Guido von List: Part 31 - 'The Religion of the Aryo-Germanic Folk' (book review)

 
'The Religion of the Aryo-Germanic Folk: Esoteric and Exoteric' (List 1909; Flowers' translation 2005)

Actually this is more of a 56 page pamphlet, but a good one! I read this some years ago, but didn't review it because I wanted to support Runa Raven Press and Dr. Stephen Flowers, and in particular the very explicit warning on one of the first pages about the copyright. I have referred to it occasionally in this series. If it wasn't so stern of a warning, then I may well have reviewed it; including a few excerpts. Since it's now easily available on Amazon.com, I wanted to try to promote it in some way with something of a review. Apparently Runa Raven Press is no longer active; perhaps Dr. Flowers uses his own publisher. In any case, I still wanted to adhere to the copyright warning. However, I will go out on a limb to use one particularly important and integral word below; along with just a few words from its definition in the glossary to help promote this publication.


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From the publisher

A general outline of the religious philosophy of Guido von List originally published in the 1920s and a companion volume to The Secret of the Runes. There is an introductory essay by Stephen E. Flowers on the roots of Lists ideas and philosophy.


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Customer Review

Ron Spolar - 5.0 out of 5 stars - January 7, 2018

Excellent book on Wotan and Aryan beliefs, pre-Christain Germanic customs, religion and much more. Impressive.

This decides the Germanic tradition with what I would call linguistic-forensics. I outlined this book and found it difficult at times to untangle some of the meanings. It was written over 100 years ago; it reflects racism that had yet to germinate. I'm amazed over all the Wotan and Aryan teachings borrowed by the founders of the Christianity;ideas that we were taught in Catechism as being original to Christianity. Approaches religious thought like paganism, Wicca and Faery Tradition concerning God being within yourself, not in a church. List's thoughts on this religion may help some readers integrate their religious thoughts in a way they may have never thought possible. Lots of good pre-christian mythology which can be hard to find. Upon completing the book I felt like had read something profound. Never felt that way about a book before.


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My take on this book is a little different. I see the information as being just as much Proto-European as it is Teutonic in origin. Of course, they became one people in any sort've modern reflection. I recall somewhere in the book, List makes some mention of perhaps the presence of various spiritual concepts which are of different--maybe sub-tribal--origin. I believe that this may be due to the blending of Proto-European with Teutonic 3,000 or more years ago. I prefer the word "Teutonic" here to Germanic as to not be mixed up with modern ethnic German culture. List uses the term "Aryan" in a manner which is more attuned to an Indo-European concept. In other words, he ties many items from ancient Teutonic, European, Greek, Persian, and Indian languages, spirituality, and traditions. The book delves deep into mysticism, metaphysics, symbols, and linguistics.

Getting back to the linguistics, having spent time closely examining words from the Camunian dialect of the Lombard language (in large part a mixture of Proto-European and Roman/Latin), many Lombard/Camunian words are clearly not of Latin origin. These words are also probably not of Gaulish (the Camunni were not a Gallo-Celt tribe) or Teutonic origin. List, along with the mainstream historians of the day, did not seem to acknowledge the ancient Celtic or Proto-European component of Austria for example. It was "Teutonic," period. Having experienced a type of "mystical" experience before myself, I don't discount List's mysticism. However, some of it may well be of the Proto-European connection.

"Wihinei"

Pronounced "VEE-inn-eye," this is the Listian term for esoteric religion. The exoteric being the simpler outer spiritual layer; the esoteric being the deeper meaning of it. List believed that this deeper connection was administered to by a Skaldic priesthood, something similar to the Druidic priesthood. I won't delve any deeper regarding the origin of this word, but it essentially defines this book. In other words, buy the book. I don't think that I've crossed the line by at least making mention of it. I believe that the ancient roots of at least the Teutonic component of this spirituality originated in the Teutonic homeland, somewhere north of the Himalayas, and was brought to both ancient northern Europe and ancient Persia. This may explain some of the connections. From there, it likely was further transported to Spain, Italy, India, Assyria, etc. As far as I can see, 'The Religion of the Aryo-Germanic Folk' is a great short work that defines the deeper essence of Asatru/Odinism.


Related Links

The Religion of the Aryo-Germanic Folk: Esoteric and Exoteric Paperback

Guido von List books (more are now available)

Dr. Stephen Flowers' books (Amazon.com page)


Dr. Stephen Flowers' books (InnerTraditions.com page)


SeekTheMystery.com (Dr. Flowers)

Woodharrow.com (Dr. Flowers)

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