The Mythology of the Northland is a historical work by Swedish author Viktor Rydberg which deals with Germanic tradition and Norse mythology. One of Rydberg's mythological theories developed in this book is that of a vast World Mill which rotates the heavens, which he believed was an integral part of Old Norse mythic cosmology.

Viktor Rydberg's 'Teutonic Mythology: The Gods and Goddesses of the Northland (Vol. 1-3)' is a comprehensive study of the mythological beliefs of the ancient Germanic peoples. Rydberg delves into the rich tapestry of Norse mythology, exploring the stories of gods and goddesses, heroes and giants, and the cosmic battles that shape the fate of the world. Written in a scholarly yet accessible style, Rydberg's work provides insight into the cultural and literary context of these myths, shedding light on their significance and enduring appeal. Drawing on a wide range of sources, including the Eddas and Sagas, Rydberg presents a detailed and engaging account of the mythological landscape of the Northland. As a renowned Swedish writer, poet, and scholar, Viktor Rydberg's deep knowledge of Scandinavian folklore and literature informs his exploration of Teutonic mythology. His background in philology and mythology lends credibility to his interpretation of these ancient stories, making 'Teutonic Mythology' a valuable resource for scholars and enthusiasts alike. Rydberg's passion for the subject matter is evident in his meticulous research and thoughtful analysis, making this three-volume work a must-read for anyone interested in Norse mythology and Germanic culture. I highly recommend 'Teutonic Mythology: The Gods and Goddesses of the Northland' to readers seeking a comprehensive and insightful study of Norse mythological beliefs. Rydberg's masterful examination of these ancient stories offers a fascinating journey into the world of the gods and heroes of the North, showcasing the enduring power and complexity of Teutonic mythology.

Complied by the various sources of Finland's national mythology, the Kalevala outlines the creation myths of the world and typical stories of heroes of old including romance, lust and conquest. The stories that are told here are a national icon for the people of Finland, which makes this volume an important part of human history.

The Kalevala is a Finnish epic poem, which tells of the creation of the world and how the heroes that inhabit it came to be, and the legends of their conflicts and adventures. Spread out over fifty cantos, we hear how existence was created from the egg of a duck, how the forests were created from the chips of a world-tree felled by an ancient wizard, how the mighty Sampo—a multicolored mill of plenty—was created and later stolen, how the nine dread diseases came to be, and many more such stories. The tales contained here are formed from Finland’s oral history. The author, Elias Lönnrot, was a Finnish doctor who was fascinated with his country’s stories, so between the 1820s and 1850s he embarked on a series of expeditions to the countryside of Finland and the surrounding area to collect and transcribe the folk stories told by local people. These tales were gradually collected into several volumes, the final of which is this “new” Kalevala. Lönnrot collected many different variants of each story, then edited each down into a cohesive whole when composing the new verse. The distinctive Kalevala-meter that was a common feature of all the original oral stories was kept during the process, and Crawford used the same with this English translation. Lönnrot’s work proved extremely influential in Finland, and the national pride it imbued has been cited as a factor in the later Finnish independence movement. The Kalevala was also a source of inspiration for later authors of the twentieth century. Tolkien reused some of the themes and characters for the basis of his fictional universe (in particular The Silmarillion), the Kalevala-meter was used in Longfellow’s The Song of Hiawatha, and even Donald Duck has quested—as the Kalevala heroes did—for the legendary Sampo. This edition was translated by John Martin Crawford in the late nineteenth century, and includes his introduction discussing some of the themes, characters, and settings.

Teutonic Mythology: Gods and Goddesses of the Northland in three volumes, Volume 1 By Viktor Rydberg. Authorised translation from the Swedish by Rasmus Bj?rn Anderson, edited in chief. James William Buel

THE following translation was undertaken from a desire to lay before the English-speaking people the full treasury of epical beauty, folklore, and mythology comprised in The Kalevala (the Land of Heroes, the national epic of the Finns.) The Kalevala describes Finnish nature very minutely and very beautifully. Grimm says that no poem is to be compared with it in this respect. A deeper and more esoteric meaning of the Kalevala, however, points to a contest between Light and Darkness. The numerous myths of the poem are likewise full of significance and beauty, and the Kalevala should be read between the lines, in order that the full meaning of this great epic may be comprehended. The whole poem is replete with the most fascinating folk-lore about the mysteries of nature, the origin of things, the enigmas of human tears, and, true to the character of a national epic, it represents not only the poetry, but the entire wisdom and accumulated experience of a nation. One of the most notable characteristics of the Finnish mythology is the interdependence among the gods. The Finnish deities, like the ancient gods of Italy and Greece, are generally represented in pairs. They have their individual abodes and are surrounded by their respective families. The Sun and the Moon each have a consort, and sons and daughters. Only two sons of Paeivae appear in The Kalevala, one comes to aid of Wainamoinen in his efforts to destroy the mystic Fire-fish, by throwing from the heavens to the girdle of the hero, a "magic knife, silver-edged, and golden-handled;" the other son, Panu, the Fire-child, brings back to Kalevala the fire that bad been stolen by Louhi, the wicked hostess of Pohyola. 10% of the net profit from the sale of this book will be donated to charities.