Northern Magic: Rune Mysteries and Shamanism (Llewellyn's World Religion & Magick)

Hail, and a toast to Edred and Llewellyn for a very fine & quality publication! I am so glad this book has been reprinted. A few remarks:Both Llewellyn & Edred Thorsson have renowned reputations that may appear to make for a more-or-less incongruent and unsuitable partnership.Edred Thorsson/Dr. Stephen Flowers is well-known for his highly scholarly, detailed writing style. He does not spoon-feed his readers, but rather encourages thought, investigation and action - reflective of his life in academia, a full (Ph.D) Professor with outstanding credentials - not to pass by his life experience & active engagement in the Arts Magical (he is no 'arm-chair' magician, and a browse through the Rune Gild, as well as Lodestar websites will spark a great deal of investigation in the curious reader).Conversely, Llewellyn isn't necessarily known for publishing 'heavier' academic material, but targets their publications to the gentler reader.These remarks are not at all to suggest that Thorsson is usually 'far too intellectual & thus, dry & boring,' while Llewellyn is 'fuzzy-bunny-beginner101-pop-publications,' but such generalizations would be an accurate consensus among some folks. I don't agree, however.In any event and to the point, this specific publication strikes an excellent balance which should serve to delight and enchant many readers from all corners of the occult niche genre. Thorsson's style here is comfortable and easy, but also engaging and captivating - perhaps his tone is just more conversational, and the brilliance of Aquino's Setian framework of Objective and Subjective Universes is utilized, which is always a treat to fascinate the intellect and spark the imagination & wonder of our very Being.Northern Magic is a series of lessons and magical adventures into the Viking-Era: some of the mysteries of the lesser-known, Younger (or 'Viking') Futhark are revealed (alone, I feel these chapters are worth the price of the book). Thorsson explores and refreshes the Lore, God and Goddesses, the Troth, and many other fascinating topics, each of which could easily be expanded into separate, stand-alone volumes. But the book is by no means a cursory glance, or 'teaser' of these highly engaging topics of interest - rather, he affords his audience with just the right amount of detail, variety, and operative methods by which the budding Shaman or Vitki can jump right and set to work. Rune magic, Seidh, Icelandic Galdor-Staves, Dutch hexology - it's all here and is a great starting point for anyone who hasn't explored Thorsson, and is a shining gem among the other fine publications by Llewellyn.

So far, this is my favorite book on this subject.

This was an interesting book for me, because I have just started exploring the myths and magico-religious practices of the Germanic peoples prior to their conversion to Christianity. Having read his other books on Runes, I found the small bit he included in this book a help in fleshing out some of the actual physical process of creating Runes.One of the first things I check, in a book like this, is if it has a bibliography and whether the biblio contains scholarly works as reference. Happily for me, it does. Whenever a author makes a claim, I like them to be able to back it up... bibliographies and endnotes (or footnotes) go a long way to making me take a book more seriously.

Well written and thought provoking. I will surely be going back to this book again and again

As others have pointed out, it's a quick introduction without a lot of depth. Having read several of Flowers' other books years ago, I was surprised by the switch to the Younger Futhark. I did find the treatment of hex signs interesting if brief.

Wonderful source of information and perspective it's helped in my practices

Eldred and Galina have a way of saying things that cannot be denied, unless just stupid ~grins~ I have been using magik since the 70's and found this book rather refreshing from the normal over structured BS norms that people try to pass off as Magik or Wizardry ~cackles~, this book will not lead you the wrong way, it will comfort you and give you affirmations to what you already knew as a child, and what you should know now :)

I recieved the second edition ninth printing 2013. Historical info about the runes and its mysteries. It covers areas from Pennsylvania duth to Scandanavia and Iceland. Very revealing.

Great read, with plenty of good information about norse mythology. Great book for someone who is just beginning their journey.

Admito que me chateia quando vejo alguns livros ensinando sobre "runas vikings" e na realidade estão falando do Elder Futhark (ou seja, um alfabeto rúnico que já não era mais usado na era viking!). Esse é diferente pois as runas são realmente "vikings", já que se trata do younger futhark. Além disso, a parte dos hex-signs é sensacional. Poucos teuto-descendentes no Brasil ou nos EUA imaginam que essas lindas pinturas circulares podem ter origens pagãs. Depois de ler esse livro, pintei um bocado desses hex-signs e outros símbolos. Definitivamente coloquei muito do que foi ensinado em prática, com sucesso!

Definitivamente Edred Thorsson,(dada su experiencia global en la cultura del norte de Europa y su trayectoria en la magia) el autor de este y varios libros más, es la más alta autoridad en el sistema mágico nórdico (norte de Europa), sus libros tienen mensajes profundos, conocimiento preciso y mucha información que puede leerse "entre líneas", por lo que sus publicaciones merecen cuidadoso estudio. Este es un extraordinario libro que debe el lector complementarlo con la lectura del resto de los libros del autor.

Sehr Lehrreich!

The book revealed many Runic magic mysteries to me, but it's not very well-organized and not very deep. A good read if you want to explore the magic system.