Skip to main content
Glite Dictionary
seidr

seidr

9.9
A kind of Old Norse magic used for telling the future and changing events
  • noun
  • /ˈseɪdər/
  • Archaic
: seidr
  • The saga described how the queen employed seidr to foresee the outcome of the battle.

Examples

  • Practitioners of seidr were often believed to have the power to influence fate and communicate with spirits.

  • Modern neopagans sometimes study seidr as part of reconstructing Norse spiritual practices.

  • The ancient practice of seidr was revered by many.

  • Many tales speak of the power of seidr in Norse mythology.

  • The saga described how the queen employed seidr to foresee the outcome of the battle.

  • Practitioners of seidr were often believed to have the power to influence fate and communicate with spirits.

  • Modern neopagans sometimes study seidr as part of reconstructing Norse spiritual practices.

Synonyms

seidhr
vsseidr
  • Archaic
9.9

A Norse type of magic that uses rituals and trance to see the future

is broader, focusing on changing reality beyond just prophetic rituals
seithr
vsseidr
  • Archaic
9.9

A kind of magic in old Norse times used to see the future and make people enter a trance

relates more to general reality alteration beyond trance focus
seith
vsseidr
  • Archaic
9.9

Magic used by ancient Norse people in rituals to tell the future

has a wider sense involving changing reality, not only ritual prophecy
seidh
vsseidr
  • Archaic
9.9

An Old Norse magic ritual often performed by women who told the future

focuses more on prophetic and reality changing activities rather than general shamanism
seid
vsseidr
  • Literature
9.9

Old Norse magic used in ceremonies to enter trance and see the future

refers specifically to the Late Scandinavian Iron Age period

Surface Forms

seidr singular
seidrs plural

Etymology

Seidr comes from the Old Norse word seiðr, which named a kind of magic where people sang spells, spoke with spirits, and tried to 'see' or 'change' the future. A helpful way to remember seidr is to think of a 'seer' who looks into what will happen, because seidr was often about prophecy and shaping fate.