Rysdyk - The Norse Shaman: Ancient Spiritual Practices of the Northern Tradition

This book is dedicated to my ancestors who, in spite of the inexplicable vagaries of evolution and unimaginable hardships of famine, hunger, war, and pestilence, managed to pass the sacred gift of physical existence to me. I honor and thank you deeply for making my life possible.

THE NORSE
Shaman

According to Norse mythology, whoever drinks from the Mead of Poetry will gain the abilities of a scholar-poet and be able to solve any riddle or problem presented to them. With this beautifully written and powerfully instructive book, Evelyn Rysdyk has popped the cork on this precious elixir and is offering us a taste of the wisdom to be found in the teachings of northern European shamanism.

HILLARY S. WEBB, AUTHOR OF EXPLORING SHAMANISM AND TRAVELING BETWEEN THE WORLDS: CONVERSATIONS WITH CONTEMPORARY SHAMANS

Wise woman Rysdyk opens the mysterious portals to the ancient ancestral female shamanic traditions of Scandinavia and invites us to connect with the spiritual power found therein. She is a knowledgeable, trustworthy, and generous guide.

MAMA DONNA HENES, URBAN SHAMAN AND AUTHOR OF CELESTIALLY AUSPICIOUS OCCASIONS: SEASONS, CYCLES, AND CELEBRATIONS

The Norse Shaman skillfully weaves scholarly insight with an abundance of guided, hands-on experience. In an exceptionally clear and thorough voice, Evelyn Rysdyk inspires us to make the earth-honoring wisdom of the far northand the magic of the distant pastcome alive in our hearts, and in our world, today.

LLYN ROBERTS, COAUTHOR OF SPEAKING WITH NATURE, RECIPIENT OF THE NAUTILUS BOOK AWARDS GOLD MEDAL

Evelyn Rysdyk uses her shamans discerning heart and wide-ranging intelligence to unearth precious, hard-won wisdom from our northernmost European ancestors, integrating it with the latest findings in anthropology, genetics, and the unsettling lessons of quantum physics to offer us exciting new ways to understand our humanity and place in the Universe. This is a book to change your life. Do the exercises and youll never feel alone and helpless again.

ELLEN WINNER, AUTHOR OF WORLD SHAMAN AND THOUGHTS IN THE MIND OF GOD

A fascinating journey through the history of European shamanism. Dont miss out on this captivating book!

ROBBIE HOLZ, COAUTHOR OF SECRETS OF ABORIGINAL HEALING AND ABORIGINAL SECRETS OF AWAKENING

This book is a gem! Part historical review, part instruction manual, the author stokes the fires of her Norse heritage to warm the hearts and kindle the minds of her readers. Evelyn Rysdyk is a triple threata brilliant illustrator, a renowned shamanic healer and teacher, and a gifted writer at the height of her craft. A very satisfying read. Highly recommended.

PAUL BOWERSOX COAUTHOR OF SEEING IN THE DARK

I love how this work blends the wisdom we find in mythology with the insights that modern technology, science, and new physics has given us. Evelyn is a shaman who embodies the knowledge and practice of Norse shamanism through ancestry, calling, profession, and daily life.

COLLEEN DEATSMAN, SHAMANIC PRACTITIONER, AUTHOR OF THE HOLLOW BONE, AND COAUTHOR OF SEEING IN THE DARK

Evelyn Rysdyk has written a very important book. For anyone longing to deepen their personal transformation, enhance their shamanic practice, help our modern society restore balance and harmony with nature and its inhabitants, and bring back the sacred feminine in all aspects of their lives, I recommend this book as an integral part of their toolbox.

CLAUDE PONCELET, PH.D., AUTHOR OF THE SHAMAN WITHIN

Acknowledgments

I would like to honor my mother, Agnes M. (Blyseth) Rysdyk, who began her genealogical research before I was bornthe lions share of which was done many decades before computerized records and the Internet. (Many of my childhood car trips included visits to churches and graveyards!) Her curiosity and detective-like tenacity has given me the names and birthplaces for generations of my maternal and paternal ancestors going back several centuries.

On the home front, thanks to my wife and creative companion, Allie Knowltonan extraordinary woman who enriches my life in ways beyond words. Thanks also to our cat Fylgja, who had to deal with me talking to myself and reading draft passages aloud during her naptime.

Several decades ago, the experiences I had in the West Kennet Long Barrow and so many other Neolithic sites in Britain awakened something very ancient and powerful that still echoes through my being. Thank you, Madeleine Burnside, for being my tour guide and brilliant co-conspirator back in those days.

Music is a great lubricant to my artistic flow, and each project seems to require a different playlist. This book needed the talents of Meg Bowles, Ian Brody, Bukkene Bruse, Frode Fjellheim, Agnes Buen Garns, Hedningarna, Krauka, Pekka Lehti, Annbjrg Lien, Eivr Plsdttir, Ernst Reijseger, Graeme Revell, Robert Rich, Steve Roach, Wimme Saari, Transjoik, Trio Mediaeval, Vsen, Wardruna, and of every brilliant performer on the Wizard Women of the North album.

Finally, I offer my deep gratitude to my incredible agent, Stephany Evans at FinePrint Literary Management and to Jon Graham at Inner Traditions for believing in this project.

Tusen Takk!

Authors Note

This book is not connected with the neo-pagan religion of Asatru, nor is it an attempt at accurately re-creating Viking Age traditions. Instead, it is an exploration of very ancient shamanic traditions that were preserved as fragments in Norse/Germanic myths and are part of our collective human history.

This book does not replace formal instruction in shamanic spirituality. The exercises in this book assume that you already know how to perform a shamanic journey. It is necessary that you know how to journey and have a strong connection to a power animal or teacher before you work with this book. If you havent yet learned this process, I have provided an introduction to shamanic journeying in this books first appendix. I also recommend that you read my book Spirit Walking: A Course in Shamanic Power to learn more about shamanic journeying and developing relationships with the helpful, healing spirits. Before you attempt any of the exercises in this book, read the instructions thoroughly, be sure that you understand them well, and be sure to gather all that you will require.

The suggestions, processes, and shamanic techniques described in this book are in no way meant to replace professional medical or mental health assistance. This book is intended to be an informational guide and not to treat, diagnose, or prescribe. Always consult with a qualified health care professional regarding any medical or mental health condition or symptoms. Neither the author nor the publisher accepts any responsibility for your health or how you choose to use the information contained in this book.

Simplified Pronunciation Guide to the Norse Words in This Book

Old Norse is no longer a living language. Scandinavian languages have someties to Old Norse, but the language that retains the closest ties is Icelandic.As I am a native speaker of American English from an urban suburb oflower New York, I have done my best to provide you with a simplifiedguide to pronouncing the important words and names found in this book.