One of the kinds of magic I’ve done instinctively since childhood is magic via singing. I use it to calm myself, to ground and center myself, and to cleanse a space or generally smooth out the energy of somewhere, particularly my home. The song has to have the right vibe, both musically and lyrically, and as I’ve gotten older and moved further away from the religion I was raised with, I’ve become more aware of how each of those components affect me and affect the energy that I’m wielding and unleashing via singing.
When I started working more with Angrboda early this year, she told me that this is a form of galdr magic -- a very casual, instinctual, personal form, to be sure, but from the same root concepts that make up galdr: vocalized vibrations of the air around you/the air that fills a space, combined with emotional intent. She’s worked with me in more formalized galdr since then (though most of that has been UPG-based as well), while also encouraging me to continue in this more casual and instinctive way of practicing the same sort of magic, and to pay attention to how it changes me and changes the space. Different songs are needed for different moods, different seasons, different intents, and I’m learning to pick up on which songs work for me in this manner, and which songs don’t. Letting myself be led by that feeling is what differentiates this from just any old singing.
Today I’m getting some weird god-nudging to share this with you guys, to use this virtual space to move the air around us, to ground and soothe us. Only... Tumblr doesn’t really have air? Virtual is odd like that. I thought at first I was being nudged to record myself singing and share it here, but the instant and continuing gut-check response is that It’s Not About That. It’s not about me. It’s about the concept and a couple particular songs I’m being nudged to share. I think maybe someone out there -- or more than one of you -- needs to hear this right now, needs this post to help snap the concept into focus, needs these particular songs.
So here are a couple of the songs I’ve been singing recently, and feel particularly nudged to share. I hope this finds those of you who need it -- either to listen to, or to learn and sing yourself. Never underestimate the power you have to shift the energy of where you find yourself.
Ironwood Strong - Becky Warren
The Wolf - Phildel
Up The Wolves - The Mountain Goats
Thank You - Bombadil
