The Seidkona takes her sacred seat in the middle of the crowd. Holding her staff, she starts to sing the song of spirit. The women around her join in, calling forth the power through words and vibration.
As the rhythm of the song heightens, the Seidkona’s spirit is lifted from this realm into the unseen. A journey of seeking, of knowledge, and transformation.
People of the old traditions understood the power of Voice. How energy is affected, and could be shifted and changed, through the vibration created by voice, and specifically song. This knowledge has not been lost to us. It is still a part of many shamanic practices and shown through various scientific understandings.
Music is the Power of Movement
We use music all the time to shift and alter the mind and our emotions. It is a combination of words, tone, and rhythms that blend together to create the right vibration for the right task. If you are feeling down, you can listen to upbeat and energetic music – through this process you start to feel your emotions and energy shift to that state. For example, if you are facing a task that requires a fighting spirit, music such as Sick Puppies – You’re Going Down may be something you would choose to alter your state to that task.
Our ancestors understood the power of vibration and music – and so do we, even if we do not consciously recognize it all the time.
In my experience with Kari, Norse magic is heavily rooted in the relationship with vibration of the Voice. Even when creating bind runes, to awaken and set them requires the component of voice. It is not enough to just write them, to place them onto something – they need to know the purpose of their creation and direction of the task. They need to be awakened and filled with the power to do the task.
Seidr
Seidr is a form of magic that is a rooted in the spirit and spirit realm. It is the act of the Seidkona going into a trance state to communicate with spirits. It can be done to gain knowledge/ understanding, receive prophecy, or accomplish tasks through spirits.
The act of Voice in seidr is to call the spirits in and to send the Seidkona’s spirit into their realm. The specific songs they used long ago are lost to us, so modern seidr has to rely on trial and error to discover the right combinations for themselves. For me, as Kari’s Seidkona, this is linked with Galdr (we’ll get there).
The tools of a seidr practitioner include a seat, a song, and the staff. Each holds a symbolic and very real practical application.
The seat puts them at the center of the vibration being created by those who are singing around them. It also creates a space of grounding, or tethering the practitioner to the physical world/ body.
The song is the vibration that calls spirits into the space, to the practitioner, and allows the practitioner’s spirit to disconnect from the body and travel in the spirit realm.
The staff holds the spirit of the snake. The guide and shape that allows the practitioner to move between the worlds. – I will be getting into this deeper soon.
It is important to note here that there are many speculations on the role of all of these tools. As I said, we have clues in historical writings but not hard truths. What I state here is specifically from my work with Kari and how He has taught me these skills. You will find other perspectives on this and it does not mean they are wrong or I am, we just have our own ways and understandings.
The Song in Galdr
Galdr is the act of singing the Runes. Some will say chanting and many give the example of low vibration singing (low tone). Several sources state that signing for magical purpose was done by women and young youth because it was sung in high tones. This may also be why seidr was said to be a woman’s practice.
In our modern age I see a lot more low tones being used, that seem to match what we see in shows such as Vikings. Kari however has been specific with me on the singing in high tones. This could be because I am a woman, but it could also be something with the practice itself. I think I will leave that debate to others.
Kari’s form of Galdr requires three steps. First is bonding with each Rune and experiencing their stories. The second is learning how to bind them, not just in written form but also in song. The third is finding the right rhythm and vibration for each song.
In the end, what you have created is Galdr – the song to create and destroy, to call in and to banish. According to my Guides, Galdr itself can be a powerful weapon depending on how we choose to use it. In my experience, I understand that now. Because of this, some I will share and others I will not. Power isn’t for dominance – it is about using it for the right purposes that benefit the clan/ community.
A Personal Note on Runes
When I first started looking into Runes, I found a lot of conflicting information. It’s because we do not have any definitive sources. All of it comes from someone else’s perspective and gnosis as to what each rune means and the energy they hold.
I researched many different views and meanings for each. My favorite is still the series by Airth Harger
In the end though I decided to let my own Guides tell me the stories of each rune – what they mean – and how to use them. I did a special kind of Rune journey, which gave them the space to pass on their stories.
I have seen many similarities, energy wise, in what my Guides gave me and between all the variations I found – but the depth and story within them has been very specific to my path. With this in mind, I highly encourage adding this aspect into your own Rune exploration. Give time and space for your Guides to show you Their interpretations and stories of the Runes. If you are interested in what mine are, they are all within the Goddess book.
Voice and Vibration Matter
If you have not seen the studies done by Dr Emoto on the power of vibration and words on water , I highly suggest you check it out. It really changes the understanding of words and the effect of vibration. Giving us some really important concepts that directly relates to spiritual and magical practices.
It is clear that our Voice and the vibration we use it in has great power. Perhaps it is even a core aspect of all magical practice. I’ll let you be the judge on that one though.
For me, and my work with Kari, Runes, Bind Runes, Galdr, and Seidr all work together. Each having their own roles, but interconnected in my practices. This will not be the same for everyone, and perhaps who is Guiding us in our work has something to do with that. What I do know for sure – Voice and Vibration hold a unique key in magical practice.
What are your thoughts on all of this?
How do you use the runes?
How do you use your voice?
I’d love to hear your own experiences and how these practices work for you.
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