Heathen
Magic
Like all aspects of the religion, heathen magic is
extremely diverse. In a formal setting a magical act will
be incorporated into a standard ritual which might include
the invoking of the gods/goddesses, ancestors and elves, a
hallowing and the giving of offerings. Other practitioners
will just work the spell on its own.
These are some of the most common forms of heathen magic...
Rune Risting
The carving or drawing of runic symbols to
power a spell. The runes are the ancient alphabet of the
Germanic peoples, examples are known from Anglo-Saxon
England, Early Scandinavia and ancient Germania. Each rune
has a name and a verse of poetry that give it's magical
associations. Examples include Fehu (wealth), Uruz
(strength) and so on.
Rune Divination
This is the use of a full set of runic
characters carved or drawn onto wood, clay or other
materials as a divination system. These are typically used
in three different ways -
one or three runes are drawn from a bag and interpreted.
all the runes are thrown onto a cloth and interpreted from
their positions.
the runes are drawn one by one and laid out in a 'layout'
similar to those used in tarot readings.
Galdr
The use of chants, poems or songs to empower
magical spells.
Rune Galdr
The chanting of rune names to empower
magical spells.
Seithr
The shamanic side of Heathen magic closely linked to the
goddess Freya. Seithr uses meditation, trance, traveling
between the nine worlds of the Heathen universe and the use
of the soul animal, fetch or fylgia.
Spaecraft
Using trance to see into the future. In a formal setting
the spaeworker is assisted by a team of singers or
chanters.
Sitting Out
This is the use of sacred sites, especially
burial mounds to enter trance and seek knowledge from the
land spirits or the ancestors.
Wortcraft
The use of herbs as magical charms or in the form of
incense (referred to by some Heathens as 'recels').
Leechcraft
The application of Heathen magic for healing, which can use
any of the above techniques.
