Review: Devotional Polytheism: An Introduction, By Galina Krasskova (Independent, 2014, 210 pages)
Often when picking up a book that calls itself an introduction, I expect to find pages that skim the surface and give a smattering of very basic information. In her book, Devotional Polytheism: An Introduction, Galina Krasskova does something different. She provides a deep focus and reflection on the foundations of devotional practice or, at least, of her practice. As she writes, “…part of developing a devotional practice is figuring out what works best for you and then putting it into productive practice.”
Krasskova is a Heathen (Norse polytheist) and priest of Odin and Loki. Over the past 20 years, she has received multiple ordinations and degrees in religious studies. She is well-known in Heathen circles not only for her years of experience, but also for her contributions as a blogger, author, editor, and teacher. Krasskova brings her years of teaching and devotion to her newest book in order to introduce seekers to the art and practice of devotional polytheism.
Rather than spending multiple chapters defining various forms of polytheism or dwelling on lengthy theological dissertations, Krasskova states very early on that everyone’s experience with the Gods is different and, as with any other aspect of life, experiences can alter our approach. As such, she repeatedly encourages the reader to find a way that works for them and says, “The only things that I have found to be universal are the need for respect and the benefit of consistency.”
Being someone who believes that there are many paths up the same mountain, I agreed with her position wholeheartedly. However, I also found myself confused, at times, when she referred to some practices and beliefs as being watered down “feel good pablum.” While a part of me understands what she is saying, I found some of these comments off-putting.
Despite that nuance, Krasskova’s book holds a wealth of wisdom and inspiration for anyone interested in developing a devotional practice. In this society where goldfish have better attention spans than mere humans, Krasskova provides concrete ideas and methods for creating a devotional practice to “maintain right relationship with the Holy powers” through “cultivation, time, and energy.” In what could be a hard sell for many people is her statement that the Gods are her greatest priority and that “nothing should be allowed to stand in the way of our devotion.” If a seeker does stick with her past that personal roadblock, Krasskova then tells us that devotional work is hard and can be terrifying.
Terrifying. Sounds awesome. Where do I sign up?
After this skilled management of reader expectations, Krasskova shares more about the primary (as I see it) benefit of devotional work: a personal connection with Deity. As a newcomer to Pagan or Heathen practice, it can be easy to become wrapped up in gathering information about Sabbats, ritual-writing, tool-consecrating, and so on, that actually developing a relationship with the Gods is overlooked. As a mentor to seekers and neophytes in the past, I have noticed this happen in the rush to prepare for exams. Students work hard to memorize the names of Goddesses and Gods, their myths and associated elements; but if you ask them about their experiences with those same deity, there is little to report.
The information presented in this book offers opportunity to fill in these gaps, in order to prepare the new student for a different level of spiritual connection. The ideas of devotions for the week and for the year are concepts that can be used to strengthen any practice of any tradition. If you can follow her suggestions to “make the choice every single day to put the human ephemera aside,” this could guide you in a transformative spiritual practice.
The book is composed of two distinct sections. The first is a discussion on the basics, including grounding and centering, altar and shrine work and rituals. The second part consists of rites, prayers and offerings that can be used in devotional work.
What is consistent throughout the book, and something that I found myself to be quite ambivalent about, is the author’s voice. Krasskova has a writing style that is informal, casual, and very colorful. For the most part, I enjoyed this aspect of the book. I felt connected to her, comfortable, willing to consider my vulnerabilities in response to her sharing her own. There were times that I startled my cat with sudden laughter. In fact, there were a couple of phrases that I enjoyed so much that I am certain they will flit through my mind (and perhaps out of my mouth) in the future.
However, there were moments when I felt disappointed in the informality of the writing. After some thought and consideration, I came to realize the reason. The book is about developing a relationship with the Gods, as such I expected a more formal writing style. Respect is something that is fundamental in the development of a meaningful relationship with the Gods. And I associate formal writing and speaking with that type of respect. Therefore, when picking up this book, I had some expectations, valid or not, about the level of formality and seriousness in the book’s written presentation.
Regardless, the language did not ultimately detract from experiencing Krasskova’s message. There are many gems in this book that are invaluable regardless of a person’s path or tradition. The book contains important discussions about shielding, cleansing, overcoming obstacles, and meaningful relationships with the Gods, all of which can be used by anyone. Her warning about potential spiritual trauma is another example of an excellent discussion, specifically for seekers approaching initiation. Even if the exact rituals and prayers do not fit with your specific path, the book offers they keys to developing a spiritual practice that leads to deeper connections.
There are elements of the book that I did not find particularly useful, simply because my path and focus differ from the author. For those readers not familiar with Heathenry, you may have to look up some words if you intend to follow the conversation. It’s another world of vocabulary. However, that shouldn’t discourage anyone from reading it. These places of disagreement and learning are great beginnings for further discussion and personal spiritual exploration.
* * *
Devotional Polytheism: An Introduction, as well as numerous other publications by the author, can be found through Createspace.com and Amazon.com. More thoughts and writings from Galina Krasskova can be found on her blog Gangleri’s Grove, and on her radio podcast, Wyrd Ways Live on Blog Talk Radio.
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Yes, she is well known in the Heathen community… As someone who is not heathen and whose “teachings” should be avoided at all costs.
Because she’s starkly anti-racist, yeah…
Or because of other, valid reasons mayhaps?
Except that an overwhelming majority of those “valid reasons” are unsubstantiated rumors that stem from personal vendettas, at least 75% of which I’m aware of come from one person now blogging on a popular pagan blog site.
I wasn’t aware of that. By hell, we have witch-wars, so why not Vikti-wars ?
Her stance on racism has little to do with why she is controversial. Many of those who are disturbed by her approach to religion are serious anti-racists themselves.
Ms. Krasskova frequently espouses a form of Heathenry in which devotion to the Gods is more important than one’s relationship to the living human beings in their community. (As an example, see the quote from her posted by Dantes below). It’s fine if this is a form of religious engagement that works for her, and it’s fine if this form of religious engagement works for other people inspired by her work.
However, there is no evidence that this was actually the case for historical Heathen communities. It is actually considerably easier to argue that ancestors, wights, and one’s living human community received a greater focus than devotion to deities.
Now there is nothing wrong with Ms. Krasskova promoting a modern form of Heathenry in which devotion to the Gods is preeminent. What I and many other Heathens have a problem with is when she promotes this type of Heathenry as something that is consistent with the worldview of historical Heathen communities. This is simply inaccurate.
If I were to assert that historical practitioners of Hellenic religious traditions viewed the Gods as “aspects” of a monotheistic deity, that would be inaccurate. A modern person could well create a meaningful spiritual practice based on that assumption, but if I were to assert a leadership role within the modern Hellenic community, than it is incumbent on me to clearly articulate the differences between what was done historically, and what ideas I have personally found to be useful innovations.
Ms. Krasskova does not make such distinctions, and she makes frequent inaccurate claims that a preeminent devotion to deities is actually representative of historical Heathenry.
Heathens have every right to call somebody out on a wilful misinterpretation of their religious traditions, just as a Hellenic polytheist has the right to criticize someone if they assert that historical Hellenic religion was “actually” monotheistic.
Asserting that the many, many Heathens who disagree with Ms. Krasskova’s ideas about historical Heathen traditions are doing so because she is “starkly anti-racist” is simply disingenuous.
“Slow Clap”
“Ms. Krasskova frequently espouses a form of Heathenry in which devotion to the Gods is more important than one’s relationship to the living human beings in their community.”
And what’s wrong with that?
Especially given the fact that these self styled ‘Heathens’ are a bunch of racists and/or racist apologists, are almost indistinguishable from Christians in their social outlook and behavior, as well as only seeming to be interested in LARP of ancient Germanic/Norse cultures, adopting their trappings and pretending it’s still 915 or whatever instead of 2015.
These assclowns cannot grasp them simple fact that these cultures which they slavishly try to emulate, completely and absolutely failed as well committed the wholesale surrender of their deities in favor of Christianity. These cultures are the losers of history. The only thing worse than a loser, is someone, a bigger and more complete loser, who goes out and emulates them with the expectation that there will be a different result. The definition of insanity is repeating the same failure over and over again, expecting a different result.
Reconstruction is not emulating the things that didn’t work, crossing ones finger an hoping they’ll work this time. Reconstruction is creating a new paradigm that restores the worship of the old gods in a manner that’s effective and meaningful for the twenty first century. A bunch of assclowns running around in costume does none of that.
Devotion to the gods over this bunch of assclowns in costume is laudable and to be admired.
These cultures are the losers of history.
You are so right. Everyone should be christian, muslim or gtfo !
On this much, we can agree, but the fact that we’re speaking English and not Italian suggests that the Germanic people you speak of were not complete “losers of history”
Also, how do we know that those were “things that did not work” ? It didn’t work against powerful christian empires that’s for sure but does that mean that it was all spiritually invalid thereof?
And the many lies a certain person spread about her and Cauldron Farm…
Don’t play games. Use names or don’t say anything at all.
It isn’t a game – I don’t consider Nornoriel Lokason’s attacks upon Cauldron Farm, as well as Krasskova, and the people involved, which put everyone there in danger, a game. Then again, most Heathens seem entirely unaware of where the rumors came from, instead just preferring any excuse to toss Krasskova under the bus.
Which really says a lot, I’d say. I like her on a personal level, but I wouldn’t say she’s above criticism (no mortal really is), but when you consider that she gets tonnes more criticisms from het, white, cis men I’ve seen say the exact same things, sometimes even with harsher words and with neither the implied nor explicit couching of it being their own personal feels that Krasskova pretty consistently uses, and yet it gets a pass from them, while all the criticisms are heaped on her.
Considering that the person in question is a serial abuser, some people just don’t have the time, patience, or spoons to name she/he/them/wwhatever – they’re -calling -themself-this-week.
Eta: plus – which name? I know if at least six that they’ve gone by.
Isn’t it kinda mean to attack a (mentally) disabled transgender person?
In this case, no. For starters, their mental illness list changes a bit with every new persona, and just cos this persona “trans” doesn’t mean that the next one will be.
Eta: furthermore, as a real trans person with real mental health issues that have never changed, there’s a point where even the mentally ill have to take personal responsibility for the things they’ve done, which Siggy/Ana/Nornoriel/wwhatever iis really lax to do, and has a habit of deleting entire blogs to avoid having to do So.
What is Cauldron farm?
You *could* use a search engine. Word on the street is that you have Internet access.
Well, I did, and I still don’t get how or why Kraskova and this community are mentioned together.
http://www.ravenkaldera.org/rumors/
Wow… this article is grossly one sided and ignores all of the valid issues heathens have with Krasskova. Anyone bother to investigate the abuse she’s been accused of over the years? Or her advocacy for the worship of unhael beings?
You do understand that a book review is something that is done focusing on a single book’s contents, right? In that it focuses on the subject of the book alone?
The background of an author is perfectly germane when deciding whether to buy a given book. It colors the author’s perceptions, and necessarily informs how they approach their subject.
Someone who thinks it’s perfectly fine to worship Jotuns known to be opposed to the interests of the gods and humanity, or engages in sado-masochistic “ordeals” as part of ritual, is going to come at a subject from a different angle from someone who does not, for instance.
Exactly
I personally don’t buy the villainization of the Jötnar but I have heard many rather disturbing rumors about her. While a book review might indeed not be the best place to address those issues, giving some more background information might not have been superfluous.
It’s pretty hard to argue the villainization of Surtr.
Individual Jötnar can be very noxious for sure, but not as a whole I would say (cf. Ægir, Skaði + many others). But, just out of curiosity, has she actually been promoting Surtr worship?
She does sponsor an online shrine to Surtr. That seems to fall under the definiton of “promoting Surtr worship”. http://www.northernpaganism.org/shrines/surt/welcome.html
This online shrine of Surtr sends shivers down my spine…What incredible threat this collection of digits and pixel pose to the Gods !
Be as sarcastic as you like, but you asked, and I found that in about 3 minutes. You didn’t specify that it had to be non-digital. Would it being in a book make it worse?
I meant no offense, and I thank you for informing about it. I just find online shrines to be kinda odd creations.
Ritual ordeals are a valid practises that exist across nearly every culture, ancient and still-existing, and in and of itself is not enough to discredit an author with. If you want to allege that it has little or no historical basis in Heathenry, you’re going to have to back that up, but the simple fact that she’s engaged in ordeal work is not a valid criticism.
If you’ll read my comment, it was not a criticism of Galina’s practices. It was a defense of the idea that the background of an author, especially when that author holds unorthodox views, is relevant to a book review.
Perhaps in your zeal to rush to her defense, you only skimmed it.
No, I didn’t skim it, but ffs, it’s not relevant. You seemed to miss that point in your rush to pile on critique.
::shrug:: we disagree. Nothing’s going to stop your full-bore attempt to deflect criticism, even when there isn’t any, and nothing’s going to change my mind about Galina being a terrible influence on modern Heathenry. So best to leave it here.
(See the difference there? *That* was a criticism of Galina. My original comment was a criticism of a comment about what is and is not relevant to a book review. That’s how this works.)
The alleged unorthodoxy of her practises still isn’t relevant:
http://www.nizkor.org/features/fallacies/poisoning-the-well.html
I have. Most of those claims of “abuse” come from a person whO is themself a known serial abuser, a charlatan, and one with a serious inability to accept reality, a long list of pseudonyms, and considetable mental health issues that have gone untreated for years.
Because that doesn’t sound like a Scientology-style attempt to discredit a critic at all. Nosiree.
You’re cute. Especially as Galina shares absolutely nothing in common with Elronn, other than having written some books.
Hey, next time I see someone talking crap about Storm Constantine for no reason, I should hold back and remember that some nozzle on The Wild Hunt’s comments page said doing so *is just like Scientology!*
I’m pretty sure I know the individual you are referring to and they are hardly the only source of these accusations. I’ve read enough first person accounts of ordeals at CF pm to turn my stomach. I have no issues with BDSM but I do have issues when there are religious overtones to it. Especially in a group that encourages ‘group confirmed’ gnosis and speaking directly for gods. There are serious consent worries I have surrounding GKs work over the years.
On top of that is the ancillary anecdotes of worse behavior and history.
I think my biggest issue is the lack of balance to the review. If the reviewer had stated GK was controversial in the heathen community I’d have agreed and refrained from answering. I just can’t fathom how someone could be unaware of what I’ve seen as the standard opinion of her.
It’s great that you have concerns, but when there is a historic precedent for ordeal rit (I know there certainly is in Hellenism, as that’s my own area of practise and study), your “concern” over the practise of ordeal rit (ostensibly as a whole) is kind of unfounded. It may not be to your personal tastes, it obviously is not your calling, but the fact that there are people who do it, and one of them happens to be the author of the book in question, has nothing to do with anything, and it’s just an attempt to poison the well, especially as it’s often an incredibly misunderstood and demonised practise (especially in the pagan community —at least among non-pagans, there are anthropologists who understand that it’s a thing that happens in polytheistic and/or animistic religions). And mind you, I don’t do ordeal work, myself, but I do have both an understanding of the precedent set for it, and great respect for it as a devotional practise.
And much of that *which has actually happened, and is not just the figment of wild imaginations* are things than several *men* have said many times before, but gets a pass, cos I guess that the Almighty Penis is some kind of God Antenna that makes their same “bad behaviour” somehow acceptable cos a cisgender man said it, and not one of those uppity feminists!
That’s not the purpose of a book review. A book review is opinion — sure, some reviewers bring up relevant facts in their reviews, but the nature of a review is generally subjective. It’s not news. “Balance” of the facts and/or opinions of others are not necessary.
Oh, please forgive me for being sceptical. IANAH, but I get the impression that, in some Heathen circles, a person can just make a forum post consisting of “Galina Krasskova” with “Galina Krasskova” as the title, and it can start shit-fits.
That “standard opinion” will vary from social circle to social circle, and maybe Ms Roling *is* aware of Krasskova’s controversial standing amongst Heathens, but didn’t think it was worth mentioning? Why do you care so much, especially as this isn’t a book written strictly about-and-for Heathens?
I’ll give you the historicity of ordeals. I however will disagree with your attempt to invalidate my opinion on the matter by assumption of the reasoning for that opinion. My mention of it was in attempt to continue expressing my concerns over not looking at GK’s history holistically. Her ordeals are not simply creating the space for ordeal to occur, which is something I can see validity in. However, there appears to be a system of systematic abuse and control as well as ordeals, which makes me wonder about (and there are first-hand accusations of) implicit coercion and pressure to undertake ordeals.
I think this is useful to be aware of with GK, as her work doesn’t always reference this things. However, she has a history of attempting to mainstream behavior and activities to further her own goals. That is what it is, I think it simply needs to be known.
“And much of that *which has actually happened, and is not just the figment of wild imaginations* are things than several *men* have said many times before, but gets a pass, cos I guess that the Almighty Penis is some kind of God Antenna that makes their same “bad behaviour” somehow acceptable cos a cisgender man said it, and not one of those uppity feminists!”
I’m unsure of what or how to approach this, as it appears to come out of nowhere. I am a feminist, and I’m more than comfortable calling out male behavior that is harmful to others. Or, are you saying I’m attempting somehow to mansplain? This is not my intent, nor do I know how my voicing an opinion would be taken as such in this case.
Ms. Roling referenced GK, “Krasskova is a Heathen (Norse polytheist) and priest of Odin and Loki.” “She is well-known in Heathen circles not only for her years of experience, but also for her contributions as a blogger, author, editior, and teacher.”
My opinion is this misrepresents Krasskova’s actual reputation in Heathen circles. Well-known is vague, for sure, but she is not known for the above items in a positive way. She is infamous, rather than admired and I believe the text referenced above portrays the heathen communities in question incorrectly. Which is why I care, and why I actually moved onto my computer to type this response.
While that is certainly a reason to be concerned, 1) the only person I’ve known, personally, to have claimed such first-hand experience I later learned has a tenuous grip on reality, and 2) at risk of being accused of gaslighting, I’m going to point out that there is a difference between genuine coersion and simply having second thoughts after the fact. Sometimes people are coerced, but sometimes they simply make bad decisions. I don’t know who you’ve talked to, but I know who I have and I know for a fact that *at best* they can make a claim to the latter, but prefer to claim the former cos they’ve figured out how to milk people’s sympathies.
Without knowing exactly what it is that you’re speaking of, I think it’s possible that you may have read some of the same things I have and simply come to different conclusions. I’ve read several articles and passages where she’s simply lobbied for acceptance or tolerance of the things she practises — and in all honesty, who doesn’t want that?
So then you understand how loaded it is for someone identifying themself as male to criticise a woman without the suspicion of some sort of sexism at play, and I don’t need to explain it to you? Good. Glad to know.
It’s still entirely irrelevant to the subject at hand — which is a book written for broader appeal than the Heathen community, and Ms Roling was at no point obligated to to go into detail as to *why* or *how* Krasskova is “well-known” in Heathen circles. This is an opinion piece, not news journalism.
Sounds like we understand and disagree on your first three points and I’m comfortable to leave them at that, now that we know where each other is coming from. (I’ll apologize for a display of my professional privilege in our discussion here, on a daily basis I’m discussing identity, gender, as well as critiquing the viewpoints and articles of all manner of individuals involved in that work. I admit to not considering the way my handle might affect the way you read my opinion.)
Your last point I’ll explain my disagreement a bit more. I think we are coming down on different sides of a larger journalistic ethics debate. It has become common for opinion pieces in media settings to not at least touch briefly on alternative opinion or matters that might color opinion. I find this a disturbing trend. I’d prefer a slightly more open system be used. (not that I’m any sort of arbiter, but at least hear my point of view out)
The line in question could have been written in a way that acknowledged the infamy of Krasskova. Why? Because doing so admits that alternative narratives exist. Admission of alternative narrative is something I think is essential to honesty and trying to find ‘truth’. It’s possible Ms. Roling is unaware of this view of Krasskova. However, I think it is relevant because her reputation is different in heathen circles than it is represented above. Can we agree to the counter-point being presented and amicably step away?
I’m also welcome to dialogue further points if you are interested as well.
you are certainly welcome to think that there’s some bygone journalistic standard to yearn for, but the simple truth is that opinions are help to entirely different standards from facts. There is no obligation to “balance out” an opinion piece with different –especially in a medium where a different opnion is easy enough to find.
It’s a book review. Never in my 34 years have I ever seen a critic or written review do anything more than give basic lip service to contrary opinions. I mean, would you seriously hold a film critic to discuss the contrary opinions of STAR WARS just to seem “balanced”? I can’t seriously think of anyone who would. It’s pretty ridiculous.
A book review isn’t a piece about “finding the truth” — it’s a presentation of some very basic objective facts about the piece in question, followed with subjective ideas on the quality. your instinsistence that a review be held to the same journalstic standard as a news item is pretty silly, to put it mildly. The obligations of a book review are entirely different.
If you really think that anyone who may not have heard of Galina Krasskova before this review would have a hard time finding out how controversial she can be amongst other Heathens, you clearly underestimate the Heathen community. Seriously. Pop her name into a search engine some time.
Well, when I write a review about some author, I always try to start by telling who the author is and and is his/her qualifications. Acknowledgingly, it’s kinda hard to do in a Heathen/Pagan context but I would argue it’s even more important.
For nonfiction, yeah, it makes sense to hold to that practice — which the reviewer did do.
On the comment section of her latest post on Polytheist.com, Galina Krasskova wrote those words:
I actually find quite a bit morally wrong with putting living humans above the Gods and ancestors
That’s when I started been afraid.
If this sort of espousal isn’t channeling Abraham, what is?
Exactly what I thought. The funny thing is that she’s the one always pestering about “Protestant mindset” to start with.
Look her up on YouTube, draw your own conclusions.
Until someone in the devotional community starts organising a Pagan jihad, this is slippery slope nonsense. Some people choose to live lives of devotion and put the Gods first; pretending this puts them on the same level as ISIS and that you should personally be afraid is silly.
Absolutely agreeD.
I will say, though, as someone who was at the Polytheist Leadership Conference in July 2014, someone *did* offer the word “jihad”, along with its etymology of “struggle”, and it wasn’t Galina.
I would be curious tom know who.
I don’t remember their name, but I do recall them being significantly taller and more penis – weilding Than Galina. I know that doesn’t narrow it down much, but I know for a fact that it wasn’t her. It was the first time I had met her and may have still afforded a few rumours the benefit of the doubt, and was kind of surprised to see someone else say that, and thought to myself “well, if someone is getting this on video, better for Galina ‘ s sake someone else said it” — but then again, I’m sure anyone truly dedicated to discrediting Galina will concoct some grand magical conspiracy theories about how she made this other person say her thoughts for her.
The context was the difference between polytheists and an amalgamation of “non-theistic” and “sscene ppagans” And the removal of the gods and worship of said from religious practice.
Good grief! More contentious discussion in the Pagan blogosphere. It’s challenging to stay engaged when everywhere I surf ppl are freaking out for one reason or another. Just saying…
Welcome to the Internet! Everything is ridiculous here.
I could really do without the rumor-mongering, including the rumor-mongering in the guise of rebuking rumor-mongering. Personal attacks based on rumor and innuendo in the comments sections of many Pagan blogs are not new, but seeing them going unchecked at The Wild Hunt concerns me very much. This blog usually holds commenters to a higher standard.
And this, my friends, is why we can’t have nice things…
yes and no. It is equally informative to know who is throwing shit around the place; it makes it easier to know who to avoid/ignore and that in itself is a handy public service.
I think there is a great danger that Heathens today are projecting their present day views onto the ancestors. There was no Pan Heathen religions where everyone did things, or viewed things the same way. We have found some evidence of Heathen Temples in some areas. That would suggest a much more formal view of the gods and the practices. In other areas there might not be a priest hood. Odin is considered the All Father but he did not always have that role. There were many other gods before and during the period often local gods not believed in by all, but important in certain areas.
The Sagas, that many base their view on were not considered holy books in the past and were only written down until after the Christianization by monks. We have no way of knowing if they were faithful to the way the stories were told by Pagans or if they may have changed the stories to better fit Christian times. We have no idea for instance how Loki was viewed by the ancients, but obviously the Christians saw him as a Satan like figure.
Did the Ancients have personal experience with the gods, we don’t really know. We do know there were a variety of magical systems in use, but many modern Heathens have a Christian like distrust for magic and personal experience of the Gods. So while there are any different claims and opinions today we cannot be certain if any of the relate to what the ancients thought or what changes would have happened if the Heathen religious remained in practice in an unbroken line to today. Yet some of the arguments going on in the Heathen community remind me orthodox/heretic arguments of the Christians.
As I said there is no hint of a pan Heathen religion in the past and I can assume that we will continue to see more splintering of the religions as time goes on as that is the history of all the religious from our past. Look already at the ever ongoing arguments in the Heathen community.
It is much the same in all the other Pagan/Heathen religions. I doubt that we would want to force a orthodoxy on anyone. Follow what seems to be the right path for yourself. Allow others the same right even if you disagree. Only the gods have the right to divide what pleases them. We are not the gods, nor do we speak in their name. We are far more ignorant of the gods than our ancient ancestors.
That is soundly said !
However, I find it strange that people like G.K. who are the first one to ignore written sources as a whole when it challenges their practice/vision cling on other passages and build entire ´religious movements´ out of it. What would G.K. know about Loki if it hadn’t be for a handful of medieval Icelandic christian authors/compilers? overall, I do still believe that it is possible to extract actual information regarding the Old Religion from posterior Medieval Icelandic Literature, it just demands lots of learning, lots of research and lots of criticism, something G.K. hasn’t done as far as I am aware.
Anybody want to actually talk about the book?
I found it quite good, although if a beginner picked it up with little experience and context it could be overwhelming. Still, if you feel the call of the Gods and you’re looking for a guide to building a practice centered on Them, it’s an excellent resource.
Thats something that I find to be quite common with a number of her ‘work related’ pieces, they tend to go quite hevily for the total immersion approach. I personally enjoy that and find it invigorating, but it does have the side effect of occasionally turning others off from her.
The “total immersion” approach works for some, but I also see why it would turn some people off.
Edit: Somehow deleted my original comment when I was aiming for ‘edit’
Approximate original: Thats something I have found is qute common across all of her ‘work related’ pieces. She tends to go quite heavily for the total immersion approach and while that works for me, its not something that everyone is comfortable with. Its kind of like languages, some people prefer a very measured, careful step by step method while others like to dive in to the deep end and move to the country of the language they want to learn.
I think that the core issue is that heathens, especially recon heathens, have more issues with non recons representing their beliefs. I have not read the book so i cannot comment on it. If it is just a guide book on Devotional Polytheism great. She has written books claiming to be guides to Heathen reconstruction and Teaching UPG is something that i wholeheartedly disagree with. It is Personal Gnosis after all.
if she is saying that the UPG is just that rather than simply throwing it in with everything else then you cant really argue with that; after all, recon ends in whichever century and we are living over a millennia later. We really should think about using recon as a starting place but looking to turn our beliefs into living traditions rather than trying to live in a fossilised state.
Agreed, but we cannot start innovating before actually understanding what’s left of the the Old lore. Sadly, most Heathens only have a very limited grasp on the subject and I don’t want those people to start innovating quite just yet.
Understandable, but surely you cant limit who is innovating. In my experience its the people who known the lore inside out and know it best who are able to begin asking the questions beyond the scope of the lore and see where it’s limits are, hence they are the innovators.
The group I am involved in use ‘reconnectionism’ because we HAVE to move beyond a world that died over 1000 years ago. The world of the lore is not the world of today. My biggest beef with certain strains of Christianity is an inability to move past a morality system that probably worked 3000 years ago for goat-herders in the middle east, It simply isn’t gelling with the world today, the world has and will continue to move on.
An understanding of the Gods of the lore/past is great but how they interact with me today is based on interactions I have now in a modern world, not in an Iron Age context.
It is just a broad polytheist appeal book for those on a devotional path. It is not Heathen specific.