This appendix provides a complete seidr ceremony script that you can use as written or adapt for your specific needs. It follows the traditional structure described in Chapter 10 while being accessible for modern practitioners.
This script is a starting point, not a rigid formula. As you develop your practice, you'll adjust timing, wording, and structure to fit your style and the work you're doing. Consider this the training wheels. Eventually you'll ride without them.
Understanding This Script
What's included:
- Complete ceremony structure from preparation through closing
- Timing estimates for each phase
- Specific wording you can use or adapt
- Notes on what to adjust based on purpose
- Both solo and group variations
What you'll need:
- 2-3 hours of uninterrupted time
- Sacred space (indoor or outdoor)
- High seat or designated sitting place
- Drumming (recorded or live)
- Offerings (mead, bread, or other appropriate items)
- Runes (if doing divination work)
- Journal and pen
- Blanket (you may get cold in trance)
- Food and drink for afterward
Who this ceremony is for:
- Practitioners ready to do serious seidr work
- Those with established trance practice
- People who've studied the völva's path
- Solo practitioners or groups with a designated seer
Not appropriate for:
- Complete beginners to trance work
- People in mental health crisis
- Anyone under the influence of substances
- Practitioners without basic journey skills
Ceremony Overview
Purpose options for this ceremony:
- Prophecy / seeing future patterns
- Answering specific questions for yourself or others
- Seeking guidance from ancestors or gods
- Healing work (with appropriate training)
- Exploring wyrd patterns
- Communication with the dead
Timing:
- Preparation: 30-60 minutes
- Opening: 15-20 minutes
- The Working: 30-60 minutes
- Return and grounding: 15-20 minutes
- Closing: 10-15 minutes
- Integration: 30+ minutes
- Total: 2.5 to 3+ hours
Phase 1: Preparation (30-60 minutes before ceremony)
Physical Preparation
Cleanse your body: Bathe or shower with intention. As you wash, visualize ordinary consciousness washing away. You're preparing to step into sacred role.
Optional: Add herbs to the water (mugwort, vervain, or others you work with).
Prepare the space:
- Clean the physical area thoroughly
- Set up your high seat or designated sitting place
- Place offerings on an altar or nearby surface
- Have drumming ready (recorded or drummer in position)
- Light candles or oil lamps if using them
- Create a clear boundary for sacred space (actual or visualized circle)
Dress for ceremony:
- Wear dedicated ceremonial clothing if you have it
- Or wear clean, comfortable clothing you associate with this work
- Add ritual jewelry or items that mark you as in sacred role
- The point is marking transition from ordinary to sacred
Fast (optional but traditional):
- Eat lightly or not at all for 6-12 hours before
- Stay hydrated
- Some practitioners find fasting makes trance easier
- Others need food for grounding
- Learn what works for your body
Mental and Spiritual Preparation
Center yourself (10-15 minutes): Sit quietly in your space. Close your eyes. Take several deep breaths.
Feel your body seated on the earth. Feel your weight, your breath, your heartbeat.
Acknowledge that you're about to step between worlds, to work with forces larger than yourself, to see and speak from a place beyond ordinary consciousness.
Set clear intention: Speak aloud (or silently if needed):
"I prepare myself for the work of seeing. I prepare to step into the role of seer, to open to vision and wisdom, to speak what needs to be spoken. I ask for the blessing and protection of [ancestors / gods / spirits you work with] as I do this work."
Call for protection (traditional): Stand and face each direction. Speak to each:
"I call to the powers of the [direction], to the beings who guard and protect this work. I ask for your blessing on this ceremony, your protection of this sacred space, your support of this working. Hail and welcome."
Repeat for all four directions, then above and below.
Phase 2: Opening the Ceremony (15-20 minutes)
Marking the Beginning
Light the sacred fire or candles: As you light them, speak:
"I light this flame to mark the beginning of sacred work. Let this light illuminate what needs to be seen. Let this fire warm the space where vision comes. This ceremony begins."
Make opening offerings: Pour mead or other liquid offering. Offer bread or other food. Speak:
"I give offering to the gods, to the ancestors, to the spirits of this place. I honor those who have walked this path before me. I honor those who support this work. I ask for your presence, your wisdom, your blessing on what happens here. Receive these offerings with my gratitude."
Take a small portion yourself if appropriate to your tradition.
Stating the Purpose
Declare what you're doing: Speak clearly and formally:
"I [your name or ceremonial name] stand here as seer, as one who looks into wyrd, as one who speaks what's seen. I call this ceremony for the purpose of [state specific purpose]."
Examples of purpose statements:
For prophecy: "I call this ceremony to see what's coming, to read the patterns of wyrd, to speak of what approaches so that those who hear may prepare."
For specific question: "I call this ceremony to seek wisdom on [specific question], to see clearly what's hidden, to receive guidance for [situation]."
For healing work: "I call this ceremony to work healing for [person, with permission], to see what's needed, to retrieve what's lost, to restore what can be restored."
For ancestor work: "I call this ceremony to speak with my ancestors, to hear their wisdom, to honor their memory, to receive what they would give me."
Invocations (Optional but Powerful)
Call the gods or spirits you work with:
If you work with Odin: "Odin, All-Father, lord of runes and wisdom, you who hung on the World Tree to gain vision, you who practice seidr though it costs you, be present in this work. Guide my seeing. Protect my journey. Bless this ceremony. Hail Odin."
If you work with Freya: "Freya, Lady of Seidr, mistress of magic and mysteries, you who taught the Æsir the ways of seeing, you who know the paths between worlds, be present in this work. Open my vision. Guide my sight. Bless this ceremony. Hail Freya."
If you work with the Norns: "Norns who weave at the Well of Urd, you who see past and present and future, you who know the patterns of all wyrd, be present in this work. Show me what needs to be seen. Help me speak clearly what you reveal. Bless this ceremony. Hail to Urd, Verdandi, and Skuld."
If you work with ancestors: "My ancestors, those who came before me, those who walked between worlds, those who carried wisdom, be present in this work. Stand behind me. Support this seeing. Share your wisdom. Hail to my ancestors."
Adapt these invocations to the beings you actually work with. Never invoke gods you have no relationship with just because it sounds impressive.
Phase 3: Creating the Container (10-20 minutes)
The Calling (Replacing Traditional Vardlokkur)
If you have assistants singing: This is ideal but rare in solo practice. If you have people to help, have them begin sustained chanting or singing. Traditional vardlokkur were spirit-calling songs. Modern equivalents include:
- Sustained vowel tones (AAAAA, OOOOO, UUUUU)
- Repetitive rune chanting (one rune chanted by the group)
- Simple repeated melody without words
- Drumming while humming or toning
The sound should be:
- Sustained (at least 10-15 minutes)
- Repetitive (creates trance through repetition)
- Not requiring active attention from the seer
- Creating sonic container for the work
If you're working solo:
You have several options:
Option 1: Recorded drumming
- Use shamanic drumming recording (steady 4-7 beats per second)
- Set it to play for 20-30 minutes
- Let the drumming create the container
Option 2: Self-chanting then silence
- Chant one rune repeatedly for 10 minutes (Ansuz for receiving wisdom, Algiz for protection, or rune relevant to your work)
- Then move to silence and your own breath as container
- The chanting prepares, the silence holds
Option 3: Recorded chant or music
- Use recorded music that induces trance for you
- Should be repetitive, not melodically complex
- No lyrics in a language you understand (too distracting)
- Drones, throat singing, or minimalist trance music work well
Taking the High Seat
Seat yourself: Sit in your high seat or designated place. Settle your body. Cover yourself with a blanket if using one.
Take three deep breaths.
Shift your consciousness: Close your eyes or soften your gaze.
Allow the sound (drumming, chanting, music) to carry you.
Let your awareness shift from ordinary consciousness.
Feel yourself beginning to move between worlds.
Opening statement from the high seat: Even if alone, speak aloud:
"I sit in the high seat. I open my vision. I prepare to see what needs to be seen, to speak what needs to be spoken. The work begins."
Phase 4: The Working (30-60 minutes)
This is the core of the ceremony. What happens here depends on your purpose.
For Prophecy Work
Enter trance fully: Let the drumming or sound carry you deeper. Your awareness shifts. You're no longer in ordinary reality. You're in the space between worlds where seeing happens.
Open to vision: Don't force. Don't strain. Simply allow images, sensations, knowing to arise.
What comes? What do you see? What do you sense?
Stay with it. Let it unfold.
Speak what you see: When vision comes, speak it aloud. Don't edit. Don't interpret yet. Just describe what you're seeing:
"I see... I sense... I know... There is... Coming is..."
Let the words come through you, not from your conscious mind analyzing.
If nothing comes: Don't force it. Sometimes the answer is "not yet" or "nothing to see here." That's valid information too.
After 20 minutes, if nothing comes, say:
"The sight is not clear. The vision is not available. This is what the wyrd shows: not yet, wait, unclear."
Then begin your return.
For Specific Questions
Hold the question: State the question clearly in your mind or aloud:
"I seek to know: [question]. Show me what I need to see. Reveal what's hidden. Guide my understanding."
Journey to find the answer: Let your consciousness travel to wherever the answer lives. This might be:
- One of the Nine Worlds
- A meeting with a god or ancestor
- The Well of Urd to see wyrd patterns
- Following a thread to its source
Trust where you're drawn. Journey there.
Receive the answer: When you arrive wherever you're meant to be, ask the question again.
Wait. Receive. Listen.
The answer might come as:
- Words spoken by a being
- Images or visions
- Knowing without words
- Runes or symbols
- Physical sensations that translate to meaning
Speak what you receive: "The answer I receive is... I am shown... I am told... What comes is..."
For Healing Work
Note: Only do healing work if you have training in shamanic healing. This is not for beginners.
Journey to the person: With their permission, hold them in your awareness. Journey to where they are in non-ordinary reality.
See what's needed: What do you perceive about their condition? What's out of balance? What's missing? What doesn't belong?
Do the work: Based on what you see:
- Extract what doesn't belong (intrusions, attached energies)
- Retrieve what's been lost (soul retrieval)
- Restore balance (working with helping spirits)
This requires specific training. Don't attempt this without proper instruction.
Return with information: Even if you've done healing work, bring back clear information about what you found and what you did.
For Ancestor Communication
Call the ancestor: "I call to [ancestor's name or description]. I seek your presence, your wisdom, your guidance. Come if you're willing. Speak if you have words for me. Show me what I need to know."
Wait and receive: The ancestor may come immediately or take time. Be patient.
When they arrive, greet them: "Hail [name/title]. Thank you for coming. I honor your presence."
Ask what you need to ask: Have your questions prepared. Ask clearly.
Listen to what they say. Watch what they show you.
Receive what they offer: Sometimes ancestors offer blessings, wisdom, warnings, or gifts. Receive these with gratitude.
Thank them when complete: "Thank you for your presence, for your wisdom, for what you've shared. I honor you. Go well, if you're going."
General Notes for All Working
If you get confused or lost: Come back to your breath. Feel your body. Remember your intention. Start again.
If something feels wrong or dangerous: End the working immediately. Use your return protocol (below).
If vision is overwhelming: You can ask for it to slow down or clarify. You're not passive. You can direct the experience.
Don't rush: Take the time needed. Real vision often takes patience.
Phase 5: Return and Grounding (15-20 minutes)
Beginning the Return
Signal completion of the working: Whether vision came or not, at some point the work is done. You'll feel it. Or you'll reach your time limit.
Speak:
"The vision is complete. The seeing is done. I prepare to return. I give thanks for what's been shown."
If using drumming: Change the drum beat to a faster recall rhythm (traditional shamanic practice uses rapid beats to call practitioners back).
Or stop the drumming.
If using music or chanting: Stop the sound. Let silence mark the shift.
The Return Journey
Come back consciously: Don't just snap out of trance. Return deliberately.
Feel your awareness moving from the space of vision back to ordinary reality.
If you journeyed somewhere, travel back the way you came.
Thank any beings you encountered on the way.
Grounding in the Body
Feel your physical body: Wiggle your fingers and toes.
Feel your weight on the seat.
Feel your breath moving in your lungs.
Feel your heartbeat.
Return to the room: Notice the temperature of the air.
Hear the sounds around you.
Smell the scents (offerings, candles, incense).
When ready, open your eyes slowly.
Physical Grounding
Touch the earth: Put your hands on the floor or ground. Feel the solid earth beneath you.
Stand and move: When you're ready, stand slowly. Move your body. Stretch. Walk a few steps.
Eat and drink: This is essential. Have substantial food and water ready. Eat something grounding (bread, protein, something solid and earthy).
Drink water. Lots of it.
The eating and drinking pulls you fully back into your body.
Recording the Vision
Write immediately: Before you forget, before your conscious mind starts editing, write down everything that came through:
- What you saw
- What you heard
- What you sensed
- What was said (by you or others)
- Images, symbols, runes that appeared
- Feelings and sensations
- Anything that seemed significant
Don't interpret yet. Just record raw data.
Take at least 10-15 minutes for this. It's as important as the journey itself.
Phase 6: Closing the Ceremony (10-15 minutes)
Thanking and Releasing
Thank the beings who were present: Stand and speak:
"I give thanks to all who were present in this working. To the gods who guided, to the ancestors who supported, to the spirits who protected, to all who shared wisdom: I honor you. I thank you. Go well if you're going, stay if you're staying, but this ceremony now ends."
Thank the directions: Face each direction again:
"Powers of [direction], I thank you for holding this space, for protecting this work, for blessing this ceremony. Hail and farewell."
Closing Offerings
Make final offerings: Pour the last of the mead or ale. Offer the last of the bread. Say:
"I give final offerings with gratitude for this work, for what was seen, for what was given. May these offerings honor all who helped. May they show my thanks."
Leave the offerings on the land or in your sacred space for a period of time (overnight or longer) before disposing of them respectfully.
Declaring Completion
Mark the ending formally:
"The ceremony is complete. The vision has been received. The work is done. I step out of sacred role and return to ordinary life. I carry what was learned. I honor what was given. This ceremony is ended."
Extinguish the flame: Blow out candles or let the fire die. Say:
"As I extinguish this flame, I close this sacred space. The ceremony is ended. So it is."
Dismantling Sacred Space
Remove ceremonial items:
- Put away your runes
- Remove offerings from active altar
- Cover or put away sacred objects
- Return the space to ordinary use (if needed)
Remove ceremonial clothing: Change into ordinary clothes. The transition marks your return to normal life.
Phase 7: Integration (30+ minutes to ongoing)
Immediate Integration
Rest: Sit quietly for at least 30 minutes. Let the experience settle.
Don't rush into activity. Don't check your phone. Don't immediately engage with other people.
Just be. Let yourself integrate.
Review your notes: Read what you wrote. Does anything stand out? Anything need clarification while it's fresh?
Add any additional details you remember.
Interpretation (Later, Not Immediately)
Wait at least 24 hours before deep interpretation.
Your conscious mind needs time to settle before you analyze the vision.
After 24 hours, sit with your notes and ask:
- What does this mean?
- How does this apply to the question or situation?
- What action is called for?
- What understanding comes from this?
If reading for someone else: Share what came through clearly and honestly. Don't add your interpretations unless they specifically ask for them.
Frame prophecy as trajectory, not inevitability: "This is the pattern I see" not "This will definitely happen."
Give them space to receive and integrate the information.
Ongoing Integration
Over the next week: Notice how the vision relates to your life or the situation you inquired about.
Watch for signs that what you saw is manifesting or clarifying.
Journal about insights that arise as you integrate the experience.
If action is called for: Take the action the vision indicated. Magic without action is fantasy.
Variations and Adaptations
Solo Ceremony Adjustments
Everything above is written for solo practice. Key points:
- You're both seer and questioner (or seeing for someone who's not present)
- You record your own visions
- You manage all phases yourself
- Have everything prepared in advance so you don't break trance to find things
Group Ceremony with Designated Seer
If you have a group and one person is the seer:
Roles:
- Seer: Enters trance, does the seeing, speaks what's seen
- Questioner(s): Ask questions, receive prophecy
- Singers/drummers: Create sonic container
- Recorder: Writes down what the seer says
- Guardian: Holds space, watches for safety
Adjustments:
- Preparation: The seer prepares as described. Others prepare the space, offerings, and tools.
- Opening: All participate in opening. The seer states purpose. Others support with responses ("Hail!" or "So it is!").
- Container creation: Singers/drummers create the container for the seer's work. They sustain sound for 20-40 minutes.
- The working: The seer enters trance. When ready, questioners ask their questions. The seer speaks vision. Recorder writes everything down. Others maintain the container (continue sound, hold space). One question at a time. Wait for the seer to fully answer before next question. The seer may need long pauses. Don't rush. Vision takes time.
- Return: When work is complete, the seer signals. Change drumming to recall beat or stop sound. Let the seer return at their pace.
- Grounding: The group helps ground the seer. Someone hands them food and water. Give them time.
- Closing: All participate. The seer may need someone else to lead closing if they're still integrating.
Ceremony for Different Purposes
For divination with runes: Add a rune casting into the working phase. After entering trance, cast runes for the question. Let the vision inform your interpretation of the runes.
For fate-weaving: After seeing the current pattern, work in trance to shift threads (as described in Chapter 11). This requires advanced skill.
For journey to specific realms: In the working phase, journey to one of the Nine Worlds for wisdom, healing, or retrieval work.
For seasonal ceremony: Add seasonal themes to opening and closing. Make offerings appropriate to the season. Ask questions relevant to that time of year.
Safety Notes and Troubleshooting
What to Do If Things Go Wrong
If the seer can't return from trance:
- Use loud, fast drumming (the recall beat)
- Call their name firmly
- Touch them physically (shoulder, hands)
- Have them eat and drink
- Walk them around
- Don't panic, but be persistent
If vision is overwhelming or frightening:
- Come back immediately
- Ground thoroughly
- Process with a trusted person
- Consider whether you're ready for this work
- Get professional support if needed
If nothing happens:
- That's okay and normal
- Not every ceremony produces dramatic vision
- Sometimes the answer is "wait" or "not now"
- Record that nothing came and why you think that might be
If the seer speaks harmful things:
- Remember: prophecy shows trajectory, not inevitability
- Frame difficult information carefully
- Don't speak harm just to be dramatic
- Consider if what's coming is useful information or needless fear
When NOT to Do This Ceremony
Don't do seidr ceremony if:
- You're in mental health crisis
- You're under influence of substances
- You're exhausted or ill
- You're doing it to show off
- You have no training in trance work
- The situation is unsafe
- You're alone and no one knows you're doing this
Getting Help
If you need support:
- Process difficult visions with a therapist
- Consult experienced practitioners about interpretation
- Join a practice group for feedback and support
- Don't try to handle everything alone
Adapting This Script to Your Practice
This script is a foundation. As you practice, you'll develop your own:
- Opening and closing words that feel natural
- Ways of creating trance that work for you
- Relationship with specific gods or ancestors
- Methods of receiving and interpreting vision
- Timing that fits your body and capacity
Keep what works. Change what doesn't.
The essential elements that should remain:
- Clear preparation (physical, mental, spiritual)
- Formal opening that marks beginning
- Container creation for trance work
- The working itself (seeing, journeying, speaking)
- Deliberate return and grounding
- Formal closing that marks ending
- Integration afterward
Everything else can be adapted to fit your practice, your relationships, your tradition.
Final Words
This ceremony is serious work. It's not entertainment. It's not performance. It's actual shamanic practice, real engagement with wyrd, genuine work between worlds.
Approach it with respect. Do it with intention. Honor what comes through.
And remember: the ceremony is a container for the work. The work itself is the seeing, the opening, the receiving, the speaking. That's what matters.
May your ceremonies be fruitful. May your vision be clear. May you serve well those who come to you for seeing.
Now go practice.
This article is part of our Runes collection. Read our comprehensive Elder Futhark guide to explore the ancient wisdom and mystical power of runic practice.
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