In Essential Asatru, renowned author and priestess Diana Paxson demystifies an ancient, rich, and often misunderstood religion, and offers a practical guide for its modern followers.

A Journey to Fulfillment and Renewal

Filled with clear, concise instructions on living Asatru every day, this truly accessible guide takes you on a journey from Asatru's origins in Scandinavian and German paganism to its recognition as an official religion in the 1970s and its widespread acceptance today.

Essential Asatru also includes:

· A complete history of Asatru gods and goddesses, including Odin, Thor, and Ostara
· The life values, such as honor, truth, fidelity, and hospitality, that shape Asatru's tenets
· Indispensable information on rituals, rune casting, ethics, and divination

Essential Asatru is an elegant and splendid introduction to a centuries-old religion that continues to enrich and fascinate its followers today.

Praise for Essential Asatru

"This mainstreamed book on Asatru offers a thorough grounding in both history and the present and shows how those values-the true heart of any religion-are expressed in the lives of its faithful. This book is recommended for personal education, library shelves, and world religion classes."
-Facing North

"A solid and thorough yet concise introduction to the religion, its history, the gods and goddesses, and the basics of modern practice."
-Idunna