What is an Altar and Altar Themes

I can suspect as much by this time that you have come across the mentions of an altar. But isn't that solely to christianity you might question yourself? Well yes christianity does use altars, but so does many Pagans, Heathens, Wiccans and Witches of many beliefs, ecclectic blends in many forms and sizes not always physical and not always just "here" in front of your curious eyes.

Now what is my definition of an altar?

An altar connects "me" to the outer realms and closer connections to elementals, deities and spirits I work with during certain times of the year. 
I do not use my altar without  a significant purpose. If there is a full moon and I have planned to do a ritual I will do it. If I'm feeling under the weather I will not risk of messing it up and rather wait another month so I know it will have a better chance at reaching its potential of success.

What kind of altar would someone like me have?

As I know of mine have elements of nature and "broken" things by my own clumsiness. The Altar "table" I have is one large slate tile covered in rough velvet cloth entirely black.

I can wander around the forest and see a piece of fallen piece of pine bark laying on the ground conveniently with a hole in it. "Oh! Incense burner".

I have walked along stony beaches, looked how the waves brush softly back and forth against the rocks suddenly my eyes are fixed on one stone in particular tumbled and polished by the raw powers of the sea.

This specific stone is the lead role during my many cleansing and enlightening rituals for myself and for those who ask for it. My blue "chalice" was originally apart of a set of drinking glasses which I had gotten for christmas, I had it down in my room and conveniently on the floor (I know I know not very smart) and one morning.

I dropped my school sack down on that one glass, the weight of the books crushed a quarter of it and a few weeks later I had what some call a "chalice". Ok this is becoming to long but you see what I mean right?

Alright instead of going into another long explanation I'll show you a few pictures instead.

Very simplistic and naturalistic? If I so say so myself...

- Willow wreath with rowan berries  as decorations, and crow feathers (not raven feathers they are too shy)
- A sea shell as incense burner (lower picture) Pine a bark incense burner
-  And my fantastic blue chalice (upper picture)

Just this simple is my altar...

But as I mentioned at the beginning of this post. There are different kinds of altars mine is one example. I know of others who have whole ROOMS dedicated to their path! Isn't that amazing devotion?

Others set of certain parts of their gardens and create their own "stone circles" and sacred spaces...where they do their rituals and spells. I do know some who pour their whole energy and devotion into the kitchen. They make offerings and their spells relfects in their cooking just perfect is it not?

One of the most amazing sacred space and altar ways I have come across in the past year is music...yes you read it...A select amount of people don't see the need of a physical altar like many others do. The melody the octaves, the energy vibrations in music create their own unique kind of spells different from the written words in a book of shadows, a magical journal or even a grimoire.

I'll use a drum as an example: See before yourself while closing your eyes you tap your fingers against the drum can you "feel" the sound expanding out from you and your drum, everything around you becomes one with that sound. When the sound ends it returns to a neutral space.

I'm 100% certain you have your own theme and sacred space/altar or perhaps even a shrine?

until next time I'll sweep in with another blog post we will see...have fun. Hope you enjoyed my observed rambling.

When my 101 Occult books...

After a certain amount of time. Dependant upon your level of learning abilities, majority of us tire of the factual beginner books. Written by hundreds of various authors perhaps your bookshelf space is getting sparce?

That is when many might have concluded as much as... "Hm I might need to find more advanced books and spend more money?" But do you really need to spend that much?

 In my young and nearly four years within witchcraft and pagan studies I have dipped my head into so many cultures, beliefs, communities. Although not actively done anything from these study subjects. But from a merely mundane "muggle view" "Oh this culture did that, instead of what that other culture. Did with that animal, instead this culture used just that amount of grain..." See what I'm trying  to do?

Oh I know just the thing! You might be one of those who purely study matters within your OWN tradition or personal spiritual communities? Fine you can for all I care continue on your journey of security. Are you eclectic by chance or just one who doesn't believe in anything specific at this very moment not had your ideal WOW! Moment just yet?

Can I merely suggest that you try some of these things then?  That is if you truly are bored with all the common facts in this mix & match umbrella term many of us hide underneath?

- Find a book in your local library about old myths, legends perhaps even ghost stories? Become more familiar with YOUR place. The property you do your crafting and rituals on. I'm quite certain your village/town/community have something?



- Find a book or books on animals, trees,bushes, flowers, herbs, mushrooms, bugs, rocks and minerals, stars,planets and the constellations... yes those boring fact books.

And NO by all means NO I cannot be reffering to Cunninghams numerous listed books. I mean find the "scientifically handheld field books" for the common reader.

- Lastly when you have read through some of these books is when your exiting new exploration reveals itself. Connect and Combine from these scientific books, then you can use the worlds most expandable encyclopedia...(world wide web?) find symbolism, myths, and lore behind all these things. Just because one of your books mentioned that the southern cross is required to find south? If you live in the northern hemisphere...that can't help you much now would it?  I'm sure the logic isn't that dusty open up once again...


bye bye for now and until next time 

Seidr The Hidden Way

The time for me to share a lesser known spiritual life path, has made itself available for me to properly explain the combination and distance away from other similar life paths around the earth. But before we begin, you need to get an insight into the 9 noble virtues or guidelines the Vikings lived by.

The 9 Noble Virtues:
• Courage - the quality of mind or spirit that enables a person to face difficulty, danger, pain, etc., without fear; bravery.
 • Truth - the state or character of being true.
 • Honour - honesty, fairness, or integrity in one's beliefs and actions: a man of honor. a source of credit or distinction: to be an honor to one's family. high respect, as for worth, merit, or rank: to be held in honor. such respect manifested: a memorial in honor of the dead.
 • Fidelity - strict observance of promises, duties, etc.: a servant's fidelity. Loyalty: fidelity to one's country.
• Discipline - the rigor or training effect of experience, adversity. behaviour in accord with rules of conduct; behavior and order maintained by training and control
 • Hospitality - the friendly reception and treatment of guests or strangers. The quality or disposition of receiving and treating guests and strangers in a warm, friendly, generous way.
 • Industriousness - working energetically and devotedly; hard-working; diligent • Self – Reliance - reliance on oneself or one's own powers, resources.
 • Perseverance - steady persistence in a course of action, a purpose, a state, etc., especially in spite of difficulties, obstacles, or discouragement.

 These are meant as simple guidelines on how you can live your life in the most honourable way. By following the wisdom of these words, but think a bit what does these words really mean to you? Before you embark on this new journey, into new grounds of mysteries.

What is a Seid/Seidr?

By now you might be curious and have repeated the title a few times already. Now then I’ll stop the chattering and get on with the actual explanation; In Norse times was Seid, a type of magic. Majority being women and men, who took up the role of Seid, was frowned upon by society. And were accused of “ergi = unmanly” which would mean in modern translation one who is homosexual. Seidr does have many similarities with shamanism.

The Seidwoman was called “volve = the one who carries the staff” Her main tool would be a staff. Seid had the form of a séance were the volve would put herself in the state of a trance. With the help from a certain song performed by her helpers, in this state of mind the seidwomans and seidmans soul. Was freed from their physical bodies, in this state they were capable of causing other people harm other times it could divination or seeing into the future. One example would be to see if the harvest would go well or turn poor.

This would be the classical description of Seid, now for those of you familiar or acquainted with modern views. And attempts of renewing old religions that have been gathered under the umbrella term “Pagan/Paganism” although popularly known as “Neo Paganism” which had its early re-emergence at the turn of the century.
Some books about Seidr/Seid have been published and are available on http://www.amazon.com/ if you wish for a more traditional approach the Edda’s or The Elder Edda (Pre Christian sagas of old kings and their lineage. Including some religious rites and examples of seid) The Younger Edda (Gathered norse/teutonic lore and mythology. http://omacl.org/Heimskringla/

Can everyone become a Seid/Seidr?

  I’ll be honest with you here No not everyone have the patience and stability needed to become a Seidr. You need to be able to read the history, understand the practical approach, knowing the land you live on. Being able to know the changing of tides, phases of the moon, when and where to gather the proper herbs. Studying out of curiosity will be very fulfilling, but living and practicing it is a whole other level of experience.

Connections with other known pathways:

  Now I will simply list the pathways that I have come across with similar boxes of knowledge and practice.
 • Green Witchcraft
• Hearth Witchery
• Hedge Witch
 • Cottage Witch
• Kitchen Witchcraft
• Native American Shamanism
• Celtic Shamanism
• Druidic Magic
• Grey Witchcraft
• Sea Witch
• Folk Magic
• Faerie/Fairy Magic- Witchcraft
• Storm Witch

Gods & Goddesses of Seid/Seidr:

This little paragraph is for those who would like a more spiritual experience than just reading a dry books how to’s and why’s.
 • Freya – Freyja; Norse Goddess of Love, Poetry and Seidr

o Odin – Wodin – Wotan; Known in Norse lore as the Allfather and a seeker of knowledge. Taught by Freya in Seidr, often teased in the sagas by the other gods for learning an “unmanly art”. But he is also known to have mastered the ways of Seidr.
•Hel – Norse Goddess of the Underworld, also the realm most Seidr will visit as a volve.
Which one is most suited for you?

 

Male Seidr:

Now I did mention above that Seidr was usually females but also that males if they showed early in life the “destined gifts” for becoming a proper Seidr. In Modern day speech this would come within the terms of, Medium – Psychic – Clairvoyance and Seer however within the Teutonic/Germanic tribes, along with some Saxon shamanistic ways. “Galdr = to sing loudly“ Was used as songs of sorcery, songs with magical properties.

Later known as sorcery in general, there are many accounts of Galdr in the Edda’s one “kvad = a form of norse poetry” Where Odin mentions that he knows a whole of 18 Galdr Kvad. They have found so many rune inscriptions of Galdr, that it can be considered as a whole branch within the ways of Seidr. A role which it seemed males were accepted to partake in.