Asatru: A Beginner’s Guide to the Heathen Path

by Erin Lale

A clear and simple introduction to the history, beliefs, rituals, and gods and goddesses of this popular form of Neo-Pagan belief drawn from ancient northern European traditions.

Asatru is a modern pagan tradition whose roots lie in the ancient myths, folklore, sagas, and historical artifacts of those who lived in pre-Christian times in what is now Iceland, Scandinavia, Scandinavian-influenced Scotland, Germany, and other parts of northern Europe. In Asatru, author and longtime practitioner of Asatru Erin Lale provides readers an accessible introduction to this heathen religion, one of the fastest growing religions in United States and Europe. The book includes these key topics:


A brief exploration of Asatru’s mythology and prehistory, its contact with Rome, and its history up to the present day
A comprehensive survey of Asatru’s many gods and goddesses
The rituals, including holiday celebrations, toasting rituals, weddings, and other life events
The moral virtues of a true Asatruar: courage, honor, loyalty, truth, hospitality, industriousness, self-discipline, self-reliance, and steadfastness
The magical practices of rune divination, spells, and bersarkrgangr (a form of trance magic)
A look at the “universalist” and “folkish” interpretations of the Asatru tradition and the “hijacking” of the symbolism of the northern European religions in the 19th and early 20th centuries
Readers new to Asatru and experts alike will find this book to be an invaluable resource in understanding this heathen tradition.

Genres: Spirituality, Paganism, Nonfiction, Witchcraft

144 pages, Paperback

Published August 1, 2020

About the author

Erin Lale writes nonfiction, fiction, poetry, speeches, book reviews, etc. She was the acquisitions editor at Eternal Press. She published and edited Berserkrgangr Magazine, owned The Science Fiction Store in Las Vegas, and writes the Pagansquare blog Gnosis Diary. She is the author of Asatru For Beginners.

Reviews

[Renee Knowles · Rating 2 out of 5]

The language is written very simply but I find it to be almost TOO simple. The author also seems to assume that readers already have a solid familiarity with/memory of the lexicon of Asatru; despite having a passing knowledge, even I found myself on several occasions asking “what does that mean?”, which isn’t very helpful for a beginner’s book. The sections seem out of order. For example, the section on the gods might contain a term that isn’t explained for a couple more chapters, or mention things that are never explained (like the hall in which they reside). Concepts like Yggdrasil and the Nine Worlds are mentioned briefly at the beginning, and aren’t explained until halfway through the book, where cosmology and moral belief are thrown together in the same chapter.
The part about moral beliefs was especially confusing as the author does not explain that she is writing this from an historical perspective and not necessarily about the moral beliefs of modern practitioners (this becomes especially awkward in the section discussing gun control, which suddenly starts talking about the status of slaves).
Frankly I don’t find this to be an especially good book for beginners. There is too much that is glossed over or not clarified for several chapters and I could see someone who is coming into this very fresh being thoroughly confused. The beliefs and morals section, though, is quite interesting, so maybe make this your second book and come back to it once you’ve got a foundation, if you are very new to this topic.

[Owen B-R · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book, although I'd read reviews that said it was biased towards the Feminist and LGBTQ+ communities views. I found this to be partially true... "Gender-Fluidity" concepts are part of the stories from original Norse Mythology sources, so it's not a new concept to be introduced to (if you've previously heard the stories of the Gods). That said, I've never read another resource that claimed the Norse Gods were accepting or condoning of Abortion! (The Author states other Asatru worshipers may disagree with her somewhere in this chapter, and I understand why!).

Overall the book is quite informative, and I think the Chapter where she describes the individual gods and aspects of them is a great (written) resource. I only wish I had a written copy rather than only my Audiobook from Audible.

[James Tomasino · Rating 3 out of 5]

The author is a community manager for Ásatrú on Facebook and this book benefits from her experience. It is well organised and approaches the subject logically without trying to persuade. I’ve no complaints. I feel better equipped to have conversations about Ásatrú and engage with practitioners here in Iceland.

[Johnny Donovan · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great comprehensive book of knowledge for beginners that guides their search for knowledge. Teaches about history, the gods, historical perspective towards modern issues, rituals, holidays, and different types of magic. Even features a great list of additional books to keep learning and growing!

[Valerie Riley · Rating 3 out of 5]

There are some complaints about this book having a bias. If you're opposed to LGBTQ rights, anti-racism, or other progressive views, maybe paganism isn't for you. I wish this book explained more in depth that this isn't a bias - it's rooted in Asatru, it's part of the religion itself.

Not only did Odin partake in crossdressing, but a same sex wedding too. The Icelandic Asatru high priest himself, Hilmar Örn Hilmarsson, fought for Iceland to allow same sex wedding ceremonies, which are exploding in popularity, "Both Ásatrúarfélagið and the Icelandic Ethical Humanist Association were instrumental in the legalization of same-sex marriage in Iceland." (https : //archive DOT is/2JKy8).

I think Asatruar authors and influences really need to do more to change the public perception that "Nazis" (National Socialists, or NS) were pagans, when those same NS put pagans into camps to wear a black triangle, alongside the communists and homosexuals, under SS general Karl von Wiligut (which this book mentions, so bonus points for that).

Not only that, but hundreds of pagan organizations around the world have signed Declaration 127 and the Declaration of Deeds, which both take a stance against racism, bigotry, and discrimination based on sexual orientation and other factors. The single Asatru group that supports is vastly outnumbered by those against, as you can see http : //declaration127 DOT com/ and https : //declarationofdeeds DOT com/.

It's great that Asatruar are finally doing something to prevent beginners and non-Asatruar from either being steered down the wrong path, or getting the wrong idea about it if they see it being misrepresented as something it's not by others (online or offline).

[Isaac · Rating 1 out of 5]

Lale provides a quick overview of Asatru deities and cosmology with little history or support, but more of a generalized rehash that one tends to find in books like this. A great chunk of it seems more concerned with her ethics with justification of why she thinks the "vikings" would have been okay with these moral standpoints in a modern context with out of context logic; ignoring actual historical accounts that she claims to have read in order to emphasize her point.

And then gets right into what so many new ages crave, that sweet, sweet "magic". She garbles on through the different types of Norse magic touching on a historical facet at times and then following with "modern practitioners have since abandoned this". Her modern interpretation of berserkers and that they are used today for spiritual connection and Akins them with interpretive dance or yoga was a good laugh, along with "only an experienced aura reader can see the totem spirit" (she had to use the ojibwe word and couldn't use fylgiur?) spoke more than enough for me to write this review. If this wasn't enough she suggests that seiðr magic has no known curses or hexes know to the modern practitioner, but that "this may offer interesting avenues for future study and research" as if this was a scientific field that could be quantifiably tested.

Like so many other books of the same vein, so much fluff and no real substance thrown in with "well, you should act the way I act" & "only those with enough skill or knowledge will get this, and if they don't then they just aren't up to snuff - and if you aren't you should totally buy more of my books/lessons to do so".

*she seems to like the word "viking" when discussing the peoples of northern Europe; in spite of using an elder futhark rune script for her "galdr".

Long and short, Lale 's book is almost entirely made up gnostic sounding nonsense lacking credibility or continuity.

[Ruri Gokou · Rating 2 out of 5]

Very disappointing to read honestly. The beginning parts about the creation story and how the gods could be tied into other similar Hindu and Indo-Europeon gods was interesting. But overall this book glossed over a lot essential things. I wouldn't even call it a beginner's guide because it didn't even feel like that.

I was really hoping to learn more about how to honor the gods and nature in my everyday life. Also how to make an alter, but I guess devoting more space to how Asatru is pro-LGBT+ was more important to this author. Disgusting.

[Susan A.timm · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am not a big reader.

This book is fantastic, I will be reading it again.

I have a better understanding of who I am, a better understanding of Asatru and how it relates to my life, having a better understanding of who my ancestors were.

I would highly recommend this book to anyone who would like to understand Asatru.

Thank you Erin for writing this book, you are awesome!

[Anne Zane · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a perfect book for anyone who is interested in the basics of the Asatru faith. Even if you are already practicing, it can be helpful for tips on how other people may be practicing. It is also an excellent tool for communicating with others about our religion, for example if you are trying to share with family members who may not understand or want to know more.

[John (Taloni) Taloni · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an awesome book on Heathen traditions, including the history of the Heath and how its mythology evolved. I read only 10% at a time since there was so much mind blowing stuff. Due for a reread soon. The book is good for believers and casual followers alike. Buy it!

[Bekah · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great intro to Asatru for anyone not familiar with it. I do wish there was a little more on practices, but it is a good first step to learn more and it has a bibliography for those looking to expand on what the book covers.

[Stephen Byrne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wasn't aware of such a religious practice And Erin Lale really does her job with explaining and making it all very interesting. Great book.

[Vicki McKenna · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a great introductory read for those hoping to find more helpful information about old Norse religions. The author is helpful and informative without being overbearing.

[Jeremy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Helpful introduction!

[Galina Krasskova · Rating 3 out of 5]

the author sent me a copy for review. My review may be found here: https://krasskova.wordpress.com/2022/....