The Newb Speaks....Help! I'm New to the Northern Ways

[Searching_Soul2586]

Hail Friends!

I've been on my way to find a path to travel on and alas, I have begun to study as much as I can on the Heathen Ways. I've checked out as many books on Norse Mythology and other related pieces yet I'm still troubled as where to start.

So, are there any excellant books to recommend me?

Is there anyone here around or close to Cincinnati OH? If so, I'd like to know, I'm always up to meet new people with new ideas to share.

Any bit of guidence would be much appreciated!

Thanks!

[Skadi]

The Prose Edda is probably the best place to start. It is easier to follow along with than the Poetic Edda. Just keep in mind that Snorri Sturluson was Christian, so he tends to misrepresent various things. (I.e. Painting Hel as being like the Christian Hell...) However, it is a good basis, and an important book!

The Poetic Edda (Try for Bellows translation, I find he is usually the closest to translating concisely without ruining the poetic value.)

Then start reading the Sagas. They are an excellent way to be entertained and learn much about the way the Northern Europeans lived.

The Vinland Saga
Njals Saga
Egils Saga
Heimskringla
Grettir's Saga
Saga of the Jomsvikings
Saga of the Volsungs

Another great set of books is the Viking trilogy by Tim Severin. He is a historical writer, and in these books he delved a bit into fiction. It provides a good read, and some great insight into the culture of the times.

Another great historical reference is Germania by Tacitus. It is some pretty heavy stuff and extremely biased, but at the same time, it is probably the best historical account of the Germanic peoples.

Beowulf is a good read as well.

I hope this helps you out?

[Gyda]

http://www.asatru-u.org/

is also a decent website to take a look at.

Gyda

[Hærfest Leah]

Here's my personal book list which 98% of it is recommended Heathen reading.

http://heathenwv.blogspot.com/2006/07/my-heathen-books.html

[happyheathenmom]

Hail!

I'd also like to recommend looking up a user on youtube: vinterulf, aka Mike Smith... he hasn't posted any new videos for a while, but the ones he does have up are really awesome. I also noticed recently that Stephen McNallen has a video up. A search for Asatru will also bring up these videos on youtube. If you have a fast connection, they are all worth watching. I've also been rather busy myself on youtube, making videos and such, not all of them about Asatru, but eh.. if you're bored...*wink*

If you want to look up my channel, my user name is heathenmomma on youtube.

Another decent book I recently read is "Essential Asatru" by Diana Paxson, and "Exploring the Northern Tradition" by G. Krasskova isn't bad either, but she does tend to get a little Wiccatru in the rituals section, but all in all, not a bad book.
One book I do NOT recommend is Ed Fitch's Rites of Odin, which if purchased, should only be used to kindle fires, and not read by any means. ;)

HHmom