Scot, pict, and Norse witchcraft.

[RavenFlyer]

I have been doing more research into my heritage, and I have found that the clan I come from was actually Norse originally. My clan ruled the western isles of Scotland for a long time, and as such I am becoming much more interested in the practices of my blood ancestors.

 

So I am curious about witchcraft in Scotland, specifically the Scottish isles, Pictish craft, and Norse craft.

I've searched on line but have not found any books or links with substantial information on these subjects. I know there is a lot written about Sedir, but I'm not sure which ones are filled with the most accurate information.

So if any of you all have any suggestions please let me know.

[Guest atropa]

Hello RavenFlyer

 

Scottish and Pictish are not the same; there is a vast amount information on Scottish Witchcraft but its diffuclt to find Pictish information because it was never written down, it was and is an oral Tradition. However, I can recommend books by Stuart McHardy, he tends to be a little repetitive in his writings but he has researched the Picts and has some good thoughts on the subject although like most writers he often lets personal perception fill in the blanks he doesnt know.

 

Another source is to look at the online site 'Orkney Jar' this is the best site I have found so far on this subject.

 

Scotti and Pictish came from different places, the Scotti coming into the west and the Pictish coming into the east, different peoples with vastly different lifestyles and religions including witchcrafts. Pictish Traditions are distinctive and incorporate a way of living life that has mostly been forgotten, but it does survive in the few Traditions there are left who can claim this heritage.

 

Its worth looking at history of the northern isles and as you say, into the Norse traditions and the Vikings, these are all linked into the Pictish peoples. You might find Pictish art online if you look for it by name, but again its not always represented with the correct explanations.

hope this helps

atropa

[The Exile]

Thanks Atropa for the refreshener course on the Scottish and Pictish people. I have Scotish roots including some highlanders.

 

I voted this one up

[Aurelian]

Finding info on anything Pictish is sketchy at best...

 

For Norse craft, look perhaps to Aholas books, to start.

[Somewherebetween]

 

 

For Norse craft, look perhaps to Aholas books, to start.

 

I can not find any books by Aholas or any such thing. A friend of mine is looking into Norse Traditions and would apprechiate some guidence on the matter.

[Aurelian]

Most of what is available in the US is very much reconstructionist perspective, which is typical, really. My research on this ended when I no longer was living in scandinavia, as it didn't make sense for me to continue on when dealing with wholly different spirits in a different part of the world, so I am no expert. Unless he is willing to learn a different language, he's going to have a hard time finding the good stuff. But like I said, I'm no expert, but there are people I can ask, so I'll do some digging for y'all hopefully when I have time.

[Guest atropa]

A good book for legends of the Norse is "Myths of the Norsemen" by H. A. Guerber, Im not sure if its still in print and to be honest I doubt it is, but I have seen lots of copies in second hand bookshops, I paid £8 for my copy and it is available on Amazon uk.

 

The stories are told in easy to understand copy and give references to quotations from various writers of Norse lore. There are also many interpretations of the Edda's available although they are subject to interpretation.

 

A look at the lore of Iceland, Russia and Finland, and a look at Viking lore, the Norse legends have a great deal of the ways of these peoples at the core of their stories.

[Aurelian]

If you like to geek out, subscribe to things such as RMN, a newsletter published by the folklore department of the University of Helsinki:

 

http://www.helsinki....ka/English/RMN/

 

It's even in English, woot go me. Let's see what else I can dig up in my email box...there's eleven thousand unread mails, I have been remiss lately I see LOL

 

Edited to add:

 

Also try Shamanism in Norse Myth and Magic, Vol. I-II. Clive Tolley ISBN 978-951-41-1028-3, it's supposed to be 'legit.'

Edited February 15, 2013 by Aurelian

[Somewherebetween]

Thank you! I will pass this along~

[CelticGypsy]

You may find this interesting. :)

 

http://www.fieldsbooks.com/cgi-bin/fields/thp20131.html

 

 

 

Regards,

Gypsy

[CelticGypsy]

http://books.google.com/books?id=LuY0AAAAMAAJ&pg=PA42&lpg=PA42&dq=gulls+and+witchcraft&source=bl&ots=u1bBwmuL5o&sig=Yt1zIYMb9SIssZG4VplVGeszNBk&hl=en&sa=X&ei=VC-IUdyIFIu1rgG-n4HwDg&ved=0CC0Q6AEwAA#v=onepage&q=gulls%20and%20witchcraft&f=false

I was visiting with Aurora and Jevne in Chat, regarding verbal " Lore " about Scottish Witchcraft.

 

You may find this interesting ... when you read " between the lines "... Raven Flyer, it's from 1902.

 

 

Regards,

Gypsy

[The Exile]

http://books.google....chcraft&f=false

I was visiting with Aurora and Jevne in Chat, regarding verbal " Lore " about Scottish Witchcraft.

 

You may find this interesting ... when you read " between the lines "... Raven Flyer, it's from 1902.

 

 

Regards,

Gypsy

 

Thanks for finding this book Celtic Gypsy will read it later on

.

[RavenFlyer]

Thanks CG

 

I just downloaded it for the kindle and another book titled Scottish Charms and Amulets. They were both just $1.59 a piece.

[Guinevere]

Found this one:

History of paganism in Caledonia

Hope it'll help you :)

[The Exile]

Can you download them as a PDF file so you can read them on the computer if we don't have Kindle?

[Mountain Witch]

Ex:

 

You can read anything off Amazon on your computer via the Kindle Cloud Reader. It'll automatically tell you that if you don't have a Kindle registered on your account.

[Aurelia]

I don't know if it's changed names to what you said MW, but I downloaded for free from Amazon a file called Kindle For PC because I don't have a kindle either. Install it on your computer, then any time you want to get an ebook you can choose to buy them on Amazon for Kindle For PC and they will be on your computer in that programme :smile:

Edited May 7, 2013 by Aurelia

[Mountain Witch]

Aurelia, I had Kindle for PC, too, but I noticed when I look at ebooks online without signing in, it's talking about the Kindle Cloud Reader. I guess you now have to do some searching for the PC reader.

[The Exile]

Thanks Mountain Witch I will look into it

[Athena]

I maybe way out of line here so if my suggestion isn't for you I understand, My grandma is from Denmark so things are different to some degree. I think reading the old fairy tales from there might actually be a big help, I know it might sound silly but there is tons of info in the really old ones where the endings are rarely happy but they really do have tons of great info and interestingly those stories tended to be handed down through the ages relatively unchanged. I had asked about something similar to this awhile back and this was suggested and was a great idea.