Vulpine Vackra

Völva and Seiðr - A Very Brief Introduction

The term Völva (Old Norse Vǫlva) is often misunderstood or mistranslated. A Völva is a Seeress. A Völva acts as a prophetess or priestess by means of performing seiðr (Swedish sejd).

Seiðr is a particular type of Norse magic most often used for divination or clairvoyance. Freyja was the original seiðkona, and it was she who introduced this craft to the gods and to those who followed in her path as a Völva. A Völva performs trancework to journey to the world of spirit, and once there she can ask questions on behalf of herself or others. Sometimes the answers will be shown to her through a vision, and other times the answers will be either spoken to or through her by the spirits.

The Soul and Self in Norse Mythology

It is a Norse belief that the soul and self are made up of multiple parts.

Lyke - the actual physical body, brought to life by the gods.

Hamr - the energetic or astral body, the shape or skin you wear that is perceived by others.

Fylgja - the accompanying guardian, the external (and typically animal) extension of yourself that represents your true character. Can generally only be seen by those with second sight or in dreams. Seeing your fylgja bloodied is an omen of your impending death.

Hamingja - the personified and inherent luck and fortune from your familial line, the extension of yourself that is your personal power. This part of your soul could be lent to others to assist in times of great peril. Certain individuals (hamrammr) can also perform hamfarir, or a shapejourney, where you shift your hamingja into an animal and can roam the world. If your hamingja was harmed, then so was your human body.

Sinne - the mind, made up of two parts: hugr (the conscious mind) and munr (the unconscious mind). This is personified in Odin’s two ravens, Hugin and Munin.

Önd - the spirit or life breath that distinguishes the living from the dead.

Goði/Gyðja - the higher or divine self, the voice behind intuition that remains forever loyal and true to your best interests.

Horses in Norse Mythology

Written with the Swedish name first, followed by Old Norse and English translations, as well as the meaning of the name if applicable.

Allsvinn / Alsviðr / Alsvid - “very swift”, one of the two horses that pulls the sun across the sky each day

Arvaker / Árvakr / Arvak - “early riser”, one of the two horses that pulls the sun across the sky each day

Blodighov / Blóðughófi / Blodughofi - “bloody hoof”, the horse of Freyr

Falhofner / Falhófnir / Falhofnir - “weak hoof”, one of the horses ridden each day to Yggdrasil by the gods, listed as the ninth best horse

Gardrova / Garðrofa / Gardrofa - the sire of Hofvarpnir

Gils / Gísl / Gisl - “bright”, one of the horses ridden each day to Yggdrasil by the gods, listed as the eighth best horse

Glad / Glaðr / Gladr - “brilliant”, one of the horses ridden each day to Yggdrasil by the gods, listed as the second best horse after Sleipnir

Gler / Glær / Glenr - “light”, one of the horses ridden each day to Yggdrasil by the gods, listed as the fourth best horse

Grane / Grana / Grani - the son of Sleipnir himself, the horse of Sigurd

Guldmane (Gullfaxe) / Gullfaxi - “golden mane”, the horse of Hrungnir who is gifted to Magni after his original owner is slain

Gulltopp / Golltoppr / Gulltoppr - “golden top”, the horse of Heimdall

Gyller / Gyllir - “golden yellow”, one of the horses ridden each day to Yggdrasil by the gods, listed as the third best horse

Hamskerper / Hamskerpir - the mother of Hofvarpnir

Helhäst / Helshäst / Helhest - “Hel’s horse”, a three legged horse, the horse of Hel

Hovvarpner / Hófvarfnir / Hofvarpnir - “hoof tosser”, the son of Hamskerpir and Gardrofa, the horse of Gná

Lättfot / Léttfeti / Lettfeti - “light feet”, one of the horses ridden each day to Yggdrasil by the gods, listed as the eleventh best horse

Modin - “tired”, the horse of the dwarf Dvalinn

Rimfaxe / Hrímfaxi / Hrimfaxi - “frost mane”, the horse of Nótt

Silfrintopp / Silfrintoppr - “silver mane”, one of the horses ridden each day to Yggdrasil by the gods, listed as the sixth best horse

Siner / Sinir - “sinewy”, one of the horses ridden each day to Yggdrasil by the gods, listed as the seventh best horse

Skeidbrimer / Skeiðbrimir / Skeidbrimir - “fast racer”, one of the horses ridden each day to Yggdrasil by the gods, listed as the fifth best horse

Skinfaxe / Skinfaxi - “shining mane”, the horse of Dagr

Sleipner / Sleipnir - eight legged horse, the son of Loki (as a mare) and Svaðilfari, the best of all horses, the horse of Odin

Svadilfare / Svaðilfari - the sire of Sleipnir, the horse of a giant who built the walls of Asgard

An honorable mention also to the following, who, while not mentioned in the stories of the gods, existed in the lore regardless.

A Quick Guide to the Nine Realms

Written with the Swedish name first, followed by Old Norse and English translations.

Nifelheim / Niflheimr / Niflheim - the realm of ice and mist located in the north. Existed long before the creation of the world.

Muspelheim / Múspellsheimr / Muspelheim - the realm of fire located in the south, ruled over by the jötunn Surtr. Existed long before the creation of the world.

Asgård / Ásgarðr / Asgard - the realm of the Æsir gods and the Ásynjur goddesses, presided over by Odin.

Vanaheim / Vanaheimr / Vanaheim - the realm of the Vanir gods and goddesses.

Midgård / Miðgarðr / Midgard - the realm inhabited by human beings; the central realm. Separated by rivers and forests from the lands of the giants.

Jotunheim / Jötunheimr / Jötunheim - the realm of the giants.

(Ljus)alfheim / Ljósálfheimr / Alfheim - the realm of the light elves, presided over by Freyr.

Svartalfheim / Svartálfheimr / Svartalfheim - the realm of the dwarves.

Hi!

I’m Vackra. I’m from Sweden and am an experienced energy and spirit worker, Völva, and Heathen.

Both energy work and spirit work have been passed down in my family for many generations, as well as a loyalty and devotion to the Norse gods and the practices that come with that.