This was a very good introduction to Norse mysticism, I learned quite a bit from the book and am looking forward to continuing to learn more. Some books like this get tedious, but everything was broken up into small sections which I liked.

This book is great if you want to learn more about the Norse culture and how it changed over the years. It's quite light and mostly covers the basic notions, but it's a great book to start with. It's easy to understand with lots of images

Disclaimer: I received a free copy in exchange for my honest review

This is a useful introduction to Norse paganism. I personally would have appreciated more reference to the sources the author drew from.

I did appreciate that the book addresses the ways Norse paganism has sometimes been appropriated by fascists. Unfortunately this is something people starting to explore Norse mysticism have to be cautious of; I felt the book did a good job of explaining the recent history of how Norse culture has been reimagined, as well as Norse culture itself.

I was a little wary about reading this book given the increase of certain groups appropriating Norse symbols and twisting narratives to try and fit racist and divisive groups. Thankfully Forvitin covers this and highlights that we should try and counter this a sentiment I fully agree with.

The book itself is perfect for those either starting their journey into Norse Mysticism or those who want to know a little bit more. It’s a good reference for those who are already on their journey or those who follow an electric path.

This book is a good introduction to Norse paganism as it is practiced today by some people. The stories of the Gods and the Runes are informative and give a glance at what people know of the Old ways of long ago. There are a few exercises and practical activities to place the learning into your life. All in all this is a solid intro and gives some ideas to practice the ideas given.

Thank you Netgalley for the advance reader copy of Norse Mysticism by Disa Fortivin in exchange for an honest review. This was an amazing and interesting book for anyone interested in the history of Norse traditions and spiritualism. I am a quarter Norwegian and this has always had a strong influence in my life. I love learning more about how my ancestors lived and what they worshipped.

I enjoyed reading this book and finding out more aboutva subject that interested me but I knew little about. Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for letting me review this book.

Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC.

This is a wonderful little introduction to Norse mythology. There’s a taste of everything here, enough to give you a basic understanding but also lays a groundwork suitable for someone who wanted to learn more about Heathenry or the old Gods in general.

Thank you NetGalley for the eARC in ecxchange for an honest review!

I love Norse Mythology and this was a great introduction into Norse Traditions/ practices. It's easy to read, and very enjoyable. Highly recommend picking this one up!

Many thanks to the author publisher and Netgalley for a free ARC of this ebook.
I really enjoyed this short ebook which explores Norse myths and mysticism. It's probably not to everyone's taste but it's very well written and laid out.

This is a great resource for anyone interested in Norse or Viking beliefs. I really enjoyed it. The tales and legends are fun.

Norse Mysticism by Disa Forvitin is a mini book, which I think is important to know going in. If the size doesn't give it away, this is simple a primer and introductory note on what is a huge topic and religion. One that can get very complicated, very quickly. While I would love a longer version from the author in the future, I understand the need for such a beginner's guide to the subject. I enjoyed the historical information about Viking society, runes, the holidays, the magic system, and of course the asides that give ideas of how to make charms and otherwise incorporate some of the things into your own belief system and pagan practice. And even though I consider myself versed in this subject, I did still learn new things in such a short space! The author has a great writing style, so this would be perfect for someone new to Norse culture and mythology and is considering diving deeper. It won't give you all the information, but you'll at least come away know whether you're interested in studying further.

I really enjoyed this introductory exploration of Norse Mysticism and what it builds upon!

I am interested in Norse Mythology and the people who believed in the Norse gods and I have done some courses in both the Norse religion and the runic alphabet. This book is a perfect introduction to both of these topics especially so for those with limited or no experience in the field.

I appreciated how easy and engaging the language in this book is, and how it tends to speak directly to the reader, making the reading experience very nice.

I also really do love the formatting of this book, it really enhanced the whole experience while reading. I loved the little Norse-inspired illustrations that are scattered throughout the book.

Thank you Net-Galley for this ARC!

I have been on a reading kick lately, trying to knock out as many occult books as possible from my ever-growing stack. That means I have yet another book review for all of you. If I am honest, I skipped a couple books in my stack to get to Norse Mysticism: An Exploration of Viking Traditions and Magical Practices by Disa Forvitin. If you read The Future of Flying the Hedge you know that I have decided to listen to my ancestors and follow a new spiritual path, including Norse paganism. This book felt like the right place to get my toes wet.

Norse Mysticism: An Exploration of Viking Traditions and Magical Practices by Disa Forvitin is a very, very brief introduction to Norse spiritual practices. At just under 200 pages and with lots of illustrations (and blank space) you can read through this in an afternoon. It is by no means a comprehensive guide, but does provide a wonderful overview of the history, mythology, and practices of Norse pagans with a bit of Trolldom mixed in.

Forvitin notes in the introduction that Norse mythology was largely an oral tradition, so what you read in this book may not line up with what other authors report. No version is more correct than another due to the nature of oral traditions and the cultural influences of the region from which they originate. I think modern-day practitioners get so caught up with being historically accurate, that they forget the myths and practices were a product of their time, and what records we have are often biased and incomplete. Instead, Forvitin encourages readers to use ancient wisdom to develop a modern, personal practice. Magic is personal so what may work for someone else won't necessarily work for you. Furthermore, the need to fend off literal wolves doesn't apply in most cases, but you may have to defend yourself from wolfish people.

Also in the introduction is a section on the co-opting of Norse symbolism by hate groups. This is one of the biggest problems with modern heathenry; white supremacists have long been co-opting and bastardizing Norse paganism to support their racist ideals and fascist beliefs. True practitioners of heathenry know that it was a largely inclusive practice, allowing for both men and women practitioners of magic (although it was mostly women who participated). On top of this, the Norse were extremely open to women being warriors and there is evidence of trans individuals being greatly honored. Needless to say, these neo-Nazis are misappropriating Norse mythology.

Forvitin gives a wonderful overview of Nordic history to put Nordic traditions into perspective. As with all traditions, we must view them through a historical lens, not a modern one. This helps explain why they did what they did. This also explains the Norse myths, holidays, and types of magic such as seidhr, spae, and galdar. I will say that the dates for the Nordic holidays outlined in the book differ from most other sources. That isn't to say they are incorrect, but that there is some wiggle room if the dates don't work for you. The list of holidays provided, however, is widely accepted by the community at large, which is different from the Wiccan-inspired Wheel of the Year, which borrowed holidays from multiple cultures.

Throughout the book, there are random spells, side notes, crafts, and rituals, such as making your own modern primstav. I loved these little asides as they give the reader some ideas on how to implement ancient practices into their modern lives.

Overall, I enjoyed Norse Mysticism: An Exploration of Viking Traditions and Magical Practices by Disa Forvitin, but feel it was lacking in depth. As I mentioned, this is a short introductory read for those looking to see if the practice is for them, or those interested in broadening their understanding of cultures outside of their own. If you are looking for something that provides more guidance or detail, this isn't the book for you.

Norse Mysticism: An Exploration of Viking Traditions and Magical Practices by Disa Forvitin is currently available for pre-order and is set to release on May 9, 2024.

#NetGalley #NorseMysticism

This book is an amazing beginner's guide to learning Norse Paganism/ Mysticism. It gives a general overview of the various aspects of Norse mythology and magic.

I’m a huge mythology and Viking fan so I was very excited to get this advanced readers copy
This is a great book for beginners with clear information and a good layout. The artwork was really nice and it was accessible and easy to understand
I intend to buy a hard copy to dip in and out of and this would also make a lovely gift for mythology fans

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher

I’ve recently been reading Norse mythology retellings, so this is a great little reference guide, or an introduction to Norse mythology.

Really interesting and captivating. I will reread this one over and over, I feel like I’ll be learning something new each time.