Description
Book SynopsisShamanism is humanity’s oldest spiritual tradition. In much of the Western world, the indigenous pre-Christian spiritual practices have been lost. Yet at the northern fringes of Europe, Christianity did not displace the original shamanic practices until the end of the Viking age. Remnants of Norse shamanic spirituality have survived in myths, folk traditions, and written records from Iceland, providing many clues about the ancient European shaman’s world, especially when examined in conjunction with other shamanic cultures in northern Eurasia, such as the Sami and the tribes of Siberia.
Trade Review“ . . . brilliantly written, very well researched, and filled with fascinating historical stories and a wealth of exercises to help readers fully experience the powerful ancient shamanic practices of the Norse shamans. This book is superb!” * Sandra Ingerman, M.A., coauthor of Speaking with Nature and author of Walking in Light: The Everyday *
“An exceptional, authentic, and wonderfully informative exploration of the ancient ancestry, landscape, and mythology of Northern Europe and Norse shamanism--interspersed with accessible practical exercises reconstructing traditional practices of seiðr for contemporary personal use. One of the best books on this subject I have read. If you are looking for a book on Norse shamanism, this is it.” * June Kent, editor and founder of Indie Shaman magazine *
“According to Norse mythology, whoever drinks from the Mead of Poetry will gain the abilities of a scholar-poet and be able to solve any riddle or problem presented to them. With this beautifully written and powerfully instructive book, Evelyn Rysdyk has popped the cork on this precious elixir and is offering us a taste of the wisdom to be found in the teachings of northern European shamanism.” * Hillary S. Webb, author of Exploring Shamanism and Traveling between the Worlds: Conversations with *
“Wise woman Rysdyk opens the mysterious portals to the ancient ancestral female shamanic traditions of Scandinavia and invites us to connect with the spiritual power found therein. She is a knowledgeable, trustworthy, and generous guide.” * Mama Donna Henes, urban shaman and author of Celestially Auspicious Occasions: Seasons, Cycles, and *
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The Norse Shaman skillfully weaves scholarly insight with an abundance of guided, hands-on experience. In an exceptionally clear and thorough voice, Evelyn Rysdyk inspires us to make the earth-honoring wisdom of the far north--and the magic of the distant past--come alive in our hearts, and in our world, today.” * Llyn Roberts, coauthor of Speaking with Nature, recipient of the Nautilus Book Awards Gold Medal *
“Evelyn Rysdyk uses her shaman’s discerning heart and wide-ranging intelligence to unearth precious, hard-won wisdom from our northernmost European ancestors, integrating it with the latest findings in anthropology, genetics, and the unsettling lessons of quantum physics to offer us exciting new ways to understand our humanity and place in the Universe. This is a book to change your life. Do the exercises and you’ll never feel alone and helpless again.” * Ellen Winner, author of World Shaman and Thoughts in the Mind of God *
“This book is a gem! Part historical review, part instruction manual, the author stokes the fires of her Norse heritage to warm the hearts and kindle the minds of her readers. Evelyn Rysdyk is a triple threat--a brilliant illustrator, a renowned shamanic healer and teacher, and a gifted writer at the height of her craft. A very satisfying read. Highly recommended.” * Paul Bowersox coauthor of Seeing in the Dark *
“I love how this work blends the wisdom we find in mythology with the insights that modern technology, science, and new physics has given us. Evelyn is a shaman who embodies the knowledge and practice of Norse shamanism through ancestry, calling, profession, and daily life.” * Colleen Deatsman, shamanic practitioner, author of The Hollow Bone, and coauthor of Seeing in the Da *
“Evelyn Rysdyk has written a very important book. For anyone longing to deepen their personal transformation, enhance their shamanic practice, help our modern society restore balance and harmony with nature and its inhabitants, and bring back the sacred feminine in all aspects of their lives, I recommend this book as an integral part of their toolbox.” * Claude Poncelet, Ph.D., author of The Shaman Within *
“This fascinating book weaves together the history and evolution of shamanism in northern Europe with the impact of climate change and human migration at least 12,000 years ago. Rysdyk has generously illustrated aspects of shamanic life with her original pen and ink drawings. Materials and instructions for journeying are offered throughout the book. It is an essential read for anyone interested in shamanic traditions." * Jennifer Barker, author of The Goddess Within and Persephone Woman *
Table of ContentsAcknowledgments Simplified Pronunciation Guide to the Norse Words in This Book
INTRODUCTION The Power of Norse Shamanism
1 Visionaries in Our Family Tree
Engaging with Fire 2 Long Ago and Far Away: Discovering Our Ancestors’ Gifts
Using Fire to Meet a Shamanic Ancestor 3 Power in the Female Body
Journeying to Meet the First Shaman 4 Worlds of the Shaman
Journeying to Explore the Nine Realms of Spirit 5 The First Shaman Becomes a Goddess
Journeying to Meet the Nature Goddess/First Shaman
6 The Norns: Mistresses of Cosmic Patterns
Journeying to Urð--The Moment of Manifestation
7 Ørlög and Wyrd: Creation Has No Beginning or End
Journeying to Better Understand Ørlög and Wyrd 86
8 Seiðr as Shamanic Ritual
9 Seiðr and the Sami Connection
10 Preparing to Perform Seiðr
Creating Your Seiðstafr
Getting Your Seiðr Ritual Songs
Empowering Your Seiðr Hood and Cloak
Receiving Varðlokur for a Community Seiðr Ceremony 11 Other Accoutrements of the Völva
Journey to Shape-Shift into Your Power Animal, or Fylgja 12 Útiseta: Connecting with Nature’s Power
Útiseta Journeys 13 Performing a Group Seiðr Ritual
The Seiðr Ritual
14 The Many Faces of Seiðr
Discovering How You Will Use Seiðr
15 Learning to See: Meeting Óðinn
Meeting Óðinn to Learn to Surrender Unbeneficial Ways of Being
Meeting Óðinn to Safely Drink from Urð’s Well, Urðarbrunnr
16 The Nurturing Tree
Entering the Regenerative Womb of the World Tree
Dedicating a Sacred Tree on or near Your Land
CONCLUSION
Ragnarök or Renewal?
Appendix A An Introduction to Shamanic Journeying
Journey to Meet a Power Animal, or Fylgja Appendix B
Making a Seiðr Hood
Sewing Instructions Appendix C Resources
Notes
Glossary of Terms
Bibliography
Index
About the Author
