Galdrbok : Practical Heathen Runecraft, Shamanism and Magic
by Nathan J Johnson and Robert J Wallis
Published by Wykeham Press, 2005
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Review
That I write for a Druid website a review of a book on Heathenism and
runes is expressive of an important element within Druidry, and one
that some resent while others celebrate. This is the reality that many
within modern Paganism walk paths that can't be easily labelled. Thus
are there folk in the Druid faith community who honour Nordic and
Anglo-Saxon gods, using their runes, spellcraft and sources of awen.
During my years within Druidry, I myself have had to learn the ways of
working with Anglo-Saxon gods, because colleagues, students, friends,
are touched by these gods and call me to share their rites. Yet also,
as one seeking the depths and breadths of the tradition, I am aware of
the many different feet that have walked these sacred islands, the many
songs that have been sung here of many bloodlines, of many journeys.
To dismiss the Anglo-Saxon is to dishonour our history, our ancestors,
our heritage.
This is a review I write too because I like this book enormously. Written in what feels to me a very male Heathen way (clear, down to earth, without unnecessary creativity or emotion), the way in which the authors present their religious/spiritual path is beautiful practical. Devoid of poetic fluff, they manage to explain their vision as a rational and utilitarian system, and one that can guide the reader into a state of wakeful power that remains essentially grounded. They speak of the gods, giants, elves and runes without that implication too often heard that they are no more than tools of the human psyche, yet neither do they fall into the equally dishonourable place of drawing the reader into fantasy fairytales. Their fully animistic and intelligent perspective is of that consciously non-dualistic vision that warms my heart, giving me faith and courage in the future of British Paganism.
At times I wondered whether the beginner would get lost, for there are gaps, inevitably so. Yet by the time I put the book down, I felt assured that anyone seriously committed to learning the Heathen's craft would be well resourced in terms of inspiration and guidance. The 29 runes are explored, but not enough to allow a student to feel satisfied, thus inspiring anyone to cast and explore further, finding their own personal understanding. The same is true of the gods, and of Heathen cosmology. For those who need more written guidance, what the authors omit is no doubt picked up in the extensive booklist.
This may not feel to be a book that would interest someone journeying upon a path of purely British Druidry, focusing on Celtic, Welsh or Gaelic sources, or those who reach to the pre-Roman stories of our sacred lands. However, I would encourage these folk to read it, in order to breathe for a while the songs of a very significant part of our heritage. As to those who, within their Druid practice, honour Freyja and Woden, who see Thunor in the storm clouds and feel the whisperings of elves in forest sunlight, of dwarfs in mountain mud, this book will make a worthy addition to your source-spring of inspiration.
Emma Restall Orr
September 2005
Paperback 404 pages (June 21, 2005)
Publisher: The Wykeham Press
ISBN: 0-9549609-0-4
To purchase this title direct from the publisher, please email info [at] wykehampress [dot] com( info [at] wykehampress [dot] com ) or visit www.wykehampress.com
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