Songs of Yggdrasil: Shamanic Chants from the Northern Mysteries [Audiobook] [Audio CD]

Freya Aswynn (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 8, 2002

If you want to experience the power and beauty of the Norse tradition, rather than just read about it, you must have this CD! Freya Aswynn, Priestess of Odin and Rune Mistress, presents the history of runes in what can only be called a magical performance. Both powerful and moving, these chants are living, potent spells. Included on this extraordinary 40-minute CD is a unique adaptation of the Havamal, the ancient myth of the runes and how they were discovered by Odin.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Born in Holland, Freya Aswynn was aware of her natural psychic abilities as early as four years old, often able to perceive what would occur before it did.  At the age of 19, with no real formal education except for the abilities to read and to write, Aswynn decided to develop her gift even further.  She initially joined a spiritualist group, and later went on to study such subjects as Rosicrucianism, Astrology, Cabala, Thelema, and was eventually initiated into Wicca in 1980.

After awhile, Aswynn began to question why the only gods mentioned were Graeco-Roman or Celtic in descent because they had no relationship to her own Dutch heritage.  She then came to discover that there in fact were Nordic gods, and it was after a difficult personal experience that she became devoted to the Norse god, Wodan.  It was Wodan’s help that influenced Aswynn to begin her research on the occult and the Northern traditions.  Runes had had an important impact on her life, so she began by studying them and their connection to Northern Europe and also began her first book, Leaves of Yggdrasil.  She is also the author of Principles of the Runes, Northern Mysteries & Magick: Runes, Gods & Feminine Powers, and an audio CD, Songs of Yggdrasil: Shamanic Chants from the Northern Mysteries.

Product Details

• Audio CD
• Publisher: Llewellyn Publications (September 8, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0875420230
• ISBN-13: 978-0875420233
• Product Dimensions: 5.6 x 4.8 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (19 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #765,265 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Dynamic example of runework in action, March 23, 2001

By 

Floyd C. Johnson (Roosevelt, AZ United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Songs of Yggdrasil: Shamanic Chants from the Northern Mysteries (Audio CD)

Looking at the CD from an Asatru standpoint, I found her chants, invocations, and nithing to be inspiring. The addition of echo and a white noise background effect gives her strong high voice a chilling quality. -It'll raise the hairs on the back of your neck when you first hear it. I recommend the album to anyone who's studied runic practice and interacted with a Asatru ritual such as a blot. It's easier to understand if you've heard the process before.

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great CD, October 25, 2000

By 

"snowcatguy" (Eugene, OR USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Songs of Yggdrasil: Shamanic Chants from the Northern Mysteries (Audio CD)

This CD comes with her Northern Mystries book (which I highly reccomend).

I agree with a previous reviewer that lacking the liner notes (when purchased with the book) is an unfortuneate oversight. However, for those who are interested in hearing the vibration of Rune names, some recital of norse poetry (translated into english) and an invocation for ritual, this CD is a must have.

Her voice is incredible and, where appropriate, chilling. Buy this CD!

17 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Errr.....Well, um.....it's interresting, November 7, 2002

By 

Rachel Watkins "Rachel Watkins" (Joshua, Texas) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Songs of Yggdrasil: Shamanic Chants from the Northern Mysteries (Audio CD)

If you like chilling, witchey, and erie sounding chants you'll love this CD!

As far as the technical quality of this recording, I can't say much. It sounds as if she is in a metal echo chaimber for much of this cd. As far as the accompanying sounds....can't say it's much there either. It sounds like something you'd hear on bad sci-fi.

However, to give credit where it is due, this is a decent way to start to learn galdr if you don't have an experienced teacher. I wish there were other recordings of Galdr avalible on the market. You may want to check out other chant recordings of the eddas avalible.