Norse Goddess Magic

This book is dedicated to David Byron Bragwin James, who was
the best of teachers in so many areas—metaphysics, poetry, languages, fine
wines, and everything in between. He was also the dearest and most charming of
friends. May he feast with his gods and ancestors (and may he give a chuckle now
and then for those of us still striving in Midgard).

NORSE GODDESS MAGIC

“In this important and original work Alice Karlsdóttir, a
leading expert on Norse religion, makes new and dramatic teachings available and
applies these methods in a practical way in order that the ancient Norse
goddesses can speak directly to those who seek their ageless wisdom. This book
is something that can guide practitioners in all traditions in a process of
esoteric discovery of what lies hidden in often obscure and scant mythological
references. She concentrates on the often neglected goddesses of the Norse
pantheon, especially the goddess Frigg. The teachings pioneered by this author
show the way to move from the known to the unknown and shine a light that
illuminates the darkness.”

STEPHEN FLOWERS, PH.D.,
AUTHOR OF
ICELANDIC MAGIC
AND
LORDS OF THE LEFT-HAND PATH

“Karlsdóttir's accessible, practical, and engaging guide to the
goddesses of the Norse tradition covers not only the mother goddess Frigg but
many of the lesser-known deities as well. By studying myth, reading ancient
texts, and engaging in trancework you can experience these ancient archetypes
yourself and strengthen your connection with them. Karlsdóttir explains the
necessary steps to enter the trance state and embark upon an enjoyable journey
and safe return. She introduces thirteen Norse goddesses, among them healers,
protectors, counselors, and messengers.
Norse Goddess Magic: Trancework,
Mythology, and Ritual
is a wonderful addition to any library and will enrich
your knowledge of mythology, magic, and the Divine Feminine.”

SKYE ALEXANDER, AUTHOR OF
THE MODERN GUIDE TO WITCHCRAFT
AND
SEX MAGIC FOR BEGINNERS

“Alice Karlsdóttir brings the thirteen Norse goddesses of the
Aesir alive within us through her research but especially through her teachings
of trance. She shows us how to experience each goddess personally and the values
each has to teach. The values taught by each goddess take the meaning of
compassion, nurturance, and protection to a much deeper level of our soul, the
soul of the family, the community, and of our Great Earth Mother.”

NICHOLAS E. BRINK, PH.D., AUTHOR OF
BALDR'S MAGIC: THE POWER
OF NORSE
SHAMANISM AND ECSTATIC TRANCE
AND
BEOWULF'S ECSTATIC TRANCE
MAGIC

Acknowledgments

This book began as a project for the Rune Gild and probably
would not have been completed without the help and inspiration of that
organization and its Yrmin-Drighten, Edred Thorsson. I would also like to thank
my first teacher, David Byron Bragwin James, who instructed, inspired, and
encouraged me when I was just beginning to explore these areas and who helped me
find my way back to the old ways. Thanks also go to Tina Bindman and Carl
McLaughlin, Macha ni Padraiga, Lynn “the Moose” Stone, and June for letting me
bend their ears about my ideas over the years; to Kveldulf Gundarsson for
etymological help; to Christopher Ransom for the photography; to Joseph “Chepe”
Lockett for helping me with my score; to James Chisholm for nagging me to finish
when inspiration lagged; and to Kean for being there, in this world and beyond.

 

Abbreviations

A Note on Special Characters

In writing certain words in languages such as Old Norse or Old
English, certain special written characters are used. When representing these
words in the current set of characters used in English, please note these
correspondences:

Þ,þ = th

Ð,ð = dh

 

PREFACE TO THE SECOND EDITION

The Balance between Trance Knowledge and Lore Knowledge

When I first wrote this book, the
Heathen community was focused on research and attempting to re-create
traditional practices, and there was a paucity of information on the Germanic
goddesses. The idea of using more subjective practices, like meditation or
tranceworking, to supplement what was available in the lore was less common and
sometimes viewed with skepticism or mockery. Now it seems that the pendulum has
swung in the other direction. More and more people have been using less
traditional methods to fill out their understanding of the gods and goddesses
and some types of
seiðr
(a magical technique involving trance states,
prophesying, shamanic traveling, and talking to spirits) are being actively
practiced and even standardized by some groups.

Sometimes it seems that subjective experience and opinion are almost given
prominence over the traditional lore, which I think is a mistake. There are many
things missing from the information that has survived from the original Heathen
times, but when it's there, we should use it. When doing subjective work like
tranceworking, there is always the danger of becoming too attached to one's
personal view of a god or goddess and losing one's objectivity. I have even seen
some people get into arguments because their personal picture of a goddess
didn't match someone else's. This is unfortunate. Not everything you see or
learn in a trance is necessarily a valid revelation. It may be a message or
insight meant for you alone, but not necessarily meaningful or true for the rest
of the world. Sometimes it may just be a product of your own personal mental
landscape, or you may have been influenced by some event or condition in your
everyday life.

The real benefit to people using trance, meditation, and other subjective
forms of magic is to be able to work together to compile and compare what's
learned, to find common themes and unexpected insights. It's always exciting to
talk with someone who has a fresh perspective or who has had an experience that
matches one of your own. Sometimes you just need someone who will honestly tell
you when you're off track. But the greatest good comes from forging emotional
links and understanding, and ultimately strengthening the bonds between the
people of Midgard and their gods. The rainbow bridge still shines brightly,
beckoning those who are willing to cross over to the other worlds.