Nine Worlds of Seid-Magic

by Jenny Blain

This accessible study of Northern European shamanistic practice, or seidr, explores the way in which the ancient Norse belief systems evoked in the Icelandic Sagas and Eddas have been rediscovered and reinvented by groups in Europe and North America. The book examines the phenomenon of altered consciousness and the interactions of seid-workers or shamanic practitioners with their spirit worlds. Written by a follower of seidr, it investigates new communities involved in a postmodern quest for spiritual meaning.

Genres: Nonfiction, Religion, Witchcraft, Paganism, History, Anthropology, Magick

200 pages, Paperback

First published November 22, 2001

Reviews

[Katie Gerrard · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of the first contemporary sources that were available on the subject of seidr. Jenny Blain has put together here an incredibly well researched academic study of seidr using the information found in antiquity, secondary academic evaluations of these sources, and by talking to contemporary practitioners. Jenny Blain also speaks about her own experiences with contemporary seidr rites.

Reviewers often point out that Nine Worlds of Seid-Magic is not a practical guide, but it doesn't set out to be and if it handled the practical side it would lose the impact of what it does really well, which is to give an academic reading of a new and vibrant spiritual community.

It is also wonderful to see this available for the Kindle.

[Matt · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an interesting book. Miss Blain explores the phenomenon of modern seidr practices and her own experiences as both a practitioner and ethnographer. The focus of the book is upon oracular seidr in the strands of Diana Paxson's group. I felt like Blain could have synthesized both of her viewpoints - that is her academic and practicing - but I commend her for attempting to do so and having a fair degree of success.

This is not a how-to book of any kind. It's a survey of the modern shamanistic (as Blain rightly refers to it, but having a discussion of the problems present in the word 'shaman') types of spácraft. Which should be noted. The use of the word seidr is more closely connected to the prophesying of the volva, in the vein of the Greenland seeress, rather than the witchcraft and sorcery mentioned in other sagaic literature.

Overall, this book was an enjoyable read. Which is why I gave it 4 stars. If you are interested in oracular seidr, and some exploration of the relationship it's reconstructions have with shamanistic practices, then this is a good book. But don't let it be the only one you read.

[Birb · Rating 4 out of 5]

Blain rides the edge between historical and empiric knowledge, blending the two to give an understanding of modern oracular seidr practices. This book gives the background for present day practices by looking at the Eddas, historical literature, and the changing cultures of Scandinavia between Sami migrants and Christianization. Blain goes deeply into gender and ergi, or unmanliness, and what that means for the seidr practitioners in current contexts and she delves into the wording of "shaman" and "shamanistic" without appropriating from other cultures.

This is not a guide book, but it provides background to the experiences of modern day practitioners. Take this book as a starting point contextual understanding of Norse shamanistic practices.

[Yarrow Grae · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was very informative and inspiring. Before reading it, I had little interest in Norse Mythology - seeing most people taking the eddas as definitive, rather than analyzing the lens used in recording them and understanding that over the decades and centuries people’s attitudes and views subtly shift. Blain helped me see practitioners who not only use a critical lens, but are able to work with the spirits themselves. Right now I am avidly reading those very Eddas, looking for the gems between the lines. In particular, within the lens of queer theory. I look forward to reading books which help orient one to practicing seidr themselves.

[Aitziber Madinabeitia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Una aproximación multidisciplinar al fenómeno de la magia seidhr (o seid), un fenómeno exclusivo de las culturas nord-europeas con posibles relaciones con los cultos chamánicos Sami y Siberiano.
Es tanto un repaso a la tradición y al lore, una investigación lingüistica y literaria, como un trabajo etnográfico, sin desmerecer todos los sentimientos y experiencias en primera persona de una de las pocas autoras académicas que se ha atrevido a traspasar la línea entre observador y experimentador.
Así mismo, sus referencias y textos a algunos de los personajes que hoy dia son las figuras más conocidas del trabajo de seid (y especialmente de seid oracular o spae) en América, como son Diana Paxson o Jordsvin, no desmerecen el trabajo de investigación más serio que he conocido sobre estos temas.

En resumen, un texto sólido y bien estructurado, aunque algo técnico y distante en algunos puntos, que no se pierde en el temor de querer ser excesivamente objetivo. Un libro recomendable para leer de forma crítica y pausada.

[Cwn_annwn_13 · Rating 2 out of 5]

The basic academic research type stuff on the books topic is ok but the author tries too hard to reconcile Viking Age Scandinavian Shamanism and religious beliefs with modern day Berkeley Wiccans world view for my tastes..

[Hunter Yoder · Rating 3 out of 5]

A great attempt at a difficult subject but walking the thin line between scholar and practioner has failed. Still a great read!

[Arith Härger · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've made a book review for this one on video format, if you want to check it I'll leave the link here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dmkEn...