Book Review

Beyond the North Wind

by Christopher McIntosh

256 Pages

 

 

The Forward of this book is written by Hilmar Örn Hilmarsson, who is the High Priest of the Icelandic ÁSATRÚ Association. I found the story of his meeting and developing friendship with Mr. McIntosh, at times, whimsical and tender at the same time. But I also found the respect that runs very deep in that friendship.

This book covers a subject, Hyperborean, that I used to talk about with my father. When I was seven years old, my dad would talk about all the different world beliefs that he had heard or read. He would talk about how he believed the way the world was shaped, and civilizations formed in the ancient world.

I have heard the word “Hyperborean” before. I always took it to mean something superior or otherworldly from us. But it was a word that when I heard it would just attach my meaning to it. Reading this book, I started looking into the concept and what it meant. 

Mr. McIntosh has a unique way of letting the reader know when he is talking about groups in Russia and other areas of the world that have a skewed view of the Norse Mythology and are xenophobic. He uses the term “Here there be Dragons.” Even though on Page 4, he stated, “in Russia’s case, “here there be bears.” 

One of the more exciting topics in Beyond the North Wind for me was in Chapter 2: The Search for the Land Beyond the North Wind. Mr. McIntosh talks about the Indian writer Bâl Gangâdhar Tilak and his book The Arctic Home of in the Vedas. Mr. McIntosh says this book is enjoying a new revival in Russia (“Here there be Dragons”)

There is now a school of thought that states that most of the Greek Mythology that we were taught and known took place in the Arctic Ocean. The ideas behind this come from the clothing that was described in the Iliad and Odyssey. I found that an interesting thesis on I would like to study a bit more in-depth.

I love all the different genres in which Norse Mythology has taken hold. From ancient writing to the modern literary world, (comic books, movies, art, and music. Speaking of art check out some of the artwork online from Russian Artist Alexander Uglanov: here is a link https://vimeo.com/channels/1323078/250972653)

I have started looking for some of the musical artists that he writes that use music to celebrate their spirituality. I even had to listen to Led Zeppelins’ Immigrant Song after reading about the songs backstory in Beyond the North Wind.

The subject of Hyperborean is exciting to me. I find this subject on the same level as Greek, Roman, and Gaelic Mythology. I believe that there will be more written about the North Wind and the places beyond it. And I look forward to reading what others discover through their research.

 

 

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About the Author:

Dawn Borries is a prolific reader, having 3 books going at any given time. Dawn uses Tarot cards, Intuitive insights, and Numerology in her sessions with clients. She is also an Ordained Minister, Reiki and La Ho Chi Practitioner and Master. She is a certified EFT and TFT Counselor. Dawn calls herself a Spiritual Counselor, and Unicorn Lover. She can be found @eagleandunicorn on Facebook or @eagle_unicorn on Twitter.