The Skald as Sorcerer: Norse Poetry and Incantations

In our age, when many speak of Norse magick, the image that rises most readily is that of carved runes etched into stone or wood, hidden in bind-runes and whispered about in tales of ancient power. Runes have become synonymous with Norse sorcery, and rightfully so. But in this growing revival of the old ways, a critical truth is often overlooked: rune magick was only one part of the broader landscape of Norse spiritual practice.

Another current—just as potent, if not more so—was that of Galdr, the power of the spoken word, and the skald, the poet-sorcerer who wielded words like weapons and wove them like spells. This is the power I wish to reintroduce: not only the rune carver but the skald, not only the silent talisman but the chant and the song. The skald as sorcerer is not a metaphor—it is a historical reality, a spiritual truth, and a forgotten tradition worthy of rediscovery.

The Voice as a Tool of Magic

Galdr (from the Proto-Germanic galdraz) is often translated as "incantation" or "magical song." At its core, it is the act of vocalizing power. In contrast to the carved rune, Galdr is ephemeral, vanishing into the air the moment it is spoken. But that does not make it less powerful. On the contrary. In many traditions, the spoken word carries the breath, and the breath is life-force. To speak is to create; to sing is to shape reality.

Galdr was used to heal, to curse, to bless, to bind, and to summon. The skald, much more than a mere entertainer, was often a vessel of this sorcery. Their verses were carefully structured in the ancient meters, using kennings (poetic metaphors), alliteration, and rhythmic flow to induce trance, stir emotion, or implant a vision in the mind of the listener. Norse poetry wasn’t only lyrical, it was deeply symbolic, layered with codes and double meanings.

Skaldic verse was believed to hold such influence that a well-timed stanza could cause shame, stir courage, call storms, or destroy reputations. There is immense power in poetic rhythm and sound—an understanding that ancient Norse magicians embedded into every chant and charm.

Odin, the Galdr-King

Odin, the All Father, is known not only as the god of runes but also as the god of poetry, madness, and magick. He is the father of Galdr. His acquisition of the runes came through sacrifice—hanging nine nights on Yggdrasil, speared and alone. But even before this act, Odin was a practitioner of seiðr and Galdr, bending fate with word and will.

In the Hávamál, Odin speaks of knowing eighteen powerful charms. These spells were ones that could bind, protect, destroy, or heal. Most were spoken and their efficacy lied in the voice. This is key: the runes are a technology of power, but they are activated and truly awakened by the voice.

It was said that Odin won the Mead of Poetry, a mythic elixir that grants the gift of poetic genius, by cunning and sorcery. Those who drink of it become skalds, but also magicians. In the Norse world, these two roles were often indistinguishable. Poetry was not just performance. It was ritual, prophecy, and spell-craft all at once.

The Forgotten Skald

Today, people remember the rune magician, but the role of the skald as a wielder of magick is often misunderstood or left aside entirely. Yet in pre-Christian Scandinavia, the skald held immense social and spiritual influence. He could elevate a king or curse an enemy with his verse.

His poems could preserve memory—but also enact change. A well-crafted verse could inspire armies, break spirits, or bless a newborn child. The voice carried intent. The skald could whisper a Galdr while inscribing a stave, activating it through song. The runes and the Galdr were not separate—they were symbiotic.

The structure of traditional Norse poetry—particularly forms like Galdralag or Ljodahattr—was designed for chanting. These rhythms create resonance not only in the air but within the practitioner. Chanting builds trance. Repetition builds power. The skald knew how to guide energy using nothing but sound.

Rune Magick and the Spoken Spell

Modern practitioners of Norse magick often treat rune work as a silent or solitary craft—drawing symbols, meditating on meanings. This is a valuable practice, but incomplete. Runes were historically sounded. The word “Galdr” appears in conjunction with rune spells in the sagas: the rune is carved, and then a spell is sung.

The runes themselves are sound-based. They are letters, yes—but also phonemes. Each rune corresponds to a sound, and chanting the name or the phoneme of the rune is a way of invoking its essence. For example, chanting “Ansuz” invokes the divine breath, the god of speech, the communication between worlds. This is how we combine the two traditions: the carved becomes the chanted. The symbol becomes the spell.

When modern rune workers neglect the vocal component, they miss out on a direct and powerful tool of activation. Carving is important. Chanting is equally vital.

Reclaiming the Skaldic Voice

To be a skald today means more than writing poetry. It means reclaiming the power of voice as a magical tool. It means understanding that spell-work does not require physical tools—only breath and intention. It means singing to the land, whispering to the spirits, chanting to the gods. And it means being bold enough to use poetry not just to express, but to conjure, to heal, to bind, and to protect.

It also means remembering that art is sacred. A poem, when properly structured and charged, becomes a talisman in sound. And like all talismans, it changes the world around it. Norse poetry was for results!

Final Words

We are not just carvers of symbols; we are singers of worlds. We are not just readers of runes; we are writers of fate. The skald is not dead. He simply waits for breath. It is time to awaken the ancient voice within. Chant the name. Sing the spell. It’s time to be both poet and sorcerer.

Galdramal: A Practical Guide to Rune Magick and Spell Work

Galdramal: A Practical Guide to Nordic Rune Magick is an in-depth exploration of the ancient runes and their magickal significance in Nordic tradition. Designed for both beginners and seasoned practitioners, this book delves into the rich history, symbolism, and spiritual applications of the runes, offering readers a comprehensive roadmap to harnessing their power. Whether used as a reference or a ritual companion, Andre Jooste unlocks the hidden potential within each rune and guides practitioners on their path to magickal mastery.

Galdramal takes readers into the realm of practical magick. Through easy-to-follow rituals, meditations, and exercises, Jooste demonstrates how to use runes for divination, protection, healing, and manifestation. Written in clear, accessible language, Galdramal blends ancient wisdom with modern application, making it an essential resource for anyone interested in Nordic magick, runes, and spirituality.

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