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

Sjá es leið

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

Sjá es leið

Modus Operandi and a Conversation

A recent experience I had will leas into the main point of this post. So, I reconnected with a cousin that I grew up who is older then me and has kids. Anyway, during the conversation she started to talk about how she found religion again and is really active in a local Christian church and her kids are also very active in it (a born again Christian basically) and this whole experience as really helped her heal from her past and grow. During this part of the conversation my cousin asked me if I go to church and the conversation went like this;

"Do you go to church?" (Cousin)

"No" (Me)

"Do you believe in God?" (Cousin)

"Yes, but not in your idea of God" (Me)

"What do you mean?" (Cousin)

"I am Pagan" (Me)

"Can you explain what that is about?" (Cousin)

So, from there we had a great very educational back and forth conversation about my spirituality and her Christian beliefs. She did end the conversation by saying something along the lines of I hope you find Jesus. Anyway, I did not give this conversation a second thought because I felt like it was a really good conversation on both ends. 

Well, about a week later I get a call from my mom saying she is worried about me and the conversation went on like that and devolved a little. I was able to get her to admit where all of this was coming from and the source was my cousin calling my mom in a panic about my dark and devious ways. 

I learned a good lesson that day. Even though I am willing to have an educated discussion about my spirituality, I am going to be a lot more careful who I get down in the weeds with. Outside of the chosen few, I will just keep to my core system of operation. Just as a disclaimer, I am very aware of who to avoid this topic with all together.

My core operating system can be broken down into three parts:

1. The principle of the Breath of Odin (Numina) affirms that all natural physical entities possess a portion of the divine spiritual essence which originates from deity and are therefore inherently blessed. This principle infers that humans possess no fundamental spiritual flaw or defect, and therefore denies any premise or need for restoration. As a result even the most faithful adherents are disinclined towards proselytism and embrace religious pluralism.
2. The principle of Web of Wyrd (Tela) affirms that all natural physical entities possess Numina, thereby possessing an intrinsic, imminent and permeating interconnection called Web of Wyrd (Tela). This principle infers that a person’s conduct directly influences and affects all natural physical entities they share an interconnection with and therefore promotes a virtue based ethical view.
3. The principle of Thew (Pietas) affirms that the interconnection of Web of Wyrd (Tela) endows one with the responsibility of dutiful conduct which focuses on cultivating positive characteristics which are valued for promoting individual and therefore collective greatness. This principle infers the purpose for honor and is intended to perpetuate harmonious coexistence through the cultivation of individual transpersonal self-improvement.

The three principals above are part of Vigilism. Witch Doctor Joe coined these terms and the Theology of Vigilism long before I could even put words myself to these beliefs. Witch Doctor Joe's prose, definitions, and explanation is a lot more academic and easier to understand then the words from my own mouth so I will let Witch Doctor Joe continue to explain on the practice of Vigilism;

"The term was coined in reference to the Vigilia, the primary liturgical invocation which illustrates elements of various theological viewpoints including animism, theism, monism, polytheism, and pantheism. Vigilism is a highly syncretic theology which embraces the belief that the natural world is a source of religious knowledge and revelation. Vigilism views the natural world as the supreme form of sacred text referred to as the Gospel of Nature, and promotes a practiced observation and interpretation of nature referred to as the Auspicium. "

Sjá es leið

Getting Some Work Done

Due to life, I tend to get distracted with the daily grind. In this distraction my practice tends to fall to the wayside. Yesterday I had some time to myself and I decided to get some work down and finally take more steps to move towards the divination project I have mentioned here multiple times. 

I took sometime to ground myself and meditate to calm the body and the mind. Once I was centered I gathered up some sage, my Tarot deck, and an offering of cold water with some salt added that I blessed. Then I went outside to my Harrow and placed the deck, the sage, and the offering off to the side. 

I then spent some time offering prayers to the Land Wights and the Gods in addition to a request to help bless my Tarot before I lit the sage and spoke a blessing in Old Norse. I repeated the blessing has I moved the smoke over my Tarot cards, my Harrow, and the offering. Afterwards I let the sage burn as I focused my energy on the task.

Finally I picked up the offering, held it to the sky and thanked the Land Wights and the Gods. Then I cleaned up the area and took about thirty minutes handling and shuffling my Tarot before placing it on my altar.

I left the offering there overnight. 

Sjá es leið

Interview: Stefani Caponi

Interview with Stefanie Caponi of Moon Void Tarot
www.moonvoidtarot.com
Instagram - @Moonvoidtarot

Go ahead and introduce yourself.
I’m Stefanie Caponi, an illustrator, tarot reader, and creator or the Moon Void Tarot. I also write the monthly horoscopes, focusing on relationships, sex, and intimacy for DameProducts.com. I teach workshops in NYC and in my spare time I focus on creating art. I live in Brooklyn with my partner and our two cats.

What is your favorite book?
Women Who Run With the Wolves, by Clarissa Pinkola Estes

If you practice a spiritual path, what is it? Why were you drawn to it?
I was drawn to spirituality at a young age, having grown up attending Catholic school. I knew from a young age the patriarchal teachings of organized religion were not my path. I was drawn to ritual and sacred practice, and began to study tarot and wicca when I was fourteen. Wicca was still too rigid for me, and I began to build my practice based on my own experiences as a channel and developing my own rituals.

Do you have any daily rituals? If so what are they?
I recommend finding your power element and starting there. Mine happens to be fire, and in my daily rituals I work with candle magic and sacred cleansing, which is a fancy way of saying my showers are intentional for energy clearing and purification. Ritual can be simple as long as it’s intentional.

What first made you interested in tarot?
As a teenager I was curious about the symbolism and artwork. The RWS deck blended elements of Judaism and Catholicism I was familiar with, and the first time I became curious about artwork and symbols pre-dating and transcending their religions. This was pre-internet time!

What were some of your earliest experiences with tarot like?
I wasn’t sure what I was doing, but it felt good to engage with it.

What techniques did you use to learn tarot?
I was self taught through books until I began drawing my own deck based on my spiritual awakening in 2016. Drawing the cards helped me embody and understand them in ways I could never read in a book. Around that same time I decided to join an in person six month intensive study program called The Brooklyn Fools, created by my teacher, Jeff Hinshaw and co facilitated by Lindsey Mack.

What was your first tarot deck?
A Rider Waite Smith deck I got from Barnes & Noble in 1997 when I was fourteen.

What is your favorite tarot deck besides your own?
The Pagan Otherworlds Tarot deck by Uusi. The artwork is so beautiful.

What card are you most drawn to? Why?
The Death card, I’m always drawn to artists interpretation and depiction of Death

What is your favorite card? Why?
Death and The Empress are my favorites. The themes of transformation and rebirth are symbolic of my life experiences, as are the themes of creativity, feminine energy, birth, nature, and receptivity.

What was your inspiration (art, books, movies, etc) for Moon Void?
My own life had fallen apart and I took a year off from working to let myself process the destruction of everything I had once known. I wrote a memoir and began drawing the cards as accompanying illustrations. My book felt too personal and mostly cathartic, but people encouraged me to finish the deck and here we are.

What made you choose modern imagery?
While I love traditional imagery, I use tarot for practical and modern living, and I think it’s important to see ourselves in our decks.

What has the process been like?
Drawing was surprising and beautiful, the business side of the process has been eye-opening and not always my favorite. I wish I could focus on creativity and spirituality and less of the business and marketing, but I’ve loved having the opportunity to blend my artistic process with my spirituality.

Have there been any frustrations along the way from concept to production? If so, what have
they been?
Production is tricky if you don’t have help with graphic design layout, or an understanding of computer graphics, which I don’t! Managing sales, promotion, and customer service is more than I was prepared for, but I’m proud of myself for taking it on.

What card are you most drawn to in your tarot? Why?
The Moon card, because the Hermit’s cabin appears again under the big moon. The emphasis is on shadow work and the subconscious, and the work we do in solitude.

What is your favorite card in your tarot? Why?
The Two of Cups, because when I thought of what falling in love meant to me (and not just romantic love, the 2 of cups is just as much about platonic love!) I thought about how emotionally full I feel when I connect deeply with someone while we share stories, usually over coffee. Getting lost in someone else’s universe is a beautiful experience.

What is the most important aspect of your deck?
The most important aspect of my deck is that it follows one central character, instead of having multiple figures. This brings the focus on the personal experience and doesn’t place power outside of ourselves. Also that the court cards feature animals and the alchemical symbols of each card instead of people. This takes away gender implications and focuses on the double
elemental essence.

How would you recommend your deck to someone?
It is a great deck for self reflection and shadow work

What advice would you give for choosing a deck?
Choose a deck with artwork that speaks to you. While each card has it’s meaning, the cards become special messages that will speak specifically to you beyond traditional symbolism.

What advice would you give for learning the art of tarot?
Throw out perfectionism, that is counter productive for working with intuition and divining. Trust what messages arise, and the energy that you feel when working with the cards. For me, that is the essence of tarot. Not following books and what anyone else says is right or wrong. Trust yourself.

I noticed you offer a Shadow Workshop, can you explain more about that? 
My shadow workshop introduces the idea of the shadow, and offers a safe space to invite it out into the light. We look at fear, identify triggers, explore the concept of mirror work, especially when we are triggered by the behavior and actions of others. In the space of neutrality we can become inquisitive about our darkness. I also introduce using EFT (Emotional Freedom Technique) or 'tapping' as a physical tool to aid in shadow work. Talking, journaling, and tarot can only take us so far. Using EFT to calm the nervous system by tapping the acupressure points along the body's energy meridians helps shift the physical trauma in our bodies while reciting a script, also creates new neural pathways in the brain. 

Do you have anything else to add?
Thank you for taking the time to interview me and your interest in learning more about Moon Void Tarot. This deck doesn’t have a physical guidebook yet, there is public instagram account with pictures of the cards and brief descriptions. Even if you don’t have Instagram, you can type Instagram.com/moonvoidtarot into your browser and view them from your devices. The initial reason for a digital guide was monetary, as this project is entirely self funded. Thank you for your patience.

Put it in O for Onward!

So, I have recently watched Onward (its worth a watch, I enjoyed it) and it really got me thinking about our world and the state it is in today. Before I go on, here is a brief synopsis of the film;

"Teenage elf brothers Ian and Barley embark on a magical quest to spend one more day with their late father. Like any good adventure, their journey is filled with cryptic maps, impossible obstacles and unimaginable discoveries. But when dear Mom finds out her sons are missing, she teams up with the legendary Manticore to bring her beloved boys back home."

The background setting is in the movie is a fantasy setting before it evolved into a more modern world with technology, etc. There is still fantastic races and creatures but everyone has forgotten about the magic. Gone are the days of adventures, magic, quests, and everything else under that umbrella.

As I was watching the movie I really started to think how our world as a whole have forgotten the magic. Everyone is so preoccupied with with their jobs, hobbies, and the daily grind we have forgotten about the simple pleasures of quality time with family members and friends, becoming closer to nature, and the journey of a good book.

 

This is one kind of magic that has been forgotten but the other kind of magic is in spirituality and the old ways. We have forgotten what it is like to;

• be one with nature and not just dominate it
• enjoy the intimacy that comes with personal and joint ritual work
• work with the earth
• commune with the universe and its spirits
• transfer and mold energy
• commune with your ancestors
• walk with the Gods

The biggest culprit of what has assisted us in forgetting is technology.

Modern technology has been the biggest distraction since the industrial revolution. We have lost touch with ourselves, our food, our friends, our families, the earth, spirits, and Gods. Martin Felipe Castagnet once stated;

"Technology isn't rational; with luck, it's a runaway horse, foaming at the mouth, ready to throw itself off a cliff in desperation. Our problem is that culture's tied to that horse."

This is just the top of the iceberg. Our society has become so technological dependent that it constricts us like a living, breathing straitjacket. This straitjacket muffles, distorts, and at times completely disconnects us from the universe and those around us. There has been people in our recent history that have realized the negative effect technology has on our society and in 1995 Theodore Kaczynski understood this and talked about it in length in his writing of Industrial Society and its Future. This was before the rise of the smart everything and the popularity (and ease of access of the internet). Kaczynski observed that;

"We attribute the social and psychological problems of modern society to the fact that that society requires people to live under conditions radically different from those under which the human race evolved and to behave in ways that conflict with the patterns of behavior that the human race developed while living under the earlier conditions...."

and he found the Matrix...

“Imagine a society that subjects people to conditions that make them terribly unhappy then gives them the drugs to take away their unhappiness. It is not Science fiction as it is already happening to some extent in our own society. Instead of removing the conditions that make people depressed modern society gives them antidepressant drugs. In effect antidepressants are a means of modifying an individual's internal state in such a way as to enable him to tolerate social conditions that he would otherwise find intolerable.”

These ideas are intense but sit and meditate on them.

To be honest, I am not immune to our culture as I am guilty of it to. I have found myself lost in technology instead of paying attention to who and what was going on around me. It is important that I remind myself to stay on the path and not lose the magic I have found while finding more.

The whole point of this is and we well need to do is...

Put the phone down, put your life into O for onward, and go find some magic. 

You may have forgotten about the magic but the magic has not forgot about you.

...I've been through the desert...

Historically and in modern times it is a common practice for sages, shamans, seers, mystics, indigenous populations, and any other title you can give someone who follows a spiritual path to use psychedelic substances to enhance their work. This altered state of consciousness breaks down the practitioners personal barriers and the barriers of the universe so the practitioner can easily travel and connect with the universe in addition to their own inner Self. This is in addition to the increased connectivity and empathy with themselves, others, and the universe. There are unlimited counts of these experiences with/without the how/why published and unpublished. Though, a good place to start is from Albert Hofmann, Christopher M. Bache, P.h.D.., and Aldous Huxley.

Since the criminalization of psychedelics in the 1960's and 1970's its spiritual use has been forced underground which has limited it to individuals and small circles. There are some notable exceptions to this such as Native American Church. In addition, throughout the years there have been studies to show how some psychedelics, especially LSD can be used to treat various mental illnesses, trauma, and addiction.

Due to my spirituality I have been interested in this experience for sometime (especially since the events of this last year and some change) but I have never sought it out. I figured if it was my path to walk, the universe would provide the opportunity.

Well, the universe did provide the experience to benefit from the conscious alternating effects of LSD. The experience, was well; complicated, amazing, and mind opening. This sums it up nicely:

As the effects started to kick in space and time warped and became fluid or nonexistent so the 12 hours experience felt like an eternity and an instant at the time. Though time is just an illusion anyway. The best explanation of time I ever heard was this;

"...time is nothing more than fractal successions of consciousness strung together into what we call out existence..."

  

During my experience, a lot of things happened and I could probably write a book on everything I remember and how I felt but I think I will try to hit the main points;

• Saw and experienced lots of pretty colors and sounds
• Watched stationary items move and morph or into other items
• Became one with the universe and its energy
• Felt and watched the world breathe
• Became a magnificent Buddha as I traveled inwards 
• Had many out of body experiences
• Got lost in the atoms
•  Rode the waves of mental and emotional anguish
• Connected with random objects and the sky and ground
• Saw skeletons in the wood
• Saw monsters in the dark
• Saw fish in the sky
• Connected on a deep and unfettered level with those who were with me on the journey
• Experienced a shared consciousness with those who were with me on the journey
• Played an intimate chess game with my Shadow
• Ate static 
• Watched the Chesire Cat dance around the screen for awhile
• Rode the waves of physical, mental, and emotional euphoria

In summary, I was an explorer first and foremost on this journey. I let the energy of the universe push and pull in various directions and open random doors to the universe and explored just long enough before I choose a new door. I came away from this experience with four important things;

1. That I needed to get a specific tattoo (one of the ones I have been thinking about for years) with some additions to represent where I have been, where I am going, and to remind me of things every day. 

2. That I do not need to forgive myself for some of the things I have done that causes extreme guilt and self loathing (and have hurt other people deeply). I need to accept that these things needed to happen in one way or another for me to become who I am today and who I am becoming. I am not at this acceptance yet, but I am working towards it. 

3. Honestly, I just feel better about life in general. 

4. All the people who were with me during the journey shared very intimate connections. Think of the intimacy of being in ritual with someone but times it by 100. When you Self is completely exposed and you are one with the universe you also intertwine with the people around you and it creates a unique bond that is powerful.