A Modern Guide to Heathenry: Lore, Celebrations, and Mysteries of the Northern Traditions

by Galina Krasskova, Edward Butler (Foreword)

An accessible yet in-depth guide to this increasingly popular pre-Christian religious tradition of Northern Europe Heathenry, is one of the fastest growing polytheistic religious movements in the United States today. This book explores the cosmology, values, ethics, and rituals practiced by modern heathens. In A Modern Guide to Heathenry readers will have the opportunity to explore the sacred stories of the various heathen gods like Odin, Frigga, Freya, and Thor and will be granted a look into the devotional practices of modern votaries. Blóts, the most common devotional rites, are examined in rich detail with examples given for personal use. Additionally, readers are introduced to the concept of wyrd, or fate, so integral to the heathen worldview. Unlike many books on heathenry, this one is not denomination-specific, nor does it seek to overwhelm the reader with unfamiliar Anglo-Saxon or Norse terminology. For Pagans who wish to learn more about the Norse deities or those who are new to heathenry or who are simply interested in learning about this unique religion, A Modern Guide to Heathenry is the perfect introduction. Those who wish to deepen their own devotional practice will find this book helpful in their own work as well.

Genres: Witchcraft, Nonfiction, Spirituality, History, Audiobook, Mythology, Paganism

320 pages, Paperback

Published December 1, 2019

About the author

I'm a poet, polytheist, theologian and the majority of my writing is religious, of one flavor or another. I've written over twenty books covering a broad range of topics within contemporary Heathenry (Norse/Germanic polytheism), several devotionals (including a couple to Greco-Roman Deities), and I've edited several anthologies. I'm the managing editor of "Walking the Worlds" journal, the first peer reviewed journal focusing on issues of interest to polytheists and I maintain a blog at http://krasskova.wordpress.com. I cause a lot of trouble. LOL.

When I'm not writing (and causing trouble), I'm slogging my way through graduate school, round three. I currently hold a Masters in Religious Studies, worked for six years in a Phd program in Classics, hold a Masters in Medieval Studies, and I'm currently in my third year of PhD work in Theology.

I'm also an artist - acrylic and watercolor, some photography. Despite rumors to the contrary, I don't bite and I'm usually happy to answer any questions. ;)

Reviews

[Natalie Skiller · Rating 1 out of 5]

Blah.. why did I read this underground racist drivel. Her views are problematic at best. The only interesting parts were the lore parts but honestly you'd be better reading the Eddas and sagas if interested in folklore and mythology.

I read this because there seems to be a clear association between Heathenry and an openly racialist subculture. This culture has taken on Norse myth and symbols as a primary form of identification and it's extremely problematic and racist.

MAYBE Heathenry has suffered because all of it's philosophical and theological literature and work has been started (and continues to be written) by those with nationalist and right wing agendas.

Personally find this extremely alarming as nowhere in the Eddas and Sagas do they make any racial or genetic distinctions. In fact the gods are racially diverse themselves. Thor’s mother was a giant (a different species from the gods).

This book was not for me. It is up on the list of books I've read just because I wanted to see what the fuss was about and I didn't care for it. I will add it to the celery mystic medium dude and The Shack (aka books I wish I didn't waste my time on).

[Wyrd · Rating 5 out of 5]

Galina Krasskova’s original introductory foray, Exploring the Northern Tradition became a seminal work of its kind. This new tome, A Modern Guide to Heathenry takes what was in Exploring and robustly adds to it. Instead of just tacking on new chapters, the author has gone through and added nearly double the content weaving it into the existing framework and more fully fleshing out things not tackled the first time around. The book benefits from 15 additional years of personal devotion, study and growth by the author who is not just a practitioner, but also an ordained theologian, and an academic. We the readers reap the benefit of expanded nuance and deepening meanings. The end result is not only accessible, but will continue to provide food for thought through re-readings for years to come. Highly recommended.

[Edric Unsane · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent guide to modern Heathenry. Check it out!

[Meghan · Rating 2 out of 5]

The initial introductory chapters were interesting; her arguments became logically and morally inconsistent as the book developed. Let's just say I was not surprised to find out she's made overtly racist statements elsewhere.

[Jay Martin]

I was enjoying learning from this book until seeing the reviews from others saying about the author being racist. I did a bit of reading on Galina Krasskova and she is. Fascist and racist in fact, being actively anti-Black Lives Matter and anti-'Antifa', along with being married to a Neo-Nazi who openly indulges in the use of symbols of Nazis/the SS.

I've stopped reading this as her name has ruined any enjoyment.

[Katherine Moss]

I didn't get past page 130 of this book... and after joining the Heathen community over on Discord (R/Heathenry), I will not be finishing it. I will not read books by authors who preach racism. Particularly by people who claim to live in a religion of peace.

[J · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting overall with some good information, but ultimately not very engrossing. This book on heathenry is about the gods of the Norse and how to worship them in a contemporary setting. Much of this information is already available in books on Norse mythology and Asatru. So nothing all that special, but well written and informative for people who have no knowledge on the subject.

A couple reviews are mentioning that the book is racist and ableist, but I can't find anything that supports these claims. In fact, the author goes out of her way a couple of times to say that race/ethnicity is not a hindrance to worshipping the Norse gods. I think the only place where there is even any question is when she mentions that many people around the world who worship indigenous, pre-Abrahamic deities will say that can't imagine why people would worship gods outside their own traditions, i.e. Greeks worshipping the Norse gods, Black Westerners worshipping non-African gods, etc. She seems to be saying this is a thought stream in modern heathenry, and I do think the author should have explored those heathen groups which are explicitly racist. I don't, however, think the entire book supports racist ideologies.

[Krisanne Lane]

I can’t rate this book really, because I’m torn between rating the book as a book of information vs. how the author presented ideas. Early on, Krasskova gave a description of “folkist” in a rather sympathetic light, which made me look into her background. She’s got a reputation as a racist. Okay, so against my better judgment, I kept reading to see if this carried through the rest of the book.

Krasskova uses SO MANY concepts from Eastern philosophies (like chakras and karma) as well as African- based belief systems (Caribbean, Etc.), that it was almost hard to believe someone who is racist would compare their understanding of Heathenry to these systems, much less use them to EXPLAIN the concepts in Heathenry. She flat out says that racism has no place in Heathenry. Yet she’s well documented as being supportive of racist groups if not being outwardly racist herself. That’s just adding insult to injury.

Is there useful information in here? Sure. Is it unique to this book and this author? Maybe a little of it, but I’m sure most can be found from better sources.

[Travis W · Rating 4 out of 5]

I appreciated the research and personal experiences in this book. I will admit that some of it was difficult to get through, not because it was complicated but because sometimes it felt a bit repetative. That being said, I'm glad it also focused on gods and goddesses outside of the major ones (Thor, Odin, Freja).

[Violet · Rating 2 out of 5]

As a Heathen myself, I picked this book in my quest to learn a little bit more about how others live their faith, and... I didn't like it. The information about the lore is ok and it does the job if you are interested in learning about that. However, it's never clear how much of it is actually common in Heathenry and how much is tainted by the biased point of view of the author.
I wasn't aware of the problematic beliefs and acts of the author ( I just learnt about it right now while reading other reviews) since she doesn't show much of that in this text (or apparently I totally missed it...). However, the overall tone of the book felt quite arrogant and self-righteous to me. I sure can tell not all Heathens experience their faith as this author does, and thank the Gods for that.

[Tikidoll · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lots of information. It goes beyond mythos into actual modern Heathen practice. The information is useful. There is quite a bit of info about setting up altars and a few rites. The holidays are only briefly touched upon.

My main problem with this book is that the tone tends toward preachy and judgmental at times. Not every person has the time or personality to devote major effort into a deep spiritual practice, but that is not for anyone to say or judge that another is less before the Gods because of this.

[Emilio Mireles · Rating 1 out of 5]

Wasn’t able to get past the first chapter, not even 10 pages. Calling for white tribes to be created within heathenry (even though there are some) is very problematic and saying the only way for those with a darker pigment to be able to join is by “adoption or blood oath” is literally segregation. I bought this book for unbiased information, not this idiocy. Mark my words, your communities will become infected with hate and die out.

[Liz · Rating 1 out of 5]

Okay nope, no, I'm done. Racist, ableist, ignorant author. Which sucks because she has some good scholarship and research.

[Desirae]

DNF @ 20%


Sooooo pretentious.

[Alf Konig · Rating 5 out of 5]

Audiobook was so good I got a physical copy. Solid.

[Ben · Rating 1 out of 5]

Save your time, read the Eddas if you're really interested.