Norse Pagan Books- Ranked
At Norse Imports, we are more than fanatics, we are active practitioners and researchers of the Old Norse pagan religion. Our dedication to reviving authentic Norse spirituality is grounded in extensive study of the primary sources, including the Poetic and Prose Eddas, sagas, and other historical texts. We’ve also cultivated a vibrant modern community through our Discord group, where hundreds of fellow Norse pagans have shared their experiences, challenges, and spiritual insights. By combining academic research with practical engagement, we’ve built a trustworthy foundation to recommend the most effective Norse pagan books not just for learning mythology, but for actually living the religion today.
Best Norse Pagan Books: A Practical Reading List for Modern Practitioners
If you're seeking to deepen your understanding and practice of Norse paganism, selecting the right resources is crucial. There is much new age garbage out there and unfortunately these are often that sell the most copies and show up first on search results. Whether you're new to the path or looking to expand your knowledge, the following list of best Norse pagan books offers a curated selection of texts that combine historical authenticity with practical guidance.
🔱 Norse Pagan Religion Books- Foundation
These primary sources are essential for anyone serious about Norse paganism.
📘 The Poetic Edda – Translated by Jackson Crawford or Carolyne Larrington
A collection of Old Norse poems that form the core of Norse mythology and spiritual beliefs. These translations are accessible and faithful to the original texts.
Crawford Translation: https://amzn.to/4jlbfia
Larrington Translation: https://amzn.to/3Ha0RMX
📘 The Prose Edda by Snorri Sturluson
Written in the 13th century, this work provides a comprehensive overview of Norse myths and poetic traditions. It's invaluable for understanding the cosmology and deities of the Norse pantheon.
📘 Sagas
There are dozens of sagas written in mideval iceland that document real historical events of the viking age. There are hundreds of relaiable accounts of pagan belief and practice in these. Although these sources are scattered and diverse, we reccomend Sagas of the Icelanders and Heimskringla. These are the compilations of some of the most known sagas and most relkevant material for the purpose of learning the hiistorical practices we do have documented.
Sagas of the Icelanders: https://amzn.to/4dsyUvE
Heimskringla: https://amzn.to/4keAi7S
🕯 Best Norse Pagan Books on Practice
These texts delve into the beliefs, rituals, and practices of Norse paganism.
[NOTE] Many of the best authors on Norse Paganism are known to fall on relatively far sides on the political spectrum(both left AND right). The mentioning of the books here does not show our support for any of the authors or their views. We include these in a completely unbiased fashion and come at it from a purely respectful admiration for their insights on the subject of Norse & Germanic Paganism.
📘 Witches and Pagans by Max Dashu
A Norse Imports Favorite! An academic yet accessible exploration of traditions, magic and religious practices of the North of Europe. As far as modern authors go, this is perhaps the most faithful compilation of sources on the actual religious practice.
📘 The Road to Hel by H.R. Ellis Davidson
Focuses on death and the afterlife in Norse belief, offering insights into funerary customs and the concept of the soul. Hilda Ellis Davidson is a top scholar on the subject writing from an academic perspective with a genuine interest.
📘 Ásatrú for Beginners: A Modern Heathen's Guide to the Ancient Northern Way by Mathias Nordvig
Another Norse Imports favorite. Mattis Nordvig is a PhD graduate that has a fantastic youtube channel on the subject. This is a fantastic compilation of the historical sources organized into a way that gives modern practitioners the best tools possible to practice as correctly as possible in the modern day.
📘 Our Troth Volumes 1 & 2 by The Troth
A comprehensive guide to modern Heathenry, covering theology, rituals, ethics, and community practices.
📘 A Practical Heathen's Guide to Asatru by Patricia M. Lafayllve
Offers practical advice for those new to Asatru, including rituals, holidays, and community involvement. It combines historical sources with more majority reconstruction
📘 Our Traditions by Vegard Solheim
Examines the later folk traditions and reconstruction of Norse pre-Christian traditions, emphasizing the importance of cultural continuity and ancestral wisdom.
🌌 Norse Pagan Books on Belief & Symbolism
For those interested in the mystical and symbolic aspects of Norse mythology, there are some valuable works that deal with the actual beliefs that they had during the Viking Age and before.
📘 The Seed of Yggdrasill by Maria Kvilhaug
An in-depth analysis of the esoteric meanings within Norse myths, exploring themes of initiation and hidden meaning and wisdom in the myths.
📘 Paganism Explained Series by Varg Vikernes
In this many part series, the author provides insightful interpretations of some of the most central myths in the Norse pagan religion. Parts 1 is in the link below, but all parts are equally valuable
📘 Norse and Germanic Religion: A Sourcebook by Thor Elptirdalr
The book by our co-Founder Thor Elptirdalr! Provides insights into the religious practices and beliefs of the Norse and Germanic peoples, with a focus on ritual and cosmology. It is one of the most extensive compilations of the sources with minimal new age interpretation and fluff.
This is the only book we currently sell on our site!
📚 Conclusion on best Norse pagan books
Exploring Norse paganism is a journey that combines historical study with personal spiritual practice. The best Norse pagan books serve as guides, offering insights into ancient beliefs and how they can be meaningfully integrated into modern life. Sources provide the groundwork and modern interpretations can give meaningful ideas and inspiration to your practice. Whether you're drawn to the myths, the rituals, or the philosophical aspects of the Norse tradition, these texts provide a solid foundation for your path.