Wane Wyrds

I have been thinking a bit lately about the spirits of plants. Not long ago I finished reading Jenny Blain's Nine Worlds of Seid Magic and I was intrigued when one of the seidmen she interviewed described his interactions with a particular plant spirit. I can't at this moment remember exactly what it was, but it got me thinking. There is always much talk in the pagan community about animal totems, especially among those that practice modern and reconstructionist forms of shamanism, or techniques of it. Seidr itself could be described in some sense as a partly shamanic neopagan tradition by some practitioners. But what about plant spirits? Or plant totems even? I began thinking about whether many of us are not missing out on a powerful part of our spirituality by focusing all the energy on animals and neglecting to explore our connection to plants as well. Now obviously I am not speaking about everyone who is pagan. The use of herbs in magic and medicine is one of the most t...

I find that in talking about seidr, shamanisms, and astral travel in general, there is little discussion about how we protect ourselves as we journey forth into unknown territory. One often hears it proclaimed that the need for protection is great, the spirits can be dangerous and malevolent in nature, one must know what they are doing, etc. But outside of basic warding and protection techniques, I haven't found much information on how to shield oneself from harm when one fares forth. One reason perhaps is the perceived need for secrecy when it comes to preserving traditions or personal insights. Another perhaps is the reluctance to accept spirit communication as real, and the fear of being labeled mentally unstable or ill. Another is simply self doubt of what one experiences, and the internal conflict between what is imagined and what is "real." My dedication to Freyja and the Vanir has led me on an interesting path, which is enabling me to let go of reluctance and be...

I swear sometimes I feel like I am ass backward. Today is Litha, Midsummer, whatever you wanna call it. Today is a day one should bask in the glory of the Sun. So why do I simply feel like hiding from it, pulling the blackout curtains, turning of the light, and staying nice and cool inside my little cave? Almost as soon as Litha began last night ( I have always celebrated the sabbats as beginning at sunset the day before and ending at sunset the day of) I felt a sense of nothingness descend on me. It is a rare but recurring experience I have about once very four or five months. I cannot describe it other than being completely devoid of feeling. It is inescapable. I attempted some meditation, but nothing would help me feel. I was possessed of the sudden urge to go have a look at the stars outside. So I gathered my posse of sleeping mutts and went outside. What happened next was a bit shocking for me. After looking at the sky for a few moments, I turned to the south and felt such a shock...

Tommorrow is Litha, also known as Midsomnar. It is the longest day of the year, when solar powers at at their peak. When the sabbats come along, It always gets me thinking. Thinking about my Gods and how there own people may have celebrated these times of year. There is so little information to lean on when it comes to living with the Vanir gods, and honoring them. What can one do but examine the common attributes, and find a new way to honor my Gods in modern times? In most pagan cultures, the powers most separated on this day are the solar powers, usually in masculine form. There is also celebration of the young mother goddess. It is a bit confusing for me to interpret the holiday in relevance to the Vanir, because I see much to connect each of the main players to the Midsummer holiday. Freyja can most definitely be described as a fire or solar deity. Her connections with gold, her description as "bright and shining," her association with fire itself in the guise of Gullvei...

I have been doing some research on the Disir and other Norse female deities or spirits and I found this wonderful transcript of a lecture which explains quite clearly the nature of the Fylgjur, commonly known as personal guardian spirits. I wanted to share here cause I enjoyed this so much, and thought the presentation of information was wonderful and concise. Enjoy! Fylgjur – guardian spirits and ancestral mothers The Fylgja-Motifs in Norse Literature Summarized and translated by Maria Kvilhaug from Professor Else Mundal`s dissertation: Fylgjemotiva i norrøn litteratur (Universitetsforlaget, Oslo, 1974) Summary A woman fylgja is a female entity who acts as a guardian spirit for the clan and especially for the chief of the clan. They were also attached to individuals (but were immortal and appear to have been attached to particular lineages following a person from each generation). Every human being may have one or more woman fylgja. The visible fylgjur a person has a limited n...

I lie in pain, upon my bed The muscles clench, I gasp Yet still I think of you My goddess, Freyja My lord, Freyr Njord of the frothy sea I think of the blessings in my life I smile as the pain wracks me Peace lies beyond the physical Though my body violated My heart lies still and quiet I know love Beyond my imagining I know security In the words from his mouth My hnoss lies sleeping, Oblivious to the pain All is well and quiet My pain is the price This short time a sacrifice I will endure it In your name I will force myself up Hobble to the harrow Like a decrepit aged hag Though I am young Endure the lightning strike Light three candles in your name Because the pain shall pass But this peace shall endure So I give it to you As payment, still far too little When weighed against Those precious gifts You pour upon me.

In my work with Freyja, I have spoken with, studied, and been exposed to many groups and individuals who follow modern day heathen paths, such as Asatru, Vanatru, Northern Traditions, etc. Like any spiritual path or religion, there is a wide variety of folk, and a diversity of viewpoints. In my experience, the large majority are wonderfully intelligent, eloquent, and open-minded. What irritates me the most about modern day heathenism is that there is a small minority of those involved who seem to have a very negative viewpoint about any type of activity or practice or even thought process that is not in line with there own simpleminded views. Yesterday I was reading a group discussion in which a heathen individual dedicated to Thor asserted that the idea of "seigr" or victory, was the be all and end all of traditional heathen virtues...I did not respond to this discussion for obvious reasons, but I did take interest in this individuals particular view of what it means to be...