Description
Book SynopsisA controversial examination of the influence and presence of the Norse god Odin in contemporary history and culture
Exploring the influence of the Norse god Odin in the modern world, Richard Rudgley reveals Odin’s central role in the pagan revival and how this has fueled a wide range of cultural movements and phenomena.
Rudgley argues that it is Odin and not Jesus Christ who has the single most important spiritual influence in modern Western civilization. He analyzes the Odin archetype--first revealed by Carl Jung’s essay on Wotan--in the context of pagan religious history and explains the ancient idea of the Web--a cosmic field of energies that encompasses time, space, and the hidden potentials of humanity—the pagan equivalent to the Tao of Eastern tradition. The author examines the importance of the concept of wyrd, which corresponds to “fate” or “destiny”.
He examines how the concept of subterranean and mythic realms, such as the Hollow Earth, Thule, and Agartha, and mysterious energies like Vril were manifested in both occult and profane ways and investigates key occult figures like Madame Blavatsky, Guido von List, and Karl Wiligut. Rudgley provides pagan analyses of Tolkien and the Lord of the Rings and documents the impact the Odin archetype has had on nationalist and fascist groups in America and Europe.
Examining pagan groups in Europe and America that use the Norse template, Rudgley reveals true paganism as holistic and intimately connected with the forces at work in the life of the planet. Showing how this “green” paganism can be beneficial for dealing with the adverse consequences of globalization and the ongoing ecological crisis, he explains how, when repressed, the Odin archetype is responsible for regressive tendencies--a reflection of the unprecedented chaos of Ragnarok--but if embraced, the Odin archetype makes it possible for like-minded traditions to work together in the service of life.
Trade Review“In this fascinating work, Richard Rudgley provides a gripping and enlightening guidebook to the ‘lost continent of the European imagination’ as well as a necessary warning about the dangers of letting the ‘Odinic experiment’ get out of hand.” * Gary Lachman, author of Lost Knowledge of the Imagination *
“Richard Rudgley understands the god Odin, who goes wherever knowledge is to be found no matter the danger involved. Thus, we find Rudgley delving into many areas of infamy in
The Return of Odin because that is where the search leads. To do this is brave, and I salute any author who dares it.” * Ian Read, former editor of Rûna magazine and rune master with the Rune-Gild *
“
The Return of Odin takes off from Carl Jung’s prophecy of the reemergence of Odin and his repossessing the spirits and souls of the Germanic people. Well-written and broad in its overview, I am sure some parts will cause controversy with those following the resurrected Germanic spiritual path. It makes for thought-provoking and stimulating thinking.” * Robert N. Taylor, author of Remnants of a Season *
Table of ContentsPreface to the New Edition: The Gathering Storm
Preface: Odin the Archetype
Ancient Blueprints in the Modern Mind 1 Jung: The Pagan Prophet
2 The Pagan Family Tree
3 Ancestral Visions
4 Heathen Altars
5 Hyperborea: Lost Continent of the European Imagination
The First Odinic Experiment: Europe 6 The Wanderer Returns
7 Lost Subterranean Tribes
8 Hollow Earth, Inner Worlds
9 The Chosen People and the Master Race
10 The Blind One
11 Rune Yoga 12 Thule: Island of Darkness
13 The Dark Lord of the Rings
The Second Odinic Experiment: The Anglo-American World 14 An English Mythology
15 The Possessed
16 American Armageddon
17 Armed Insurrection in Aryan America
18 Wotansvolk
19 Journey to the South Pole
20 Lord of the Spear Visions of the Web
21 Tribes of Odin
22 A New Pagan Psychology
23 Navigating the Web of Wyrd
24 Inner Technology Conclusion: Ragnarok and After
Epilogue
Notes
Bibliography
Index
