Author Topic: Anyone know how to compose Galdrs? (Read 5782 times)

Riothamus12 · « **on:** August 21, 2013, 05:23:51 pm »

I've heard of these incantations before which were often put in poetic form rather than the prosaic form I am most familiar with. However I haven't been able to figure out what pentameter a galdr uses. All I know is that it has seven lines and makes heavy use of parallelism and that it's likely that these were sung according to some sources. I've been considering using them as part of my workings as it is a historical occult practice and a way to honor my norse heritage among my already quite eclectic ritual and belief.

Edit:I think I may have accidentally posted this in the wrong section.

RandallS · « **Reply #1 on:** August 21, 2013, 07:04:02 pm »

Quote from: Riothamus12;119586

Edit:I think I may have accidentally posted this in the wrong section.

Where did you want it to be?

Jack · « **Reply #2 on:** August 21, 2013, 07:15:11 pm »

Quote from: Riothamus12;119586

I've heard of these incantations before which were often put in poetic form rather than the prosaic form I am most familiar with. However I haven't been able to figure out what pentameter a galdr uses. All I know is that it has seven lines and makes heavy use of parallelism and that it's likely that these were sung according to some sources. I've been considering using them as part of my workings as it is a historical occult practice and a way to honor my norse heritage among my already quite eclectic ritual and belief.

Edit:I think I may have accidentally posted this in the wrong section.

I'm not sure that galdr used pentameter at all, but if it did, I'd imagine it was dactylic pentameter as iambic is comparatively modern.

To be honest, when I do galdr, I often do it free verse or with a simple AB rhyme scheme because I'm doing it extemporaneously. Filk galdr is another favorite that I've found works pretty decently for spellwork, but that might be a little chaos for your tastes.

The trick is that you're using the act of singing to bring the spell into existence along with the sound waves that previously existed only as potential in your mind. Focus on that and you should be okay.

Riothamus12 · « **Reply #3 on:** August 22, 2013, 02:43:09 am »

Quote from: Jack;119605

I'm not sure that galdr used pentameter at all, but if it did, I'd imagine it was dactylic pentameter as iambic is comparatively modern.

To be honest, when I do galdr, I often do it free verse or with a simple AB rhyme scheme because I'm doing it extemporaneously. Filk galdr is another favorite that I've found works pretty decently for spellwork, but that might be a little chaos for your tastes.

The trick is that you're using the act of singing to bring the spell into existence along with the sound waves that previously existed only as potential in your mind. Focus on that and you should be okay.

Well I was able to find a rhyme scheme generally used but no specific syllable count. The rhyme scheme I had found was akin to the aabb pattern. Though you would be right about the filk thing.I do not do such things in my workings.

Jack · « **Reply #4 on:** August 22, 2013, 03:04:49 am »

Quote from: Riothamus12;119639

Well I was able to find a rhyme scheme generally used but no specific syllable count. The rhyme scheme I had found was akin to the aabb pattern. Though you would be right about the filk thing.I do not do such things in my workings.

... How do you know it's pentameter if you don't have a syllable count?

(You're missing out, btw. Filk is terribly fun.)

Riothamus12 · « **Reply #5 on:** August 22, 2013, 05:38:16 am »

Quote from: Jack;119642

... How do you know it's pentameter if you don't have a syllable count?

(You're missing out, btw. Filk is terribly fun.)

That's part of the problem. I was able to find the rhyming pattern of it, but not specifically a syllabic count if there is one.

(I reserve that sort of thing for my personal amusement rather than worship.)

Jack · « **Reply #6 on:** August 22, 2013, 10:57:10 am »

Quote from: Riothamus12;119653

That's part of the problem. I was able to find the rhyming pattern of it, but not specifically a syllabic count if there is one.

(I reserve that sort of thing for my personal amusement rather than worship.)

So you were just kind of guessing that it was pentameter? I mean, that's a weirdly specific guess to make if you don't know. My instinct would be that pentameter is a little longer for the rhythm I expect galdr to have.

Regardless, you could probably use any reasonable length.

The great thing about filking is that you can choose a song that already has the relevant energies/associations.

Riothamus12 · « **Reply #7 on:** August 22, 2013, 12:01:36 pm »

Quote from: Jack;119669

So you were just kind of guessing that it was pentameter? I mean, that's a weirdly specific guess to make if you don't know. My instinct would be that pentameter is a little longer for the rhythm I expect galdr to have.

Regardless, you could probably use any reasonable length.

The great thing about filking is that you can choose a song that already has the relevant energies/associations.

http://books.google.com/books?id=CrmQIYjzs2UC&pg=PA243&lpg=PA243&dq=galdralag+meter&source=bl&ots=nnl6SllBBC&sig=eyxvL0WFfHHqGONRcnHZTZayMOU&hl=en&sa=X&ei=dS0WUoHsNOTA2AXQ14GwCw&ved=0CCsQ6AEwADgK#v=onepage&q=galdralag%20meter&f=false
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Galdr

That and a few other scant sources is my source with regards to that. This is turning out to be more of a pain than I had anticipated.

Jack · « **Reply #8 on:** August 22, 2013, 01:37:16 pm »

Quote from: Riothamus12;119676

http://books.google.com/books?id=CrmQIYjzs2UC&pg=PA243&lpg=PA243&dq=galdralag+meter&source=bl&ots=nnl6SllBBC&sig=eyxvL0WFfHHqGONRcnHZTZayMOU&hl=en&sa=X&ei=dS0WUoHsNOTA2AXQ14GwCw&ved=0CCsQ6AEwADgK#v=onepage&q=galdralag%20meter&f=false
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Galdr

That and a few other scant sources is my source with regards to that. This is turning out to be more of a pain than I had anticipated.

So that wikipedia article specifically says it's in a meter derived from ljóðaháttr, which... doesn't look anything like pentameter at all. And also is quite neatly described on wikipedia, so there you go.

Quote

The odd numbered lines were almost standard lines of alliterative verse with four lifts and two or three alliterations, with cæsura; the even numbered lines had three lifts and two alliterations, and no cæsura.[...] A number of variants occurred in ljóðaháttr, including galdraháttr or kviðuháttr ("incantation meter"), which adds a fifth short (three-lift) line to the end of the stanza; in this form, usually the fifth line echoes the fourth one.

Problem solved.

veggiewolf · « **Reply #9 on:** August 23, 2013, 12:13:43 pm »

Quote from: Riothamus12;119653

...

(I reserve that sort of thing for my personal amusement rather than worship.)

Is there a specific reason?

Jack · « **Reply #10 on:** August 23, 2013, 12:35:44 pm »

Quote from: veggiewolf;119794

Is there a specific reason?

I prefer to work with deities who have an appreciation for amusement and a sense of humor, myself.

veggiewolf · « **Reply #11 on:** August 23, 2013, 01:45:34 pm »

Quote from: Jack;119796

I prefer to work with deities who have an appreciation for amusement and a sense of humor, myself.

I do as well.

Jack · « **Reply #12 on:** August 23, 2013, 02:07:30 pm »

Quote from: veggiewolf;119805

I do as well.

Then again, the god I associate with galdr is Odin, and this is the figure of Odin I have in the house:

So that gives you a pretty good idea of my seriousness level.

Riothamus12 · « **Reply #13 on:** August 25, 2013, 12:19:45 am »

Quote from: veggiewolf;119794

Is there a specific reason?

Because my workings are serious things. Now granted I could see how six of the seven from the faith of the seven in ASOIAF could be referenced and it would fall in line, but generally speaking, I don't see a resonance with them. I also consider my workings to be very serious affairs. Filk is not something I usually see as serious. I do not pray to Elric of Melnibone so he is not part of my workings. His adventures might amuse me, but he is not subject to my spiritual reverence. Also I would not expect as great an effect. Some would accuse me of being too traditionalistic, others would call me too eclectic. I incorporate some methods and ideas that the most traditionalistic would be less than inclined to use or subscribe to, but I might seem like a wet blanket to a full blown chaote.

yewberry · « **Reply #14 on:** August 25, 2013, 01:29:55 am »

Quote from: Riothamus12;119900

Because my workings are serious things.

Must be exhausting.

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