Alaric Albertsson - Wyrdworking: The Path of a Saxon Sorcerer

Praise for Wyrdworking

'Alaric has done it yet again. In Wyrdworking, he makes the magical wisdom of the Anglo-Saxons very accessible to today's practitioners. Without denying the modern world and other occult traditions, he remains true to the culture and practices of the Saxons and clearly demonstrates how we can follow this path of magick. His teachings make me appreciate the Anglo-Saxon practices found in modern Witchcraft and want to dive deeper into their heritage."

-Christopher Penczak, author of The Mystic Foundation and The Temple of Witchcraft series

Praise for Travels Through Middle Earth

"This book is a thorough and enjoyable voyage into the heart of modern Anglo-Saxon spirituality. With his breezy style and quick wit, the author displays a practical approach to this religion that is both fascinating and informative. I heartily recommend this book to everyone, particularly folks new to this path!"

-Reverend Kirk S. Thomas, ADF Vice-Archdruid

Alaric Albertsson began his spiritual journey when he was introduced to the Anglo-Saxon gods and goddesses in 1971. Over the past four decades, his personal spiritual practice has developed as a synthesis of Anglo-Saxon tradition, country folklore, herbal studies, and rune lore. A native of Missouri and Arkansas, Alaric now resides in western Pennsylvania, where he is a founding member of Earendel Hearth, an Anglo-Saxon inhired. For more information, visit www.alaricalbertsson.com.

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ALARIC ALBERTSSON

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GETTING STARTED

... 3

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RUNES AND RUNCRIEFT

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Ac IEsc Thorn Eoh Beorc Eolh

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Feoh Ur Eh Ior

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Gear Hagol Is Sigel Tir Lagu Dceg

... 153

Mann Wynn Ethel Cen Gyfu Peorth

... 173

NiedRadYrIngOs Ear

... 193

Calc Gar Cweorth Stan

MORE MAGIC TECHNIQUES

... 215

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A book is much like a ship in that it requires more than the person at the helm if it is to reach its destination. Others are needed to row and help with the sails if the book is to carry its cargo of information successfully to its destination, the reader. So many people have contributed to Wyrdworking: The Path of a Saxon Sorcerer in one way or another that I do not even know how to begin to thank everyone.

Christopher Penczak has consistently supported my writing, and neither this book nor the preceding one would have come about were it not for his encouragement. I have to thank my acquisition editor, Elysia Gallo, who has helped give the book a more polished tone. Kevin R. Brown has once again created a striking and beautiful book cover. Bryan Chick's suggestions have shaped the style of the book; he reminded me that Wyrdworking will be, for most readers, a textbook on magic rather than an abstract study of the subject. Taren Martin kept me focused on the rune chapters. I want to thank Barbara Criswell, of Aquarius Books in Kansas City, whose support and belief in my work helps me keep believing in myself. Of course I need to thank those who contributed so generously to the content of this book, including but not limited to Jesse Garrison, Tina-Lisa Agresta, West Hardin, Deana Isendun, and Maria Stoy. I am grateful for the support and encouragement of ADF druid friends, such as the Reverend Kirk Thomas, Diane "Emerald" Bronowicz, Robb Lewis, and others. Judy DeRousse corrected endless grammatical errors for me and helped polish the manuscript with a smoother writing style. Perhaps more than anyone else, though, I need to thank Scott, who not only inspires me, but who also put up with my long absences and distraction as I crafted this book.

Finally, I want to thank Benjamin Brown, who left our Middle Earth twenty years ago. Although he is gone, he is never forgotten, for he helped shape and guide me in ways that I did not fully appreciate then, but so deeply appreciate now. It is to him, a great sorcerer, that Wyrdworking is dedicated.

In my book Travels Through Middle Earth: The Path of a Saxon Pagan, I presented no more than a cursory look at magic. As I stated in my introduction then, "Spells and runes and charms have their place, of course, but this [book] is not that place."

Now, here in this new introduction, I can say that this book is the place to find the magic of Saxon sorcery.

Within these pages you will learn how to craft rune charms, brew potions, and cast effective spells. You will learn magical techniques to find love and prosperity. Whether you are merely curious, or if you seek to fully accept the responsibilities of a Saxon drymann (druid), you will find a wealth of useful information here. Wyrdworking is a culmination of my own forty years' experience with magic. For me, magic is intriguing and fairly easy to master as a skill. Let me emphasize that this does not mean I am better or more enlightened than a Saxon Pagan who has no interest in the subject. In fact, there are days when I wish that I could trade magic in for a more dependable skill, like carpentry or perhaps tailoring. Unfortunately, I am hopeless with a hammer and sewing machines baffle me. If magic does not come naturally to you, rest assured that there is no reason you need to pursue these arts. There are many ways in which each of us can contribute to our continually evolving contemporary Pagan culture, and magic is just one possibility just one potential path along your own journey through Middle Earth.