Icelandic Magic: Practical Secrets of the Northern Grimoires

Description

During the Christianization of Europe in the Middle Ages, many books of magic were lost as the ancient pagan traditions were suppressed. But in Iceland the practice of recording magical spells in books continued in secret for centuries, on a scale not seen elsewhere. Now housed in the National Library in Reykjavik, these surviving grimoires, which represent only a hundredth of what was lost, reveal a rich magical tradition that continued to evolve into the 20th century. Drawing directly from the actual surviving Icelandic books of magic, Stephen Flowers presents a complete system of magic based on Icelandic lore and magical practices from the 16th century onward. He explores the history of magic in Iceland in pagan and early Christian times and reveals specific practical techniques and ritual templates that readers can adapt to their unique purposes. Illustrating traditional Icelandic magical practices and the Icelanders’ attitudes toward them, he shares original translations of Icelandic folktales about famous magicians, such as the legend of Gray-Skin, and about legendary grimoires, such as the "Galdrabók", the oldest and most complete book of its kind. After initiating the reader into the grammar and symbols of Icelandic magic through history and lore, Flowers then presents an extensive catalog of actual spells and magical workings from the historical Icelandic books of magic. These examples provide ready-made forms for practical experimentation as well as an exemplary guide on how to create signs and symbols for more personalized magical work. The author also includes guidance on creating unique magical signs from the 100 mythic names of Odin, which he translates and interprets magically, and from Icelandic magical alphabets, symbols that connect Icelandic magic to the ancient runic tradition. Notes to the Reader on Abbreviations, Orthography, and Foreign Words Foreword: Magic Manuals and Sorcerous Staves by Michael Moynihan Preface Introduction: A Magical Text THE PRE-CHRISTIAN AGE CATHOLIC PERIOD PROTESTANT PERIOD Chapter 3: Icelandic Books of Magic LEGENDARY BLACK BOOKS THE GALDRABÓK OTHER COLLECTIONS OF MAGIC THE TWO TRADITIONS IN THE NORTH Chapter 4: The Gods of Magic: Æsir, Demons, and Christ THE PAGAN GODS AND GODDESSES CHRISTIAN DEMONS Chapter 5: Runes and Magical Signs Chapter 6: The Theory and Practice of Galdor-Sign Magic Chapter 7: The Legends and Lore of Iceland’s Magicians SÆMUNDUR THE WISE (1056–1133) GOTTSKÁLK THE CRUEL (1497–1520) EIRÍKUR OF VOGSÓSAR (1638–1716) GALDRA-LOFTUR (DIED 1722) Chapter 8: Preparation and Inner Work Chapter 9: Ritual and the Grammar of Signs INTRODUCTION EQUIPMENT BASIC RITUAL FORMAT GUIDE TO SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS THE INNER NATURE OF GALDOR AIMS OF GALDOR INTERPRETATION AND CONSTRUCTION OF SIGNS ÆGISHJÁLMAR GALDRAMYNDIR GALDRASTAFIR Part 2: Gray-Skin Introduction to the Workings I. WISDOM 1. TO AWAKEN YOURSELF TO A SENSE OF MYSTERY AND WONDER 2. FOR INSIGHT INTO THINGS BEYOND THE EARTHLY REALM 3. TO LINK YOURSELF WITH THE POWER AND KNOWLEDGE OF YOUR SOUL 4. TO KNOW THE UNKNOWN 5. DISCOVERING THE UNKNOWN (LBS 2413 8VO 100) 6. CONCEALMENT (LBS 2413 8VO 73) 7. FOR GAINING INSPIRATION 8. WAYFINDER (DAVÍÐSSON XXX) 9. THIEF-DETECTIVE (GALDRABÓK 33) 10. SITTING-OUT STAVE (SKUGGI’S GALDRA-SKRÆÐA, 77) II. POWER 1. WINNING STRUGGLES OF ALL KINDS (JÓN ÁRNASON, I, 438) 2. VICTORY (JÓN ÁRNASON, I, 438) 3. TO WIN A DEBATE (LBS 2413 8VO 69) 4. HERZLUSTAFIR (STRENGTHENING STAVES) (DAVÍÐSSON XXXIV) III. PROTECTION 1. RETURN TO SENDER (DAVÍÐSSON XXXVII) 2. PROTECTION FROM EMBARRASSMENT (DAVÍÐSSON XXXVIII) 3. A WASHING VERSE: TO WASH AWAY ILL WILL AND NEGATIVITY (JÓN ÁRNASON, I, 439) 4. SORCERY PREVENTION (LBS 2413 8VO 112) 5. AGAINST FOREBODING WHEN YOU GO INTO THE DARKNESS (DAVÍÐSSON XXXIX) 6. AGAINST ALL WITCHERY (DAVÍÐSSON XXXV) IV. CONTROL 1. TO CALM ANGER (GALDRABÓK 41) 2. TO GAIN THE FAVOR OF POWERFUL PERSONS (GALDRABÓK 17) 3. TO CAUSE FEAR IN AN ENEMY (GALDRABÓK 9) 4. AGAINST THE ILL WILL OF POWERFUL PERSONS (GALDRABÓK 26) 5. TO CALM THE ANGER OF AN ENEMY (DAVÍÐSSON, KREDDUR 27) 6. TO HAVE SUCCESS IN A MEETING (DAVÍÐSSON IV) 7. DÚNFAXI (DOWN MANE)—TO WIN A LAW CASE (DAVÍÐSSON VII) 8. THE SILENCER (GALDRABÓK 43) V. PROSPERITY 1. DEAL-CLOSER (KAUPALOKI) (DAVÍÐSSON III) 2. TO HAVE SUCCESS IN BUSINESS (LBS 2413 8VO 32) 3. ANOTHER KAUPALOKI (DAVÍÐSSON VIII) VI. LOVE 1. LUCK IN LOVE (GALDRABÓK 8) 2. TO ENCHANT A WOMAN AND WIN HER LOVE (GALDRABÓK 34) 3. TO WIN THE LOVE OF A PERSON (GALDRABÓK 15) VII. RECEPTION OF LUCK AND RELEASE OF BLESSINGS 1. THE LUCK KNOT (LBS 2413 8VO 141/142) 2. LUKKUSTAFIR (LUCK STAVES) (DAVÍÐSSON XXV) 3. TO GET YOUR WISH (LBS 2413 8VO 27) 4. RELEASE (LBS 2413 8VO 115) 5. TO GET THINGS TO TURN OUT AS YOU WISH (SKUGGI’S GALDRA-SKRÆÐA 19) 6. GOOD LUCK (SKUGGI’S GALDRA-SKRÆÐA 23) 7. TO ACQUIRE THE OBJECT YOU CRAVE (LBS 2413 8VO 34) 8. TO GET BACK WHAT WAS STOLEN (LBS 2413 8VO 131) VIII. SLEEP MAGIC 1. LUCID DREAMING—DREAM STAVE I (DAVÍÐSSON XV) 2. DREAM SENDINGS—DREAM STAVE II (DAVÍÐSSON XVI) 3. AGAINST HEADACHE AND INSOMNIA (GALDRABÓK 5) Appendix A: Runes and Magical Letters Appendix B: Names of Óðinn Appendix C: Magical Letters and Rune Kennings Appendix D: The “Our Father” Prayer in Latin Footnotes Bibliography About the Author About Inner Traditions • Bear & Company Books of Related Interest Copyright & Permissions Index Part 1: Historical Background and Basics of Magical Practice Chapter 1: Historical Context Chapter 2: History of Magic in Iceland