As inspired by Raven Stark’s Song of the Seiðstafr, a little bit about my Spirit Staff.
I’ve always been a lover of walking sticks and staffs, more so than any other kind of tool. When I was younger, I had a walking stick that was my faithful woods exploring companion, and once a life saver against a timber rattler. I was heart broken when my mom burned it without asking me. Even though she knew it was my walking stick that I had for years, if something didn’t hold meaning to her it was worthless. That being said, I do have my trusty walking stick in the astral.
Over the years, I’ve collected many—found and bought—staffs. I have a found one for Baba Yaga and a nice blue one made by a local crafter. Its not dedicated to anyone but has strong Óðinn and Great Blue Heron vibes (this particular bird I strongly associate with the liminal Gaulish Garanis Crane and with the Norse Frigg). I also consider my cane as a healing and support tool, adorned with cute stickers and symbols. Years ago, I bought a beautiful birch stick from one of those craft stores and it became part of my cleric costume for our DnD games. (Yes, I am that kind of nerd.)
I never treat my sticks and staffs as objects, regardless of what they’re made from and how). I’m an animist and spirit worker, I always treat them with respect and communicate with the spirits within the material. This one always felt pleasant…and something more.
In early 2023, my seiðr teachers, Freyja and Frigg, inspired me to turn my cleric birch staff into a Spirit Staff, or a Seiðrstafr. So in March, during a trance possession, I began working on it.
Stained red with cinnamon, dragon’s blood resin, and rose. Painted with my hand prints, which go up and down the shaft (represents climbing in and out of the Other). Freyja and Frigg’s name carved in runes. Anointed with my blood. Sealed with an iridescent polish. Dedicated to these two Goddesses, as well as my other seiðr mentors and guides.
At the top are two white-tailed deer spikes set in a way that looks like a distaff (antlers that I’ve had since middle school. I’ve used them in the past as ritual daggers, but that was never their purpose. The Spirits within the antlers are happier as part of the seiðrstafr). I also decorate it with trinkets that the Spirit within the stick wants, such as silver chains, a fake tooth, wood beads, red fabric.
Two years ago, I added jingle bells. Last year I crocheted a blue sack for a rattle. The bells are attached, but the rattle sack isn’t, because I can’t always shake/tap the staff and trance. Sometimes depending on the set up, it’s easier to hold the staff with one hand and rattle with the other. (But I do prefer to use both hands to hold my staff when trancing.)
Once dedicated, a Tomte moved in and has been my “partner-in-crime” every since. He’s given me permission to share their name, Alum. I always take Alum to psychic events that I work and to public rituals that I host. The Tomte does have some quirks/rules:
On dark moons, I give blood to my Alum, a Freyja statue, and a Seiðkona statue.
During ADF rituals, after I drink, I always give Alum and the Seiðkona statue a droplet of the Waters of Life.
Unless traveling, the staff doesn’t like to be laid down. Always standing.
Physical contact. It was everyday contact, just a touch, but with my ADHD it’s hard for me to remember that contact, even though I keep the staff in my spiritual space where I am a lot of the time. Literally standing next to me. But the Spirits aren’t dumb or non-observant, they know about my neurodivergencies. It’s not a discipline issue, it’s a memory and spoons issue. I touch and greet the seiðrstafr when I remember.
When I give offerings outside to the Nature Spirits and other Kindred, I bring Alum if I have a hand free.
Whenever I take a walk, especially to talk to the Nature Spirits and meditate/trance, I bring em. The staff offers connection and support, because outside meditation/trance usually involves me standing—it’s hard for me to get up off the ground.
Alumlets me know what trinkets it wants to be adorned with.
This year, I began camping,
To learn basic survival skills.
To deepen my seiðr skills and connections.
Since I have a lot of stuff to carry and usually need my cane, my staff isn’t strong enough to support my weight. Alum and I decided to make a mini seiðrstafr to take with me on these journeys. I won’t share that photo yet, because it’s not ready—it’s not “dressed”, as he puts it.
That’s a little bit about one of my spirit allies and companions, Alum the Seiðrstafr.
Thanks for the support!
Face to the Sun.
Trust in Joy.
Follow the Foxes and the Bees…
~ Priestess Foxlyn