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This is an description of my german book
about Asatru. The information below is mainly based on the first edition. If you're able and willing to make an english version please contact me here, then we can discuss it: An english worktitle of the book could be: ASATRU - Walking in the Light of the Gods GardenStone
This book is not a kind of 'germanic bible', not a holy book for Asatruar, it does not prescribe, it doesn't give Laws that have to be obeyed and it gives no revelations. It is neither a book for roleplaying games. It is a book about the religion Asatru, ment to give those a hand, who might need it. What's told shouldn't be taken for the one and only Truth, the validity of the saying: Asatruar are consiously religious individualists should not be violated. It is also a book for those, who just want, for whatever which reason, wish to get better informed about the religion Asatru, about its backgrounds, its practice, with lots of examples. This
book isn't complete, the author hadn't any intention for that. The choosen topics
are his choice, another author might have choosen different topics. The book offers
knowledge, meanings and convincements from the author about Asatru, with the intention
to give his religion a wide entrance for interested people. Contents
and short descriptions 1. A Venture Here's explained why it's quite a venture to write and publish a book about Asatru, being a religion-book for Asatru folk, those who wants to get involved in Asatru, and those, who're just interested. If you put ten Asatruar together, they've ten different meanings on many Asatru-topics, even on basic ones. 2. Natural religions today Here's a longer description of what's a natural religion, the characteristics, and the differences between natural and revelation religions, all put side by side. 3. The roots of Asatru A historical overview (summary) about the roots of Asatru, starting with the pre-indogermanics, an overview of indogermanic languages, and some info on the germanic tribes, focused on the continent south of Scandinavia.
4. Asatru A longer description of what Asatru 'is'; the word is explained, and also why is Asatru
The several other Asatru or Asatrulike religious streams like Odinic Rite, Theodism, Vanatru and continental Asatru are characterized in short, also why f.i. Odians and Seax-wicca do not beong to Asatru.
Here is in the new edition a longer rather technical part added about DNA-research and the impossibility to use that as 'proof' of being a 'viking', etc. 5. The Pantheon What is ment with the 'germanic pantheon, describing the social structure of the germanic Gods, the relation between Gods and humans and why gods are not just ideas or human personifications of Powers. A basic structure of a Call of a deity is given, which can be used for all Gods and Goddesses, and some things are told about correspondences. From over 130 Gods and Goddesses are for each of them some background information given, their possible actual meaning in modern Asatru, the use of an amulett, some correspondences and an example of a Call. For each deity a picture af an amulett is added; for personal religious use only they can get freely copied from the book, for little many they can be ordered as buttons too. Mythological information and the possible actual meaning is also given about the the giants, the elves, dwarves, goblins, Disir, Valkyries, Norns, Matrona, and the Fylgia. Subchapters:
Ull, Ullr, Ollerus)
6. The Values - A Guide It's
explained here why valuable behaviour is so important in Asatru, telling
about concepts like Hamingja, Wyrd and Orlog. Then twelve 'noble virtues', worthfull values, are described,
each one contains also a practical story as an allday example.
Some problems - hot items, seen from the Asatru-religious point of view:
7. Feasts and holidays After
a general intro, some concepts that deal with the holidays are explained, with
quite some practical examples, f.i. how to set up blots, sumbels, etc. Then
from each month is given a bit background information, (old names, etc.) followed
by the holidays from that month where is given both background information
and possible actual use. On most holidays old habits are mentioned as suggestion
for the practice.
8. Rituals at special occasions There are several main events in life,
which should be celebrated in Asatru, f.i. birth, wedding, death, maturity.
This chapter gives short background information and examples how it could be
celebrated today
9. Other rituals
Examples of rituals for several
occasions.
10. Oaths The value and the functions of oaths are here told, a bit background about the different views on oaths in ancient germanic days and today, the why or why not swearing an oath, when and when not swearing oaths.
11. Magic This chapter tells some things on magic, however, lots of basic things are left out, because that's all told in "Germanic Magic". The use of amulets is explained, something is told about Seid, Utiseti, Späh, and ritual magic. On pathworking there's some more, including a complete example how to practise it.
12. Symbols First some general information about germanic symbold is told, followed by descriptions of the meanings of several major symbols. The intention of this is, to use these symbols in modern Asatru.
13. An Organization If Asatruar wants to build an own organization,
it can be setup informel, but a formal form, with legal rights is also possible.
This chapter gives examples and addresses how to build a group, and how to organize
it. An example with regulations and statutes for a registered organization,
according to german laws is given here too.
14. Religious-magical positions Here is told about several religious-magical
positions; backgroundinformation about htem among ancient germanics, what
they mean, what they could do,, also the mythological part, but also how these
positions can function in modern Asatru.
15. Trees Here's some mythological/historical
information given about the meaning of some trees among ancient Germanics, and
their possible actual use in modern Asatru.
16. Mead After some mythological and historical information about Mead among the Germanics, it's told how to make mead oneself, what's needed on 'hardware', the ingredients and several recipes are offered.
17. Prediction - drawing lots After some general, historical and mythological
background information about these thems among the ancient Germanics, and its
possible use in Asatru, several systems for predicting are described in a way,
that can be practised. Interpretations are included.
18. Poems A small but nice collection of poems that were created over the last two or three centuries in Germany, dealing with the Germanics.
19. Books and more An overview of used and advised books for the reader, devided in themes. Also a list of german novels about Germanics, musicalbums and webpages-
18. Questions remained This last chapter gives several unanswered questions, (without answering them really, telling also why lots of things that could be in the book, aren't. |
