A practical guide to the Norse shamanic techniques of sei繢 - Explains the techniques used to achieve trance in sei繢, how to journey in the Nine Realms, and the different gods and spirits you may encounter
- Discusses the tools of sei繢, such as the sei繢 staff and hood, and how to create them, empower them, and care for them
- Details Norse divination methods, ways to alter fate, healing techniques, the use of protective songs, and the practice of Norse soul retrieval
While Norse rune work is well known, there is another major ancient Norse magical practice:
sei繢 (pronounced "sayther"), a form of trance spirit work and divination. Although sei繢 is often considered an ancient form of witchcraft, recent archaeological evidence suggests it is more closely related to shamanism.
In this practical guide to sei繢, Dean Kirkland, Ph.D., reconstructs the magical and shamanic techniques of the sei繢 priest or priestess using the sagas and other literature from the Viking age, tools found in the archaeological record, and surviving indigenous shamanic traditions. He addresses the misconception that sei繢 was a practice reserved only for women and shows how anyone called to this work would have been accepted in ancient Norse society. He discusses the tools of sei繢 and how to create them, empower them, and care for them. He explores the use of protective songs (var簰okkur) that involve forming bonds with spirits, a practice he likens to the medicine songs of Amazonian shamans. He explains the techniques used to achieve trance in sei繢 and how they are based on finding balance between the light and the darkness.
Looking at trance journeying in the Nine Realms of the Norse cosmos, the author discusses the different gods and spirits the sei繢 practitioner may encounter in the Upper Realms, the Middle Worlds, and the Lower Realms. He shares exercises on the Wyrd, divination methods in sei繢, as well as ways to alter rl鐷, or fate, through spiritual work. Discussing soul-healing techniques in sei繢, the author looks in depth at the Norse shamanic practices of soul retrieval and reintegration of the soul parts. He then explores sei繢's role in death, dying, and dealing with the dead, including work with the Valkries and the ancestors.
Presenting a historically based handbook for contemporary heathens, this book offers a practical path for anyone seeking to explore Norse trance magic and mysticism.
