With a brand new foreword from the author and other updates, this classic guide to Norse mythology has been given a fresh look for a new generation of readers in the widespread Wiccan and Heathen communities, as well as fans of TV shows like Vikings and The Last Kingdom, the hit Marvel movies featuring Odin and Thor, and authors such as Neil Gaiman, Rick Riordan, and Joanne M. Harris who incorporate legends of the Norsemen and pagan lore into their novels.A journey to fulfillment and renewal.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.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 through its acceptance as an official religion in the 1970s and its practice 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 divinationEssential Asatru is an elegant and splendid introduction to a centuries-old religion that continues to enrich and fascinate its followers today.