Gods of the Blood: The Pagan Revival and White Separatism

by Mattias Gardell

Racist paganism is a thriving but understudied element of the American religious and cultural landscape. Gods of the Blood is the first in-depth survey of the people, ideologies, and practices that make up this fragmented yet increasingly radical and militant milieu. Over a five-year period during the 1990s Mattias Gardell observed and participated in pagan ceremonies and interviewed pagan activists across the United States. His unprecedented entree into this previously obscure realm is the basis for this firsthand account of the proliferating web of organizations and belief systems combining pre-Christian pagan mythologies with Aryan separatism. Gardell outlines the historical development of the different strands of racist paganism—including Wotanism, Odinism and Darkside Asatrú—and situates them on the spectrum of pagan belief ranging from Wicca and goddess worship to Satanism. Gods of the Blood details the trends that have converged to fuel militant paganism in the United anti-government sentiments inflamed by such events as Ruby Ridge and Waco, the rise of the white power music industry (including whitenoise, dark ambient, and hatecore), the extraordinary reach of modern communications technologies, and feelings of economic and cultural marginalization in the face of globalization and increasing racial and ethnic diversity of the American population. Gardell elucidates how racist pagan beliefs are formed out of various combinations of conspiracy theories, anti-Semitism, warrior ideology, populism, beliefs in racial separatism, Klandom, skinhead culture, and tenets of national socialism. He shows how these convictions are further animated by an array of thought selectively derived from thinkers including Nietzche, historian Oswald Spengler, Carl Jung, and racist mystics. Scrupulously attentive to the complexities of racist paganism as it is lived and practiced, Gods of the Blood is a fascinating, disturbing, and important portrait of the virulent undercurrents of certain kinds of violence in America today.

Genres: Religion, Nonfiction, History, Politics, Paganism, Spirituality, Philosophy

456 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2003

About the author

A Swedish scholar of comparative religion, Gardell is also an former anarchist; he calls himself now a "Libertarian socialist".

Gardell's subjects are mostly non-mainstream political groups like the Ku Klux Klan and Nation of Islam and their religious beliefs.

Reviews

[Cwn_annwn_13 · Rating 1 out of 5]

If your looking for a book that covers Asatru/Odinism from an academic/sociological point of view as this book is marketed as being then you will disappointed. 70% or more of this book is about Christian Identity, The Church of the Creator, historical revisionists, the KKK, Militias, Neo-Nazis, Anton Lavey and the Church of Satan, and other random occult groups. I was also told by one of the Odinists profiled in this book that the author misrepresented himself claiming to be the leader of a Scandinavian Asatru organization, even wearing a big Thors Hammer around his neck when he introduced himself.

The most telling thing about this book is the photos section. You have on one page a kid who wouldn't look out of place at an SCA event, or Renfaire, dressed in Viking garb and on the opposite page a picture of a group of skinheads giving the Hitler salute. Another page has a woman standing next to a Viking totem and on the opposite page three people from Aryan Nations standing in front of a swastika flag. So the association that this book is trying to make is hardly subtle. There are also pics of William Pierce, Ernst Zundell, and more than one from Aryan Nations. People like the man who wrote this book are a real Freudian delight finding Hitler and Nazism under every rock.

It gets even better though. In the last chapter he tries make an association with Odinism and Al-Queda/Terrorism, even saying "the unfolding terrorist scenario well matches the wet dreams of Aryan militants". The way things are now any unapologetic expression of white culture or soveriegnty is equated with Nazism or potential terrorism. At the rate we are going within a few years anybody that likes to read Tolkien or Norse Mythology, or listens to classical music will be a suspected Nazi or terrorist.

[Michele · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fascinating exploration of the links between white identitarianism, Odinism, Asatru, and so on. Benefits from a very detached and non-jugmental approach -- Gardell treats these beliefs as worthy of investigation, rather than derision, which is no doubt how he managed to gain the trust of members of these groups and thus find out so much about them and their history. (I do not at all mean he approves of such beliefs, only that he doesn't belittle them.) The tracing of the genealogy of these belief systems from the early 19th century to today, including the links between prominent Nazis and the early days of Nordic pagan revival, are intriguing. So too are the discussions of how incidents like Ruby Ridge and the Branch Davidian/Waco fiasco have become seminal in their mythology. (No doubt the Jan 6 insurrection at the US Capitol will, as well -- although there were a lot of crosses present!) Well written, readable, logically organized. It's also more than a bit prescient and unnerving, given what we are now learning about the reach and penetration of white nationalism into American discourse and culture.

[N · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gothi Stephen A. McNallen's review from AFA Update/Bearclaw, June 25,.2003.

......................

_GODS OF THE BLOOD_

Like many people, I've been awaiting the release of _Gods of the Blood_, the new book by Stockholm University professor Mattias Gardell. It arrived in the AFA post office box two days ago, and I've spent quite a few hours pouring over it since then.

Dr. Gardell came through our area back in 1996, when he questioned me for hours about my beliefs, the history and structure of the AFA, and a thousand other things. I was one of a score of people he talked to all across the United States. One of the best things about _Gods of the Blood_ is that it is the result of thousands of hours of work in the field. This book was not pulled together in front of a computer, or through the mail.

Ever since 1996, I've wondered if Gardell would treat us fairly or whether we were being set up for an attack. I can finally relax. 
The author quotes me extensively and accurately, giving me a chance to explain the AFA's stand as well as my own opinions on a multitude of issues ranging from the nature of the Gods to metagenetics to support for other indigenous cultures. 

But Gardell does something else that is very important. He draws a sharp distinction between "racist" Asatruar and "ethnic" Asatruar - and he puts us solidly in the ethnic category. To have a scholar acknowledge that the ancestral or folkish view is not in itself racist is a major breakthrough, and it greatly undermines the attempts of those who want to picture us as some sort of Nazi-related cult. 

Almost as useful are the quotes from the hard-core racists denouncing the AFA and myself as "soft on race," "politically 
correct," or just plain cowardly. Nothing could make it clearer that these individuals do not consider us in the same category with themselves. Their candid quotes specifically demolish the lies about our alleged "extremist associations" that, every now and then, get floated around the cyber-Asatru community.

But there's a lot in _Gods of the Blood_ other than the AFA and Steve McNallen. You'll find plenty of material on the Asatru Alliance and Tribe of the Wulfings, as well as a whole chapter on Wotansfolk and a fascinating exploration of "darkside" Asatru, Satanism, and occult National Socialism. There are also discussions of paganism in general, the racist counterculture, and much more. I do wish he had taken a look at Theodism, however, and how it fits into the larger scheme of Northern religion.

_Gods of the Blood_ runs 445 pages, counting the notes and bibliography. Twenty-six photographs, mostly taken by Dr. Gardell in the course of his extensive interviews, give faces to what otherwise would just be names in the text. 

BOOK OF THE MONTH

We've made _Gods of the Blood_ our "Book of the Month" selection on the AFA website, and you can order it directly from there - go to http://www.runestone.org, then enter the main site, and you'll find the icon on the left-hand side. If you order through us, of course, we get a percentage!

Hail the Gods!
Hail the Folk!
Hail the AFA!

Stephen A. McNallen
Drighten, AFA

[Dimitrije Vojnov · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mattias Gardell, švedski sociolog i značajan autor na teme ekstremističkih pokreta od kojih je njegova knjiga o Naciji Islama zaista kapitalna u GODS OF BLOOD pokušava da katalogizuje verska uverenja američkih rasista, sa naročitim akcentom na neopaganističke i satanističke kongregacije koje su delom ili čak u potpunosti i osnivane od tih grupacija, integrišući njihova učenja.

Knjiga je zanimljiva, fino naratizuje sve te istorijate, sistematična je, mada na momente ume da bude jednolična ali dobro, takva je materija, mnoge stvari se ponavljaju. Gardell ne insistira mnogo na sintezi, dokumentacija koju iznosi smatra uglavnom dovoljnom da bi se stekao utisak o ovom fenomenu.

GODS OF BLOOD je jednostavan ali ravan narativ, u kom ima samo jedna neobična stvar. Sve religije koje se u njoj pominju su uvezene u SAD, sa doseljenicima ili posle njih, a onda su reformatirane a izvezene nazad, mahom u Evropu.

[Nathan · Rating 2 out of 5]

In contrast to books like Blood and Politics: The History of the White Nationalist Movement from the Margins to the Mainstream that seek to present a broad and generalized perspective of racialist movements and an understanding of how the hardcore racialist movement trickles down into mainstream right politics, "Gods of the Blood" presents a two-fold subject: the resurgence of neo-Nazi ideology and the concurrent trend of ethno-nationalist paganism. While Gardell's treatment of the former covered ground familiar to me from other books on the subject, the latter subject was quite revealing. The revival of pre-Christian paganism, especially that of the racist strand, has developed into a vigorous subculture that, Gardell shows us, while not as outspokenly exterminist as some racist trends, nevertheless shares much of the racial separatism of its neo-Nazi/Hitlerian counterpart.

These two ideological strands are further differentiated from the culturally and doctrinally "Christian" Aryanism that seeks to reclaim Christianity from its Jewish trappings and establish the ideal of a theocratically-sanctioned white hegemony through racist readings of Christian scripture and eschatology.

Gardell posits myriad connections between these ideologies and dozens of other sects and subcultures, from Laveyan Satanism to black-metal "art Satanism"; some connections more tenuous than others, but all worth considering. He sees the general movement of racialist thought as gaining momentum, spurred on by America's trend toward globalism and multiculturalism.

While he presents no concrete plan of action for combating these movements, his book is an intriguing and valuable starting point for exposing the existence and understanding the philosophical contours of these dynamic and potentially dangerous cultures.

[Sami Eerola · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book on American neo-nazi-movement. This book is not only focused on far right pagans, but also on other esoteric and fringe far right religious ideologies like identity Christians, mystic Aryanism and my favorite: ancient nazi-aliens. The writer formulates a good theory to explain these fringe movements and how to classify them politically.

[Michellewoe · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you are into modern Norse or Germanic paganism at all, or German culture especially as an American, this is essential reading. This isn't going to tell you about gods alters and folklore, but it does make a meticulous case for how and why white supremacy uses northern mythology as a tool of recruitment. Always good to be a savvy consumer of anything, including culture and religion.

[Kirsten Dyck · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thorough research, much of it the author's own fieldwork--so much so that Goodrick-Clarke cited his work in "Black Sun" even before this reached publication. High praise indeed for a comprehensive and thoughtful monograph.

[kevin · Rating 3 out of 5]

you kind of want to laugh at these folks only you have to be afraid and run from them at the same time.

[Michael · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is something of a snapshot of the state of White Nationalism a quarter of a century ago, long before the rise of something called “alt-right” or the 45/47th President. At that moment, there was a decided rise in Heathenry, Satanism, and the rejection of Christianity in far-right circles, which has since been blasted back by the Tea Party and Christian Nationalism, though I suppose it’s a matter of a pendulum that swings back and forth over time. At any rate, for those interested in the history of white racism, or the connections more broadly between spirituality, the occult, and white identity, this remains a valuable study.

Gardell defines the world he is studying as the “white racist counterculture,” although many of the subjects interviewed and discussed would object to that characterization. Still, for the sake on an audience with less familiarity with the range of Heathen, Asatru, and racist-Odinist beliefs, the overview is extremely valuable, as is his generally careful discussion of the various music scenes with links to any or all of the above (“generally careful” is a bit of a proviso: he rightly says that Blood Axis is not a metal band, but he wrongly identifies Deicide as black metal, rather than death metal). He goes into considerable depth and draws from dozens of interviews and correspondence from sources ranging from Wotansvolk, Aryan Nations, and the National Alliance to Wotan’s Kindred, Tribe of the Wulfings and the Temple of Set. He is honest about the ultimately racist implications of “ethnic” Asatru (and the right wing background of some of the leadership) without lumping such groups in with white separatists and political extremists. He discusses Satanism and paganism as serious spiritual paths, without delegitimizing those who travel them, while also quoting honestly the more absurd lengths of some of the wackier membership. He also does a good job of connecting countercultural trends like conspiracy theory and belief in alternative medicine into the overall thread, showing how openness to one aspect sometimes leads to willingness to listen to any “non-mainstream” argument, including racism.

In short, I found this to be a fascinating study, among the best academic work I’ve seen on the American White Nationalist world. It works within the context of valuable theory from the likes of Benedict Anderson and Colin Campbell, but without assuming too much background on the part of the reader. Extensive endnotes and works cited sections serve to reinforce the arguments made as well as giving the reader new paths to explore. I’d be fascinated to see a similar work on the “racist counterculture” done today, to see how far that pendulum has swung and whether racist Heathenry is poised for a comeback.

[Meg · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a Pagan, it was eye-opening to read about some of these groups at the fringes of my community and learn about some of the historical and philosophical connections between neo-Paganism and racism. In my opinion, all Pagans should be informed about this history as part of moving our communities in an explicitly anti-racist direction.

The most interesting chapter of this book was the one where Gardell debates whether "ethnic" Asatru groups such as the AFA are white supremacists or not. He ultimately comes to the conclusion that they are not (a conclusion touted by the founder of the AFA, Stephen McNallen, in this review), despite the fact that the chapter closes with Stephen McNallen making straight-up white supremacist references. Interesting to note that in the 20 years since this book was published, the AFA has moved to the right, AFA members marched at Charlottesville, and AFA groups have taken over old church buildings in several states to establish explicitly whites-only congregations.

[Unco · Rating 3 out of 5]

Como imagen general de las conexiones entre paganismo y extrema derecha resulta interesante, si bien en muchas ocasiones se aleja demasiado o lanza tantos nombres que resulta abrumador y denso en exceso.

[Ella · Rating 4 out of 5]

A useful look at the religious angle of racist paganism. I think this might have been improved by less focus on Christian Identity, which is quite well-studied at this point, but is still a helpful book to have.

[Lucy · Rating 3 out of 5]

crackheads yelling on me the train home have made more sense and are more credible than half the stuff in this bizarre book but also i loved it?

[Jacob · Rating 5 out of 5]

Still one of the best books on this era of post-war fascist "theory" and the unusual men who practice it.

[Tribblemaker · Rating 3 out of 5]

Liked it. Dry, though, and hard to make it through -- equal parts depressing and scary and hard to believe. Worth the read, but hard to slog through.