I have always liked going to some of the Ásatrú gatherings, and on those occasions I have had chance to speak with a couple of my Kinswomen on Magick. Of course, at first you will only sense that this other woman uses Spa Kona, and then it is almost like a dance, both afraid to bring up this dreaded word, as we know how most Kinsmen and Kinswomen feel about the matter.
Only when no Kinsmen were around, in the quiet that we surrounded ourselves with, while mead was being consumed by our Kinsmen and bonds and oaths were sworn would we stop the dance and begin to speak of our ways...
The path of a Spa Kona, or Spa Craft, is one that I have trodden for sixteen years now. This is a part of our tradition that I am proud of. It should not be lost, or spoken of in hushed tones. We will lose this if we continue on this path. I refuse to allow this to happen, and would like to share with others some of my ways.
To me, the Goddesses who are the spinner's and weavers are the ones with whom I find a connection with. Below are few examples of spa craft that I have used over the years.
. . .The air is cool and twilight
Flows down the quiet Rhine;
A mountain alone in the high light
Catches the faltering shine.
One rosy peak half gleaming
Reveals, enthroned in air,
A Goddess, lost in dreaming,
Who combs her golden hair.
With a golden comb she is combing
Her hair as she sings a song;
Heard and reheard through the gloaming,
It hurries the night along.
The boatman has heard what has bound him
In throes of a strange wild love,
He is blind to the reefs that surround him,
Who sees but the vision above. . .
I have used this passage for years as I sat brushing my hair. For me, it was an experience of empowerment as well as a connection to the Goddess. I guess, in reflection, it is no wonder that Sif came to me...
From Her, I have learned hair magick (for lack of a better word). Whenever I wish to bind something into my life, I will sit and brush my hair. A calm will ensue and it is then that I can focus on my goal. I then consciously, and knowingly braid my hair as I envision.
Look to Grimm's Fairy tales for examples. The tale of the Goose Girl who brushes her hair as she chants or sings, raises the winds to blow away the annoying boy's hat so that she can sit in peace as she braids her hair is but one example.
"Beware a witch who blows on knots..."
That line was given a whole new meaning in the "Heimskringla - History of the Kings of Norway." I have to tell you right off, I am not one to read the Sagas, I did enjoy Egil's Saga, or at least the magickal aspects of it. Anyway, I picked up this book and was just flipping through it and a word caught my eye -- "knot."
I won't put in the whole chapter, but let me quote you part: "King Sigurth said, "On this expedition, at its farthest point, I journeyed to the River Jordan and swam across it. And beyond, on the river bank, there is a thicket, and there I tied a knot and spoke words over it to the effect that you were to undo it, brother, or else have such challenges as was laid on it."
This goes on with King Eystein saying that he too could have tied a knot that King Sigurth would not have been unable to undo. Two things came to mind. The obvious, knot magick was used by my ancestors AND the thicket... I am not that great with the runes, but the rune THORNE came to mind. That and thickets with all it's spear-like appendages are a part of wort-cunning that is called sympathetic magick.I will leave it to your imagination to connect all the possibilities that mine did...
Speaking, or chanting words have been used quite often in wort-cunning as is blowing. When you blow on something, you are breathing life into it, thus awakening its potential and bringing it to life.
Chanting, or speaking charms over objects or people is also used often in wort-cunning and other types of magick. It is referred to in the First Mereseburg and Second Mereseburg Charms.
This age-old spell is considered to be Celtic, but I have my doubts. Our ancestors had a lot of influence on the Celts, and one of their major complaints today is finding the true Celtic ways from that which has been so inter-twined with the Norse!
An amulet should be made from two Rowan twigs tied cross-wise with red wool or thread while chanting this verse:
Now, some versions of this charm state "lammer-beads," or amber beads.
This may be the remnants of a Norse Charm. Thorr was saved from drowning by a Rowan tree. Hence Rowans protective qualities. The cross is actually a hammer-head as stated in the chant -- once again, Thorrs'.