The Norse word for magic is "seidr" or "seiðr." Seidr is a form of magic that was practiced by the ancient Norse people, particularly by women known as "seidkona" or "völva." Seidr was a mysterious and powerful type of magic that involved the manipulation and control of the forces of nature and the supernatural. The practitioners of seidr were believed to have the ability to communicate with spirits, predict the future, and influence events. Seidr was often performed through rituals that involved the use of various tools and techniques. It required the practitioner to enter into a trance-like state, where they would connect with the spiritual realms and tap into the hidden powers of the universe.
It required the practitioner to enter into a trance-like state, where they would connect with the spiritual realms and tap into the hidden powers of the universe. The practice of seidr was seen as a way to gain insight, wisdom, and guidance from the gods and spirits. Seidr was not only used for divination and prophecy but also for healing, protection, and influencing the outcome of battles.
Norse Magic: Seidr, Shapeshifting, Runes, & More
Every culture on the planet had their own form of sorcery and divination. The people of Northern Europe were no different. In fact, it’s one of the few cultures who retained their magical practices for quite some time following the rise of the Church. At least until the Swedes were converted in the twelfth century AD. The Old Sagas and Eddas talk of Odin himself practicing a form of Norse magic called Seidr, and that he learned it from the goddess Freya. In this article, we explore the world of Norse Magic, namely Seidr. And we discover the practices of the Volva including visionary journeying, shapeshifting, prophesizing, reading the runes and more.
It was a highly respected and revered art, and those who practiced seidr were held in high regard in Norse society. However, due to its association with the supernatural and the unknown, seidr was also viewed with suspicion and fear by some. In Norse mythology, the practice of seidr was closely associated with the goddess Freyja. She was considered the goddess of love, beauty, fertility, and magic, and was believed to have taught the art of seidr to the gods and humans. Freyja herself was said to be a skilled practitioner of seidr and was often depicted carrying a staff, which was a symbol of her magical abilities. In conclusion, seidr is the Norse word for magic and refers to a form of ancient Norse magic practiced by women known as seidkona or völva. It was a powerful and respected form of magic that involved the manipulation of natural and supernatural forces. Seidr was used for divination, healing, protection, and influencing events. Its practice was closely associated with the goddess Freyja, who was believed to have taught seidr to the gods and humans..
Reviews for "The Magical Practice of Seiðr: Understanding the Norse Word for Magic"
1. Sarah - 2/5 stars - I was really excited to read "Norse word for magic" considering I am a big fan of fantasy and Norse mythology. However, I found myself disappointed in the execution of this book. The pacing was incredibly slow, and the characters lacked depth. I didn't feel invested in their journeys or their struggles. The writing style also felt overly descriptive at times, with pages and pages dedicated to describing the surroundings, while the plot seemed to lag behind. Overall, I felt disconnected from the story and struggled to stay engaged till the end.
2. Mark - 1/5 stars - "Norse word for magic" was a huge letdown for me. As a fan of Norse mythology, I expected a captivating and immersive story. Sadly, this book failed to deliver. The world-building felt inconsistent and lacking in detail. The magic system was poorly explained, leaving me confused and unable to fully understand the lore of the book. The characters were also bland and felt like clichéd archetypes rather than individuals with unique personalities. The dialogue was stilted and lacked depth, making it hard to feel any emotional connection to the story. Overall, I found "Norse word for magic" to be a disappointing read.
3. Alex - 3/5 stars - "Norse word for magic" had the potential to be a great read, but it fell short in a few areas. The pacing was uneven, with certain parts feeling rushed and others dragging on. The plot had interesting elements, but it lacked cohesion and at times felt disjointed. The world-building, while imaginative, needed more development to truly transport me into the Norse-inspired realm. The characters, on the other hand, were fairly well-rounded and had their moments of growth. The writing style was decent, though it could have benefited from tighter editing. Overall, "Norse word for magic" had its merits but didn't quite live up to my expectations.