The Kindle version of this book turned out to be a strenuous read. The view is turned 90 degrees, shows on only half my screen, the letters are crammed together and not all pages have the same lay-out. And that for almost 800 pages!
The book is about “Fjölkyngi”, a term that Kvilhaug translates as “great knowledge” and which she splits in “Seiðr” and initiation. But “Fjölkyngi” is a very broad term as you will find in this book. The author goes from shamanism to witchcraft, various kinds of ancient magic of different peoples and along the way deals with subjects such as gender fluidity, gender roles, ‘souls’, mythology, folklore, etc. etc. etc.
As we know from her books, Kvilhaug presents her own translations of mostly saga texts in this case and she usually explains how she came to her translations. She returns a massive number of sagas highlighting elements such as magic or initiation. The result is perhaps an encyclopedia or the vast breath of the subject of magic within Northern sagas complete with source material.
Impressive, but perhaps it is wiser to buy the (expensive) physical version of the book.
2023 Three Little Sisters, isbn 1959350994
