The Pathwalker's Guide to the Nine Worlds

"Pathwalker's" chronicles Raven Kaldera's experience traveling across the nine worlds described in Norse mythology. Unlike other shamans/spirit-workers, Kaldera does not use astral travel but instead uses a technique called pathwalking. Instead of leaving the body to travel to realms of spirits, Kaldera describes pulling the other worlds into/over this one. That I'm aware of, Kaldera's book is the only one on the market that describes this technique, and there are several chapters detailing the ins and outs of it, although, according to Kaldera, it must be ultimately spirit taught (Kaldera describes his own experience with having his technique perfected with the guidance of Loki).If all of this sounds a bit...fantastical...well... I don't personally astral or pathwalk and I'm not in intimate contact with those who do, so I really can't say if Kaldera's descriptions of the Nine Worlds are something commonly experienced. However, I am well versed in Norse/Germanic mythology and am a practicing Neo-Pagan/Heathen. So from that perspective, I do have a few criticisms of his work.In the introduction, Kaldera does include a disclaimer that his work is not intended to be "scholarly primary source material." Even taking that disclaimer into consideration, I really think there should be a clearer distinction between lore and UPG. The two are so intertwined that it's likely to really confuse a newbie. If you are new to Heathenry/Northern Tradition, understand that you are getting the Nine Worlds according to Kaldera and his associates, and not what is widely accepted outside of their circle.The bridge too far for me was Kaldera's concept of Midgard. Now, if you are familiar with Norse mythology at all (or Thor comics) you will know that Midgard is our world, the world of man. However, Kaldera argues that there is controversy about this, and that some, specifically himself, believe that Midgard is NOT our world, but instead a completely separate astral world. This idea is completely foreign to anything else I have read or experienced.I'm pretty sure the only controversy about it must lie between Kaldera and his associates and everyone not Kaldera and his associates. Granted, I do understand the function of creating an astral Midgard separate from our own. Elements of Norse mythology, for example a giant tail eating snake encircling the world and the sun and moon being carried through the sky by chariots, are difficult to reconcile with our modern understanding of the natural world. While one route (the route most heathens take I think) is to view these images metaphorically, Kaldera is one of the hardest of the hard pagans. For them it seems, all myth must be taken literally. Creating a literal world in which to house more far-fetched notions from the Norse myths allows them to hold both a modern worldview and a hard polytheistic worldview at the same time.I find this problematic. The world that Kaldera describes as Midgard sounds like a town from an RPG, complete with a friendly innkeeper. Midgard is the safe place you can go to escape the dangers of the other realms populated by elves, fairies, dwarfs, giants, etc. Yeah, so just like an RPG. Maybe an alternate title for "Pathwalking" could have been: Larping Alone in your Backyard for Nine Days.Entertaining, most definitely, but not exactly something that helps me with my spiritual growth and practice. I do think it is a superior work to "Jotunbok," if only because it covers more than just the Jotuns and their worlds. And actually, there is a lot of overlap between the two books, with the exact same material included in both. Kaldera's books are a little pricey, so if you have to chose between the two, I'd go with "Pathwalker's" instead.

I discovered this author when I was looking for books on the Northern Tradition (I'm not a fresh newbie, exactly, but still relatively new).It frustrated me that I couldn't identify with heathen or Asatru groups because of many of the rigid, inflexible ways and refusal to consider anything valid that does not appear in the lore.UPG and PCPG (personal gnosis) which Raven has mentioned in this and other books is indeed valid, and without learning from new gnosis how can any spiritual path grow, evolve? The gods don't want rigid adherence to texts which were written BY A CHRISTIAN and thus with a heavy Christian slant and bias, while the lore is a good starting point, They want us to learn, experience and grow for ourselves.That out of the way, this book is very heavily based on UPG so any die hard Heathen recons will immediately poo poo it.For those who are actually interested in learning about pathwalking from a real, working, experienced NT shaman, this book is brilliant. I still have a lot of work to do before I could even consider 'faring forth' safely, but if/when that happens, this book is the best 'getting started' guide I could have asked for.It gives multiple techniques, instructions, etiquette, warning... This is no happy Disney ride or for the faint of heart! This is the tough, gritty 'real deal' with a realistic picture of the nine worlds and not the fluffy pretty fairy land that many have been taught to expect.One point though.. Raven works well with Hela and the Rokkr (aka Etins or Jotunns) and not so much with the Aesir. Thus in his experiences and recountings in the book with the various groups encountered, the Aesir are not always portrayed in a purely positive light.I love and am devoted to an Aesir patron and to the Aesir, and this 'not always portrayed in a purely positive light', while it did honestly jar a little, I've had enough experience of my own to know that many work with and have beneficial relationships with Jotun who are another race of gods with plenty to teach, although not like the Aesir in personalities etc (generally speaking).The reason I mention this last part is that, while that didn't bother me too much, it might bother some who can only see the Rokkr in a purely negative light.So.. To sum up, excellent practical guide and excellent realistic picture of the worlds and their inhabitants. Excellent, excellent value for money. I wish these books were also available on kindle, though.

I feel like he needs to go into more detail about how this stuff is done. Break it down, explain why and how in much more detail. Amazing material, though, eye opening, with an 'it is OK' to associate with Jotuns and for Jotuns to like you message to it. In fact in him describing himself, I was able to see myself in a more clear light... positive I have 'Jotun blood' in me. A great alternative look into heathenism. I don't fit the mold of a heathen either, and I feel like if people knew my deity was Loki, I feel like I would have to draw a weapon to protect myself, or that I would just be mindlessly shunned. I just call myself a witch after all these years of studying Asatru, Odinism, and heathenism. This book actually allowed myself to close a chapter in my 'trying to fit in phase' of my life. It was a good enough read for me to pick up another book from him: Wyrdwalkers: Techniques of Northern-Tradition Shamanism... it should arrive in the mail tomorrow!!! I am excited!!!

Still reading it- I have numerous books to read and have read numerous books over the last 25 years and experimented with some of it- the author plainly puts astral travel as something you might not want to be so impatient to experience. Especially if you think you're going to meet a god or goddess. Did they send you an engraved invitation? Unless they did you'd best watch your back or just watch your back anyhow. The author describes how most people basically experience the "Disneyland ride" equivalent. If you meet an EFFIGY of a particular god or goddess or they contact you repeatedly in other ways then it's probably ok to warily go ahead and see what they have to teach you.

a great guide to working in the realms of norse shamanism, the book was in great condition, with excellent packaging , will enjoy spending time working through the second book in this series.