Spinning Wyrd

“Spinning Wyrd carefully and consciously helps readers deepen their practice amid challenging times. With the premise of Radical Heathenry, this inclusive book widens the view of Norse Paganism by looking at the often hard-to-grasp Wyrd, amongst other significant concepts. Informed by extensive research, well-developed modern practices, and a commitment to social justice, this book prepares readers for whatever is fated to happen next.“—Irisanya Moon, author of Pagan Portals: The Norns: Weavers of Fate & Magick

“A journey of exploration through the cosmos as seen with Norse pagan eyes. Ryan Smith invites the reader to encounter the living forces and beings that move through and animate all the nine worlds and to seek wisdom and relationship with each. But perhaps this book’s most powerful offering is its insightful framework for understanding our own souls and our interactions with the forces that shape our fates. It’s a compass that Norse-centered animists, polytheists, and pagans can turn to for guidance along the path.“—Morpheus Ravenna, author and artist

“Thought-provoking and practical. Those seeking a Heathenry that is open and diverse, strongly rooted in history but meant for today, and which seeks to connect practitioners not only to Gods but also to the many powers around us…will appreciate the way this book balances so many potentially conflicting things to form a cohesive whole. I loved the way Smith tackles potentially difficult topics like ecstatic practice with ease, explaining both why engaging with the more esoteric side of Heathenry is important and providing a guide for anyone to do so.“—Morgan Daimler, author of Pantheon: The Norse and Pagan Portals Odin

“As the leading voice for inclusive Heathenry, Smith presents an essential work exploring the cosmology and mysteries that lay at the heart of contemporary Heathen practice. Thorough yet approachable, Spinning Wyrd provides a solid framework for the new or practicing Heathen to uncover profound meaning and spiritual growth within their practice.“—Althaea Sebastiani, author of Paganism for Beginners

”[Smith’s] is a tradition in which consent and respect for human and other-than-human people are rightfully emphasized on both mundane and magical levels. More importantly, though, Spinning Wyrd reminds us of our place within that ever-changing Web [of Wyrd], our responsibilities to our fellow people within it, and the power we hold to weave wisely for a better future. A perfect read for those looking to learn more about Fire and Ice Heathenry and its unique, socially/Wyrd-conscious approach to magic!“—Cat Heath, author of Elves, Witches & Gods

“Ryan Smith has wrapped ‘round our spindles the gift of theology about Wyrd that is both rigorous and easily accessible: an animist understanding of the interconnectedness between all beings that better connects us to the ancestors we are always being born from and the futures that are always coming into being. Spinning Wyrd is an understanding of the cosmology of the Nornir that meets the contemporary moment and equips us with timeless mystic and ecstatic technologies.“—Camellia-Berry Grass, devotional polytheist and author of Hall of Waters

“Ryan Smith is somehow able to take extremely subtle concepts like wyrd and öorlog and explain them thoroughly, with practical applications, and even manages to connect them to political and social theory. This book is a must read for any Heathen seeking to dive deeper and learn how to work with the subtlest energies at play in the mundane and spirit realms.“—Siri Vincent Plouff, host of The Heathen’s Journey Podcast and coauthor of Lessons from the Empress

Ryan Smith has been a practicing Pagan since his teens with over fifteen years of experience in inclusive and anti-racist Heathen spirituality. He is the author of The Way of Fire and Ice and Spinning Wyrd. In addition to contributing to the anthologies Bringing Race to the Table and ¡No Pasarán!:Antifascist Dispatches from a World in Crisis, Ryan has been published at Huginn’s Heathen Hof, Patheos Pagan, and Truthout. He has presented talks and rituals at Pantheacon, the Gathering Paths presented by Between the Veils, Hexenfest, and Many Gods West. He regularly writes at onblackwings.com and produces a Heathen podcast, The Wayward Wanderer. He also has a PhD in modern economic and social history and can be found online at Facebook, Mastodon, and Instagram.