The Norse- adventurous Viking wanderers. daring warriors, worshippers of the Aesir and the Vanir (the Asa-Gods)- these words conjure up shining images of helmet-clad men, huge swords in hand, sailing their dragon-ships over the foaming ocean. People think of them as Scandinavians, and they were; but they also settled parts of nothern Germany, nothern France, and throughout the British Isles, leaving much of their culture, beliefs, and racial blood in these areas.
Like Celtic tribes, the Northmen had strong ties with the Earth and the Elements, the Gods and the "little people" or "hidden people." From them come many of our ideas about trolls, dwarves, elves and giants. They believed in an afterlife and the end of the world, or Ragnarok, long before Christians ever infiltrated their culture. They gave us the concept of the Thing, or Assembly, where justice was administered. Theirs was one of the few cultures where women had a great amount of freedom and protection under the law.
Everywhere they went, Nothmen left their cultural influence. They ranged to the north and west as far as the shores of North America, Iceland and Greenland. To the south, they reached the balmy climate of the Meditterranean. The cultureal acquisition was not one-sided. When they returned to their northen villages, these Vikings brought with them new ideas, fashions and fads from the countries they visited. These new ideas did not cause a breakdown in the Viking culture, as they did in many other cultures, because the Northmen applied them is such a way as to strengthen their position as wolf-warriors and shrewd traders of the northern seas.
Norse women were among the most liberated of the time. They had a considerable amount of freedom and status. The Norse concept of marriage allowed great cooperation and companionship between husband and wife. In addition to housewives, there were priestesses, wise women, rune-mistresses, healers and warriors. They could go before the Assembly and be granted justice, or even a divorce, just as the men could. Women were listened to by their men, especially if they had prophetic dreams or impressions. Dreams were considered important, as they were one of the ways that the gods contacted humans.
The people of this northern culture were individualists and deeply resented any attempt to curb their freedom. At the same time they were capable of great self-control, accepting adversities without self-pity. Any man prepared to die for what he believed was important was held in high esteem by friend and foe alike.
Many of their leaders were men of culture, discrimination, and wit. The Northmen loved a good story and a jest. They were shrewd traders with a wily instinct for commerce. They appreciated fine design and artistry, treasuring their ships and swords as much for their beauty as their utility. In the Viking culture, a quick-witted poet could win fame and fortune just as well as a brilliant swordsmen. Anyone who was both had the world at his or her feet.
The Northmen were firm believers in retaliation for injustices. There was no room for softness or the doormat theory of existance. Their land was harsh and their lives fraught with hardship. Nevertheless, they maintained a strong belief in family and clan; stories and legends show immense, tender love for spouse, children, friends and family.
Their deities were strong, but not immortal. These gods and goddesses were pictured as men and women, only on a grander scale; wiser, stronger, more beautiful, guardians of humankind. The Vikings could understand and easily relate to this type of divine being.
Celtic magic and Norse magic are the only two true Western European magical traditions. They reflect the peoples who believed in them. The Northmen were among the last European societies to fall to Christianity.
Norse magic for today fits the type of personality that is a "doer," someone who definitely does not believe in taking a servile approach to life. It interests those who advocate actively shaping their own future, those who affirm that practicing spellwork is preferable to passively waiting for changes to come.
Norse magic enlists the help of the Asa-Gods, the Light Elves and good Dwarves. It elicits aid from dead ancestors and the rulers of the Elements. It is an active magic, reserved for participants, not by-standers. It is a magic of pride in oneself, courage to face whatever comes and continuing knowledge to mold the results to fit a particular life span. Only a strong person, open to changes and the acceptance of new ideas, one willing to study and learn and put into practice the new knowledge, can hope to benefit from the practice of Norse magic. The Asa-Gods do not drop results into your lap. These gods only help those who help themselves.
You must attune yourself to the powers of the Elements, calling upon the Asa-Gods and other supernatural beings, and disregarding the old cry "Magic doesn't work!"
Magic works if you think it works. Preparing for magic begins with the subconscious mind, reprogramming it to accept the unseen, the disprovable. It begins with learning how to unlock the door to the creative part of the mind, or the right brain. True magic is the way of the individual, not society. It manifests itself in self-growth, improvement of life conditions, a restructuring of thought and living. If you can become successful and happy through magic, why worry about the opinions of others who are less open? Learn, practice, perform. Reap the benefits of Norse magic, and enjoy every new success to the fullest.
As the Old Norse would say: May of the Gods of Asgard guide your steps. May Thorr's hammer protect you. May Freyja give you wisdom and magical power, and may Freyr grant you prosperity!
Blessed Be!
2. Understanding Norse Magic Coming Soon
3. Introduction to the Norse and Vikings Coming Soon
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