num_pages: 176
description: Discover the untamed paganism of the Vikings and the Germanic tribes prior to the complete Christianization of Europe  Explores the different forms of magic practiced by these tribes including runic magic necromancy (death magic) soul-travel and shape-shifting  Examines their rites of passage and initiation rituals and their most important gods such as Odin Loki and Thor  Looks at barbarian magic in historical accounts church and assembly records and mythology as well as an eyewitness report from a 10th-century Muslim diplomat  Reveals the use and abuse of this traditions myths and magic by the Nazis Before the conversion of Europe to Christianity in the Middle Ages Germanic tribes roamed the continent plundering villages and waging battles to seek the favor of Odin their god of war ecstasy and magic. Centuries later predatory Viking raiders from Scandinavia carried on similar traditions. These wild barbarians had a system of social classes and familial clans with complex spiritual customs from rites of passage for birth death and adulthood to black magic practices and shamanic ecstatic states such as the infamous berserkers rage. Chronicling the original pagan tradition of free and wild Europeand the use and abuse of its myths and magic by the NazisHans-Peter Hasenfratz offers a concise history of the Germanic tribes of Europe and their spiritual magical and occult beliefs. Looking at historical accounts church and assembly records mythology and folktales from Germany Russia Scandinavia and Iceland as well as an eyewitness report of Viking customs and rituals from a 10th-century Muslim diplomat Hasenfratz explores the different forms of magicincluding charms runic magic necromancy love magic soul-travel and shamanic shape-shiftingpracticed by the Teutonic tribes and examines their interactions with and eventual adaptation to Christianity. Providing in-depth information on their social class and clan structure rites of passage and their most important gods and goddesses such as Odin Loki Thor and Freyja Hasenfratz reveals how it is only through understanding our magical barbarian roots that we can see the remnants of their language culture and dynamic spirit that have carried through to modern times. Hans-Peter Hasenfratz Ph.D. is professor emeritus of the history of religion at the Ruhr University in Bochum Germany. The author of numerous works in German on ancient cultures and religions he lives in Bochum Germany.
language: English
title: Barbarian Rites: The Spiritual World of the Vikings and the Germanic Tribes
publisher: Inner Traditions