By D.W. Roach — MarauderBooks.com Christmas is, at first glance, a Christian celebration rooted in the Middle East — a holiday tied to Bethlehem, the Nativity, and a faith born under desert skies. Yet if you look around at what we actually do during Christmas, the symbols we cherish, the imagery we decorate with, the … Continue reading Christmas, Yule, and the Fire in the Dark: A Personal Exploration of the Holiday’s Ancient Roots
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Beneath the Sphere: My Journey — From silent investigator to outspoken truth seeker
I still remember that afternoon in 2014 with startling clarity. A smooth, dull-white sphere hovered against a backdrop of clouds and blue sky — unmoving, despite a stiff wind rattling everything else. I first thought: balloon. But as I watched, the sphere began to dart and bounce — hundreds of feet in multiple directions, like … Continue reading Beneath the Sphere: My Journey — From silent investigator to outspoken truth seeker
The Viking Axe: Tool of the Farm, Terror of the Field
By D.W. Roach | MarauderBooks.com Few images evoke the Viking Age as sharply as the axe—broad-bladed, utilitarian, and deadly. But the truth behind the Norse axe is far richer than our modern pop-culture silhouette. To understand Viking warfare, you have to begin with the everyday lives of the people who fought—and the tool they carried … Continue reading The Viking Axe: Tool of the Farm, Terror of the Field
Reflections of the Gods: Myth as the Mirror of Man
by D.W. Roach, Marauder I. Firelight and the First Questions Since the dawn of firelight, humanity has told stories to make sense of the darkness. We have named the thunder and given it a temper, called the sea a jealous lover, and painted the stars as the eyes of forgotten gods. Every myth, every religion, … Continue reading Reflections of the Gods: Myth as the Mirror of Man
Shadows of the North: Viking Traditions and the Roots of Halloween
By D.W. Roach When the autumn nights lengthen and the air grows sharp with the scent of woodsmoke, the veil between worlds feels thinner. Across the modern world, Halloween arrives — a night of masks, spirits, and flickering candles. But what did the Vikings make of such a night? Did they too feel the chill … Continue reading Shadows of the North: Viking Traditions and the Roots of Halloween
Blood and Bond: Viking Families and the Power of Kinship
By D.W. Roach In the Viking world, power did not come from a crown, a parliament, or even an army. It came from blood. Family — not state — was the nucleus of Norse society, the true engine that drove politics, trade, and war. To be born into a large and respected family was to … Continue reading Blood and Bond: Viking Families and the Power of Kinship
The Return of the Homestead Mother: Modern Women and the Legacy of the Viking Age
By D.W. Roach In recent years, a quiet revolution has taken place across the Western world. Amidst the chaos of modern life — corporate grind, digital noise, and cultural confusion — many women are rediscovering the power and dignity of the homestead. The stay-at-home mother, once dismissed as “outdated,” has begun to return not as … Continue reading The Return of the Homestead Mother: Modern Women and the Legacy of the Viking Age
For Tolkien – The Lord of the Rings Is Not Racist
By D.W. Roach – Marauder Books Every few years, a new wave of critics emerges to accuse J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings of racism. Lately, even some college courses and media pieces claim that Orcs represent “dark-skinned peoples” or that Tolkien’s mythos upholds “colonial attitudes.” These claims are without merit. They reflect not … Continue reading For Tolkien – The Lord of the Rings Is Not Racist
The Art and History of Stacking Firewood
by D.W. Roach There’s something deeply satisfying about stacking firewood — the scent of freshly split oak or birch, the rhythmic sound of wood on wood, and the promise of warmth in the colder months ahead. It’s one of those simple seasonal rituals that feels timeless, connecting us not only to nature but also to … Continue reading The Art and History of Stacking Firewood
The Haunting Origins and Heartwarming Spirit of Halloween
by D.W. Roach As the air cools and the days grow shorter, I can always feel it coming — that unmistakable shift that signals my favorite time of year. Autumn settles in like an old friend, bringing the scent of woodsmoke, the rustle of fallen leaves, and that perfect mix of cozy and eerie that … Continue reading The Haunting Origins and Heartwarming Spirit of Halloween