Trance 2 | *Ghosti-

Describe your regular method of entering basic trance. (min. 100 words)

The method that works best for me is to focus on my breath combined with visualization for whatever the purpose of the trance is. In general, this will involve me actively slowing down my breathing, often in the “in two three four, hold two three four, out two three four, hold two three four” rhythm. This by itself is usually enough to alter my consciousness. I then add into that a visualization of whatever it is the trance is for, usually a visualization of where I currently am or some starting point for a journey. By the time I have been rhythmically breathing and see where I am, I am deep in trance and ready for whatever the purpose I went into the trance for.

Explain the use of trance in group ritual, including trance techniques including the Neurolinguistic Programming techniques of "anchoring" and "leading" in trance induction. Give an example of how you would script this use in ritual. (min. 300 words for the essay)

There can be many purposes for trance in group ritual. The ones I have experienced have been of a few different kinds. The first one that I encounter the most is the grounding/centering meditation. The purpose of this kind of trance is to get everyone calm, and ready to be receptive to what is going to happen through the rest of the ritual. The next most common one I have seen has been doing a journey to do some kind of personal work. While everyone is journeying at the same time, to the same place, in general this tends to be for some kind of personal gain. The least common one I have experienced is to do the journey, but do it for a group goal such as healing.

In all these group trances, the NLP technique of using anchors can play a big role. Anchors are cues that we consciously, or unconsciously, recognize and use to put ourselves into a specific state (Ward). In our group rituals, this will often be things like incense and verbal cues that remind us to relax, or ask us to think back to a time where we were calm and relaxed. At first, the anchors for a group may be all over the place. Installing them though requires repetition, so as the group works together longer and longer, these anchors will be installed, and the group will be able to do trance work more easily as a group.

Another pair of NLP techniques that are useful in group trance work are pacing and leading. These go hand in hand, and involve you creating rapport with someone (pacing) and then slowly moving things to where you want to go (leading) (Excellence Assured). When we are talking about a group trance, instead of one on one work, the pacing part gets a bit more difficult. What we can do though is work with where we are. We use the anchors we have built to get people to the right state of mind, and then we build the rapport by describing where we are, what we hear, smell, feel, etc... We can also start leading by doing things like controlling our breathing, and talking in a way that makes one aware that they should be breathing in a certain pattern or pace. Once this rapport is built, then we can start leading further by continuing to add suggestion after suggestion in a manner that makes them come off as truth.

As an example, I will use a recent healing trance that I had experienced as inspiration.

Listen to the drum, and focus on the drum. Take a breath in, 2,3,4,5,6,7,8 and out 2,3,4,5,6,7,8... in 2,3,4,5,6,7,8 and out 2,3,4,5,6,7,8. Focus on your breath as you breath in.... and out... in... and out...

(this is our anchor, our breath and drumming).

Feel the ground beneath your feet. The ground will always be there. The ground will always be down, and you can orient yourself by where the ground is. Feel the ground. (This is our pacing, the rest is mostly leading.) Extend through the bottom of your feet and go into the ground, extend them as roots, like the roots of trees. Feel the moist soil around your roots as you push your way through the ground. Feel the other roots in the ground. These are the roots of the trees, these are the roots of the others here. Mix your roots with the others. Feel the network of roots that encompass this area. Feel the connections between the trees. This connection is not just here, but it is all over the world.

Feel the energy that these roots, and these trees contain. We want to tap into this energy, we want to draw from this resource so we can do our healing work this day. Draw the energy of the trees from their roots and into yourself. Draw it up your roots and into your feet. Draw it in you with each breath.(Re-establishing the original anchor and pacing.) Into your legs, into your belly, into your chest, into you entire body. Feel the energy as it courses through your body. Feel the connection between yourself, the trees, and all those in this rite. Use this energy as we do our healing work.

Listen again to the drumming, and focus again on the drum. Match your breathing to the drum. Take a breath in, 2,3,4,5,6,7,8 and out 2,3,4,5,6,7,8... in 2,3,4,5,6,7,8 and out 2,3,4,5,6,7,8. Focus on your breath as you breath in.... and out... in... and out...

(Re-establish anchor and pacing again, and bring us back to where we were when we broke trance.)

Feel the ground below you once more. Feel your roots mingled with all the other roots. Feel the energy coursing through the network and into your body. We have done our work for now, and it is time for us to return to where we were. Return the energy you don't need back into the ground, back to the trees. Feel yourself relaxing as you push it down through your chest, your belly, your legs, and out of your feet and into the ground. Pull your roots back into your body. Feel your feet become feet once more. Wiggle your fingers and toes. Focus on your breath once more and with your next breath come back to yourself. (drum callback).

Describe three experiences of trance. These trances must come from three different methods chosen from the list below: (min. 150 words for each experience)
1. Body Postures

I tried the “Realm of the Dead” posture. The pose is described as:

Stand with feet parallel about 6 inches apart and point your toes straight ahead. Keep your knees slightly bent. Place your right hand over your waist with the ball of the hand covering your navel and your middle finger extending along the waistline. Your left arm is against your chest, with the palm of the hand against your chest so it rests just above your right arm and parallel to it. Keep your upper arms relaxed and close to your body. Face forward with your eyes closed (Heaven).

Overall, I had an interesting experience. At first, nothing was happening. I was just standing there and focusing on my breathing trying to keep my focus on the posture and not falling over. After a minute or two of this, I started to feel like the world was getting darker around me. Eventually, they lightened up again and I started to actually see things.

What I saw was mostly just landscape. Slowly things started to resolve and it seemed like I was standing in the middle of a stream and there were massive trees to either side of me. As I looked down the stream, there was a huge water fall dumping into the stream I was standing in. When I got settled into this landscape and started to look around, not move, but just look, I did see an eagle fly across my field of vision. Nothing ever did come into clear focus though, and eventually my body started to tell me that it was done with the posture. Because of this, I came back to myself a few seconds before the timer was set to go off.

Sonic Driving

Today it was time to try sonic driving. I set my CD called “Drumming to Journey By” to run for 15 min plus callback, lay down, and let happen what would. At first, nothing happened, and then I found myself in the middle of a pine forest. The trees were all lined up and looked like they were planted this way, but it was rather old as all the trees were very tall. I walked around a little bit until I came to the edge, and was overlooking a valley.

At this point, I saw a hoof off to the side. Looked up and it was Sleipnir. I got on him and rode him through the forest. I then came out onto the plain that I usually go to when I am going to Yggdrasil. Sleipnir then climbed up the trunk of the tree (it was almost like it was a spiral staircase that I had never noticed before) and next thing I know, I'm entering Valhal. I have an audience with Odin, and some agreements were made. Loki was also there, and agreements with him were also made. At that point, left and went back to the forest.

Things then went blank, and as I focused on the drumming again, I could see the people drumming, about a half dozen men around one massive drum, beating it in time with each other. Next thing I know, I got a callback happening, and I came back to myself.

Dance/Movement
Chant/Mantra
Aescetic Practices
Visual Concentration

This was done with me staring and focusing on a lit tea candle. I darkened the room and set a timer for ten minutes. I then sat down with the candle a little bit lower and in front of me. I then focused on the candle, and the flame until the timer went off.

Overall, I did not have any kind of vivid experience. After about four or five minutes, I started to feel things getting darker, indicating to me that I was going into an altered state of consciousness. The best was to describe this is that the candle light felt like it was dimming, and the shadow it was casting grew larger. This lasted until my eyes were dry enough and I had to blink, then it was light again after I blinked and quickly faded once more. I didn't have any kind of visions though, and came out of it feeling calm. This works great for me as a meditative practice, but it does not seem to put me into any kind of trance state that I can do something with.

Spoken Guidance

Submit an original trance induction script based in ADF symbolism (e.g. Two Powers, Fire/Well/Tree, Three Realms, etc.). (no minimum word count)

The following is the general induction/journey that I use for the Seidhr work. This was written specifically to be done at Summerlands 2014. It works as it is written, but when leading the actual induction/journey, I do add to it things that I see, hear, smell, and feel along the path.

Let us start by taking a deep breath in... and out... in... and out... focus on your breath, and on the drum beat. in... and out... in... and out... Visualize yourselves as you sit here in this pavilion, our nemeton. We are about to take a journey to another nemeton. See yourselves going out of this nemeton, and as you exit, turn left. We walk around this structure, and as we walk, we notice a path ahead of us. Follow this path. As you go down the path, notice how the trees and shrubs start to get more dense. See them grow taller to your sides. As we go down the path, see them grow over you, we are now in a tunnel of trees. Continue down the path, deeper into the woods, deeper into the tunnel. The trees are getting denser and the path is getting darker. We continue to go deeper down the path, further into the woods.

As you go, you now notice that the trees have given way to wooden walls. You are going down through a wooden structure. You can see some light reflecting off the walls ahead of you. You can see the walls are carved out of the wood. You now make a turn right, and you enter a field. In front of you, there is a large fire. Behind this fire, there is a well and a stone seat. As you look back, you can see you have entered through a carved tunnel in a massive tree, a tree that has images carved all over it. Surrounding the whole field are a dense and tall shrubs, and inside of them are plenty of benches. Take a seat, make yourself comfortable and prepare yourself for the magic we are gathered to do.

Now, we shall return to where we began. Take a moment to center yourself as you have done many times before. Take a deep breath in... and out... in... and out... See yourself once more in the nemeton... the high seat, the well, the fire and the massive, carved tree. See the entrance to the tunnel in the tree. Go through the tree, and make the turn. Feel the carved walls fade away, and turn into leaves and needles on the branches of trees as we come back to our start.

Walk up the path, through the tunnel. Feel the trees thinning out as we continue up and out of the woods. Feel the trees recede, and see the sky above you once more, the stars above twinkling upon you. Continue up the path and see the lights of the pavilion ahead of you. As you go on the path, it opens up, the trees get further away, the shrubs and grasses get smaller. We are now back to the path next to the pavilion. Follow it around the building. See yourself sitting here in our nemeton. Join yourself to your self once more. Take a deep breath in... and out... in... and out... and once more in... and out... and when you are ready, open your eyes and join us once more.

Submit an original trance induction script based in Indo-European Mythology. (no minimum word count)

This is used as part of my grove's Fold of the Grove vigil. The purpose of this trance journey is to meet our grove patron, Ratatosk, who according to the lore is running up and down Yggdrasil, so ultimately this is a journey to Yggdrasil.

Take a deep breath in... and out... in... and out... focus on your breath as you breath in... and out... in... and out... Still your thoughts, relax your body. See yourselves sitting here together as we prepare to meet our grove patron. Look around, see the room, see everyone else sitting here. See the door leading out the front of the house. Walk to the door and go outside. As you exit the door, see yourself in a field with trees off in the distance. Look down at the ground, you will notice a path leading from where you are standing. Follow the path. Go down away from the door, go deeper and deeper through the field.

As you go down the path, the grasses grow tall. The path feels like it is sinking into the earth and the grasses reach high above your head. Continue down the path, follow the turns that it makes. Listen to the stream off in the distance. As we go down the path, the grasses turn to trees, and the sky gets blocked by their branches. You are in a tunnel of trees. The sound of the stream slowly disappears, the path grows darker, the trees get denser, closer, clearly making a tunnel that you are walking down through.

You see a light ahead, the end of the tunnel of trees. You walk to the end and see another field, but in the center is the largest tree you have ever seen. This is Yggdrasil, and this is where we are going. Walk up to the tree, and start walking around it. Notice the massive roots going deep into the ground. Notice the well worn paths beneath the roots as you walk past, these are places for future travels. For now continue around the tree. You come upon a table, and on this table is a little sack full of nuts. This food will be your offering to Ratatosk. Take the sack, and continue around the tree until you see the massive squirrel. Catch his attention, offer him the nuts. Take some time to get to know him.

Our time now draws to an end. Say your good-byes to the Squirrel. See his run back to the tree. Now go back around the tree. Go past the table, and over the roots. Follow your way around the tree until you see the tunnel of trees that you came in through. When you see that entrance across the field, walk towards it, enter the tunnel. Go up the path now; feel the trees thin out as you. See the branches get less and less dense, and the sky open up. Continue up the path, and hear the stream in the distance once again. See the trees disappear and the grasses return. Continue up the path, and notice the grasses start to get smaller and smaller, the path gets higher and higher.

The sounds of the stream are long gone. Continue up the path and look out over the field you saw when you exited the house. See the door to the house ahead of you. Go through the door and see us all sitting in the room. Look around the room once more, and join your consciousness with your body once more. Breath in... and out... in... and out... Feel yourself situated in your body, feel how relaxed and comfortable it is as you breath in... and out... in... and out... and with your next breath bring yourself completely back, and when you are ready, open your eyes and join us once more.

Describe the process of creating your inner locale, the challenges and aids you experienced in the creation of this locale, and (optional) its appearance. (min. 300 words)

The creation of my own inner locale was done many years ago, and the challenges and aids that I had experienced creating the place are long lost to time. I did create another locale that I am now using for my seidhr practice that I plan to make a more public locale where others will add to and modify it further into the future.

The first thing I did was come up with a list of requirements for the location. There had to be obvious ADF symbology throughout the place as this was for ADF, not just myself. This meant that there had to be fire, well, and tree to be a major part of the place. As this is also for use in seidhr work, there needed to be a high seat for the seer to sit in, and seating for the others that are coming to the locale to sit in during the work.

The building of the locale was a combination of discovery and actual work. The discovery part was to first do trance journey work with the expressed purpose of finding the place. This brought me to two different places. One was a mound, the other was a nemeton. I carefully explored each locale, and started to do basic seidhr work in each to see if they would work. With the mound, I did go inside of it and found everything I needed, and I did not find anyone occupying the mound. I found out the first time I brought a couple people with me into the mound though that it was not unoccupied, and that I had pissed off the owner. I had to make things right with the mound wight, and have come to an understanding that I can use it for personal work, but not for group work.

This meant that the nemeton was the place I was supposed to be. The next thing I had to do was to build up the objects and imprints in the locale. This was largely through visualization techniques. I built the fire up into one sitting on a pedestal, so that it was higher than the well. The well was also raised up a little, and the water in the well was raised to the rim of the well. The high seat was added as it did not exist there originally, and within the top of the seat back, I carved in the words “Know thy self” to remind me to remember who I am. Here it was aligning it to the three hallows so that when looking out from the chair you can look into each of the hallows for your answers.

Other things were also modified. The locale when I started was enclosed by a ring of trees, but they were loose and would allow anything in. I made the trees a very tight hedge of arbor vitae that would not allow anything through, and were a good 10 feet tall to protect us from prying eyes. Benches made of wood and/or stone were slowly added with each journey I did.

The one thing that was most interesting about this all was the tree. When I first came into the locale, I came through my usual tunnel of trees, and just appeared into the nemeton. I couldn't really tell where exactly I came in or left from, but I did. The more I worked with this, the more I started to notice the details, specifically of me entering/exiting through the tree itself (probably the one place I didn't expect to go). I also looked more and more at the tree and saw that there were carvings of all kinds over the tree.

Overall, the building of this locale was an interesting experience. I had to keep track of what was there originally, and what I added, and what things looked like. The test was when I brought others into the place. I intentionally left things a little vague as to what was there and what they looked like. Needless to say, those that went there saw most of what I was seeing and have built up, so I consider the building a success.

Journal for five months, continuing the trance work journal you began in Trance 1. Provide an essay based on this journal detailing how your experiences have affected your practice. (min. 600 words for the essay)

For this journal, I decided to primarily focus on my seidhr practice, after I took care of the basic practices required for this course. For the first 5 trances, I did general trance, and the remaining were seidhr related. The journal started August 18, 2013 and ended January 19, 2014.

For the first journey, I did magical work, specifically doing Reiki healing attunements for 2 people. This was interesting for me as I do Reiki on a somewhat regular basis, and often it is distance Reiki. I found that doing it in trance did make it a little easier. I could draw the energy easier, and when I talked to the people afterwards, they said it was effective.

I then tried a few of the trance methods. Sonic Driving was done twice and both times it was effective for me. This or breath are both ways that I usually go into trance. Visual concentration has not worked for me in the past, but I did notice this time that I was going into an altered state, but I was not having any kind of experience, or have any ability to do much beyond just looking at the flame. The posture method was interesting. I didn't expect it to work but I did have some success with it. I feel that if I did that more, I probably would eventually get more out of it.

The rest of my time journaling was focused on seidhr. The general format I used was to use breath to put myself into trance, and then journey to the nemeton I created in the previous question. Once there, if I was asking a question, I would look into the well, fire, or tree for my answer. This usually came to me in images with I would then put myself into and explore. Often the path to follow was clear and as I followed it, I found answers to the question.

I also went around to various deities and beings that I would be likely to be asked to find for questions, or that I had an interest in talking to. For the Norse based beings, this universally had me go through the well to get to the plane that Yggdrasil is located. Once there, I knew where I was and I traveled up or down the tree until I got where I was going. Loki was the one exception in that he was right there on the plane, but for me and our relationship, that was not unusual.

For the Celtic deities, I did something different. I went off to the side of the nemeton and turned myself into a hawk. I then was able to fly to Ireland until I found where the deity was. I then landed and turned myself back into myself before walking the last little bit to find the deity.

Agni, the one Vedic deity I sought out, I didn't have to leave the nemeton at all. He was there in the fire and I was able to just talk to the fire and get my answers back directly. It was weird at first, but it worked.

Overall, this period has not greatly affected my normal practice. The techniques I used were ones I have been using for a while, and ones that I know work for me. What I did get out of this though was a deepening of my seidhr work. I spent time finding my way around the worlds finding deities that would likely be called upon during a seidhr work within ADF. Finding these deities and starting or strengthening old relationships will hopefully help me in the future.

The end result, when I asked my final question as the last journey, appears to be that I am being told that I am going the right way, and that I should stay on this path with my seidhr work. I should also be doing it on a regular basis.

Appendix A includes a redacted version of my trance journal. I do not feel comfortable with sharing much of the deeply personal experience and advice I got during the various journeys, but realize that having at least a sanitized version of the journal could be helpful for the reviewer.

Describe an experience of leading a trance induction in group ritual. (min. 300 words)

An experience of mine with leading a trance induction and journey was the Yule seidhr rite my grove did. Before we did the journey, we had been through the core order of ritual up to the point of hallowing the waters and receiving the blessings. So, we already had a pretty good group mind set up, and we had been working together for about 30 min with this group mind, so we were relatively in tune with each other.

Once we got settled down for the journey to the seidhr nemeton, the trance induction started. The script given in question 4 is similar to what was done, but it was modified at the start and end to make it work with the location we were starting from.

Overall, what I find whenever I am doing a trance induction and/or a journey, I end up doing it myself and describing what I experience. This means that I have found it to be highly useful to have gone through whatever is being done at a prior time. I am constantly filtering out the most important things that are happening. The biggest filter I have to apply is to not speak the things I know are there specifically for me, such as my animal allies that often travel with me. As I have gone to this place many times, and I knew very well what all is along the way, it was easy to apply these filters.

My goal with the journey work is to provide enough leading that everyone gets to the right place, but to not give so much detail that it takes hours to do and pushes a big imprint of myself on them. I find it interesting when everything is done to compare notes of what was seen and experienced. In this journey, a couple new figures in the tree were pointed out to me along with the material of the benches around the site.

Overall, this trance induction and journey was successful. Everyone got where we were going, and we were able to do the work we went there for. The experience for myself was not really that remarkable. It was very similar to most of the others that I have lead in the past few years as far as my experiences leading go.

Works Cited

Ward, Ken. “Ken Ward's Mind Mastery Course - NLP Anchoring”. 10 August 2014 <http://www.trans4mind.com/personal_development/mindMastery/anchoring.ht…;. Web.

Excellence Assured. “NLP Pacing and Leading”. 10 August 2014 <http://excellenceassured.com/nlp-training/nlp-certification/pacing-and-leading>. Web

Heaven, Ross. “Independent Posture Research and Experience”. 8 September 2013 <http://www.cuyamungueinstitute.com/articles-and-news/independent-posture-research-and-experience/>. Web

Appendix A – Trance Journal.

Trance 2 Journal:

8-18-2013

used the drumming to journey by CD and breathing to go into trance. While in trance, I did Reiki 2 attunements on 2 people. The trance state made it easier to draw up the energy for the attunements. Did a second trance working later in the day to do 2 healing attunements with similar experiences.

8-25-2013

played the drumming to journey by CD for the 15 min journey. Distinct feelings of my eyes getting heavy, and some sensations of falling. No real visions and no journeying was done, but I was definitely in a trance state. Sonic Driving (the idea behind that CD) does work for me to some degree.

9-1-2013

Tried visual concentration tonight for 10 min. This was done with me staring and focusing on a lit tea candle. I darkened the room and set a timer for ten minutes. I then sat down with the candle a little bit lower and in front of me. I then focused on the candle, and the flame until the timer went off.

9-8-2013

Today it was time to try posture based trance for 10 min. I tried the “Realm of the Dead” posture. The pose is described as:

9-15-2013

Today it was time to try sonic driving. I set my CD called “Drumming to Journey By” to run for 15 min plus callback, layed down, and let happen what would. At first, nothing happened, and then I found myself in the middle of a pine forest. The trees were all lined up and looked like they were planted this way, but it was rather old as all the trees were very tall. I walked around a little bit until I came to the edge, and was overlooking a valley.

9-22-2013

The answer took me through a forest and down a path. Along the path I saw various tricksters, coyote lead me, monkey, spider, and raven were all along the path. Loki was at the end. I talked with him and got advice with regards to the question. I thanked him, and headed back to myself, then I headed out of the seidhr site.

9-29-2013

The answer took me to a tropical beach. There were many images of the sun throughout the whole thing, and things were all in bloom. The oddest part was I saw a cat a couple times laying in a sun spot, looking content. When things stopped showing themselves, the question was answered, and I came back to myself and headed back out of the site.

10-6-2013

I could see the person the question was about, and got a good sense of what kind of mood and the way things were between them and another person. Overall, it looked promising for the person, and they should pursue, at least for now. When the question was answered, I came back to myself and left the site.

With the remainder of this journal, I will be going to my Seidhr home base, then traveling to the homes of various deities and beings so that I am familiar with the roads to their homes.

10-13-2013

Today was a visit to Thor.

I went to my seidhr locale using the journey through a path, into a tunnel, through the tree and into the clearing. All the site looked as it usually did. I took my seat, looked into the well and fire, and at the tree. Settled myself down and then traveled through the well to the plane of Yggdrasil. Once there, I climbed the tree and found my way via the branches to Bilskirnir.

As I entered I found my way to where Thor was. He was massive, as in many times larger than me, giant in size. That was a bit off putting, but I offered him a horn of my beer and explained what I was doing there. I then asked for advice for the future, and advice was given.

I then left and found my way back to the tree, through the plane, back through the well and into my nemeton. I then came back to myself and came out of trance.

10-20-2013

Today was a visit to Odin.

As I entered I found the tables filled with warriors, and the goats eating leaves off the trees on the sides of the hall. As I made my way down to the end, I found Odin sitting at the head of the tables. I offered him my beer and explained what I was doing there. I also gave him thanks for all that he has done for me since he first came to me years ago. I then asked for advice for the future, and advice was given.

I then left and found my way back to the tree, through the plane, back through the well and into my nemeton. I then came back to myself and came out of trance.

10-27-2013

Today was a visit to Frigg.

As I entered her hall, I saw the many hand maidens she has. It seemed like it was much more than just the 12 you hear of. At the end of the hall, I found her, dressed in blue with gold trim, holding a spindle. I am guessing she was just spinning yarn or something like that. I approached and offered her my beer and explained what I was doing there. I then asked for advice for the future, and advice was given.

I then left and found my way back to the tree, through the plane, back through the well and into my nemeton. I then came back to myself and came out of trance.

11-3-2013

Today was a visit to Sif.

As I searched through Asgard for her, I eventually came upon her in a room, brushing her hair. I approached and offered her my beer and explained what I was doing there. She took the beer, but explained that she liked something lighter than what I had, so I promised to pour her a lighter beer when I was done. I then asked for advice for the future, and advice was given.

I then left and found my way back to the tree, through the plane, back through the well and into my nemeton. I then came back to myself and came out of trance.

11-10-2013

Today was a visit to Freya.

As I entered her hall, I saw her lounging on a chair, her big cats were on either side. She beckoned me to come forward. I approached and offered her my beer and explained what I was doing there. I then asked for advice for the future, and advice was given.

I then left and found my way back to the tree, through the plane, back through the well and into my nemeton. I then came back to myself and came out of trance.

11-17-2013

Today was a visit to Freyr.

I found him looking very impish and sitting on top of the mound as if he was waiting for me to come. I approached and offered her my beer and explained what I was doing there. I then asked for advice for the future, and advice was given.

I then left and found my way back to the tree, through the plane, back through the well and into my nemeton. I then came back to myself and came out of trance.

11-24-2013

Today was a visit to Loki.

On the plane I found Loki, and Sleipnir off to the side. I talked to him as I usually do and offered him beer as a sacrifice. I explained what I was doing there and then I then asked for advice for the future, and advice was given.

I then left and found my way back through the plane, back through the well and into my nemeton. I then came back to myself and came out of trance.

12-1-2013

Today was a visit to Hel.

I found Hel standing on the stairs, her right half being the living half with that side being more towards me during the whole conversations. She approached me. I offered her my beer and explained what I was doing there. I then asked for advice for the future, and advice was given.

I then left and found my way back to the tree, through the plane, back through the well and into my nemeton. I then came back to myself and came out of trance.

12-8-2013

Today was a visit to Balder.

I found Balder sitting on a throne, and very much looking like a solar deity. I offered him my beer and explained what I was doing there. I then asked for advice for the future, and advice was given.

I then left and found my way back to the tree, through the plane, back through the well and into my nemeton. I then came back to myself and came out of trance.

12-15-2013

Today was a visit to the seers of old.

I sat on a mound and called out to the seers of old. I called out to the seers and asked for one to appear, and an old lady did. I offered her my beer and explained what I was doing there. I then asked for advice for the future, and advice was given.

I then left and found my way back to the tree, through the plane, back through the well and into my nemeton. I then came back to myself and came out of trance.

12-22-2013

Today was a visit to the norns.

I found the norns weaving the tapestry. I approached them and I offered them my beer and explained what I was doing there. I then asked for advice for the future with regards to my seidhr work, and advice was given.

I then left and found my way back to the tree, through the plane, back through the well and into my nemeton. I then came back to myself and came out of trance.

12-29-2013

Today was a visit to Agni.

Within the fire, I found Agni. I offered him my beer and explained what I was doing looking for him. I then asked for advice for the future, and advice was given.

I then thanked him and I then came back to myself and came out of trance.

1-5-2014

Today was a visit to Morrighan.

I went to my seidhr locale using the journey through a path, into a tunnel, through the tree and into the clearing. All the site looked as it usually did. I took my seat, looked into the well and fire, and at the tree. Settled myself down and then went off the the side of the nemeton. I turned myself into a bird and flew off looking for Ireland changing back when I landed.

I found the Ford of the Unshin and found her standing there. I offered her my beer and explained what I was doing there. I then asked for advice for the future, and advice was given.

I then left, turned myself back to a bird and flew back to the nemeton. I then came back to myself and came out of trance.

1-12-2014

Today was a visit to Lugh.

I went to my seidhr locale using the journey through a path, into a tunnel, through the tree and into the clearing. All the site looked as it usually did. I took my seat, looked into the well and fire, and at the tree. Settled myself down and then went off the the side of the nemeton. I turned myself into a bird and flew off looking for Ireland changing back when I landed.

I found a hill and on top was Lugh. I offered him my beer and explained what I was doing there. I then asked for advice for the future, and advice was given.

I then left, turned myself back to a bird and flew back to the nemeton. I then came back to myself and came out of trance.

1-19-2014

Today is my last journey, so I went and asked a question to wrap up this journal, and advice for my future seidhr work.

A path opened up for me and I followed it taking note of what I was seeing. I came to a stopping point, which gave me the answer that I was looking for. I then followed the path back, noticing how the landscape had changed for there was a light to dark and dark to light change that took place. I came back to the nemeton and then journeyed back to myself.