seidh
- noun
- /seɪð/
- Archaic
- Historians have found evidence of seidh ceremonies in several Viking burial sites.
Examples
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Many scholars believe that seidh was practiced mostly by women known as völvas.
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Today, some modern pagans attempt to reconstruct seidh rituals in their spiritual practices.
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The ancient practice of seidh fascinated historians.
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In Norse mythology, seidh was often associated with the goddess Freyja.
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Historians have found evidence of seidh ceremonies in several Viking burial sites.
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Many scholars believe that seidh was practiced mostly by women known as völvas.
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Today, some modern pagans attempt to reconstruct seidh rituals in their spiritual practices.
Synonyms
To use magic to control people or events, often to harm
A kind of Old Norse magic used for telling the future and changing events
Old Norse magic used in ceremonies to enter trance and see the future
A Norse type of magic that uses rituals and trance to see the future
A kind of magic in old Norse times used to see the future and make people enter a trance
Magic used by ancient Norse people in rituals to tell the future
Old word for magic that uses spirits
Surface Forms
Etymology
The word seidh comes from the old Norse word seiðr, which meant 'a kind of magic' used in ritual and shaman-like practice. It was often done by women seers in Viking times, so a helpful way to remember seidh is 'Viking ritual magic', which explains why the word means old Norse sorcery today.