Gangleri – bookreviews

I stumbled upon this nice little book by Rodrigues which opens with an introduction into Anglo-Saxon literature and then information about the texts featured. The texts themselves are printed in the original language on the left pages and translated on the right. As the title suggests the book contains heroic legends, such as of course Beowulf, but also the Finnesburg fragment, Wolf And Eadwacer, Widsith, Waldere and Deor, complete or a fragment. Some of the “maxims” or “gnomic verses” are printed (from the collections “Maxims I” and “Maxims II”) and a all twelve “metrical charms” (think about “The Nine Herbs Charm”, “Against A Dwarf” or “Against A Wen”). Personally I find the maxims and charms a lot more interesting than the heroic legends, but in both cases it is nice to be able to see the original texts next to a translation. It seems that Rodrigues published more of these little books, as there is a a lot more Anglo-Saxon material available, so I might go and look for these other booklets too. A tip for when you are interested in this one: look around a bit before ordering it. I am sure I did not pay the $ 45,- that Amazon.com has this book listed for. Amazon UK has it for £ 8,-, that is more like it. Other antiquarian websites have it for about € 12,-.
2003 Harry Ransom Humanities Research Center, isbn 1898281017

With some delay the midsummer edition of “Wende” is available. Articles this time include a practical guide for modern heathens in a concrete surrounding; an article about animal and human sacrifice; an interview with Aat van Gilst; a text about dualism; some misconceptions about modern heathenry; the South-African game of Jukskei and shorter writings. As always a nice “Odalistic” read. Click on the cover to go the the Hagal website… continue reading Wende 7

Raymond Page is a famous rune-scholar from the UK. He wrote several books on the subject and lectured at Cambridge University. This book was first published in 1973, but heavily updated in 1999. The second edition had a reprint in 2006. I bought this book for two reasons. First I want to read more about non-Scandinavian heathenry and second I need to read more about runes. In about 250 pages… continue reading An Introduction To English Runes * Raymond Ian Page (1973/1999)

There are reasons to say that this is a book I should better not read/review and to say that I should. “The pagan revival and white separatism” is the subtitle and I would not want to raise the suggestion that these two have anything incommon. On the other hand it might be helpfull to know what certain people think and (ab)use so I know what to stay away from. But… continue reading Gods Of The Blood * Mattias Gardell (2003)

Frigga Asraaf (1960) has been involved in the ‘Dutch pagan scene’ (and abroad) for many years. She is involved in other circles than myself, so I do not know her, nor did I consciously hear of her before this book was published. The full title Asatru, een naslagwerk (‘Asatru, a reference book’) is quite pretentious. The book concerns a printing-on-demand and is quite expensive. Since there are close to none… continue reading Asatru * Frigga Asraaf (2009)

“The Heathens. Rites, cults and religion in the Low Countries. From primeval times to Christianity.” The title and the cover of this Flemish book are quite pretentious. A history of paganism starting in times immemorial. Actually, and of course, the book is mostly about religion and not necessarily of what nowadays usually receives the term “heathenism”. Janssens indeed starts in primeval times. The first 100 pages are about prehistory, Great… continue reading De Heidenen * Ugo Janssens (2009)

The sixth volume of the Flemish “Odalist” group Werkgroep Hagal (click on cover) periodical contains about 80 pages and 17 articles (including poems and songs) with a variety of subjects. From the always interesting “etnobotanical corner” to an article about blood and “Alvermannen” to the tower as bridge between our world and the world above, an article against the use of drugs and a critical article about living in a… continue reading Wende 6

The Flemish Asatrú group Werkgroep Traditie just spread its 3rd electronic newsletter that comes in place of the quarterly publication. It is written in Dutch, contains a few lengthy articles and can be read here… continue reading Traditie electronic newsletter 3

In 2009 Nederlands Heidendom” (“Dutch Heathenry”) has been around for 9 years, an anniversary to celebrate. This 2009 “yearbook” is already the 7th and is for a large part dedicated to the anniversary. “Boppo Grimmsma” who is not one of the founders, but an early member who more or less acts as chairman, gives a story of the 9 year history and tells how a small group became mostly a… continue reading Heidens Jaarboek 2009

So I decided to look for non-Scandinavian sources about the prechristian faith, since I want to learn more about the faith of the region that I live in. There appears to be quite some books about Anglo-Saxon heathenry and this book has a very promising title. The book is of 1957 and is not particularly good. There is quite a bit of information about place-names in England, quotes from Anglo-Saxon… continue reading The Lost Gods Of England * Brian Branston (1957)