Galdrastafir : Common Misconceptions

Exploring some well known common misconceptions concerning Galdrastafir (Magic Symbols/Staves) found in Icelandic Grimoires, also known as "black books" or "books of magic", from the 16th to the 19th centuries.
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#galdrastafir #occult #magic

[@theodoralling8705]

This video has everything lol. Good humor, Mr. Thorstein, Guitar solos, cats creatng havoc, plenty of useful and awesome information and great wisdom and Mr. Härger! Love it!

[@leandromol]

I have Galdrastafir tatoos. I made them before knowing all these details, but I do not regret them, even if they are not directly connected with a norse past. I see them with more meaning today than when I put them on my skin. A correct meaning. Thank you for the video! It consolidate knowledge in a perfect way!

[@MarioStevens_]

Same! Vegvisir and aegishjalmur! They indeed have magic and intention! Cheers

[@gumunduratli579]

Im very happy this video is out because its 100% truth, Im Icelandic and from the west fjörds where this stafir were used and are still used my great great grandfather wrote a lot on this matter and if you read Icelandic I would love the show you one of his books but im not posting it here, nothing is more infuriating then to see tattoo"artist" miss use these symbols im not opposed to people getting them as tattoos but if you want them come to Iceland and have some one who has a under standing about them and there meanings. im a bit disappointed you did not mention the link between Icelandic magic and Sámi magic, in Iceland this was called Finnagaldrar and Sámi were often called Finns, most Icelanders came from Hálogaland and norther Norway and those are the land of Sámi people would be a grate video on the Sámi relation in Iceland I could give you some material on this if you're interested. keep up this amazing work of yours thank you

[@ssnowak0714]

It is SO REFRESHING to listen to an intellectual who is HONEST, and not just saying what follows along with modern beliefs. I too am a lover of research and knowledge of history. The more I find out the of the lies I was taught from birth to adulthood, the more I want the truth. You are wonderful!

[@GH-cy6fh]

Dude that metal riff....yes!

[@ernamoller175]

Thank you Arith. Very informative as always. Thank you for shedding the light on many misunderstood symbols .

[@ohnoajellyfish]

It makes me happy to see Thorstein again! And to hear you shred! 🤘🏻

[@willowraevynwood865]

Thank you for all the knowledge and wisdom that you've shared! I loved rocking out with Mr. Thorstein.

[@awenspring369]

People have been moving around for much longer than we have been taught. And the knowledge has moved with them, and some have guarded that knowledge well!

[@shhh673]

Been blown away by that intro. Mad skills on guitar, my man :D I crafted my own runes and chose Elder Futhark. I am also one of those people that got tattooed with Aegishjalmur, so hello, hello. I do actually think my tattoo became an anchor in my interest of Scandinavian culture, even if I'm not Scandinavian. But yes, reading into it, I'm not surprised that people don't consult a second opinion or a native author. Many people seem to leave school or a story they've heard to only one source, and then that's it. Coupled with the fact that, in the past century till nowadays many subject matters have been commodified through media. Think of how every cartoon has an "Egyptian" themed episode, or how Anubis winds up being the villain, when he is never presented as such in Egyptian mythology. While media may succeeded at sparking further interest in some, in many it will not. My take away from all this: I am curious and I want to judge slower, because these types of subjects are not for fast consumption.

[@c7hu1hu66]

Thank you for sharing from your bottomless well of knowledge! May the gods give you strength to keep making interesting and informative videos for years to come. And also I love your mischievous cat 😻

[@TamuNgina]

Love the intro you got mad skills... Shred it!!! 💎🔥💎

awesome! Thank you! :D

[@luna1085]

Hi Arith! Thank you for the info your putting out there and making it accesable. I hope everything is ok on your side.

[@ergifem]

I was so concerned your cat was going to knock something over about 15 mins in. Thank you for the information.

[@333Eriana]

i think of my Frida x2 - yesterday i had to tear apart another vacuum bag - because of her tests of gravity with my jewelry, candles, etc

[@mysterymachine6858]

@@333Eriana introduce roomba into your life....you'll never go back to regular vacuum, unless for stairs or such

[@ElsbetVance]

Thank you, Arith. Such a good video, well explained. As a practicing "witch " who uses galdrastafir, I was aware that these symbols originated in more middle-eastern climes, but were adopted by our ancestors for the reason that... they worked. We traveled far, talked with many people, and gained wisdom, just as Odin himself was written as doing. I use these and work with runes and the tarot/oracle cards and trust that my spirit guides and ancestors can communicate and work through these things due to established traditions. It doesn't matter where these things originated, or when, when working with the spirits. They understand the intent behind them and that's where the power lies is in the communication between the practitioner and their spirit guides. That's why the new symbols used by various practitioners work. It's down to spiritual communication. I recently had the pleasure of helping a friend out of a sticky situation using a variant of galdrastafir that I drew on the fly, in the sand on a lake beach. This was something huge and not easily worked out due to legal complexities, but the very next day I received word that the friend was in the clear, the slate wiped clean, and he could move forward again. He has decided to have that mark tattooed on his body. I warned him that the magic would still be working, but he feels strongly about it, pulled to do it. No money has changed hands in this, wasn't intended for my personal gain, but the ancestors have been throwing excess beauty my way since doing this work. I think when we work with understanding and acceptance of these things and their sources we can better adapt them to our needs. We will never stop creating and growing in knowledge and wisdom, and these magical symbols will continue to be used powerfully, as over time they gain more and more spiritual momentum.

[@TheCatwhisper]

cracking start !! love a bit of nordic metal.................(.and at 4.25......)

[@astrogypsy]

"..for no good goddamned reason..." I love it when you run out of patience.

[@333Eriana]

are we not so very fortunate to have a truly authentic person, who will never fear a truth no matter what .

[@Divs81]

I've been checking out your videos for the last week or so, and as someone who has been an occultist most of their adult life I want you to know you are a breath of fresh air. I appreciate what you're doing with these videos, especially in bringing some sense of historical accuracy to counterbalance some of the misconceptions surrounding what is traditional and what is new age.

[@watsonlitchfield2306]

I'm so glad that I found your channel. Thank you sir.

[@sophianocturne6332]

This was a great video. I appreciate all of the historical context on these symbols and how they evolved. There is so much misinformation on the internet.

[@lucialicona9862]

I just discovered your channel and I am binge watching all your videos, thank you for creating quality content.

Hello there! Thank you very much and welcome! :D have a wonderful day!

[@lucialicona9862]

@ thanks, you as well! Greetings from Mexico!

[@Krushurpants]

truly great guidance

[@annhenry6056]

Always eloquently stated with compassion and knowledge. Thank you.

[@realityhelix564]

I just noticed the whole wall of chicken paintings, and I love it.

[@AlbuquerqueBandit]

Ahhhh man every skit like this is so cool. I like how some videos have them, some don't. Nice pleasant surprise when a video does have one at the beginning lol

[@coryd951]

I love your channel, it's always informative and teaches new things

[@phyllisdicks9830]

As always, wonderfully useful, factual information.

[@Robert-gc9gc]

Get this man a Nobel prize please

[@vinnyjamea96]

Always nice to have a sense of humor before the serious business starts

[@Neko-Tsu]

New subscriber! I have found out recently that one of my spiritual guides happens to be a Seiðr, I was told to learn about runes so that’s how I found your channel, thank you so much for helping me and so many others on our journey of knowledge and connection to so much more!

[@ransomdavid6752]

Love the vids Arith

[@joaquimteixeira8297]

A people who doesn't know their history is condemned to repeat it.

[@lucasmontes3209]

You should write a book about runes

[@lanceroberthough1275]

Another great informational video. Thanks.

[@gabriellisboadasilva4009]

Congratulations for the excelent work!

[@kbennett2587]

Thanks for your work, your doing the great work. Keep it up.

[@lanceroberthough1275]

Awesome! Authentic Viking period music!

[@krizzzzzzzz]

Thank you for sharing your knowledge. ¡Gracias!😊

[@davidenochs601]

Fantastic video! Love this view on this.

[@valerarte3492]

Thank you! Love your vidéos!❤️❤️🦋🙏🏻

[@curtismiller268]

Thanks for sharing great video , and Rock on Mr. Thorstein Rock on 🙏✌️

[@bianca.cordey]

Thank you Arith for your videos. I’ve just found your channel. I really appreciate you scientific analysis because as you’ve said there are lots of made up theories without a historical background. What we do with this knowledge and in what we believe is our personal decision. Thank you for being so open minded. Besides all that, I love entertaining way of your lectures. It’s good fun. Go on with it! Great work!

[@tryingmybestokay]

Thank you for sharing your knowledge! This video spared me money I might have spent on clothing or perhaps even tattoos. I'll keep using the elder futharc and dalrunor. Tack för idag :)

[@Dimas451]

Thank you for the video brother

[@TOVANorseWitch]

Thank you for doing this

[@luisaolegovna638]

yes, this video is very helpful to me. Thank you

[@SecularPaganMum]

Love your skills

[@SecularPaganMum]

Omg, you bite the spoon, too! 😩 lol

Thank you! Indeed, I do bite spoons, forks and knives. Don't know what's up with that, it's like I just got out of a cave and I'm still learning how to eat with those . . . for the past 32 years.

[@SecularPaganMum]

No worries.. You still got time to grow out of it. .... or make music with it on a soundboard, maybe?🤔 *giggles*

[@SecularPaganMum]

Youre quite welcome.. love watching you play. 😁 and you're funny to boot. By the way, I did get a rune from a book that I picked out that is supposed to mean love, but I couldn't find it in the book I thought I saw it in when I went back and looked.... after I had it done, of course. Lol I was 18 and it was a right of passage sort of thing with a homedone needle. Oh the health endangering times of my youth. Good times. Lol

[@teresafigueiredo]

As always the video was very informative and helpful, thanks we should have from you a book with all the subjects you bilt! 🤗

[@davifks]

Awesome job!

[@dragonrider9051]

I applaud you, an appreciate your dedication to knowledge, and sharing that wisdom with other's. Was nice to hear someone else enforce the idea that these are just interpretation of the symbolisms and there's no based facts stating such is diffrent.

[@Beltanas]

Best Video Ever, on the subject. Thank you. 👍

[@warboats]

Concerning the obtaining of academic papers, I’m just gonna put this out there: scihub...or libgen.... great video as always, i really appreciate the approach you take concerning these matters, cheers

[@luxonlex4453]

We have all heard of the horror tattoo stories of the guy that went to the tattoo shop and got the Japanese Katakana (Glyph) for "Warrior Ninja Badass", only to find out later that it means something simular to "Little Umami Peas". But it looks cool, right? You have not destroyed anything, in my opinion, as your honesty is always refreshing. I feel better informed and can take this information and build upon it. Is it not the Pagan way to bend, create and teach? The Grimore is a personal journal of what works and what does not for that practitioner. Who am I to scold someone and say they cannot use a symbol if it means something to them. However, knowing that such iconography does not find itself in ancient practice is an important lesson to follow and for some it is a difficult pill to swallow. Personally, I do not want anyone to know exactly what the symbols I use mean. Many of them have been revealed while in deep meditation or while experiencing extreme pain. The God's felt that I needed them and I use them with extreme care and caution as their power for me, is exponentially potent. If I offered them to someone else, I feel as though I would be betraying their trust and my integrity. Besides, to someone else it would just be a mash of discernable symbols that have no meaning to them. Love you, as always and I look forward to your next video.

[@stephanieann9770]

Great video! I love the Celtic character playing guitar 🎸

[@ohnosponolios4126]

Would you consider doing a video going into more detail the connections between the magickal staves and Solomonic magick?

[@ronmason3591]

...thank you for once again opening my eyes to the massive fraud of modern symbolism that I have been influenced by. Year after year I throw away books that have falsely influenced my understanding. Job well done!

[@ernststravoblofeld]

Love the education rant. And the guitar work. We are not worthy! 🎵🎸🎵

[@charlesmorris414]

Very interesting my friend ! But Don't worry most people that place these on there bodies for others to see is only there attention getter. It looks mystical to most and gives them the effect they want, To be left alone, that's all. There is much more personal energy that goes into any Galdrastafir or Runes to be effective. But I understand your point. Because of your Respect of this subject you wish others would do the same and use these symbols wisely ! I know,. but what can you say! Thank you for being out there!

[@lorilea3188]

Thank You. this is a lesson on european Herbalism i have been looking for, having been youtube researching for a few years. i am wondering if there have been botanical archeologists researching bronze and iron age burials , residue from pottery , pollen and tree data etc . I am grateful for your clarity.

[@stewartthomas2642]

Love your stuff kick on love

[@GH-cy6fh]

Yeah I've been thinking about how since runes weren't intended to be magic how we're creating a "rune consciousness" by adding modern magic to runes. I've had dreams and visions of runes and my rune magic brings results...so what we're doing as a collective is bringing rune magic to life...although I think in the early days anyone who could write may have been thought at least a wise person. There's power in words and writing...for example the Egyptians wrote their curses in hieroglyphs.

[@krispalermo8133]

The Jewish alphabet has a runic meaning behind each letter and a number value. The Greeks were no different, the Roman or what was left of them through the Catholic church just render the western alphabet down to a common academic medium for mundane long distance communication. The reason why Nose Runes are used for divination is cause they are back by a cultural unifying belief that they will work in castings.

[@jackietripp1716]

can you do a video on dutch hex signs?

[@badtexasbill5261]

Killer brows, killer riffs.

[@boowho4882]

You are my new favourite human

[@Anirossa]

As a Norwegian I think the "helm of awe" is more intresting to me now that I know more about all the history behind it, to me I see it more as heritage of how my ancestors traveled and interacted with other europeans. As well as something somewhat Icelandic, and I do like Iceland a lot 😂

[@astrogypsy]

Sometimes it seems like you are walking along the highway picking up litter.

[@daphnegerry9318]

Whoa!!! You have my full attention

[@rayjay6900]

Arith, what are the names of the 2 books in this video+? Very curious 🤔 Would love to dive into one or both

[@DreamAwaken3]

Thank you for this very useful information. I will now cancel my tattoo.

[@gator83261]

Good video.

[@colinp2238]

Before I view this later this evening, I know that it's going to be brilliant as any video starting with Mr Thorstein has to be. He is better looking than you.

Can't argue with that.

[@TheOli157]

It has blow my mind! Did you speak portuguese ? Thanks for the video!

[@beruangsehat2073]

i just tattooed the aegishjalmur symbol with runes around it at my left arm as i see the meaning that i saw, but after do more research about this and meet this video. i glad to have it cause there are so many historical information in there. and also for me the the aegishjalmur is more like a mind set for me as i known the meaning as Invincibility, Protection, Strength and Power. Is it magically works or not? well i don't know, but if yes it would be cool lol since it's made and modernization from many ideas and cultures and all the complication things make it interesting and glad for me to have it in my left arm with runes around it. Cool video! I learned a lot. Thanks man

[@diannegetbetternow]

Well done!

[@TheMrCougarful]

Awesome.

[@indoorsandout3022]

I want to know about the symbols found in rock carvings in Finnmark and on Sami drums.

[@hartwarg3051]

A stone from a dragon's head? I am thinking this is kenning for a gem from a crown. We are fortunate to have the works that we do preserved on paper. Even more fortunate to have people like you with the time, patience and aquired expertise to help us differentiate which, and how many distorted lenses we are veiwing the past that we long for through. I often stop and ask myself when reading "Is this written on bone, stone, or wood?" and "How close is it to something that is?" It is not unlike layers of "Maya" we must strip away to understand the intent of the author as well as a "vitriolic" approach to our intent in learning. You, sir do fine works for us seeking the same online. Thank you!

[@ForrestAnna]

Thank you.

[@davidhunt8685]

Thx

[@arsoplays5876]

You're the man bro. Get it!

[@artificer5409]

"its not my bloody fault" , made my laugh when you said it.

[@mysterymachine6858]

thank you

[@helenmilenski861]

I have noted in many neo-pagan traditions there seems to be a stretch to find validity in connecting to the 'oldest' source, preferably ANY thing that is pre-christian. This is seen in Wicca, Golden Dawn, Modern Druidism, as well as many new indo-european ethno-cults that are springing up. It is almost a competition for being the 'purest' by being the most authentic or connected to the oldest evidence. Do you think there can be any weight of this kind of validity? Or is it merely fanciful thinking to try and model a faith or practice on even academic interpretation of what evidence we do have of ancient beliefs?

[@serpentscoil326]

I mean they may not have historical ties, but in terms of personal praxis, that's on the user. I think authors need to make it clear that the symbols origins.

[@krispalermo8133]

It is all about the ego of pride, and being overly vain. Been seeing it for the pass 35 years. As one Jewish scholar I heard say, " Tradition is peer pressure from dead people." Another view point I found over years of study of the ancient world, each city state had their own traditions in worshipping the gods, they had no unify dogma to guide them. Even in today's Italy, Catholicism is vastly different from on county/ region/ state from the next. It is kind of fast & lose, to me it seems only the northern European/ protestants play at my way or the highway dogma.

[@helenmilenski861]

@@krispalermo8133 I see that. Irish Catholic and Spanish Catholic may use the same liturgy, but they are vastly different in other cultural context. I can see how that could be applied regionally with pagan beliefs, now and in the past. Plus I like your quote. I may have to borrow that sometime! :-)

[@krispalermo8133]

@@helenmilenski861 Follow with, " G*D only made man first cause She needed a practice run." Depending on the social group that hears that, you get to hear many colorful remakes.

[@MrBlazingup420]

@@krispalermo8133 In ancient times it was tradition to feed the dead family member through a hole in the ground, today we feed them words at their graves "eulogy", "Speaking from the heart of remembrance", where Germanic "EUL" Owl (sees in the dark) or knowledge Irish EOL but anyway knowledge of the dead on their way to the afterlife, if they die of hunger who will speak for you when you are dead, , Ignore the past it rises up like the dead and attacks you, now we live in the land of the walking dead, "Ignorance", lost their "Tradition" and now CHAOS be knocking on everybody's door

[@luisaolegovna638]

awesome musical intro

[@purplealice]

When I visited Iceland a few years ago, I bought a copy of *The Galdrabok*, in which the explanatory text was in English. I've been sorely tempted to use the stave that makes a person unable to stop farting.

[@talanorth8388]

That can actually result in death (to the person who had it put on them) pretty easily btw, so be careful what you wish for...also if you have not then read the Monkey's Paw

[@purplealice]

@@talanorth8388 There are quite a few politicians I'd like to cause to let loose a loud trumpeting noise in the middle of a big serious speech. But I'm Wiccan, and I have sworn an oath to never use magic to affect another sentient being without their consent.

[@tristate0mind]

Incredibly good stuff! Very enlightening. Since the Hebrew tradition, Abraham, came out from Sumer / Babylon geographically, have you come across much ancient Sumerian / Babylonian connection to these pseudo Nordic / Medieval Euro Esoteric traditions? Seems like this Solomonic tradition isn't intrinsically Hebrew, since the actual tradition condemns these practices largely. Solomon broke that in his lifetime, linked to his marriage to Babylonian women & overtime integrated the practices into his own hybrid. U have helped so much! All is beginning to align through time much more.

[@tattedupgamer8519]

I have a question is there a runic symbol for the berserker group I know they used bears wolves ravens and snakes but iced looked everywhere and this one symbol always appears but I want to make sure it is what it is or at least close to it

[@tattedupgamer8519]

Berserkir

[@scottishdoll6087]

Definitely everyone needs education! Now people are turning to utube but getting lots of misinformation. Instead of proper teaching. There is only a few people who are credible. Thanks great video 😊

[@johnpierre2135]

Are we just going to pretend your eye lid isnt injured and try to retain the info you provide? Im way more concerned about you than i am the info at this moment

Thank you for your concern. No worries, it's just an old scar giving trouble, wasn't properly healed. Will see to it next month.

[@Thorn99855]

@ Yes. You are a good looking dude. Please see a doctor. We want you to be healthy ❤

[@sevenis9712]

I’ve seen some of those symbols tattooed on people before. It’s good to have the right knowledge especially before you put a permanent mark on your body. Mr Thorstein made my day. Lol

[@ceribelli9663]

If I want to tattoo something related to Old Norse, what should I look for? that really is related to the old Norse and the old religion

[@alaskabornheathen8902]

I used to have a Vegvisir and an Ægishjálmur on my altar. I don’t have those there anymore lol. People seem to look for a quick fix when connecting with their roots. They don’t seem to care about what tattoos they get or what things they use until they do it. Maybe we don’t know much about what certain people from the past did or didn’t do, but we know what we do now. I think if your mind is with that culture and those deities then it doesn’t matter what you are doing. For example I know the Nordic peoples didn’t use petrol pressure lamps as a source of light, but they used most likely things like walrus fat candles or herring fat candles. I don’t think the two are that much different when compared like that, so yes I use petrol pressure lamps even with my spiritual practices. Great video!

[@alaskabornheathen8902]

However if you do whatever you want to do, don’t say it’s historically accurate! I’m sure that’s a given but I figured I better cover my bases lol.

[@artemisnite]

Did the Norse regard language and writing itself as magic as many other ancient cultures did? In which case, the runes would have been considered magical just by default?

[@nathansongsnob7335]

Damn, Mr Torstein got Guitar skills.

[@teresafigueiredo]

I wish you a very good day! 😊 🌞 🌈 🙏

[@kranx2690]

I actually love this knowledge. I'm not tied to one belief or another. And this history is so broken and fragmented I like to gather what I can in regards to history. I feel that runes are mysteries all their own and because the norse pagans were so entrenched and connected to spirit anything they believed was true. And that's why I believe that tying belief into your own sort of practice can produce magickal effects. It's sort of like sigil work to me and I'm enjoying my new found freedom with this stuff

[@Eddies_Bra-att-ha-grejer]

The Galdrabok is at least partly genuine Nordic magic. There's a spell that talks about "nine needs" which is otherwise only known from archelogical finds. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sigtuna_amulet_I

[@maijiejunjun]

Woahhhh cool guitar!!! The cat😂🤭🥺

[@dylanlandry4996]

Looming forward to more videos though i think im 3 weeks behind lol

[@cristinahidarida2704]

Education should be free everywhere in the world!

[@krispalermo8133]

If teachers are not paid for by tax money, then who will pay for their lively hood ?