Reddit mentions of A Practical Heathen's Guide to Asatru

I second The Longship.

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Asatru is a type of Heathenry. Heathenry is an umbrella term for religions, philosophies, piety, lifestyles that are based in Germanic Paganism and/or Germanic Pagan culture.

A good place to start is reading books.

Here are the ones I recommend:

A Beginner's book: https://www.amazon.com/Practical-Heathens-Guide-Asatru/dp/0738733873/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1542673929&sr=8-1&keywords=heathenry

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And the Poetic Edda translated by Jackson Crawford: https://www.amazon.com/Poetic-Edda-Stories-Hackett-Classics/dp/1624663567/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1542673980&sr=8-1&keywords=jackson+crawford

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Also, for some spiritual music to meditate to, I recommend starting with

Wardruna: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3fnPwj1AMpo

And this song by Heilung: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xqdk34f210w

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Ancestors are very important to Heathenry, so I would meditate on some of your ancestors that have passed on, if you don't already.

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Connect with the energies of your local land and woods. Some Heathens think these energies are literal beings called Land Wights. Some see them a bit more fluid and amorphous but still relational energies tied to the local land.

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I also recommend learning a bit about the three major ritual forms: Blots, Sumbels, and Fainings.

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At least, these are the places I would begin.

• 1 Let them. Tell them that you disagree, and that that is fine.
  
  
• 2 What has this got to do with heathenry?
  
  
• 3 Many like to offer mead. I brew mine myself.
  
  
  I would recommend checking out the reading list. Especially A Practical Heathen's Guide to Asatru and Culture of the Teutons.
  
  
  

Indigenous polytheism is typically a-doctrinal, and pretty much any reconstructionist or recon-derived religious body is going to be likewise. So there is no one book about "Nordic beliefs", nor any central text that will let you practice as a "Norse Pagan". If you really want to read about the mythology, you can't go wrong with the Eddas and Sagas, and you can choose a translation of your liking for that one. But, it cannot be understated, that mythology is not religion, and if you're interested in approaching Norse Paganism (Heathenry or its derivatives) seriously, you'll need to look into more of the contemporary practice. A book like this one is a good place to start.

If not and you're just interested in the mythology, then /r/Norse is thataway.

My advice? Do whatever feels right to you. Many modern heathen organizations have developed new rites and ceremonies, such as the profession ritual you've been reading about. I don't think it's based on anything historical, and it just rubs me the wrong way because it strikes me as a holdover from the religion of the White Christ. On the other hand, heathenry is not the religion you were born into, so it may seem entirely appropriate to have a profession ritual. Additionally, we shouldn't feel bad about practicing our religion differently than how our ancient ancestors practiced it, since religions evolve over time. We couldn't even practice it their way if we wanted to, given the huge gap of information we have.

As far as a good place to start, I hear a lot of good things about this book:

http://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/0738733873/ref=gno_cart_title_0?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER

As far as texts, a good beginners book is A Practical Heathens Guide to Asatru by Patricia M. Lafayllve. Not perfect, but one of the better starter texts I've seen.

I'm not big, myself, on regular prayer. I stick to blots on the important days, and individual sacrifices where I feel they are needed. To my brand of heathenry to gods don't need us bothering them all the damned time.

Yes. I became interested in Viking culture not long before I heard of the show, but the show has definitely helped keep my curiosity going. My interest in Norse history goes like this:

• Interest spiked after realizing Immigrant Song by Led Zepplin is about Vikings (around mid 2012-ish)
  
  
• Started looking into the culture, discovered Wardruna
  
  
• Bought a book about runes, the myths, etc
  
  
• Vikings comes out on History channel (I remember thinking, "Man, Wardruna should do music for this show!" And then mfw)
  
  
• Recently started looking into Asatru and stuff that is still going on in this age that can be tied to Vikings
  
  My interest in the Vikings isn't necessarily about the specific dates, locations, etc. It's more about the lifestyle, the myths, the attitude they had. And Vikings does a great job, IMO, of keeping that interest going. It's inspiring me to get in touch with nature again, learn how to do things I've never done, etc. Plus it's entertaining!
  
  EDIT: Here's the two books I've bought (so far) regarding Viking history. You'll note that they're basically children's books. The first one deals with the myths on a children's story level, the second has more in depth analysis on the myths, but without the pictures. I think simply reading about the things the Vikings may have lived by is better than just learning what date Bjorn raided "whatever-land". Anyways, here's the two books I have:
  
  Book of Norse Myths: Kid's book with pictures, walking you through the myths on an introductory level
  
  The Norse Myths: A much more comprehensive book about the myths
  
  I also have two other books related to Norse history or culture:
  
  Practical Guide to the Runes
  
  Practical Heathen's Guide to Asatru: For learning about the way a heathen's mind works and how he lives his life. I don't follow the stuff in the book, but I'm putting some of it into practice as I explore my ancestral connections

Good afternoon ma'am.
First of all, you have to "educate yourself" on asatru only because of you, because it is your will and not anybody elses. That's not how it works. It won't work for you in the long run.
I would recommend for you to start with this
https://www.amazon.com/Practical-Heathens-Guide-Asatru/dp/0738733873/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1473098430&sr=8-1&keywords=practice+guide+to+asatru
Has lots of practical knowledge, not just theorics.
After this if you want to dive deeper just ask.
BTW, keep an eye on your husband. That resentful, mysoginistic behaviour won't end well.

A Practical Heathen's Guide to Asatru has been a pretty good foundation for me, give it a crack. It lays down a lot of the basics, including generally accepted forms of both blóts and symbels.

Added items according to the posts from /u/anarchoheathen. I'll update with /u/bi-furious' post tomorrow evening. Also, can someone sort out the categories for Odroerir Journal, Culture of Teutons, and Myth of Eternal Return? I haven't read them and want to make sure they're listed properly.

Introductory

• If You're New to Asatru - Steven Abell
  
• An Asatru Blog
  
• A Practical Heathen's Guide to Asatru - Patricia M. Lafayllve
  
• Four Documents on Asatru - Bill Linzie
  
  Mythology
  
  
• The Poetic Edda
  
• The Prose Edda
  
  Runology
  
  
• Anglo Saxon Rune Poem
  
• Norwegian Rune Poem
  
• Icelandic Rune Poem
  
• An Introduction to English Runes - R.I. Page
  
• Runes and Runic Inscriptions - R.I. Page
  
  Legendary
  
  
• Heimskringla
  
• Sagas of The Icelanders
  
• Saga of the Völsungs
  
• Saga of the Jomsvikings
  
• The Agricola and Germania - Tacitus
  
• The History of the Danes - Saxo Grammaticus
  
• Beowulf
  
  Cultural
  
  
• Life in Anglo-Saxon England - R.I. Page
  
• Chronicles of the Vikings: Records, Memorials and Myths - R.I. Page
  
• The Viking World - Stefan Brink, Neil Price
  
• The Road to Hel: A Study of the Conception of the Dead in Old Norse Literature - Hilda Roderick Ellis Davidson
  
• Odroerir Journal
  
• The Culture of the Tutons - Vilhelm Grönbech
  
• The Myth of the Eternal Return - Mercea Eliade
  
  Weekly Study Group
  
  
• Week 1, 1/7/15 - The Völuspá
  
• Week 2, 1/14/15 -
  
• Week 3, 1/21/15 -
  
• Week 4, 1/28/15 -

Here are the books I started with that have been very helpful...

I did not start with the Eddas, I started with this book...

[The Norse Myths by Kevin Crossley-Holland](
http://www.amazon.com/Norse-Myths-Pantheon-Folklore-Library/dp/0394748468)

It is a modern launguage retelling of the Lore in an easier to follow format. I read this book first so I have an understanding of the specific myth then I dive into the Eddas.

I also purchased a few Asatru specific books that give an overview of the Gods and Goddesses, give a brief history lesson, and discuss some of the rituals of Asatru like Blots, holidays, toasts, ect.

Essential Asatru: Walking the Path of Norse Paganism

A Practical Heathens Guide to Asatru

and

Heathenry: A Study of Asatru in the Modern World This one I have not read yet so I have no idea how good it is.

I also purchased The Prose Edda: Norse Mythology

I have a really hard time reading the Eddas since I have always had a hard time with that type of poetry so I have only purchased the one Edda and I am slowly making my way through it. There are a few different Eddas out there so read reviews of them on Amazon before buying to see what everyone is saying about it.

I didnt do this with the Asatru Edda and after I bought it found out they tend to fill in holes in the myths with their own assumptions. Im not educated enough to give examples but most of the reviews mention it. I was advised not to read that version until I become more familiar with the Lore as it was written first. Also, this book is as physically large as a school text book. It is soft cover but very awkward to hold and read.

Good luck. I am very much a beginner but have found the above resources helpful.

The Practical Heathen's Guide to Asatru is everything you're looking for.

I doubt greek epic poems would tell me how to worship and how to view the world as a hellenic pagan?

Was thinking something more like this: https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/0738733873/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1492611596&sr=8-3&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_FMwebp_QL65&keywords=asatru

A general guide of sorts.