The Galdrabók
An Icelandic Book of Magic
Second, Revised Edition
Stephen E. Flowers, Ph.D
Rûna Raven Press, 2005
The whole genre of texts concerning magic in Iceland is one that is very much deserving of expanded scholarly
attention. What makes this kind of literature so worthy of our attention is the fact that it represents
part of a continuing tradition and transmission of ideas from the pre-Christian age right up until the 20th
century. The tradition of recording galdrar went on in secret in Iceland on a scale that is only
revealed by the number of surviving manuscripts in the National Library in Reykjavík.
This second edition of the Galdrabók provides a completely reworked and revised translation
of the text which takes into account the photographic reproductions of the original manuscript provided by
Prof. Matthías Viðar Sæmundsson in his edition of the text. I have also almost doubled
number of notes on the contents of the Galdrabók and the other appended examples of magical
operations and signs from Iceland and other Germanic territories.
By better understanding the "magic," or what has been more aptly described as the "practical
religion," of a people we come to comprehend that population´s way of looking at the world on a
level deeper than mere narrative texts might provide. It is in this spirit that I offer this new edition
of the Galdrabók.
- Stephen E. Flowers, Woodharrow, August 19, 2005
(Bovenstaande tekst komt van de inleiding van het boek)
The names Edred Thorrson and Darban-i-Den are pseudonyms of Stephen E. Flowers.
While Edred Thorrson was a significant influence on Heathenry in the 90s and turn of the century,
nowadays he is strongly associated with The Asatru Folk Assembly.
In a recent statement, The Asatru Folk Assembly declared point blank
that non-white and LGBT Heathens were not welcome in their tradition.
The Asatru Folk Assembly views do not represent our views at all!!!
We hereby declare that we do not condone hatred or discrimination, and will not associate with those who do.
We will not grant the tacit approval of silence in the name of frið, to those who would use
these traditions to justify prejudice on the basis of race, nationality, orientation, or gender identity.
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