Uppsala: Mound Sitting

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Mound Sitting

The initiate begins this rite preferably in the evening. The rite must be conducted either on a burial mound, or a crypt, or on a grave, or at least at a crossroads, where traditionally the dead might be raised. At first the initiate should meditate, and open himself to the forces of death and the dead. Once this is done a fire should be built. If a fire is impossible then a candle might be lit. If this is absolutely impossible then the fire may be eliminated, but this should only be done if absolutely necessary. Around the fire should be writ the following nine sentences, given below, in runic form:

Far below, Hela's hall
Holds the dear departed.

Dwelling there as well is one,
Wise and strong, whose aid I seek.

And frosty, frail, the Gioll bridge
From here to there does run.

How to call from out of howe
Hero, shade, and ghost I know.

Now I call, now I call
AKOZER, the dead shall rise!

Hear my call, harken well
Head across the bridge to me.

Sacrifice of strength I've made
Sent to aid the journey here.

Take it all, take it now
Tell me what I want to hear.

My word is binding, more binding than sleep, more binding than the promise of a hero!

After these sentences have been writ the initiate must make a sacrifice to bring the runes to life. Preferably this should be of blood. With nine sentences it is not expected the initiate should color every rune individually, but if a little is let to drop over the sentences it should suffice. If this cannot for some good reason be, then the initiate must call up his hamingja and breath nine times upon the sentences with hamingja-laden breath.

Once this has been done the initiate must say "Dagaz. It is done."

Then the initiate should lie down with a stone upon his chest, that should be weighty enough to feel heavy and inhibit breathing, but not so weighty as to be dangerous. The meditative state should be re-entered or strengthened, as necessary. Once an altered state of consciousness is attained the weight should be removed and an seated posture taken. A hood or broad-brimmed hat should be worn and pulled over the eyes, covering them. The dead should be called to either by specific name, or by title (such as "ancestor"), or by some other symbol. The mind should either be kept pure and blank or the forehead, at the location of the third eye, should be focused upon, whichever rings more true for the initiate.

Images will arise and pass away. Whatever happens these should not be interfered with. They should not be overly interpreted. Some, especially towards the beginning, will be elements of the subconscious mind. But when the initiate feels light-headed, and all around him seems to shine, or when the hairs on the back of the neck or arm rise then any impression that seems to be from a spirit can be taken as such. This will presently resolve itself into an image of a spirit, or at least a definite sense of presence. Often, especially to those with little experience with genuine spirit contact, the spirit will seem to be just over the shoulder. If this occurs no effort must be made to turn to face it or to make it stand in front, for either of these will just likely ruin the state of mind necessary for the mystery. The spirit may be questioned, either aloud or with the thoughts. After the spirit is let go (which should be done if the spirit requests it) it should be thanked. The fire should be doused and the runes wiped away. As an alternate method of practice instead of a hat or a hood the fire may be looked into, in which case the dead will appear within it as a vision. If at any point during the mystery the initiate feels in danger from the spirit and fears the experience may turn into an unwanted form of channeling or possession then the arms should be crossed to keep the spirit out of the body.