimentalist Bella Kaldera, with whom he co-founded the Institute for Heritage Skills.
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
September 2, 2011
This wasn't exactly what I was looking for, but it's the first book in the series so I decided to go in order.
I was surprised at how resonant some of the spirit workers' stories were. I'm so glad I did decide to start here! Kaldera has done a remarkable job of assembling a body of literature on set of subjects very far from established lore, but doing so in such a way that demonstrates some mastery of the subject matter without claiming undue authority.
There is much in here with which individual practitioners may disagree, but I truly think that anyone on the Northern Tradition spectrum could gain from this work. Its foundational cosmology goes beyond the lore in a way that can only deepen one's understanding of the world.
I was surprised at how resonant some of the spirit workers' stories were. I'm so glad I did decide to start here! Kaldera has done a remarkable job of assembling a body of literature on set of subjects very far from established lore, but doing so in such a way that demonstrates some mastery of the subject matter without claiming undue authority.
There is much in here with which individual practitioners may disagree, but I truly think that anyone on the Northern Tradition spectrum could gain from this work. Its foundational cosmology goes beyond the lore in a way that can only deepen one's understanding of the world.
July 24, 2018
This is one of the best books I have ever read on Norse mythology and Paganism. Mainly because it focuses on all the deities that most Asatru refuse to acknowledge. Many Asatru think of Loki as a dirty secret that everyone tries to hide, but can't. Jotuns are giants, but also represent nature in full force. Nature can kill. Water can drown, fire can burn, earth can swallow buildings whole, and air can create tornadoes. This book is filled with stories and information I didn't even know existed. A plethora of knowledge all in one book. I loved this book so much I highlighted it and wrote my own observations. If one works with Loki, Hel, or the Norns then read this book. Overall it was a refreshing view versus Loki is evil, let's all hate him.
October 23, 2011
This is a very good book for what it sets out to do - to bring an old religion to life, living and breathing, for the people who practice it today. This is a book primarily of PCPG - Peer Collaborated Personal Gnosis. Stories of the Norse Etin gods and goddesses as told by those who work with them currently. In other words, this is not part of the Traditional Cannon as it were.
This book makes the Norse religion feel less like an old tradition and more like a new revival. Raven has collected the combined knowledge and insights of a large number of people and distilled them into stories and descriptions of the gods that ring true - and are even interesting to read!
Like all books of magic or religion written by the ones who practice it, it tends towards the self-indulgent at times. However, Raven himself is less guilty of this than some of his contributing authors, whose stories he reprints.
This book is likely to expand one's understanding of the Norse deities and traditions - not as they were, but as they are.
This book makes the Norse religion feel less like an old tradition and more like a new revival. Raven has collected the combined knowledge and insights of a large number of people and distilled them into stories and descriptions of the gods that ring true - and are even interesting to read!
Like all books of magic or religion written by the ones who practice it, it tends towards the self-indulgent at times. However, Raven himself is less guilty of this than some of his contributing authors, whose stories he reprints.
This book is likely to expand one's understanding of the Norse deities and traditions - not as they were, but as they are.
December 25, 2023
A marvellous book.
The stories are super interesting, and so many things corresponded to my own UPG that I was constantly in shock while reading it!
If you practice with any rökkr or jotun entity, just buy it, it will be so useful!
The stories are super interesting, and so many things corresponded to my own UPG that I was constantly in shock while reading it!
If you practice with any rökkr or jotun entity, just buy it, it will be so useful!
April 15, 2014
It's a little clumsy in places, with some editorial decisions that detract from the overall work, but still worth a read if you have an interest in Scandinavian mythology... or, if like the contributors to the book, your beliefs are in such a northerly direction.
The splintered nature of those followers brought this book to my attention. Heathens warn against it, and they warn loudly and often enough that I found this book before coming across any of their approved texts.
Ironically, I found that the contents of their complaints could be direct quotes from the book, where they go to great lengths to explain the source material and its origins (mostly personal experiences, not from lore).
Whether or not you take this as truth or fiction (and there are a few bits that read like wishful thinking), it is clear and open in stating what it is ~ which, to my mind, erases any credibility of those complaining about it being exactly what it is instead of some lost Viking Age trove of first hand myth.
The splintered nature of those followers brought this book to my attention. Heathens warn against it, and they warn loudly and often enough that I found this book before coming across any of their approved texts.
Ironically, I found that the contents of their complaints could be direct quotes from the book, where they go to great lengths to explain the source material and its origins (mostly personal experiences, not from lore).
Whether or not you take this as truth or fiction (and there are a few bits that read like wishful thinking), it is clear and open in stating what it is ~ which, to my mind, erases any credibility of those complaining about it being exactly what it is instead of some lost Viking Age trove of first hand myth.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews