The North Is Not Just a Compass Point, But a State of Mind It has a geographical location and at the same time it exists wherever its call is felt. Certain words and names evoke it: Hyperborea, “the land beyond the north wind,” as the ancient Greeks called it; Thule, the northern promised land; Asgard, home of the Nordic gods. We were taught that European civilization spread from south to north and that northern Europe was first civilized by the Romans and further civilized by the Christianization process in the early Middle Ages. So the whole early culture of northern Europe tended to be marginalized. Culturally and spiritually, the northern part of the compass was semi-invisible. Now all that has changed dramatically. The North is back with a vengeance. The Mystique of the North The Callanish Stones The Callanish Stones are a complex of megalithic sites spread over a large area near the west coast of Lewis in the Outer Hebrides. The main site is a ring of thirteen stones with a larger central stone. Construction of the complex is thought to have begun around 3000 BCE, making it older than Stonehenge, and it is estimated to have remained in use as some kind of ritual center for about 2,000 years. Stone Labyrinths Something else that may be significant with regard to the Hyperborean theory is the ubiquitous presence of ancient stone labyrinths. These are found all over the world, but in particularly dense concentration in Scandinavia, especially around the Baltic coast of Sweden and Finland. They are also found on the Arctic coast and islands of Russia, and in North America but not in the Arctic territories, rather farther south, among the indigenous tribes such as the Hopi in Arizona. Thingvellir If there is one place that is most intimately linked with the revival of the old Nordic gods it is the Thingvellir in Iceland. It was here that in the year 1000 the Icelanders made the decision to accept Christianity, and it is here that the followers of Ásatrú, a present-day Pagan movement in Iceland, hold their annual Thing or Midsummer assembly. The North Pole During the great age of exploration in the sixteenth century the Flemish cartographer Gerardus Mercator (1512–1594) produced a map of the north polar region based on a description which he said he had copied from an earlier author he does not name. In Mercator’s depiction, the polar region is a vast land divided by four rivers which flow inward from the surrounding ocean and disappear into an enormous whirlpool. In the midst of the whirlpool, exactly at the Pole, is an island of magnetic rock. This is an interesting reversal of the biblical description of Eden, where four rivers flow outward from the center. Today Mercator’s map of the North Pole remains iconic for aficionados of the Hyperborean theory. Beyond the North Wind Odin Living Runes Taking Up the Runes The Big Book of Runes and Rune Magic McIntosh leads readers, chapter by chapter, through the magical and spiritual history of the North, as well as its modern manifestations, as documented through physical records, such as runestones and megaliths, but also through mythology and lore. Odin is the first book on Odin that is both historically sourced and accessible to a general audience. It explores Odin's origins, his appearances in sagas, old magic spells, and the Poetic Edda, and his modern influence. You will be introduced to the practice of galdr as well as the magical use of the runes and the proper way to sacrifice to them and read them for divination In Taking Up the Runes, Paxson delves into the ancient historical meaning of each rune and explains their contemporary uses and meanings. American runologist Edred Thorsson provides an in-depth guide to the world of runes for beginners and enthusiasts alike. Christopher McIntosh is a writer and historian specializing in the esoteric traditions of the West. He was for several years on the faculty of the Centre for the Study of Esotericism at Exeter University. He lives in Bremen, Germany. Diana Paxson is a writer, priestess, and teacher who has been studying and teaching Germanic mythology and religion for nearly 30 years. Galina Krasskova is a free-range tribalist Heathen who has been a priest of Odin for more than a decade. Her primary interest is Heathen devotional work, and she has both written and lectured extensively on the subject. Diana Paxson is author of more than a dozen historical novels with strong spiritual themes including The White Raven and The Serpent's Tooth. Edred Thorsson is an American runologist and proponent of occultism and Germanic mysticism.
✔ Author(s): Christopher McIntosh,Hilmar Örn Hilmarsson
✔ Title: Beyond the North Wind: The Fall and Rise of the Mystic North
✔ Rating : 4.6 out of 5 base on (95 reviews)
✔ ISBN-10: 157863640X
✔ ISBN-13: 9781578636402
✔ Language: English
✔ Format ebook: PDF, EPUB, Kindle, Audio, HTML and MOBI
✔ Device compatibles: Android, iOS, PC and Amazon Kindle
Readers' opinions about Beyond the North Wind by Christopher McIntosh
Beata Shepard
I'm still in awe of the intricate plot and the way everything seamlessly came together. The twists kept me guessing until the very end. It's one of those rare books that leave a lasting impact.
Kara Snyder
The way the author handled complex emotions and relationships was remarkable. I felt deeply connected to the characters, and their growth throughout the story was both inspiring and moving.
Polly Hurlbutt
The characters in this book felt like old friends, and I was sad to say goodbye to them at the end. It's a testament to the author's talent for creating memorable and relatable personas.
