Seiðr/Fornsed or "Norse Shamanism"
The Seiðr Introduction Course
NOT CURRENTLY SCHEDULED
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.
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!)
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.
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
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!