Nine worlds of seid-magic : ecstasy and neo-shamanism in northern European paganism

This accessible study of Northern European shamanistic practice, or seidr, explores the way in which the ancient Norse belief systems evoked in the Icelandic Sagas and Eddas have been rediscovered and reinvented by groups in Europe and North America. The book examines the phenomenon of altered consciousness and the interactions of seid-workers or shamanic practitioners with their spirit worlds. Written by a follower of seidr, it investigates new communities involved in a postmodern quest for spiritual meaning.;Book Cover -- Title -- Contents -- Preface -- Acknowledgements -- Introducing shamanism, seir and self -- The saying of the Norns -- The Greenland Seeress: seir as shamanistic practice -- Approaching the spirits -- The journey in the mound -- Re-evaluating the Witch-Queen -- Ergi seimen, queer transformations? -- The dance of the ancestors -- Notes -- Bibliography -- Index. Shamanistic Practices Known As Seidr, Often Involving Interactions With The Spirit World And States Of Altered Consciousness, Lie At The Heart Of The Pagan Religions Of Northern Europe. This Accessible Study Explores The Ways In Which Seidr, A Key Element Of Ancient Scandinavian Belief Systems Described In The Icelandic Sagas And Eddas, Is Now Being Rediscovered And Redeveloped By People Around The World. The Book Draws On A Wealth Of Research And Experience To Analyse The Phenomenon And Place It In Context. Written By Someone Who Is A Practitioner As Well As A Scholar, This Is A Unique Exploration Of What Northern 'shamans' Do, And How They Speak Of The Spirits They Meet. It Is Set Within Discussions Of Shamanism, Identity, Insider Ethnography And New Directions In The Anthropology Of Religion. It Will Fascinate All Those With An Interest In The Possibilities For Alternative Spirituality In Today's World.--book Jacket. Introducing Shamanism, Seior And Self -- The Saying Of The Norms -- The Greenland Seeress: Seior As Shamanistic Practice -- Approaching The Spirits -- The Journey In The Mound -- Re-evaluating The Witch-queen -- Ergi Seiomen, Queer Transformations? -- The Dance Of The Ancestors. Jenny Blain. Includes Bibliographical References (p.[166]-178) And Index. "Shamanistic practices known as seidr, often involving interactions with the spirit world and states of altered consciousness, lie at the heart of the pagan religions of Northern Europe. This accessible study explores the ways in which seidr, a key element of ancient Scandinavian belief systems described in the Icelandic Sagas and Eddas, is now being rediscovered and redeveloped by people around the world. The book draws on a wealth of research and experience to analyse the phenomenon and place it in context." "Written by someone who is a practitioner as well as a scholar, this is a unique exploration of what Northern 'shamans' do, and how they speak of the spirits they meet. It is set within discussions of shamanism, identity, insider ethnography and new directions in the anthropology of religion. It will fascinate all those with an interest in the possibilities for alternative spirituality in today's world."--Résumé de l'éditeur Humanities Contents 8 Preface 10 Acknowledgements 12 1. Introducing shamanism, seidr and self 16 2. The saying of the Norns 23 3. The Greenland Seeress: Seidr as shamanistic practice 46 4. Approaching the spirits 62 5. The journey in the mound 88 6. Re-evaluating the Witch-Queen 104 7. Ergi seidmen, queer transformations? 126 8. The dance of the ancestors 157 Notes 175 Bibliography 181 Index 194 This accessible case study of Northern European shamanistic practice, or seidr, explores the way in which the ancient Norse belief systems have been rediscovered and reinvented by groups in Europe and North America. On a day at the end of April 1999, I journeyed by plane from Nova Scotia to Boston, Massachusetts, on my way further west to Illinois.