Barbarian rites : the spiritual world of the Vikings and the Germanic tribes / Hans-Peter Hasenfratz ; translated and edited by Michael Moynihan.

Translation of: Die religiose Welt der Germanen.

Includes bibliographical references and index.

A brief history of the Germanic tribes -- Society and its values (sociography and axiology) -- The rituals of transition (rites of passage) -- Magic -- The powers -- The conception of the world (cosmography) -- The beginnings of time and the end times.

Chronicling the original pagan tradition of free and wild Europe--and the use and abuse of its myths and magic by the Nazis--Hans-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 magic--including charms, runic magic, necromancy, love magic, soul-travel, and shamanic shape-shifting--practiced 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.