The Norse Sorceress: Mind and Materiality in the Viking World

Old Norse literature describes magic acts that allow ritual specialists to manipulate the world, see into the future, and influence battles. The völva, the central figure of Völuspá, is the most iconic of these practitioners. This volume explores the reality of magic and its agents in the Viking world, engaging with topics such as mind-materiality, cultural attitudes to animals and the natural world, and gender and sexuality. It offers a nuanced image of the völva and related magic workers in their cultural context and will appeal to a broad audience.

Format: Hardback
Length: 488 pages
Publication date: 15 July 2023
Publisher: Oxbow Books

Old Norse literature is a rich source of descriptions of magical acts that enable ritual specialists of various kinds to manipulate the world around them. These acts include seeing into the future or the distant past, changing weather conditions, influencing the outcomes of battles, and more. While magic practitioners are known by many names, the most iconic of them is the völva. As the central figure of the famous mythological poem Völuspá (The Prophecy of the Völva), the völva commands both respect and fear. In non-mythological texts, similar women are portrayed as crucial albeit somewhat peculiar members of society. Always veiled in mystery, the völur and their kind have captured the academic and popular imagination for centuries.
In order to explore the reality of magic and its agents in the Viking world beyond the pages of medieval texts, this volume brings together scholars from various disciplinary backgrounds. It explores new trajectories for the study of past mentalities, beliefs, and rituals, as well as the tools employed in these practices and the individuals who wielded them. By addressing these complex themes, the volume offers a nuanced image of the völva and related magic workers in their cultural context. It will appeal to a broad, diverse, and international audience, including experts in the field of Viking and Old Norse studies but also various non-professional history enthusiasts.
The Norse Sorceress: Mind and Materiality in the Viking World is a key output of the project Tanken bag Tingene (Thoughts behind Things) conducted at the University of Oslo. The project aimed to explore the relationship between mind and materiality in the Viking world and how these concepts were expressed and interpreted in art, literature, and material culture. Through a series of interdisciplinary workshops, lectures, and exhibitions, the project brought together experts from fields such as history, art history, literature, and archaeology to explore the complexities of the Viking world and its relationship to magic and the supernatural.
One of the key findings of the project was the importance of the völva in Viking culture. The völva was a powerful female figure who was believed to have the ability to control the natural world and predict the future. She was often depicted in art as a wise woman who wore a cloak and carried a staff. The völva was also associated with the concept of fate, and it was believed that she could influence the course of events and even determine the fate of individuals.
Another important aspect of the project was the exploration of the relationship between magic and the natural world. The Vikings believed that the natural world was filled with magical forces and that these forces could be harnessed to achieve supernatural powers. This belief was expressed in their art, literature, and material culture, where animals, plants, and natural phenomena were often depicted as having magical properties.
The project also shed light on the cultural attitudes to animals and the natural world in the Viking world. The Vikings were deeply connected to the natural world and believed that animals had spiritual and emotional significance. They often depicted animals in their art and literature as having human-like qualities and as being able to communicate with humans. This belief was reflected in their treatment of animals, which was often respectful and compassionate.
Finally, the project explored the cultural constructions of gender and sexuality in the Viking world. The Vikings were known for their complex gender roles and their acceptance of homosexuality. This was expressed in their art, literature, and material culture, where male and female figures were often depicted in a non-binary way and where homosexuality was depicted as a natural and normal part of human sexuality.
In conclusion, the Norse Sorceress: Mind and Materiality in the Viking World is a valuable contribution to the field of Viking and Old Norse studies. It provides new insights into the reality of magic and its agents in the Viking world, beyond the pages of medieval texts. Through a series of interdisciplinary workshops, lectures, and exhibitions, the project brought together scholars from various disciplinary backgrounds to explore the complexities of the Viking world and its relationship to magic and the supernatural. The project's findings shed light on the importance of the völva in Viking culture, the relationship between magic and the natural world, the cultural attitudes to animals and the natural world, and the cultural constructions of gender and sexuality in the Viking world.
The project's findings have implications for our understanding of the past and the ways in which it is interpreted and represented. They challenge us to think beyond the boundaries of traditional historical narratives and to consider the ways in which magic and the supernatural were intertwined with everyday life in the Viking world. They also remind us of the importance of interdisciplinary research and the value of bringing together experts from different fields to explore complex themes.
In conclusion, the Norse Sorceress: Mind and Materiality in the Viking World is a groundbreaking work that offers new insights into the reality of magic and its agents in the Viking world. It is a valuable contribution to the field of Viking and Old Norse studies and has implications for our understanding of the past and the ways in which it is interpreted and represented.

Weight: 2102g
Dimension: 222 x 290 x 35 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781789259537