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Saturday, September 25, 2010

Stories From Northern Myths

Stories From Northern Myths Cover

Book: Stories From Northern Myths by Emilie Kip Baker

"Stories from Northern Myth" written in 1914 by Emilie Kip Baker. Most of the existing records on Norse mythology date from the 11th to 18th century, having gone through more than two centuries of oral preservation in what was at least officially a Christian society. At this point scholars started recording it, particularly in the Eddas and the Heimskringla by Snorri Sturluson, who believed that pre-Christian deities trace real historical people. There is also the Danish Gesta Danorum by Saxo Grammaticus, where the Norse gods are more strongly Euhemerized. The Prose or Younger Edda was written in the early 13th century by Snorri Sturluson, who was a leading skald, chieftain, and diplomat in Iceland. It may be thought of primarily as a handbook for aspiring skalds. It contains prose explications of traditional "kennings," or compressed metaphors found in poetry. These prose retellings make the various tales of the Norse gods systematic and coherent.

The mythological literature relates the legends of heroes and kings, as well as supernatural creatures. These clan and kingdom founding figures possessed great importance as illustrations of proper action or national origins. The heroic literature may have fulfilled the same function as the national epic in other European literatures, or it may have been more nearly related to tribal identity. Many of the legendary figures probably existed, and generations of Scandinavian scholars have tried to extract history from myth in the sagas.

Sometimes the same hero resurfaces in several forms depending on which part of the Germanic world the epics survived such as Weyland/Volund and Siegfried/Sigurd, and probably Beowulf/Bodvar Bjarki. Other notable heroes are Hagbard, Starkad, Ragnar Lodbrok, Sigurd Ring, Ivar Vidfamne and Harald Hildetand. Notable are also the shieldmaidens who were ordinary women who had chosen the path of the warrior. These women function both as heroines and as obstacles to the heroic journey.

Download Emilie Kip Baker's eBook: Stories From Northern Myths

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Emilie Kip Baker - Stories From Northern Myths

The Circle Within Creating A Wiccan Spiritual Tradition

The Circle Within Creating A Wiccan Spiritual Tradition Cover

Book: The Circle Within Creating A Wiccan Spiritual Tradition by Dianne Sylvan

The Circle Within is your guide to creating a personal spiritual practice for daily life. The first section is a thoughtful examination of Wiccan ethics and philosophy that explores how to truly live Wicca. The second section includes devotional prayers and rituals that provide inspiration for group or solitary practice.

Topics include: cultivating an ongoing personal relationship with deity, ethics and standards of behavior, concepts of sacred space, elements of a daily practice, tuning into the Wheel of the Year and the elements, and creating meaningful personal rituals. Move beyond the basics of Wicca and enter the sacred space of the circle within.


I've never written a review for Amazon.com, but had to do one for this book. I came across Dianne's website some time ago & was intrigued with her way of looking at Wicca. When I found out she'd published a book, I tracked it down & was even more profoundly moved by her observations. This is a woman who will make you THINK. There are many books I've read about witchcraft & Wicca. Plenty of info on tools, quarter calls, the gods/goddesses, etc. But I found something missing in most of them. The most basic, essential thing of all: relationship with the Divine & how it affects your life on a very basic level. There were times during this book where I had to stop & say, "YES! YES!" Cheers for Ms. Sylvan for having the heart & drive to write this book & get it out to the public.

Also, I have to say that the litergy in this book is some of the most beautiful I have ever read. The chapter titled "The Book of Moonlight" is going to be used often in my practices.

Dianne Sylvan (Austin, TX) has been a practicing Wiccan since the age of sixteen. She is co-founder and President of Blessedways, a Wiccan educational and spiritual organization based out of Central Texas. Through Blessedways she teaches classes on Wicca, the Runes, spiritual magic, and ecstatic dance.

In addition to her books, Dianne's work has appeared in Circle Magazine, NewWitch magazine, and the Llewellyn Wicca Almanac and Witches' Calendar; she has also been interviewed by the Wiccan Pagan Times. More of her articles on living Wiccan spirituality can be found on her website, Dancing Down the Moon.

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Heathens And Heathen Faith Some Frequently Asked Questions

Heathens And Heathen Faith Some Frequently Asked Questions Cover

Book: Heathens And Heathen Faith Some Frequently Asked Questions by The Troth

Perhaps the best-known heathen god is Odin. He is the god of many things: inspiration, ecstasy, poetry, healing, and death; it was he who won knowledge of the mysteries of the universe which we call the runes. Thor is the god whose great might we feel in thunderstorms. The lightning is his Hammer, the weapon with which he defends Midgard, the world of humans; the rain that he brings makes the fields fruitful. Tyr is the upholder of right order and justice, both among humans and in the entire universe. Frey is invoked for peace and plenty; he and Odin were also the founders and protectors of many dynasties of Heathen kings. His father Njordh watches over the sea, ships, sailors, wealth, and trade.

Our Goddesses are no less holy and mighty than our gods. Frigga, whom we see as Odin’s wife, protects homes and families. Freya rules over magic, sexuality, and riches; she also takes half of those slain in battle. Idunna tends the golden apples that keep the gods young; she inspires new strength and joy to spring up in our hearts. Skadhi’s might is seen in the winter; Ostara is the bringer of spring. Earth herself is a mighty goddess, who gives food to all.

These deities were known by different names in different Germanic cultures—in Anglo-Saxon England, for example, Odin was Woden and Thor was Thunor. There are many other deities who were and are worshipped. Often, a Heathen will choose one of the gods or goddesses as a special patron and friend—or perhaps be chosen by a patron deity. However, Heathens honor all the Gods and goddesses of the North. Heathens believe in and honor spirits of the home and the land, who can be helpful in many ways if treated well, or disruptive if ignored. Heathens honor their own worthy ancestors as well. Check out the Troth resources, listed on the back of this pamphlet, to find out more about our gods and ways.

Download The Troth's eBook: Heathens And Heathen Faith Some Frequently Asked Questions

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The Troth - Heathens And Heathen Faith Some Frequently Asked Questions

Friday, September 24, 2010

Black Runa

Black Runa Cover

Book: Black Runa by Stephen Flowers

Eighteen Articles originally written for Runes, the journal of the Order of the Trapezoid. This work goes a long way toward demonstrating the character of symbolic and magical work within the Order. Includes a discussion of The Command to Look, Mortensen's analysis of visual imagery and impact, the source for Anton LaVey's formulation of the Law of the Trapezoid. This limited edition (504 copies) includes some of the inner documents of the Order of the Trapezoid.

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Armanen Runes

Armanen Runes Cover

Book: Armanen Runes by Karl Hans Welz

Rune Magic is extra power for you! It is ancient technology. You can use this extraordinary method now by harnessing the Ur-energies (original energies) of the universe. These energies provide you with your personal gate to the powers of creation !!!

Using the creative powers of the Runes for your psychic development and spiritual advancement, you can naturally gain control of love, money, business, sports, status, and life itself.

- You can harness the powers of Runeyoga to control the flow of life force for stamina, endurance, and an abundance of creative mental and physical energy.
- The Basic Rune Course leads you on your path to become a Rune Master.
- The Rune Reading Course is an introduction to the art of reading the Runes!
- Become a member of the Knights of Runes!
- The Rune Magic Book - basic information about the Armanen Runes .
- The Rune Ceremonial Book - an introduction.

Because of their power, Runes or Rune-like symbols, have been part of religious systems in the past as well as they are in present times. Therefore Runes cannot be considered to be the "proprietary system" of any specific religious creed, even if they were or are an important part of such a creed. Keep in mind that THE BASIC TECHNOLOGIES OF RUNE MAGIC ARE INDEPENDENT FROM ANY RELIGIOUS BELIEF STRUCTURE. TRUE RUNE MASTERS encourage incorporation of Runic practice in any religious system, provided that its teachings and actions encompass tolerance and love. We know that RUNES ARE FOR EVERY INTELLIGENT BEING IN THE UNIVERSE! The Eighteen Sacred Futhork Runes are a symbolism that represents universal cosmic structures.

Download Karl Hans Welz's eBook: Armanen Runes

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Practical Candleburning Rituals Spells And Rituals For Every Purpose

Practical Candleburning Rituals Spells And Rituals For Every Purpose Cover

Book: Practical Candleburning Rituals Spells And Rituals For Every Purpose by Raymond Buckland

This trusted guidebook by popular author Raymond Buckland has introduced candle magick to more than 300,000 readers. From winning love to conquering fear, obtaining money to improving relationships, Practical Candleburning rituals is filled with simple candle rites that get real results.

Newly updated and re-organized, this edition includes thirty-seven rituals-adapted for Christians and Pagans-that can be performed at home with readily available materials. No prior magickal knowledge is necessary. Diagrams and simple instructions make this candle magick primer an ideal practical guide for beginners.

Ray Buckland has been actively involved in the occult for over fifty years and was responsible for introducing Gardnerian Wicca to the United States. He has written over two dozen books; has had numerous Articles published in magazines and newspapers; has appeared on many TV shows; and has worked as a technical advisor on movies and stage productions. I am very lucky to know Ray, and the metaphysical world should be thankful that he shares his learning with us.

Practical Candleburning Rituals is one of his most popular books, and rightly so. Hundreds of thousands of people use it as a guide to simple, practical, powerful, and usable magic on a daily basis. There are three reasons you should use this book, too.

First, if you have never done any sort of magic before, this book is an ideal introduction to the subject from a practical point of view.
Second, although many people are involved in Pagan religions, many others are involved in Christianity. Most of the rituals in this book are presented in two ways, one for Pagans and one for Christians. This book can really be used by just about anyone.

Third, by practicing the techniques in this book, you'll learn the underpinnings of magic. In no time you'll be able to come up with your own rituals based on the ones listed.
When you can design your own rituals, and be successful with them, you will truly be a magician. And the place to start is with this book.

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Your Ancestors Matter

Your Ancestors Matter Cover We Asatruar acknowledge our link to the clan, the family line of which we are a part. This article is intended to facilitate just such a remembrance. It is adapted from a new brochure available from the AFA - one of a series designed to make the central elements of Asatru more accessible to ordinary men and women.

There is a widespread belief in the modern Western world that Ancestors don't matter very much. This is particularly true of the Ancestors of European-Americans; among some writers and academics, "dead White male" is synonymous with irrelevance.

Luckily for us (and for the generations to come), a healthy interest in genealogy and family history defies this rootless, alienated worldview. Why do we care about our ancestors in a world that values self-satisfaction above all else? What does the deeper wisdom of our soul say about this? And just what is our relationship to those who have gone before us? Why does it all matter?

Native cultures in every part of the world revere their forebears. The American Indians, the Australian natives, African tribes, Asian peoples - all give special place to their kin who preceded them. Only in so-called modern societies, those most locked into the pursuit of material things and most distanced from the world of nature, have we forgotten the importance of the ancestral connection.

By ancient tradition, the barrier between the dead and the living is thinner at certain times of the year: Yule is one of these occasions, and the old Celtic festival of Samhain (popularly known as Halloween) is another. At these times, watch your dreams, and listen with your inner ear for the whispers of those of your line who have gone before.

There is much to be gained from the ancestors, and we have barely touched the possibilities in this short essay. Of course, they gave us the greatest gift of all, life itself - for if that golden chain of generations had been broken at any point, we would not be here! But we have our responsibilities, too. Above all, the family honor must be kept intact and the ancestors themselves must be given the high status they deserve. Obviously, we should do all we can to ensure that we have healthy children to continue the line into the future.

Once we understand the bond extending down the generations, we know that we can never truly be without family. Always there are the unseen ones, affecting events and reminding us that we are a part of a great stream of lives, seeking ever to express who and what we are.

Honoring the ancestors (who are, after all, us as we were before) is one of the three key principles to the European soul. The other ones are, respectively, the living of a life of courage and truth, and the right relationship with the Mighty Powers themselves.

The spiritual wisdom of the bold and free European tribes did not die out. It was suppressed - but it cannot be hidden forever, for it exists within us, the people who share this noble heritage!

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