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Icelandic Magic by Christopher Alan Smith
ICELANDIC MAGIC
Aims, tools and techniques of the Icelandic sorcerers
By Christopher Alan Smith

In this unprecedented work, author Christopher A. Smith has meticulously studied no less than 6 original Icelandic manuscripts dating from 1500 to 1860 to extract a picture of the aims, tools and techniques of Icelandic sorcerers. Set against the context of the harsh economic, social and environmental conditions of this North Atlantic island, the book gives a detailed account of the types of spells that were used and the motivations behind them.

Hundreds of items from the six books of magic have been analysed to present the reader with a clear idea of the methods that were used, including incantation, invocation of deities and use of the enigmatic magical staves (galdrastafir). Furthermore, the book goes into great detail concerning the physical tools used by magicians and the kinds of objects that might have been found in a sorcerer's 'toolbox'.

The book is illustrated throughout with images from the original manuscripts. Although it is not intended by any means as a book of instruction, one chapter does focus on workings of certain types and gives suggestions for those brave enough to try them out.

All in all, this work will be an indispensable item for anyone interested in the history of magic in general and of Icelandic magic in particular.

2015, 220 pages. Hardback with dust jacket, paperback & Kindle editions available.
ISBN 978-1-905297-93-1
B&W 6.14 x 9.21 in or 234 x 156 mm (Royal 8vo) Perfect Bound on Creme w/Gloss Lam

ISBN 978-1-905297-92-4
B&W 6.14 x 9.21in or 234 x 156mm (Royal 8vo) Blue Digital Cloth™ Cover w/Jacket on Creme w/Gloss Lam
 

Icelandic Magic by Christopher Alan Smith

£17.99Price

  • Acknowledgements
    Introduction
    A note on orthography and pronunciation
    CHAPTER 1 - ICELANDIC MAGIC IN CONTEXT
    The environment and the economy
    Law and law enforcement
    Vernacular literacy
    Religion and attitudes to magic
    Conclusion
    CHAPTER 2 - THE BOOKS OF MAGIC
    CHAPTER 3 - PURPOSES AND PREOCCUPATIONS
    The question of ‘white’ and ‘black’ magic
    Apotropaic magic
    Farming, fishing and trade
    Friendship, favour and influence
    Crime and disputes
    Healing
    Love and seduction
    Divination
    Games and sports
    Luck and wishes
    Spells of purely malign intent
    Conclusions
    CHAPTER 4 - THE MAIN TECHNIQUES OF ICELANDIC MAGIC
    The primacy of the magical sign as a vehicle of the intent
    Appeals to supernatural entities
    Talismans
    The importance of incantation
    The methods of delivery
    Direct carving
    Bringing a prepared spell into direct contact with the target
    Ingestion
    Delivery by proximity
    Delivery from a distance
    Divination
    Ritual washing
    Conclusions
    CHAPTER 5 - THE TOOLS OF ICELANDIC MAGIC
    The carving instrument
    Fingers
    Knives, awls and scissors
    Pens, pencils and chalk
    Materials used for carving
    The carved surfaces
    Clear choices
    Wood
    Paper and parchment
    Metals
    Bones, human and animal
    Sea creatures
    Use of body fluids and excretions
    Herbs and vegetable preparations
    Conclusions
    CHAPTER 6 - TIME AND SPACE
    CHAPTER 7 - THE PERSISTENCE OF HEATHEN BELIEF
    CHAPTER 8 - RUNES, CIPHERS AND SECRECY
    CHAPTER 9 - SOME PROMINENT THEMES AND THEIR APPLICATIONS
    Ægishjálmur
    Kaupaloki – the bargain sealer
    ‘love’ spells
    Disputes and lawsuits
    Brýnslustafir – keeping sharp is good
    CHAPTER 10 - THE ISSUE OF COMPLEXITY
    CHAPTER 11 - CONCLUSIONS
    Who practised magic, and with what intentions?
    Techniques and tools – summary
    The construction of the staves – can any sense be made of this?
    Final conclusion: how are we to typify Icelandic magic?
    Works cited
    Suggestions for further reading
    Endnotes
     

  • Christopher Alan Smith (b. 1954) has been a practising magician for all of his adult life. As a child, he was deeply drawn to tales of magic and mysticism and, at the age of 19, when a student at Sheffield
    University, he discovered his first books on practical magic. Following the initial fervour of graduating with an upper second in Political Theory and Institutions, he found himself faced with a
    philosophical crisis. Turning to occult philosophy for answers, he radically questioned everything that he had been taught to believe. In doing so, he found the old Gods of England. At first espousing
    Wicca (and founding a coven in North Yorkshire), he soon became drawn to the path of Woden, the one-eyed wanderer ever in search of knowledge, and the patron of sorcery. After many years of
    isolated searching and practice, Christopher joined the Rune Gild in 2006. He presented his Master- work and he was raised to the status of a Master of the Gild at Yule 2014. That Master-work formed
    the basis of his first book, “Icelandic Magic” (Avalonia, 2015).

    Christopher now has many careers behind him. For the past twenty-four years, he has been a freelance translator, and continues to operate as such. He has travelled extensively, covering many
    countries from Iceland to South Africa, and from Turkey to Chile. However, he counts being a father as his greatest achievement, having co-created a wonderful son and a wonderful daughter. His
    experience as a father has, perhaps, shaped him more than anything else, and it may be why so many now refer to him as ‘Uncle Wednesday’.

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