What Is the Wild Hunt?

Across Central, Western and Northern Europe, the Wild Hunt is a well-known folk myth of a ghostly leader and his group of hunters and hounds flying through the cold night sky, accompanied by the sounds of the howling wind. The supernatural hunters are recounted as either the dead, elves, or in some instances, fairies. In the Northern tradition, the Wild Hunt was synonymous with great winter storms or changes of season.

The hunt was said to pass through the forests in the coldest, stormiest time of the year. Anyone found outdoors at the time would be swept up into the hunting party involuntarily and dropped miles from their original location. Practitioners of magic may have sought to join the berserkers in spirit, while their bodies remained safely at home. Grimm postulated the story inevitably changed from pre-Christian to more modern times. The myth originally began as a hunt led by a god and goddess visiting the land during a holy holiday, bringing blessings, and accepting offerings from people. They could be heard by the people in the howling winds, but later became known as a pack of ghouls with malicious intent.

The numerous variations of the legend mention different leaders of the hunting party. In Germany the leader is known by various names, for instance, Holt, Holle, Berta, Foste or Heme. Yet one figure frequently appears in the majority of versions: Odin (also called Woden). Odin is known by two particular names which relate to the time of year the Wild Hunt was alleged to occur, Jólnir and Jauloherra. Both of these roughly mean Master of Yule, a festival celebrating the change of the seasons....<<<Read More>>>...

Favourite's Collection #310

This is the first of the Favourite's Collection in 2020, and I've chosen a fairly recent image taken on the Urambi Hills, Canberra of an Australian Raven. The photograph was taken back in November 2019; back before the terrible bush fires that flared up all over Australia. There were several fires burning back in November 2019, but nothing on the horrific scale that occurred weeks after this photo was taken.

Raven has been a personal power animal of mine for a number of years; I've respected Raven and Raven has respected and accepted me. Now, in January 2020, knowing what I know now about what befall Australia, with hindsight I should have realised this Raven, and the other Ravens, that were suddenly arriving around me when I was on one of the summits of the Urambi Hills, were actually warning me of something they knew about!!

Raven is a highly intelligent bird; it is telepathic and works in unison with all of its facets. Therefore, this Raven and the others would have been made aware of the fires that had started elsewhere in Australia! Plus, and it is a big power animal quality that Raven possesses, it is able to transcend time and space!

This is in keeping with the legends of the Norse god Wotan/Odin/Woden having two Ravens Hugin (Huginn) and Munin (Munnin) on his shoulders. Where Hugin is believed to represent ‘memory’, while Munin personifies ‘thought’. In Norse mythology, Huginn and Muninn  are a pair of ravens that fly all over the world, Midgard, and bring information to Odin.

It is therefore very possible I was being warned of the imminent disaster in Australia, but I was too busily focused on photography, and being back on the Urambi Hills, not to listen to the telepathic voice in my mind. 

The Concept Of A True Shamanic Experience

The concept of a true Shamanic initiation is probably the hardest spiritual process to be understood fully. The recent influx of New Age ideology that Shamans can be created by courses and workshops is poppy cock!

True Shamans are born, not created by day or week workshops. A Shaman cannot initiate other Shamans, instead a fellow a Shaman will recognise that another has been chosen or has been born a Shaman, and then will assist with the spiritual unfolding.

The primary teaching happens through the spirits of the ancestors with spirit provides a commentary for enhanced understanding. My initiation and choosing began when I was perhaps 6 years old, with an Odin/Merlin/Thoth like spirit beginning my training with night after night of astral travels.

A series part of my shamanic training was coming to terms with a full blown Kundalini firing at the tender age of 12! Believe me my initiation has not been an easy pathway, with the looming figure of death standing behind me at every pitch and turn. For true born initiated Shamans, the figure of death shows up as an ever present spirit teacher-guide whom the initiate has to get to know, and eventually integrate with. It is an ongoing relationship.

The definition of a true Shaman Initiation is a simple one: “if the initiatory spirit who has claimed you does not do its best to take you over to the other side with a severe, life threatening sickness shortly after you meet, then you are not a Shaman! My most recent experience was in October 2013 with my life threatening Necrotising Acute Pancreatitis which was complicated with pneumonia, hyperthermia and septicaemia!!! A connection with Odin had occurred two weeks prior to this experience!

The first contact with the Odin/Merlin/Thoth spirit, took the form of a series of psychic experiences, plus a later interrogation by the spirit. My interrogation took place when I was in hospital at 36 having had a serious bowel operation. The spirit appeared in the form of a farmer with two ferocious dogs. One of the dogs attacked me and I ended up having a heart attack followed by delirium and hallucinations brought on by a high dose of opiate pain killers. A classic case of continued shamanic initiation I feel. Which has taken place all the way through my life. Thus I can claim to be a chosen Shaman, not that I truly want this title! - Matthew James

Is it possible that Odin actually existed?

If one looks at early-Medieval Scandinavian literature, we find many examples of old genealogies that mention various Gods, including Óðinn, as being the ancestor of one or more noble families.

Then, if we go back even further, to the 1st century B.C, the Roman author Tacitus also mentions that some Germanic tribes thought of themselves as the direct descendants of some older Deity.

As for the historical truth, well, Thor Heyerdahl who was a Norwegian archeologist believed that Óðinn was an actual human king who migrated to Scandinavia in the Iron Age

Not in the material world as the figure described in mythology. It is pretty difficult for people to actually shapeshift or travel to other worlds these days, except in the realm of non-physical reality.

Snorri Sturlason is the Icelandic warrior, poet, and politician who wrote down the most comprehensive account of Norse mythology called The Younger Edda. In his preface he states that Odin was an ancient king who led his people to settle in Scandinavia, and he probably believed that. During the transition between Paganism and Christianity many lovers of traditional lore said that the ancient gods were really once humans, generally saying they were magical people. (This process is called Euhemerism, after the Greek Euhemeris who popularized it in his ancient time.)

Since some myths and legends have been proven to have a kernel of historical truth to them, it opens the possibility that Odin actually existed. But we have no actual proof of that—just myths—so you will have decide what level of truth is acceptable to you...read more>>>...

The Rune Ansuz

Ansuz (Ansur) literally means "A God" - the Allfather Odin. 'The breath of life'.

Ansuz refers to a personal ancestry that tracks back to the old gods. A rune of analysis, wisdom, inspiration.

As Ansur it has been linked to 'Ash' ... the tree of learning and being taught a trade or a skill. It is a rune of new opportunities and options (The breath of life)

Elder Futhark Rune Meanings

My personal favourite means of divination are the RUNES. I began using the runes around 32 years ago. I've now spent more years using the runes, and respecting the runes, than not ... ! They are a fantastic tool, in the right hands ... and have provided, and still provide, stunning insights and advice for clients. They are not a FORTUNE TELLING aid. They are not for prophecy or prediction. Anyone who uses them for this are disrespecting the runes intention. They can only deal with future events in the format of offering advice on what path lies ahead as it stands at the moment the runes are cast. The Norn sisters do not weave a solid definable pathway from the now to the future ... they can only provide roads of possibility that a mortal can wonder using freewill. They cannot force the human to use freewill in the way they wish the human to.

Odin Discovers the Runes

The Elder Edda is a book of mythological stories of the Norse gods and goddesses and it is in here where we first see Odin learn about the runes. A story called Havamal1 or “Sayings of the High One2” tells us just how Odin first learned the runes.

Odin said:
I know that I hung on a high windy tree
for nine long nights;
pierced by a spear -Odin’s pledge-
given myself to myself.
No one can tell about that tree,
from what deep roots it rises.

They brought me no bread, no horn to drink from,
I gazed toward the ground.
Crying aloud, I caught up the runes;
finally I fell.

We see that Odin, in a shaman-like self-sacrificing ritual, deprives himself of food and drink as he hangs upside down on a tree. In some translations we are told that this tree is Yggdrasil, the Norse World Tree. As the days drag out longer and longer for him, nine nights pass and it is then when Odin sees the shapes of the runes. Crying out, he catches up the runes and falls from the tree.

The poem goes on talking about the runes and how Odin knows how to carve them for magickal uses. There are a total of eighteen runes that are listed but we never are told the names nor hinted at what they may look like. However if you believe the stories and tales of Guido List then you would tend to accept the Armanen Runes to be the runes that Odin discovered. Of course there is no evidence to even come close to supporting List’s claim as his rune set being the very first and original rune set.

If you are looking for the section in the Hávamál where it talks about Odin and the runes, it starts on the 138th stanza in the poem. Or if your poem doesn’t tell you the stanza number look for the section “The Lay of Loaddfafnir” (which starts on the 111th stanza). Skim a little ahead and you should see it....read more>>>....

Magick Journal - Realisation

Magick Journal Entry 22nd Oct 2017
Title: Realisation

It's time to discard the out-dated identity and with it a 'title' that truly doesn't define me ... titles are vibrations that limit the energy that flows and which defines the identity of the carrier of that title, thus titles must be carefully chosen for they create your nature.

And my nature was never really what people assumed I was publically. I went along with that title and that energy force, to conform. Otherwise if I was to have used my most efficient title... or no title at all, so I can just be 'I am I" ... there would have been no recognition. For my most efficient title describes an air that is from the ancient past. So few practitioners exist. But needs must for me to become efficient once again.

Thus R.J. Stewart was correct when he stated that 'mediation is not a matter of passive reception as in the popularised and superficial process of mediumship'. That title is misconstrued, overused and abused by so many egos that scurry around the new age circuit. All the wannabes who fail to comprehend what the title really is. They practice it so poorly because that title is a wrongful claim by them, and their air is tarnished and they are not using their energy efficiently. They claim the title so they can get attention and can get recognised ... thus the energy they accumulate via the title is too great for their evolution to process and comprehend.

I choose, thus, to return back to where I was before that title distracted me. I return back to the function of mediation and the ability I have to be an interface between this virtual world and all the other worlds that exist outside the boundaries of this vibration. The title 'mediumship' does not permit that function. For 'mediumship' has nothing to do with linking to the higher modes of awareness. The title limits you to the ex-human realms. It does not permit an interface with the non-human or the trans-human. For so long the non-human have permitted me to converse with them; to be aware of the them; and to be able to see them.

Thus I accept the realisation that the previous wheel must turn again so I can thus assume the role of being 'a channel for a specific power to flow out into this virtual world'. I thus accept that burden and permit myself to be that air as efficiently as the specific power dictates. Thankfully, I've known my entire life just who that specific power is ... and it requires me to realise just what it makes me this time, this place, this face ... I am but one of the many 'Merlins' this time. I have always been, and shall assume that 'air' again ... Matthew James  

Hàvamàl

Wounded I hung on a wind-swept gallows
For nine long nights,
Pierced by a spear, pledged to Odin,
Offered, myself to myself
The wisest know not from whence spring
The roots of that ancient rood.

They gave me no bread,
They gave me no mead,
I looked down;
With a loud cry
I took up runes;
From that tree I fell.

Nine lays of power
I learned from the famous Bolthor, Bestla' s father:
He poured me a draught of precious mead,
Mixed with magic Odrerir.

Waxed and throve well;
Word from word gave words to me,
Deed from deed gave deeds to me.

Runes you will find, and readable staves,
Very strong staves,
Very stout staves,
Staves that Bolthor stained,
Made by mighty powers,
Graven by the prophetic God.

For the Gods by Odin, for the Elves by Dain,
By Dvalin, too, for the Dwarves,
By Asvid for the hateful Giants,
And some I carved myself:
Thund, before man was made, scratched them,
Who rose first, fell thereafter. 







.......read more>>>>...

Natural Born Shamanic Initiation

The concept of a true Shamanic initiation is probably the hardest spiritual process to be understood fully. The recent influx of New Age ideology that Shamans can be created by courses and workshops is poppy cock! True Shamans are born, not created by day or week workshops. A Shaman cannot initiate other Shamans, instead a fellow Shaman will recognise that another has been chosen or has been born a Shaman, and then will assist with the spiritual unfolding.

The primary teaching happens through the spirits of the ancestors with spirit provides a commentary for enhanced understanding. My initiation and choosing began when I was 4 years old, with an Odin/Merlin/Thoth like spirit beginning my training with night after night of astral travels.

A serious part of my shamanic training was coming to terms with a full blown Kundalini firing at the tender age of 12! Believe me my initiation has not been an easy pathway, with the looming figure of death standing behind me at every pitch and turn. For true born initiated Shamans, the figure of death shows up as an ever present spirit teacher-guide whom the initiate has to get to know, and eventually integrate with. It is an ongoing relationship.

The definition of a true Shaman Initiation is a simple one: “if the initiatory spirit who has claimed you does not do its best to take you over to the other side with a severe, life threatening sickness shortly after you meet, then you are not a Shaman!" My most recent experience was in October 2013 with my life threatening Necrotising Acute Pancreatitis which was complicated with pneumonia, hypothermia and septicaemia!!! A connection with Odin had occurred two weeks prior to this experience!

The first contact with the Odin/Merlin/Thoth spirit, took the form of a series of psychic experiences where the entity appeared in solid form; plus an actual interrogation by the spirit many years later. My interrogation took place when I was in hospital at 36 having had a serious bowel operation. The spirit appeared in the form of a farmer with two ferocious dogs. One of the dogs attacked me and I ended up having a heart attack followed by delirium and hallucinations brought on by a high dose of opiate pain killers. A classic case of continued shamanic initiation I feel. Which has taken place all the way through my life. Thus I can claim to be a chosen Shaman, not that I truly want this title!

Odinic Vision

It has been accepted by many practitioners of Asatru, Heathenism, and Odinism that Odin, All Father of the Folk sacrificed his eye at some point in Mimir’s well. However, is it a more plausible thought that Odin did not sacrifice his eye but in fact gained vision through the opening of his “third” eye? Maybe this can help find something of a different view of Odinic Vision?

Voluspa is often one of the first quoted sources to support the idea that Odin sacrificed his eye into Mimir’s well. Consider closely the chosen language of the stanza as it is held over various translations:

“I know where Othin’s eye is hidden,
Deep in the wide-famed well of Mimir;
Mead from the pledge of Othin each morn
Does Mimir drink: would you know yet more?

Odin’s eye is hidden – not sacrificed “Deep in the wide-famed well of Mimir”? Mímir (Old Norse “The rememberer, the wise one”). We can interpret the symbolic nature of the Lore that Mimir’s Well is a representation of the mind! ... read more>>>...

Sleipnir - Travelling without Moving

White Dragon: Ódhinn the primordial archetypal' one eyed' great magician, wizard and shaman god of ancient Norse mythology whose name means 'ecstasy master', was also worshipped by the Saxon peoples as 'Wôdan', which hearkens back to the Indo European root word 'Wôdanaz'. The 'Ód' part of the name refers to an altered state of consciousness such as for example ecstatic trance states, as well as out of body experiences and the experience of an internal spiritual light. The 'in' part of the name refers to 'mastery' over whatever 'in' is applied to. Ódhinn was not so much as worshipped but emulated, especially by those shadowy sorcerers as well as wandering poets whom sought to come to an understanding of the nature of creation.

Ódhinn is known to wander the many worlds in the ancient myths, travelling upon the back of a magical horse, this miraculous horse is described as having eight legs akin to a spider. One can make a comparison here to the inter-dimensional time travelling science fiction character of "Dr Who" from the BBC1 television series who travels to other worlds in a vehicle called a "Tardis". One of Ódhinn"s innumerable by names, (each name being that of a magically constructed alternate persona of a self-image) was the "Unknowable one"; Ódhinn being somewhat of an eternal "question mark", forever shapeshifting from one mask persona into another so that he could enter into other realities.

The name of the horse upon which he rode is called Sleipnir, which means the 'gliding one'. The name is evocative of an ecstatic experience whereby Ódhinn is able to 'glide' into trance over the 'web' interconnecting all worlds, times and places as well as everything in creation, yet at the same time weaving the web as a spider. This web of 'connections' can be seen to be an underlying reality of an informational dreaming Universe which dreams it's self into physicality; when the web is accessed through induced trance or lucid dreaming one can therefore affect changes in physical reality.

The underlying web of energy and information which is seen to be the generative principle behind all forms was known to the ancient Saxon peoples as the web of "Wyrd".

The threads of the web of Wyrd 'were perceived to be woven' by three Goddesses whom represent the past, present and future. These three Goddesses were known to the ancient Norse peoples as the "Norns", perceived as sisters, their names are Urd, 'that which was', Verdandi, 'that which is becoming', and Skuld, 'that which is to become'...read more>>>...