Runes: Theory & Practice

6 Galdr

Galdr, from the Old Norse verb gala, which means “to crow, to cry, to scream,” and the noun gal, which means “screaming” or “howling,” is a form of magical song or chant common to Northern Tradition magic. It is an incredibly potent form of magical practice, one in which the voice itself becomes the conduit for the power the vitki is raising. Galdr most often goes hand-in-hand with runes; the twinning of these two forces can be tremendously potent.

When a person galdrs, it isn’t a matter of just stringing notes together; there is form, pattern, rhythm, and intent. The rune is expressing itself, telling a story and taking both the singer and the listener(s) someplace. It is revealing its essence. When someone galdrs, one doesn’t just hear ...