Seiðr/Fornsed or "Norse Shamanism"

The Seiðr Introduction Course

 

International Teacher, Author, Painter and Forest Witch in Europe and Globally

 UPDATE!

At the time of writing there is no Seiðr Introduction Course scheduled (yet).

I have expressions of interest on file in both an in-person Seiðr Introduction Course at my Forest School in Sweden and the same course running on-line with US and Canada-friendly hours.

My plan is to schedule the in-person course in Sweden in late spring or early summer of 2027.

I have not yet worked out the timing for an on-line course.

I publish an updated Teaching Schedule on Substack 2 - 3 times a year. Unfortunately I often run late in terms of website updates, so subscribing (for free) on Substack is the best way to get my updates.

Imelda, 20 October 2025


 

Seidr is a Norse form of shamanism or working closely with spirit through trance prophecy and oracular work,  rune carving, magical chants and songs, sitting out on grave mounds, shape shifting, berserking, blota (making offerings) reading/writing poetry and knowledge competitions  as practiced in the Viking Age and described in the Icelandic sagas (or Eddas)

 

Shamanic teacher, painter and author in the UK and the world

 

 

Seiðr, Sejd & Fornsed

The contemporary Swedish word Fornsed means "the old customs and traditions". The word Seiðr is Icelandic (but Old Norse in origin). Sejd is the contemporary Swedish word for Seiðr. People always ask how these words are pronounced: well, it depends on what Scandinavian language you choose to speak but an approximation is "foornsayd" (Fornsed), "sayd" (sejd) and "saythr" (seiðr ) respectively.

My introduction course covers the larger field of spiritual and mystical traditions often referred to as Norse Shamanism (but that term is both contentious and an anachronism). I means the indigenous ancestral pathways of Northern Europe. I teach this material in traditional ways, closely following both the ancient texts (meaning the Poetic Edda and Prose Edda) and the old Scandinavian traditions and folklore (grimoires, folklore and folk magic).

We study the old material very closely, but we also invite the gods, goddesses and inhabitants of the Nine Worlds to communicate with us directly and tell us how they wish to work with us in the context of the 21st century. Years of teaching has taught me that the gods need human beings to evolve - as much as human beings need the gods to evolve. It is a sacred partnership - not one-way traffic! 

 

This course covers all traditional aspects of Seiðr: exploring the nine worlds and their inhabitants, the roles of human beings, utiseta (sitting out), the ancient art of poetry and the quest for knowledge (think of Odin!)

We carve our own set of runes and do a High Seat ceremony, we study the role galdr (ancient songs and chants) and the metaphysical dimension of Viking spirituality, we work with the Norns and explore concepts such as the Web of Wyrd and Orlog, we explore shape-shifting, "berserking" and  the "knowledge competitions" the gods engage in.

We also discuss the role of blót (sacrifice) and the main festivals on the Norse calendar.  We look closely at masculine and feminine principles in Norse cosmology. The 3 year Seiðrkona and Seiðmaðr professional program at my Forest School in Sweden offers advanced modules in all these subjects and much more.

 

 

Shamanic teacher, painter and author in the UK and the world

COURSE CONTENT 

The Norse Sagas and Myths

We will explore Norse Creation Stories as well as the myths about the end of the world: Ragnarök or Ragnarøkkr (Old Norse; meaning Fate of the Gods and Twilight of the Gods, respectively). 

Yggdrasil and the inhabitants of the Nine Worlds

I will introduce Yggdrasil (the world tree that holds up the universe) and the inhabitants of all the Nine Worlds (gods, goddesses, Norns, Valkyries, dwarves, elves, giants etc.) and provide a map for exploring these worlds.

Urðr's Web

We will explore the workings of Urðr's Web (commonly translated into English as The Web of Wyrd) and the role of the Norns carving the destiny of all beings (even for the gods!) We will look briefly at the concept of Changing the Weave (and we will take that much further during advanced modules of my 3 year program in Sweden)

Utiseta or Sitting Out on the Land

Sitting out, ideally at night and on grave mounds (or at cross roads), to contact  a dead Völva, ancestors, deities or other spirit beings is a traditional way of receiving guidance and visions. (Native American peoples call this a vision quest but "sitting out" is an indigenous terms from Northern Europe. (I make every effort to avoid cultural appropriation as I do not practice any Native American form of shamanism and I have not worked with Native American teachers!)

 

International Teacher, Author, Painter and Forest Witch in Europe and Globally

 

 

Carving or creating our own set of runes

We study the runes, following the Uthark (not Futhark) order and names (not the Anglo-Saxon versions) and create a personal set of runes, for our own work. We explore what it takes and what it means to become a competent rune magician with a personal Code of Ethics.

Power objects

We explore the place and use of other power objects in Norse Shamanism

Trolldom

We will briefly look at spells and traditional magical workings

 

 

Shape-shifting and berserking

The principles underlying these phenomena as explained by "the anatomy of soul" viewed through the Old Norse lens (which is one module of my 3 year program). 

Galdr
In the past Scandinavia was sometimes referred to as the Song Lands. The material we study originates in an oral tradition (that was only written down two centuries after the Viking Age). Central to this tradition is exploring the magical power of songs and speech

Blot
Ceremonial offerings to the gods, especially at particular times of the year (major festivals)

The Wisdom or Knowledge competitions in the Eddas

We may taste "divine speech" and learning through this tool. 

 

The Norse Gods and Goddesses

We get to know the Norse gods and goddesses: their teachings, energy and character traits; their days of the week; the interaction of sacred feminine and masculine principles in Norse lore.

Human Roles

The roles of human beings in this cosmology: the Völva (or ‘Sibyll', Prophetess), Goði and Gyðja: the local spiritual leaders. The male “gode” was also chieftain, as there was no division between religion and government at that time.

The concept of the spiritual warrior in Norse Lore and the teachings of both Tyr and Odin

The principle of sacrifice made in return for spiritual gain. Examples are Odin's Eye and Tyr's arm or hand.

Divination and Prophecy

We explore how Seiðr can be used for divination and oracular work

High Seat Ceremony

We perform a High Seat ceremony. Some people may have experienced a High Seat Ceremony introduced by American teachers with different personal backgrounds and varying levels of scholarship (and little to no knowledge of Scandinavian languages). I wish to make it very clear that the High Seat Ceremony we will perform is the traditional Scandinavian version as it has always been performed in local communities - not an Americanized theatrical version thereof.

Shamanic teacher, painter and author in the UK and the world

 

Hail Day!

Hail Day's Sons

Hail Night and her daughter

Look upon us twain

With loving eyes

And give those sitting there speed

Hail to the Gods

Hail the Goddesses!

Hail the generous earth

Sayings and sage wit

Give to us wisdom 

and goodly speech

And healing hands for life

Poetic Edda

Sigrdrifumal , stanzas 2-3

Shamanic teacher, painter and author in the UK and the world

On choosing a teacher

Choose your shamanic teacher (or shamanic practitioner) with immense care, as this person will literally be handling your soul. Ideally select them with the same care as you would apply to selecting a brain surgeon for your child.

The teacher you choose will shape your journey forever and, in doing so, will have a lasting influence on your life and own work.

I may the right teacher for you, or I may not be - I urge you to consult your own spirit allies about this. Next talk to human beings, people who have trained with the teacher you are looking at. Listen to their experiences.

If at all possible, I also urge you to choose a teacher who presents material that has some connection to your ancestors, but I appreciate that in some cases this impossible. There are now many people out there who have ancestry too diverse to have clarity about that.

In that case I always suggest that start with the land you live on and the spirits of place. They will guide you!

Imelda Almqvist, London, 20 October 2025