Sign-In
Cart
The Old Ways: Gods, Runes, and Ritual in the Norse World
Paperback
Religion General Scandinavian History
Publisher: Independently Published
Published: Dec 18 2025
Pages: 322
Weight: 0.95
Height: 0.67 Width: 6.00 Depth: 9.00
Language: English
Discover the lost world of Viking Age religion-from the gods who shaped Norse life to the rituals that honored them.
For three centuries, the Norse peoples of Scandinavia worshipped gods like Thor, Odin, and Freyja through elaborate sacrifices, seasonal festivals, and daily observances woven into every aspect of existence. Then Christianity arrived, and within generations, this ancient tradition vanished-but not without leaving traces in sagas, runestones, burial mounds, and the myths that continue to captivate us today.
The Old Ways: Gods, Runes, and Ritual in the Norse World takes you beyond the popular myths to explore how Norse religion actually functioned as a living tradition. Drawing on archaeological evidence, Eddic poetry, runic inscriptions, and historical sources, this comprehensive guide examines:
- The Nine Worlds and Norse Cosmology - How Yggdrasil connected realms from Asgard to Helheim, and why the cosmos was destined for destruction at Ragnarok
- The Gods and Their Worship - The complex personalities of Odin the wisdom-seeker, Thor the protector, Freyja the practitioner of forbidden magic, and the other divine powers who received sacrifices and shaped fate
- Sacred Practices and Rituals - What actually happened at blóts (sacrificial feasts), how runes were carved and used, where worship occurred before temple buildings existed, and how magic and prophecy functioned
- Death and the Afterlife - The multiple destinations for the dead (Valhalla was only one option), elaborate burial practices including ship burials, and how ancestors remained active in family life
- Daily Religious Life - How ordinary people integrated religion into work, home, and community through oaths, omens, offerings, and maintaining relationships with gods, spirits, and ancestors
- The Coming of Christianity - Why Scandinavians eventually abandoned their ancestral gods, how conversion happened (peacefully in Iceland, violently in Norway), and what was lost and preserved in the transition
Written for general readers and enthusiasts with no prior knowledge required, The Old Ways balances scholarly accuracy with accessible prose. Each chapter builds on previous ones while remaining useful for reference, allowing you to either read straight through for comprehensive understanding or jump to specific topics of interest.
Author Joshua Brewer approaches Norse religion as a complete worldview-not just mythology but a framework for understanding existence, death, fate, honor, and humanity's place in the cosmos. Rather than romanticizing or condemning, he presents the evidence honestly, acknowledging both what we know with confidence and what remains forever uncertain.
What makes this book different:
✓ Clearly distinguishes between solid evidence, reasonable inference, and speculation ✓ Addresses the Christian filter problem-how our sources were written by Christians after conversion ✓ Explains why certain practices seem strange to modern readers without dismissing them as primitive ✓ Includes extensive appendices: timeline, glossary, guide to primary sources, recommended reading, and major archaeological sites ✓ Comprehensive bibliography for those who want to explore further
Whether you're interested in Viking history, comparative religion, your Scandinavian heritage, or simply want to understand the religious world behind the myths, The Old Ways provides the thorough, balanced, and accessible guide you need.
Step into the world of those who carved runes, raised runestones, sailed to Valhalla, and faced Ragnarok with courage. Discover what they believed, why it mattered, and what their lost religion can still teach us today.
Also from
Cross, Adrian
Defending the Ancient Faith: An Orthodox Christian Response to Common Criticisms
Cross, Adrian
Paperback
Unraveling Sola Scriptura: An Eastern Orthodox Examination of a Modern Foundation
Cross, Adrian
Paperback
The Economics of the Kingdom: A Radical Orthodox Critique of Capitalism and Socialism
Cross, Adrian
Paperback
The Holy Eucharist: A Biblical and Patristic Defense of Real Presence Theology
Cross, Adrian
Paperback
Prepared, Not Paranoid: A Practical Guide to Situational Awareness and Threat Assessment
Cross, Adrian
Paperback
Defending the Incarnate God: Orthodox Answers to Critics of Christ's Divinity
Cross, Adrian
Paperback
Also in
Religion General
The Circle of the Way: A Concise History of Zen from the Buddha to the Modern World
O'Brien, Barbara
Paperback
The Destiny of Modern Societies: The Calvinist Predestination of a New Society
Zafirovski, Milan
Paperback
Queer Faith: Reading Promiscuity and Race in the Secular Love Tradition
Sanchez, Melissa E.
Paperback
The Sullivanians: Sex, Psychotherapy, and the Wild Life of an American Commune
Stille, Alexander
Hardcover
Life Together and Prayerbook of the Bible: Dietrich Bonhoeffer Works, Volume 5
Kelly, Geffrey B.
Bonhoeffer, Dietrich
Bloesch, Daniel W.
Hardcover
Friendship and Society: An Introduction to Augustine's Practical Philosophy
Burt, Donald X.
Paperback
The Kabbalistic Mirror of Genesis: Commentary on the First Three Chapters
Smith, David Chaim
Paperback
Chant & Be Happy: Based on Teachings of A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami
Prabhupada, A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami
Paperback
Medieval Handbooks of Penance: A Translation of the Principal Libri Poenitentiales
McNeill, John
Gamer, Helena
Paperback
Separation of Church and Hate: A Sane Person's Guide to Taking Back the Bible from Fundamentalists, Fascists, and Flock-Fleecing Frauds
Fugelsang, John
Hardcover
As a Man Thinketh - the Original 1902 Classic (includes the Mastery of Destiny) (Reader's Library Classics)
Allen, James
Paperback
Live Laugh Love: The Secret History of White Christian Women and the World They Made
Kobes Du Mez, Kristin
Hardcover
The Jesus Discoveries: 10 Historic Finds That Bring Us Face-To-Face with Jesus
Johnston, Jeremiah J.
Paperback
Don't Believe Everything You Think (Expanded Edition): Why Your Thinking Is the Beginning & End of Suffering
Nguyen, Joseph
Hardcover
Tactics, 10th Anniversary Edition: A Game Plan for Discussing Your Christian Convictions
Koukl, Gregory
Paperback
40 días de viaje en silencio hoy: Una guía para escuchar a Dios en el silencio
Zambrano, S.
Paperback
Braving the Truth: Essential Essays for Reckoning with and Reimagining Faith
Evans, Rachel Held
Bessey, Sarah
Hardcover
A Calendar of Wisdom: Daily Thoughts to Nourish the Soul, Written and Selected from the World's Sacred Texts
Tolstoy, Leo
Hardcover
Determined to Believe?: The Sovereignty of God, Freedom, Faith, and Human Responsibility
Lennox, John C.
Paperback
Heart of a Stranger: An Unlikely Rabbi's Story of Faith, Identity, and Belonging
Buchdahl, Angela
Hardcover
The Culting of America: What Makes a Cult and Why We Love Them
Reed, Amy
Mestyanek Young, Daniella
Hardcover
Nothing Is Impossible with God: Eleven Heroes. One God. Endless Lessons in Overcoming.
Bream, Shannon
Hardcover
The Nag Hammadi Scriptures: The Revised and Updated Translation of Sacred Gnostic Texts Complete in One Volume
Meyer, Marvin W.
Robinson, James M.
Paperback
Mary Magdalene Revealed: The First Apostle, Her Feminist Gospel & the Christianity We Haven't Tried Yet
Watterson, Meggan
Paperback
The Books of Enoch: The Complete and Original Edition, Also Includes the Book of Jasher and the Book of Jubilees
Charles, R. H.
Paperback
The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry: How to Stay Emotionally Healthy and Spiritually Alive in the Chaos of the Modern World
Comer, John Mark
Hardcover
I Belong to Me: A Survivor's Guide to Recovery and Hope After Religious Trauma
Levings, Tia
Hardcover
Mythology (75th Anniversary Illustrated Edition): Timeless Tales of Gods and Heroes
Hamilton, Edith
Hardcover
Consagracion a San Jose: Las Maravillas de Nuestro Padre Espiritual
Calloway, Donald H., MIC
Paperback
Pray Like a Champion Today: Sacred Stories from the Sidelines of Notre Dame Football
Wills, Nate, CSC
Paperback
Every Moment Holy: New Liturgies for Daily Life: (Pocket Edition) (Over 100 Prayers and Illustrations for Practicing Mindfulness of the Presence of Go
McKelvey, Douglas Kaine
Hardcover
Exceptional Hatred: Antisemitism and the Fight Over Free Speech in Modern America
Loeffler, James
Hardcover
The Official Study Guide to I Don't Have Enough Faith to Be an Atheist
Jimenez, Jason
Geisler, Norman L.
Paperback
The Gospel According to Hobby Lobby: Inside a Billionaire Family's Quest to Craft a Christian Nation
Blanding, Michael
Hardcover
A Celebration of Sex: A Guide to Enjoying God's Gift of Sexual Intimacy
Rosenau, Douglas E.
Paperback
Spiritual Hygiene: A Practical Path for Clean Living, Inner Authority, and Divine Freedom
Vanzant, Iyanla
Hardcover
Did America Have a Christian Founding?: Separating Modern Myth from Historical Truth
Hall, Mark David
Paperback
It Works: The Famous Little Red Book That Makes Your Dreams Come True!
Jarrett, Roy Herbert
Jarrett, Rh
Paperback
From Genesis to Junia: An Honest Search for What the Bible Really Says about Women in Leadership
Sprinkle, Preston
Paperback
A Catechism of the Strange: Stigmata, Relics, and the Miracles That Shape the Soul
Allen, W. Tyler
Paperback
Bless & Release: The physics of letting go-and wanting what's meant for you.
Laporte, Danielle
Paperback
Return of the God Hypothesis: Three Scientific Discoveries That Reveal the Mind Behind the Universe
Meyer, Stephen C.
Paperback
Los Destinado al ��xito: C��mo alcanzar tus mejores sue��os
Gebel, Dante
Paperback
The 10: 10 Challenge: 10 Weeks, 10 Ways to a Jesus-Led Life
Jackson, Andrea
Lesperance, André
Paperback
Nelson's New Illustrated Bible Manners and Customs: How the People of the Bible Really Lived
Vos, Howard
Paperback
Magnifica Humanitas: On Safeguarding the Human Person in the Time of Artificial Intelligence
Leo XIV, Pope
Paperback
Unoffendable Bible Study Guide Plus Streaming Video: How Just One Change Can Make All of Life Better
Hansen, Brant
Paperback
Through a Season of Grief: 365 Devotions for Your Journey from Mourning to Joy
Leonard, Kathy
Dunn, Bill
Paperback
40 Días De Viaje En Silencio Transformar Tu Vida Desde El Silencio: Recupera Paz, Fuerza Y Claridad Interior
Montes, Lucía
Paperback
The Encyclopedia of Spirits: The Ultimate Guide to the Magic of Fairies, Genies, Demons, Ghosts, Gods and Goddesses
Illes, Judika
Hardcover
Beyond Wellness: How Restoring the Religious Roots of Spiritual Practices Can Heal Us
Bucar, Liz
Hardcover
The Hardest Sermons You'll Ever Have to Preach: Help from Trusted Preachers for Tragic Times
Zondervan Publishing
Paperback
The Christian Past That Wasn't: Debunking the Christian Nationalist Myths That Hijack History
Throckmorton, Warren
Hardcover
Dwelling in Christ: Discover the Threefold Path of Spiritual Transformation
Bailey, Jonathan R.
Paperback
Falling Upward, Revised and Updated: A Spirituality for the Two Halves of Life
Rohr, Richard
Hardcover
The Genesis 6 Conspiracy Part II: How Understanding Prehistory and Giants Helps Define End-Time Prophecy
Wayne, Gary
Paperback
David Bowie and the Search for Life, Death and God: A Spiritual Meditation on His Music and Creativity
Ormerod, Peter
Hardcover
The Making of Biblical Womanhood: How the Subjugation of Women Became Gospel Truth
Barr, Beth Allison
Paperback