Mountain Thunder
The Independent Pagan Magazine
The Wild Ride
Mountain Thunder magazine was published quarterly from 21 June 1991 through 21 September 1993, a total of ten issues. The magazine covered issues of interest to the general pagan community, with emphasis on Asatru, the old Germanic religion(s) of Northern Europe. Featuring well known pagan authors such as Diana L. Paxson, Kveldulfr Hagen Gundarsson, and C. Dean Andersson, among others, the magazine struck a balance between intellectual responsibility and plain old fun.
The magazine was edited and published by Wilfred von Dauster, then of Rollinsville, Colorado. The magazine prided itself for always being on time, and consistently improving itself over the entire run. Many new and promising authors were featured on the pages of Mountain Thunder, including Tony Wolf of New Zealand, who wrote primarily on the martial arts as they relate to northern paganism, Charles Armour, who wrote on traditional magical uses of herbs, and Steven R. Wilson, whose poetry could be downright inspiring.
Illustrations came from a variety of sources, but the outstanding work of Staff Artist Kevin Knight illustrated countless articles, and helped make each issue more visually interesting than the last. Gefjon of New Mexico also contributed some of the magazine's best illustrations.
Mountain Thunder ceased publication November 1993. A limited supply of back issues remains, and are available from Mr von Dauster at $10 per issue postpaid. A complete list of authors and articles by issue follows.
May you create interesting times!
All articles are copyrighted by their respective authors.
These web versions are copyrighted by the respective authors and Mountain Thunder.
Articles available online are linked; more will be added over time.
Issue #1: Summer Solstice 1991
Cover photo: Timber Wolf
(Wilfred von Dauster)Thorr
(Kveldulf Hagen Gundarsson)Why did Christianity Win?
(Wilfred von Dauster)Mortar and Pestel
(Charles Armour)Historical Roots of Beowulf
(Kveldulf Hagen Gundarsson)Riddles
(Gunnora Hallakarva)The Valknut
(Kveldulf Hagen Gundarsson)Skadisonnar (poem)
(Gunnora Hallakarva)The Tears (Tyrs) of Things (poem)
(Lawrence J. Bach)A Winter's Toast (poem)
(Gunnora Hallakarva)
Issue #2: Autumnal Equinox 1991
Cover photo: Wayland's Way
(Wilfred von Dauster)Wayland the Smith
(Kveldulf Hagen Gundarsson)A Summer's Morning
(Wilfred von Dauster)Rammaukin
(Tony Wolf)The Braid (poem)
(Kveldulf Hagen Gundarsson)Mortar and Pestel
(Charles Armour)A Boast to Tiwaz (poem)
(Lawrence J. Bach)The Ism Trap
(Wilfred von Dauster)Theodism
(Garman Lord)Sumbel
(Gunnora Hallakarva)Norse Magic (book review)
(Gunnora Hallakarva)This issue is sold out: complete sets only.
Issue #3: Yule 1991
Cover Photo: Oseberg
(Michael von Braun)Ulfhednar: Yule Dance (poem)
(Kveldulf Hagen Gundarsson)Yuletide in the Theods
(Garman Lord)Words to the Sax-Kin (poem)
(Cyniht)Simple Meads
(Wilfred von Dauster)A Theodish Tale
(Lord Ealdoraed)Mortar and Pestel
(Charlse Armour)What are you Afraid of?
(Wilfred von Dauster)Wassail/The Red Horse (poems)
(Lawrence J. Bach)The Lay of Helgi: Translation and Commentary
(Kveldulf Hagen Gundarsson)Moonrise (magazine review)
(Charles Armour)Thorr/Winter (poems)
(Gunnora Hallakarva)
Issue #4: Spring Equinox 1992
Cover photo: Drawbridge
(Wilfred von Dauster)Wayland at the Forge (poem)
(Steven R. Wilson)This Stead's Strife (poem)
(Cyniht)Magic, Asafolk, and Spiritual Development
(Steven McNallen)The Runes: A Brief Introduction
(Kveldulfr Hagen Gundarsson)Runecasting
(Larry Miller)Ostara
(Kveldulf Hagen Gundarsson / Gunnora Hallakarva)Mortar and Pestel
(Charles Armour)How Can You Believe That Junk?
(Wilfred von Dauster)Ordeal
(Tony Wolf)Rites of Odin (review)
(Kveldulfr Hagen Gundarsson)Book of Troth (review)
(Kveldulfr Hagen Gundarsson)
Issue #5: Summer Solstice 1992
Cover photo: Crunch
(Wilfred von Dauster)Speech at the Asatru Alliance Althing
(Gamlinginn)Invocation to Balder
(William Bainbridge)News of the Troth
(William Bainbridge)Race, Inheritance and Asatru Today
(Kveldulf Hagen Gundarsson)Utgard
(Diana L. Paxson)Frigga (poem)
(Diana L. Paxson)Mortar and Pestel
(Charles Armour)The Godlauss
(Tony Wolf)Pagan Leadership
(Wilfred von Dauster)Women in Asatru
(Gunnora Hallakarva)Thunder on the Mountain (poem)
(Steven R. Wilson)
Issue #6: Autumnal Equinox 1992
Cover Photo: Stones
(Wilfred von Dauster)Standard Futhark
(Gamlinginn)Wisdom, Might, and Fruitfulness:
Dumézil's Theory in the Germanic Rebirth
(Kveldulf Hagen Gundarsson)Mortar and Pestel
(Charles Armour)In Birka's Wood (poem)
(Lavrans Reimer-Møller)"Hail Earth That Givest to All ..."
(Diana L. Paxson)Harbarthesleoth
(Gert McQueen)Blot and Sumbel
(Garman Lord)An Awareness of Magic
(Wilfred von Dauster)Freya's Gift (poem)
(Lawrence J. Bach)A Warrior's Death (poem)
(Steven R. Wilson)
Issue #7: Yule 1992
Cover Photo: Hylestad
(Kveldulf Hagen Gundarsson)Hammersong
(Lavrans Reimer-Møller)The Flaming Arrow
(Tony Wolf)Ghosts of Yuletide Past
(Garman Lord)Yule Wood (poem)
(Kveldulf Hagen Gundarsson)Balancing Act
(Wilfred von Dauster)Folklore of the Wild Hunt
(Kveldulf Hagen Gundarsson)Njördhr and Skadhi
(Alice Karlsdottír)A Better Bookshelf
(Lavrans Reimer-Møller)Til Gimle (poem)
(Lavrans Reimer-Møller)Viking Metal
(C. Dean Andersson)
Issue #8: Spring Equinox 1993
Cover Photo: Mt. Princeton
(Wilfred von Dauster)Who's Next?
(Wilfred von Dauster)Honorable Men, Deeds
(Gert McQueen)Valhalla (poem)
(Stephanie J. Kerkow)Race and Religion
(Gamlinginn)The Drinking Horn
(Kveldulf Hagen Gundarsson)Riddaraskap
(Tony Wolf)Thanks for the Memories
(Wilfred von Dauster)Remember! (poem)
(C. Dean Andersson)Anglo Saxon Year Mael
(Garman Lord)Yule at Eagles Reaches
(Kveldulf Hagen Gundarsson)Uncle Thorr's Magazine (review)
(Charles Armour)
Issue # 9: Summer Solstice 1993
Cover Photo: Eagle
(Wilfred von Dauster)Ballad of Saint Olaf (poem)
(Steven R. Wilson)A Memorial
(Kveldulf Hagen Gundarsson)Polytheism
(Trudi James)A Poem
(Lavrans Reimer-Møller)The Right to Remain Silent
(Hawkmoon)Hammer of Strength
(Tony Wolf)The Return of the Völva
(Diana L. Paxson)Dame Ragna's Saga
(Gefjon)Forcing It
(Wilfred von Dauster)To Borrow or Not
(Thorr Sheil)This issue is sold out: complete sets only.
Issue #10: Autumnal Equinox 1993 (Final Issue)
Cover Photo: Root
(Wilfred von Dauster)The Wolf and the Raven (review)
(Kveldulf Hagen Gundarsson)Tyrian Spirituality
(Gamlinginn)A Song from the Wood
(Wilfred von Dauster)Outlaws in the Hof
(Kveldulf Hagen Gundarsson)Basic Knifemaking (Part 1)
(Hawkmoon)The Spear and the Hammer
(Steven R. Wilson)Coming to Terms with Tyr
(Diana L. Paxson)Freyja's Necklace
(Alice Karlsdottír)Drengskapr
(Tony Wolf)Building a Better Bookshelf
(Lavrans Reimer-Møller)