Female magicians in Norse paganism (OccidentalEnclave)
submitted by Joe_McCarthy to OccidentalEnclave 4 weeks ago
1 comments
From the AI.
In Norse culture, practitioners of magic, particularly women known as völva, used Seiðr, a form of shamanism, to connect with the spiritual realm, gain knowledge, and influence events, often through trance states and ritual practices.
Here's a more detailed look:
Seiðr as a Shamanic Practice:
Seidr is considered a form of Norse shamanism, or an old Scandinavian magic with strong shamanic traits.
Role of Völva:
Völva, the women who practiced Seidr, held a unique and sometimes ambiguous position in Norse society, being both feared and respected.
Trance and Ritual:
Seidr rituals often involved entering trance states or altered states of consciousness to access hidden realms and communicate with various beings.
Techniques:
Practitioners used techniques like chanting, drumming, and possibly psychoactive substances to achieve these states.
Purposes of Seidr:
Seidr was used for divination, communication with gods and spirits, and influencing events, including prophecies, blessings, and curses.
Examples in Saga:
The Saga of Erik the Red provides a detailed account of a völva and her practices, while other sagas and mythic poems also contain accounts of seidr-workers.
Social Standing:
Völva were "set apart" from society, sometimes exalted and sought-after, and at other times feared or reviled.
Odin and Freyja:
Odin is associated with magic, divination, and wisdom, while Freyja is strongly connected to magic and witchcraft.
Galdr:
Galdr is a song which can unleash powers and give access to other realities.
