The Voluspa

The Völuspá embodies many of the fundamental magical elements encoded in Norse mythology from the pre-Christian, early middle ages. Scholars have described the Völuspá as a kind of 'sacred text' of pagan Scandinavian religion, composed during a time when Pagan beliefs were intended to be eradicated by Christianity. The Codex Regius is the primary source for this brief examination: an ancient manuscript compiled in the mid-thirteenth century by unknown, anonymous authors. The vellum parchment dates from approximately 1270; The text's organization by theme and topic lead some scholars to believe it was copied from earlier sources which no longer exist. Many of the Voluspa's stanzas are quoted or paraphrased in Snorri Sturluson's Prose Edda, composed in the year 1220. The Völuspá is preserved in both the Codex Regius and Hauksbók manuscripts, while parts of it are quoted in Snorri's Prose Edda. The Hauksbók is one of the few medieval Norse manuscripts where the author is actually known. His name was Haukr Erlendsson, and it was partly written by Haukr himself, partly by his assistants. The book contains versions – sometimes the only remaining editions – of many old Icelandic texts. Snorri gives a summary of the Völuspá in his seminal work, Gylfaginning. He was clearly aware of its existence although his version does not contain the last few 'Christianized' stanzas. The Völuspá is regarded as one of the most important primary sources for the study of Norse mythology. Some anonymous editors of the original manuscript appear to have rearranged certain material, however. The oldest manuscript of the Völuspá still in existence dates from 1302 to 1310. The order and number of stanzas varies in each of these sources. The Codex Regius, (Latin for "King's Book"), contains 29 poems commonly designated by scholars as the Poetic Edda, or Elder Edda. It is the oldest such collection, the best-known of all Icelandic books, and is considered an Icelandic national treasure.

Why a study guide for the Völuspá? Völuspá, the Prophecy of the Seeress (sometimes referred to as the Sibyl's Prophecy) is undoubtedly one of the most important sources for the study of Norse mythology. Knowledge of secret magical techniques and the search for hidden wisdom were frequent concerns for the ancient heroes in the Norse pantheon of Gods. The "Seeress's Prophecy," also known as the "Prophecy of the Völva," is one of the most famous epic poems from pre-Christian Norse mythology; part of an ancient text referred to as the Völuspá. This text is just as critical today to 21st century Völva's, and seiðkona's to come to understand the deeply hidden Ancestral wisdom of Spa as was held by our Indo-European Ancestors; ~just as the Hávamál is a crucial text to contemporary Vitki's and Heathens when coming to understand runic magic and Odin's Ordeal. I hope anyone reading this special guide compiled by The Asatru Community gets much use and wisdom from within the text. Hail! ~Ivy C Mulligan

Ordained Gythia and Volva, Owner of the 21st Century Heathen and the Guild of Forn Seidr Hearth-Fire I have been a practicing Heathen and Priestess since the early 1980's; and I have had the honor of meeting, knowing and working with some of the early pioneers~ not only in the Goddess Movement, but also in the US Heathen reconstructionist faith. The resurgence in the past 10 years of folks being called to the path of our Asatru faith has brought to the forefront a need for a merging of modern pagan techniques and crafting, with the staunch Reconstructionist traditions. There is a collective drive to implement our sacred Lore and the wisdom of our ancestors with the effectual Spá practices of today. I grew up in the Adirondack Mountains, the remote high peaks region of northern New York. I am an avid outdoor enthusiast, a Certified instructor of wilderness survival, advanced lifesaving, Nordic skiing, and physical fitness. I also am a naturalist, herbalist, Reiki Master, Crystal therapist and certified Life Coach. I work with NOLS and teach outdoor survival, as well as advanced first aid. I have participated as a leader, healer, and Priestess in the pagan community since 1995. Walking the path of a Northern Shaman, I became initiated as a Master Core Shaman, and was taught a Sami form of Core Shamanism by the late Alio Gaup from 2010-2012. I was introduced to the arts of the Seið-practitioner in 2005 by a Völva from Norway, where I continued to study with other Scandinavians-especially Inger Borg and Lindy Fay Hella from Wardruna.