Christopher McIntosh – Beyond the North Wind

Aired Wednesday, 12 June 2019, 8:00 PM ET

In 1970, Robert Plant and Jimmy Page of Led Zeppelin composed “The Immigrant Song”. The lyric said, in part;

“We come from the land of the ice and snow
From the midnight sun, where the hot springs flow
The hammer of the gods
We’ll drive our ships to new lands
To fight the horde, and sing and cry
Valhalla, I am coming!”

References to Norse mythology may once again be found in mainstream pop culture. Marvel Studio’s blockbuster series of movies featuring Odin, Thor and Loki are drawing record crowds to connect with the energy they represent. Why is there this resurgent interest in the mystic north and are neo-pagans finding new meaning in ancient beliefs and practices.?

My guest this week on Destination Unlimited, author and historian Christopher McIntosh, says these ancient roots are resonating again today. Christopher McIntosh is the author of numerous books on various esoteric traditions. He holds a PhD in history from Oxford, a degree in German from London University and a diploma in Russian from the United Nations Language School. He was on the faculty of the Centre for the Study of Esotericism at Exeter University. He lives in Germany from where he is joining me this week to discuss his new book, Beyond the North Wind: The Fall and Rise of the Mystic North.