Seidr: Norse Shamanic Practice

BY NICOLE LAU

The Ancient Art of Norse Shamanism

Seidr (Old Norse: seiðr, pronounced "SAY-ther") is the Norse shamanic practice of trance, prophecy, and spirit work. While galdr uses sound and runes to command reality, seidr uses altered consciousness to journey between worlds, communicate with spirits, see the future, and work deep magic. The practitioner of seidr is called a seidkona (woman) or seidmadr (man), though historically it was primarily practiced by women.

Seidr is one of the most powerful—and most mysterious—forms of Norse magic. It involves trance states, spirit journeys, prophecy, and working with the threads of wyrd (fate). This is shamanic practice in the truest sense: journeying to other realms, communicating with non-physical beings, and bringing back wisdom and power.

What is Seidr?

The Word

Seidr (seiðr) possibly derives from:

• "To seethe, to boil" — Referring to the bubbling cauldron of transformation
• "To bind" — Binding spirits, fate, or enemies
• Related to "seed" — Planting magical seeds

The Practice

Seidr encompasses:

• Prophecy (spá) — Seeing and speaking the future
• Spirit journeying — Traveling to other realms
• Soul work — Healing, retrieval, transformation
• Weather magic — Controlling storms and seas
• Shape-shifting — Taking animal form in spirit
• Fate weaving — Working with wyrd, the web of destiny

Historical Context

Seidr in the Sagas

The sagas describe seidr practitioners:

• Völva — Seeress, prophetess, wandering wise woman
• Performed on a high seat (seidhjallr)
• Surrounded by helpers who sang vardlokkur (spirit-calling songs)
• Entered trance to journey and prophesy
• Spoke oracles about the future

Gender and Seidr

Seidr was considered ergi (unmanly) for men:

• Primarily practiced by women
• Associated with feminine power
• Men who practiced it were viewed with suspicion
• Yet Odin himself learned seidr from Freyja

This taboo reflects the receptive, passive nature of seidr (feminine) vs. the active, commanding nature of galdr (masculine).

Freyja: Goddess of Seidr

Freyja is the primary deity of seidr:

• She taught seidr to the Aesir gods
• Odin learned from her
• She is the mistress of magic, love, and death
• Invoke her when practicing seidr

Seidr vs. Galdr

Key Differences

Both Are Valid

• Galdr and seidr complement each other
• Many practitioners use both
• Different tools for different purposes

The Practice of Seidr

The High Seat (Seidhjallr)

Traditional seidr was performed on an elevated platform:

• The practitioner sits above the audience
• Symbolically closer to the spirit realms
• Allows the spirits to "see" the seidkona
• Creates sacred, liminal space

Modern adaptation: Any elevated seat or special chair can serve.

The Staff (Seidstafr)

The seidr staff is a key tool:

• Symbol of authority and power
• Axis mundi, connecting worlds
• Often decorated with symbols or carvings
• Held during trance work

Vardlokkur (Spirit-Calling Songs)

Helpers sing to call the spirits:

• Repetitive, trance-inducing songs
• Call the spirits to attend
• Help the practitioner enter trance
• Create sacred atmosphere

Modern adaptation: Drumming, chanting, or recorded music can serve this purpose.

Types of Seidr Work

Prophecy (Spá)

Seeing and speaking the future:

• Enter trance state
• Journey to see the threads of wyrd
• Speak what is seen
• Answer questions about fate

The völva's prophecy was highly valued in Norse society.

Spirit Journeying

Traveling to other realms:

• Journey up Yggdrasil to Asgard
• Journey down to Helheim
• Travel the roads between worlds
• Meet spirits, gods, ancestors
• Bring back knowledge and power

Soul Retrieval

Shamanic healing work:

• Journey to find lost soul parts
• Retrieve and reintegrate them
• Restore wholeness
• Heal spiritual illness

Shape-Shifting (Hamfarir)

Taking animal form in spirit:

• The spirit leaves the body
• Takes the form of an animal (often bird)
• Travels in this form
• Gathers information or works magic
• Returns to the body

Caution: Advanced practice. The body is vulnerable while the spirit is away.

Weather Magic

Controlling natural forces:

• Calling or calming storms
• Directing winds
• Affecting seas and weather
• Powerful but dangerous

Cursing and Binding

Harmful magic (use ethically):

• Sending illness or misfortune
• Binding enemies
• Causing confusion or fear

Warning: What you send out returns. Use only in true need and with ethical consideration.

How to Practice Seidr

Preparation

Before seidr work:

1. Fast — Light fasting sharpens perception
2. Bathe — Ritual cleansing
3. Create sacred space — Cleanse and protect the area
4. Set intention — Know your purpose
5. Invoke protection — Call on Freyja, your ancestors, protective spirits

Entering Trance

Methods to alter consciousness:

• Drumming — Steady, repetitive rhythm (4-7 beats per second)
• Chanting — Repetitive sounds or songs
• Breathing — Controlled breath work
• Visualization — Journey imagery
• Darkness — Covering eyes or working in dark

The trance state:

• Relaxed but focused
• Aware but altered
• Receptive to visions and spirits
• Neither fully here nor there

The Journey

Basic seidr journey:

1. Sit on your seat — Hold your staff if you have one
2. Enter trance — Through drumming, chanting, etc.
3. Visualize Yggdrasil — The World Tree before you
4. Begin to climb or descend — Up to upper worlds or down to lower worlds
5. Journey with intention — Seek what you came for
6. Encounter spirits — Communicate, ask questions, receive wisdom
7. Return — Come back down or up the tree
8. Ground — Return fully to your body and normal consciousness

Speaking the Vision

If doing prophecy:

• Speak what you see while in trance
• Let the words flow without censoring
• Trust what comes through
• Record or have someone write it down

Returning and Grounding

After seidr work:

1. Thank the spirits — Express gratitude
2. Return fully — Ensure you're completely back in your body
3. Ground — Eat, drink, touch the earth
4. Record — Write down what you experienced
5. Rest — Seidr is demanding; honor your need for recovery

Safety and Ethics

Protect Yourself

• Cast a circle or create protective boundary
• Invoke protection — Freyja, Odin, your ancestors
• Have a helper — Someone to watch over you in trance
• Know how to return — Always have a way back

Respect the Spirits

• Be polite and respectful
• Make offerings
• Don't demand or command (that's galdr)
• Thank them for their help

Don't Journey When

• Mentally or emotionally unstable
• Under the influence of substances (unless trained in that specific practice)
• Physically ill or exhausted
• Without proper preparation

Ethical Considerations

• Don't journey into others' business without permission
• Don't use seidr to manipulate or harm
• Respect the privacy of what you see
• Use power responsibly

Tools and Setup

Essential

• A seat — Chair, stool, or cushion (elevated if possible)
• Drum or recording — For trance induction
• Journal — For recording

Traditional

• Staff — Seidstafr, your power object
• Cloak or special garment — Ritual clothing
• Offerings — Mead, bread, etc. for spirits

Optional

• Incense — Mugwort, wormwood (traditional)
• Candles — For atmosphere
• Runes — For additional guidance

Conclusion: The Deep Magic

Seidr is deep, powerful, shamanic magic. It's not for everyone, and it requires dedication, practice, and respect. But for those called to this path, seidr offers profound experiences: journeying between worlds, communicating with spirits, seeing the future, and working with the very fabric of fate.

If you feel drawn to seidr, start slowly. Learn the basics. Practice entering light trance. Build relationship with the spirits. And over time, you may develop into a true seidkona or seidmadr—a walker between worlds.

Sit on the high seat.
Enter the trance.
Journey between worlds.
Speak the prophecy.
This is seidr—
The ancient art of Norse shamanism.

As you deepen your journey into the ancient ways of Seidr, remember that every ritual and whispered intention weaves you closer to the threads of Wyrd, and our 40 manifestation rituals intention to reality can help guide your will into tangible form, while working with the shadowy, introspective energies of a tarot the moon tapestry may mirror the mysteries you seek to unveil, and to complete your sacred space, a sacred space cleanse printable energy clearing ritual kit will ensure the path ahead is clear for the spirits to speak.