----- Original Message -----
From: "vidhar" <nina_net@...>
To: <norse_course@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Monday, January 14, 2002 12:53 AM
Subject: [norse_course] two things


> Heil Norse group
> Where would I be able to find a table that could show me how to
> write Old Norse in the younger Futhark runes.

The best book out there for your needs is 'Runes' from the Reading the Past
series by R.I. Page. He's a non-esoteric scholar who describes the liguistic
use of the runes very well. The book is only about 100 pages. You can get it
from Barnes&Noble.com or Amazon.com for US$15.

'An Intorduction to Old Norse' by Gordon has the Norwegian Rune Rhyme in it
with the runes drawn out.
'Runelore' by Edred Thorsson isn't bad. 'Rune Might' is Edred's book on the
Younger Futhark. Neither have what I think you are looking for.

I'd also be willing to help off-list.

>I would also
> like to know the Old Norse word for necromancy.

I, for one, don't know if there is one, but the Icelandic dictionary I have
gives 'Andasæringar' and 'Galdrar'.

Anda = breath/spirit/soul
Særingar = aggrieve/inflict/enforce or exorcism/conjuration/incantation

Andasæringar is a compound word and doesn't show up in any of my Old Norse
books. It's probably used rarely or a new compound. Not surprising since
'Galdrar' in this context is wrong (see below).

I don't know of any magic relating to the Dead other than talking to them
and keeping them from walking home. 'Ghosts' were thought of as what we
would call 'Zombies' instead of 'disembodied spirits' (according the several
Sagas). They weren't really that important and certainly couldn't be
controlled in the way modern 'Necromancer' lore would expect.

The most common practices of magic that I know of were:

Galdr = songs/sounds of magic and their practice, associated with Odin and
Runes
Spæ = 'Spy', the scrying of hidden knowledge (i.e., in the future, other
worlds, etc.)
Seiðr = 'Seethe', the shamanistic practice of shaking/trance states and
trancendental magics, travelling outside of the body in animal form, and
often associated with conversing with the dead. According to Snorri
Sturlusson, Freyja taught this most unmanly of practices to Odin.
Útsæti = 'Out-sitting', the specific shamanistic practice of Seiðr while
sitting alone and outside, often on top of graves to summon and gain wisdom
from the dead (but not exclusively). See examples in 'Voluspá', the
'Hyndluljoð', and 'Voluspá hin skamma' in the Poetic Edda (Konungsbók
Eddukvæða). The term is a double entendre, because it means 'sitting
outside' to perform the magic and also to 'sit outside of oneself' or
'outside of midgard'. This is the most Faustian of the magic practices.
Maybe this is what you're thinking of?

Can anyone add to this?

-Laz