Navajo witchcraft extermination refers to the historical attempts made to eradicate witchcraft practices among the Navajo people, a Native American tribe predominantly residing in the southwestern United States. Witchcraft has long been a part of the Navajo culture, rooted in their traditional beliefs and rituals. However, during the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the U.S. government and Christian missionaries sought to suppress and eliminate these practices. This period of extermination involved a complex blend of cultural imperialism, religious conversion, and attempted assimilation.
This period of extermination involved a complex blend of cultural imperialism, religious conversion, and attempted assimilation. One of the main reasons behind the witchcraft extermination efforts was the clash between Navajo beliefs and Christianity. Missionaries aimed to convert the Navajo people to Christianity and viewed their traditional practices as incompatible with their religious teachings.
Norse Goddess Magic: Trancework, Mythology, and Ritual (Paperback)
Combining traditional research on folklore and the Eddas with trancework and meditation techniques, Alice Karlsdóttir was able to rediscover the feminine side of the Norse pantheon and assemble working knowledge of 13 Norse goddesses for both group ritual and personal spirit work.
Detailing her trancework journeys to connect with the goddesses, the author reveals the long-lost personalities and powers of each deity. She explores the Norse goddess Frigg the Allmother, wife of Odin, along with the 12 Asynjur, or Aesir goddesses, associated with her, such as Sjofn the peacemaker, Eir the Healer, and Vor the Wisewoman. She shares their appearances in the Eddas and Germanic mythology and explains the meanings of their names, their relationships to each other, and their connections to the roles of women in Old Norse society. She provides detailed instructions for invocations and rituals to call each goddess forth for personal and group spirit work. She also offers a comprehensive guide to ritual tranceworking to allow anyone to directly experience deities and spiritual beings and develop spirit-work relationships with them.
About the Author
Alice Karlsdóttir has been involved in the Germanic Heathen revival for nearly 40 years, both as a student of Scandinavian and Northern European mythology and folklore and as a practicing Norse Pagan (Asatru). She is a Master in the Rune Gild, an initiatic organization for the teaching and research of runelore and runework, and has been a priestess in several kindreds. She has contributed articles to a number of publications, including Gnosis Magazine, as well as given workshops and presentations on runes, tranceworking, and ritual at various festivals. She lives in Houston, Texas.
Praise For…
“ Norse Goddess Magic is a powerful, evocative, and above all practical book by a highly qualified author. Alice Karlsdóttir was involved in the Germanic religious revival in America from its earliest days, and her insights will be valuable for anyone desiring to experience the goddesses of the ancient and eternal North.”
— Stephen McNallen, founder of the Asatru Folk Assembly
“In this important and original work Alice Karlsdóttir, a leading expert on Norse religion, makes new and dramatic teachings available and applies these methods in a practical way in order that the ancient Norse goddesses can speak directly to those who seek their ageless wisdom. This book is something that can guide practitioners in all traditions in a process of esoteric discovery of what lies hidden in often obscure and scant mythological references. She concentrates on the often neglected goddesses of the Norse pantheon, especially the goddess Frigg. The teachings pioneered by this author show the way to move from the known to the unknown and shine a light that illuminates the darkness.”
— Stephen Flowers, Ph.D., author of Icelandic Magic and Lords of the Left-Hand Path
“Karlsdóttir’s accessible, practical, and engaging guide to the goddesses of the Norse tradition covers not only the mother goddess Frigg but many of the lesser-known deities as well. By studying myth, reading ancient texts, and engaging in trancework you can experience these ancient archetypes yourself and strengthen your connection with them. Karlsdóttir explains the necessary steps to enter the trance state and embark upon an enjoyable journey and safe return. She introduces thirteen Norse goddesses, among them healers, protectors, counselors, and messengers. Norse Goddess Magic: Trancework, Mythology, and Ritual is a wonderful addition to any library and will enrich your knowledge of mythology, magic, and the Divine Feminine.”
— Skye Alexander, author of The Modern Guide to Witchcraft and Sex Magic for Beginners
“Alice Karlsdóttir brings the thirteen Norse goddesses of the Aesir alive within us through her research but especially through her teachings of trance. She shows us how to experience each goddess personally and the values each has to teach. The values taught by each goddess take the meaning of compassion, nurturance, and protection to a much deeper level of our soul, the soul of the family, the community, and of our Great Earth Mother.”
— Nicholas E. Brink, Ph.D., author of Baldr’s Magic: The Power of Norse Shamanism and Ecstatic T
There is a lot to glean from Norse Goddess Magic . Whether you are new to Heathenry, an experienced practitioner, or even from a different branch of Reconstructionist spirituality, it is a worthy addition to your collection.
— Spiral Nature
- Body, Mind & Spirit / Shamanism
- Body, Mind & Spirit / Goddess Worship
- Self-help / Spiritual
- Kobo eBook (April 22nd, 2015): $12.99
If you have any questions about the availability of a book listed on the website, please refer to these Inventory Status Descriptions or call us at 504.895.2266.
Please Note: Inventory on the website is only updated once a day (middle of the night). The date of the last update is listed on the inventory record.
You put in an internet search and BOOM, you’re confronted with content that tells you all this stuff you feel is because you’re really just failing at doing the whole “man” thing. Then they sell you some soap to soothe you into thinking that you’re reclaiming that lost vitality through the sent of pine tar and cigar smoke.
Furthermore, the U.S. government's assimilation policies sought to eradicate Native American cultures and traditions, including witchcraft practices. These policies aimed to promote Christianity and Euro-American values, effectively erasing Native American identities. To eradicate witchcraft, the U.S. government and Christian missionaries implemented various strategies. Missionaries preached against witchcraft and demonized Navajo healers, leaders, and practitioners of traditional ceremonies. They emphasized the perceived negative aspects of witchcraft, labeling it as evil and devilish. In addition to religious conversion, government agencies like the Bureau of Indian Affairs actively suppressed Navajo ceremonies and rituals. Government-sponsored boarding schools played a crucial role in the extermination efforts. Native American children were forcibly taken from their families and sent to these schools, where they were prohibited from practicing their traditional beliefs and were taught Christian values instead. This disruption of intergenerational transmission of cultural knowledge significantly impacted the preservation of witchcraft practices. Despite these efforts, Navajo witchcraft persisted and even experienced a resurgence in the later half of the 20th century. The Navajo people, recognizing the importance of cultural preservation, fought against the extermination policies and worked to revive their traditions. This resistance was driven by a sense of cultural pride and the realization that their identity as Navajo was intimately tied to their traditional practices. Today, Navajo witchcraft and spiritual traditions continue to be an integral part of the Navajo culture. Efforts to preserve and promote these practices are ongoing, with individuals and organizations working to document and pass down the knowledge to future generations. The Navajo people's resilience in the face of extermination serves as a testament to the strength of their cultural identity and the importance of safeguarding their heritage..
Reviews for "Indigenous Resistance: Navajo Witchcraft Extermination as a Form of Activism"
1. Jane - 1 star - I was extremely disappointed with "Navajo witchcraft extermination". The entire premise of the book seemed highly exploitative and disrespectful towards the Navajo culture. The author focused solely on sensationalizing Navajo witchcraft practices rather than offering any genuine insight or understanding. It felt like a cheap attempt to cash in on cultural curiosity without any true appreciation or respect for the subject matter. I would not recommend this book to anyone.
2. Mark - 2 stars - I found "Navajo witchcraft extermination" to be a shallow and shallowly researched book. The author seemed more interested in compiling anecdotes and myths rather than conducting in-depth research or engaging with Navajo communities. The content lacked substance and depth, and it often felt like the author was simply regurgitating the same information found in introductory resources. If you're looking for a comprehensive and respectful exploration of Navajo culture and witchcraft, I suggest looking elsewhere.
3. Sarah - 1 star - "Navajo witchcraft extermination" was an offensive and deeply problematic book. The author consistently perpetuated harmful stereotypes and misconceptions about Navajo culture and spirituality. Instead of approaching the topic with the sensitivity it deserves, the author sensationalized and misrepresented Navajo practices, ultimately contributing to the exoticization and othering of an already marginalized community. I strongly advise against reading this book or supporting such careless and harmful portrayals of indigenous cultures.
4. Michael - 2 stars - While "Navajo witchcraft extermination" had an intriguing premise, it failed to deliver on genuine insight or meaningful exploration. The author seemed more interested in capitalizing on sensationalism and exploiting the curiosity surrounding Navajo witchcraft rather than offering a balanced and well-researched perspective. The book lacked depth and often relied on outdated and problematic stereotypes. I was left feeling unsatisfied and disappointed with this shallow portrayal of a complex and rich cultural tradition.