Viking Poetry for Heathen Rites: Asatru Liturgy in Traditional Verse

by Eirik Westcoat

Honor the Gods with the ancient poetic forms! Now, for the first time in perhaps hundreds of years, here is a vast new collection of liturgical poetry for honoring the Aesir and Vanir in the alliterative meters that the Gods and their worshippers used in the Viking Age. To the Gods, poetry is a precious mead — brewed from honey and the blood of wisdom — which was brought to Asgard by Óðinn himself. Isn’t it only fitting that you offer them some of that mead in your rites? Inside, you will find poetry for hallowing ritual space, telling stories from the mythology, inviting the Gods and other holy beings to your blessings, dialogue for ritual dramas, praise poems for the Gods and others, sumbel toasts, prayers, and more.

242 pages, Paperback

Published July 5, 2017

About the author

Eirik Westcoat has been on a quest for Óðrœrir — the Mead of Poetry, which makes whoever drinks it into a skald and/or scholar — ever since he realized it truly existed back in 2010. For him, the pursuit of this greatest of meads is closely connected to similar pursuits of Mystery and Ascent. Extremely dedicated to rune-work, he credits it with nothing less than the complete transformation of his life.

True to the imperative of the Skaldic Eagle, he seeks to bring the discoveries of his quests to many different audiences. He has presented his scholarly works at various academic conferences and in academic journals — most notably the International Congress on Medieval Studies and Saga-Book, respectively. Also, he has presented his more inspirational and practical work on skaldcraft and Norse mythology — and recited his poetry, of course — at numerous Asatru gatherings. He has a book of poetry in the works that will bring the Mead he has won to his widest audience yet.

Ever-mindful that one can get too caught up in the abstract, he occasionally crafts physical runic talismans, wands, and lots in wood to keep himself grounded. He aspires to make more intricate wood carvings as well as larger-scale projects in stone. Nevertheless, his intense focus on things academic, poetical, and magical makes him like Odin who gave an eye in exchange for wisdom, in the sense that Eirik has lost an “eye” for viewing the mundane world.

He lives life as a great adventure, and recently finished a two-year adventure abroad in Iceland and Norway, where he earned an MA/MPhil in Viking & Medieval Norse Studies. Eirik currently lives in southwestern Pennsylvania, where he enjoys bonfires and is starting to grow walnut trees. However, there’s a good chance he’ll be flying off to a different realm on another great adventure before too long.

Reviews

[Amethyst Arcana]

This is an excellent poetry book meant for ritual, prayer, and reverence. It includes poems for hallowing and warding, calls and prayers to Norse deities, ritual dramas, toasts, and more. Not only is it enjoyable to read cover to cover, it also serves as a reference book for practitioners. Whether in ritual or in need of a written prayer, this book has you covered!

[Julie]

Awesome book. Every poem/story reads so well; some I had to read again to get the flow. I look forward to the author's next book of poetry.