Ok But The Way He's Still Kind Of Getting Outcunted By The Guy On The Left

Arches National Park, Utah photo: Elliot McGucken

So I had written this post, promising something similar on Nordic types of magic. I’ll say this to begin with: even though it is my branch, it’s not something I’ve approached academically very often, so purists might catch me saying something not entirely correct, but whatevs.

The standard disclaimer still applies–this is my impression of these terms based on what I’ve read and seen, and aren’t meant to be concrete definitions.

SEIÐR (Proto-Indo-European *h₂seut-, “to move about, roil, seethe” +  Proto-Germanic *seuþaną, “to seethe, boil”) is considered a Vanir magic, having been taught to the Æsir by the goddess Freyja. It is worked the majority of the time after utiseta, and involves communication with wights or other spirits. Seiðr is usually worked in an altered state of consciousness (ASC) and primarily utilized for divination, illusory magic, astral travel, or channelling. Practitioners may be called seið-worker, seiðkona (seiðwoman) or seiðmaðr (seiðman).

UTISETA (Old Norse, “sitting out”) is a preparatory practice for seið-workers. Traditionally, the practitioner goes out into a place of the dead and seats themselves upon a burial mound, with the object of task being to come into communion with the spirit that will be worked with during the practice of seiðr.

SPÁ (unknown origin, possibly Proto-Indo-European *spey-, “stick, staff”) is the power of prophesy or foresight, by ‘the determination of ørlög’. Ørlög is ‘the law of fate’ as determined by the Norns. Practitioners may be called spá-worker, spákona, or spámaðr. The term ‘spáwife’ is also commonly used. One who is highly skilled with spá or born with the innate ability may be called a völva, which is a traditionally feminine title, since such magics were seen as being in female domain.

VARÐLÖKKUR (Old Norse “warding songs”) are songs to be sung in preparation for seiðr or spá which are intended to help bring one into ASC. Unlike galdr, varðlökkur can be very melodic, and are today widely inspired by joik and kulning, two traditional singing styles amongst certain Nordic peoples.

GALDR (Proto-Indo-European *ghAl-, “to shout, to sing” + Proto-Germanic *galdrą, “incantation”) is viewed as a more Æsir brand of magic due to its seeming rigidity, but is similar to varðlökkur in the intent to induce ASC. Galdr is often called “runic chanting” and refers to the repetition of the sounds of the runes, i.e., if one meditates upon the rune fehu, then one may continuously gald the sound fe. Practitioners may be called galdra-worker, galdrakona, or galdramaðr.

[ID: screenshot of a Reddit comment by stayinur_laneboy that reads:

"I feel like a lot of trans people feel this imposter syndrome, for a variety of reasons. So I'll be here to affirm you. The toys you played with as a kid do not determine your gender. The way you felt as a kid doesn't even determine your gender. My concept of gender now is much more developed then the concept I had of gender as a toddler. I played with dolls as a kid, a lot -- I still collect dolls. I like them. I'm also a man. Sue me (laughing emoji)

When I was a teenage "girl," I wanted a boob job. I wanted to have porn star gigantic boobs. Currently, I bind until my ribs bruise (don't do this). For me, looking back, I didn't feel like I was a girl, but I desperately wanted to, so I could be "normal"— in my 14 year old head, if I had gigantic boobs, I could prove to myself and everyone else that I was a woman, and feminine. Every trans person has a different path, and that doesn't make it fake. Not everyone has the exact same experiences."

/end ID]

Rejection sensitive dysphoria is wild. Someone will be like “hey just so you know the thing you did was a little bit loud/uncomfortable/insensitive but it’s ok I know you didn’t mean it” and my brain will instantly translate “you should be shot”

first three words you notice describe your 2023!

Molotov Moomin sticker spotted in Portland, Oregon

If it sounds like the composer is trying to blast you with the orchestra until you're as deaf as he is, it's Beethoven.

If it sounds like the composer might be a vampire, it's Bach.

If it sounds like the composer is trying to set the violins on fire, it's Vivaldi.