The Norse gods are as vivid and powerful as the rugged elemental landscapes they ruled over. From Scandinavia the Vikings raided, traded and settled across Europe and beyond, leaving their mark through their deities in place names, literature and particularly through the derivation of the names of the days of the week from Tuesday to Friday. Marion Pearce sets the major Norse gods like Odin, Thor, Loki, Tyr, Baldur, Freya and Frigg into a context of both time and place, telling their tales in a unique manner and through doing so she introduces numerous other gods, giants, heroes, dwarves and monsters from the Norse myths and legends. The author also writes on the Germanic Saxon gods, who sprang from the same roots, and explores the conflict between the Norse and Saxon gods and Christianity. The influences of the Norse and Saxon gods are considered further through their survival in British folk customs and significant calendar festivals.
Drawing on numerous sources, including the Eddas and Sagas, the tale of Beowulf, contemporary Arabic writings and early British laws, the author demonstrates the threads which unite the days of the week and the Norse and Saxon gods with other early civilizations and classical sources from Pliny, Tacitus and Ravenna to the Old Testament. From the world tree Yggdrasil to its gods and creatures, from the Norse creation myths to the cataclysmic Ragnarok, from magic charms to ritual practices, The Viking Gods by Marion Pearce is an evocative journey through the rich tapestry of Norse paganism, history and cosmology, illustrated with numerous original line drawings by visionary artist Emily Carding. ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Marion Pearce is the author of numerous articles on Celtic, Norse and Roman history and culture published in magazines in the UK and internationally. She is the editor of Pentacle Magazine, the biggest independent pagan magazine in the UK, which she founded in 2002; and was formerly the editor of Pagan Dawn, the magazine of the Pagan Federation.
Industry Reviews
Extracts from reviews:
"In "The Gods of the Vikings" Marion Pearce has done a good job of providing this. Using the days of the week as the context and structure of the book, she examines the Norse Gods, their myths, their worship in ancient times, their meaning for the Scandinavians, and also what they mean for today's Asatru worshiper. The first section of the book looks at the days of the week themselves, providing an excellent background full of interesting information about how the days got their names, when, and where. It also touches upon subjects such as hours and calendars in the ancient world, which proved fascinating reading! Part 2, "Anglo-Saxon, Norse and Christian Worldviews" offers the reader the cultural contexts that these deities are found in, including the relationship and interplay between Pagan and Christian in that era. I was delighted to read this section, as I often find books on mythology completely ignoring the cultural contexts. Part 3 takes us through some of the eschatological and chronological ideas and beliefs held by the Norse, including Ragnarok and ideas of the beginning of the world. Again, this served to provide context, but also gives the reader an idea of how the Scandinavians viewed time and how their Gods fit into that chronological universe." Kim Huggens, Author of Tarot 101
"But my favorite part of the book was actually the appendices which covered the festival days practiced by the Norse. The discussion of May Day, summer solstice and Yule traditions and the reasons behind them were intriguing and covered such things as the Puritanical banning of May Poles and the practice of burning Yule logs. I wish the appendices had been longer. To me, this was the portion of the book I could really sink my teeth into, because I like to find ways to live the Old Ways." Cliff Seruntine, Author & Amazon Reviewer
"The book also covers the Norse conversion to Christianity. Olaf and his magicians was the one was in charge of that conversion. It was not an easy conversion in fact it was rather swift and violent. Prior to Olaf's forced conversion it was noted that practitioner of the old religion were quite able to coexist with Christians. Burial customs are covered as are the system of sacrifices. Animals and sometimes the king and people were sacrificed to the Gods. Usually the sacrifice was performed with a spear. The carcass of the sacrifice was hung from a tree. Sacrifices of animals were eaten especially the liver. The entrails were used for divination. When a warrior died in battle he was claimed by either odin or Freya's Valkyries. Viking had all their stuff loaded in a ship that was then set a fire amidst the sea. Sometimes even the wife was sent along. this is true even of the chieftain. Sometimes a girl volunteered or was chosen. Everyone took turns making love to her and then she was sent off with the chieftain." Steve Cran, Goodreads Reviewer
