Beginning Heathen Reading List

So, years ago some members of my Kindred and I put our heads together and created a reading list with an accompanying order for people who are new to Heathenry or are simply just interested in it. This took us awhile because there is a lot of information out there with varying degrees of quality. We also had choices to make regarding accessibility, understandably, and how enjoyable it is. 

The books will be listed in specific reading order because the build off of each other and will provide context for each other. 

1. Norse Mythology by Neil Gaiman is the first book on the list. This is because it provides an amazing introduction to Norse Mythology that is an absolute joy to read (and listen to). Neil Gaiman is an amazing storyteller that takes you on a journey from the creation of the universe to the end with various myths in-between. All of the lore is taken from the Poetic and Prose Eddas. The lore in this book are not direct translations from historical sources but are retold in an original way. 

2. The Poetic Edda Translated and Edited by Jackson Crawford is the second book on the list. This is the best and most accessible translation of the Poetic Edda that is on the market. It is translated from the historic sources and it has a bonus chapter at the end called the Cowboy Havamal. The Cowboy Havamal is a rewriting of the first 85 or so verses told in the spirit of Crawford's grandpa. I think that is actually my favorite version of the Havamal. This book falls into the number spot because it provides historic reference for the stories told in Norse Mythology by Neil Gaiman and helps you understand where artistic flair was used. I think this provides a deeper understanding of the lore as it connects a living story with factual implication. These stories are a mixed tape of lore about the Gods and Norse heroes.

 

3. The Children of Odin by Padraic Colum is the third book on the list. Like the Norse Mythology by Neil Gaiman, this lore in this book are taken from various historical sources and retold in an original way. There is some overlap in lore between the two books but there are different stories told that connect various parts in Norse Mythology such as Odin's wanderings, Sigard, the Valkyrie Brynhildr, Fafnir the Dragon, Loki's adventures, and how Freya got her necklace of Brisingamen. The stories here are written in a shorter and direct manner and this book has a target audience for children but there are a lot of adult themes, violence, etc included. This is placed after the Poetic Edda because reading the Poetic Edda has more lore then Norse Mythology and gives you a better understanding of different aspects of the lore.  

 

4. Edda (Snorru Sturluson) Translated by Anthony Faulkes is the fourth book on the list. This edition by the Everyman Library is generally hailed as one of the best translations currently available. This translation of the lore about the Gods and Goddesses, the Norse people, their heroes, and culture is an academic translation and keeps a lot of the same prose and structure of the original poems. The reading is not always easy but it is very rewarding and provides additional insight from a lot of the original translations. The stories are told in a chronological order. I would advise taking notes as you read through this and revisit them often. 

5. We are our Deeds by Eric Wodening is the fifth book on the list and it takes a break from the lore and starts an academic discussion on the Heathen world view. This includes ethics, Innangard and Utgard, etc. The book uses etymology to explore the per-christian Northern European concepts of justice, whats right, whats wrong, law, and morality. It also provides a first look into the reconstruction area of Heathenry. 

6. Essential Asatru by Diana L. Paxson this holds the sixth and lost spot on this reading list. It was a book that almost did not make it on the list because the general consensus was that we do things differently (and so do a lot of other Heathen organizations/kindreds). I made the argument that even though that is true, this book provides a great over look on the modern tradition and reconstruction of Norse spirituality. Thus, the book ended up on the list as in provides that overview, some important essays (Surviving your First Heathen Event is a stand out), different options in regards to modern ritual, and an entertaining stories in regards to a fictional kindred and a new comers experience which provides easy to understand context. I spent a lot of time reading various introduction books and this is one of the best ones I have read. Now, this book was written in 2006 and a lot of things have changed in the Heathen community so it is dated (I still have not been able to find a better introduction book though). Diana L. Paxson is releasing a new updated edition of this book in March of 2021.

This list is highly focused on lore and this is because lore is an very important aspect of Heathenry. A lot of the reconstruction modern people have done is through the lore and it provides important insight of how their cultural actually was. This is in addition to the various historical discoveries

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Karma

An interest thing about western civilization is that western civilization tends to bend and distort practices, ideas, theories, and mistranslated from other cultures or history. I have started to notice this a lot in regards to eastern philosophies. 

One of the biggest things that I learned western civilization has gotten wrong is Karma. I also fell into this wrong translation because I have always believed in Karma in one way or another, even before I knew of the word/concept of Karma. Basically, the western civilization of Karma is a concept of a cosmic bank account. Each mind stream/soul has this bank account and good deeds are deposits and bad deeds are withdrawals. This translation can create a  Karmic debt that multiple lives would need to work off before even getting into a positive balance. People want a positive balance because they better people and after enough lessons are learned and their balance is high enough that mind stream can ascend. 

Well, this is wrong. Karma as understood by eastern traditions and civilization is a system of cause and effect. When we do good (constructive) things, good things (happiness) can happen to us and others and when we do bad (destructive)  things, bad things (suffering) can happen to us and others (this also circles back to one of my core believes about everyone being connected). These affects can be felt immediately, or later, or even in yours/others next life. Outside of just being a good person, a person wants to do mostly good things so they can have a positive rebirth and move forward towards ascension. Karma possesses the following characteristics:

• Beings are heirs to their Karma, have Karma as their refuge
• There can be a gap between study and practice
• Karma is definite
• Happiness comes from constructive actions
• Suffering comes from destructive actions 
• Karma is expandable, small actions can yield big results
• If causes are not created, then results do not come
• Karmic Seeds do not get lost and they can be affected

Here are some great videos from BhikShuni Thubten Chodron that go into great detail regarding Karma. I think these are very informational and enlightening. 

The Foundation of Buddhist Practice 51: Karma and its Effects

The Foundation of Buddhist Practice 52: General Characteristics of Karma

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