The Odin Brotherhood

This work-written during what Hermann Hesse has called "the end of modern times, shortly before the return of the Middle Ages"-is designed for the student of occult religions. Paganism is a growing force, and I believe a disinterested observer should record and publish some of the material available on the Odin Brotherhood, a mysterious fraternity that is one of the most interesting manifestations of Odinist polytheism. Because my aim is preservation rather than criticism, I have simply detailed the Brotherhood's beliefs and have made no attempt to scrutinize their "mysteries." At times the ideas relayed to me were unusual in the extreme-doctrines that deify men and humanize gods, legends of magic gates that lead to divine enclaves, prophecies of wars with apocalyptic monsters, clues concerning a treasure trove of golden monoliths, and much more-but I have decided to record these ideas without comment. It is my hope, however, that others will someday evaluate the interesting and perplexing phenomenon that is called Odinism.