The Path of the Vitki / Völva 2026
Incense - photo: Jannica Honey
Explore the Ancient Nordic Wisdom Tradition and its Animistic and Shamanic Spiritual Practices
with Olof Lindqvist
Starts 13/14/15 February 2026
Do you long for a deeper connection to Nature and the Earth?
Are you curious about our capacity as humans to journey between worlds?
Have you heard the call of the ancient ones guiding you back to their old wisdom?
Are you intrigued when you hear mention of Freyja, The Norns, Runes or Seiðr?
Do you want to be part of the change and healing in the world?
The Path of the Vitki/Völva is one of deep communication with the land, the spirits, the divine, and your own self. This path brings you on a journey through the Nordic animistic wisdom tradition. It is an exploration into the old ways of our northern ancestors – knowledge that has been left to us as pieces of a puzzle. These pieces are for us to weave together with our own present-day experiences into a powerful web – the web of Urðr to which we are all connected.
In this course, you will journey through the wisdom of the Vitki/Völva, the people of the old ways who carried the old wisdom. The image of the Völva as the old Norse sorceress is perhaps more well-known. Her title means “staff carrier,” referring to the staff used in the important and powerful Seiðr (a shamanic practice of communicating with the spirits) — a symbol of her status and power. Vitki means “knowledgeable one” and is often used in the sources as a male equivalent to the Völva. Throughout this course you will get a deeper, more complex understanding of these titles and what they might mean for us today. We will deconstruct modern, patriarchal interpretations of these figures and find our own way back to the older truths. The Vitki/Völva always seeks to know the way of the spirits and the worlds beyond, gathering wisdom through their journeying. Their practice is also deeply dedicated to the service of their community. These are just two of the many words describing the wisdom-carriers in pre-Christian Scandinavia. You will learn to see the world through their eyes and walk through the landscapes with their soft but firm steps.
Runes - photo: Jannica Honey
You will meet the power of the Norse Goddesses, Freyja, Frigg, Hel, and the Norns who carve the runes of Fate. You will meet Oðinn, the seiðrmann and wise sage who teaches us to journey to hidden realms. You will learn magic, divination, and spiritual practices for your own spiritual journey. Most importantly, the course will empower you to be a healing force and change in the world.
This course is not an attempt to recreate the world of late iron–age Scandinavia, nor is the goal to re-enact the historic past. Rather, it is a living, breathing practice on which we stand deeply rooted in the world today. My spiritual practice is based on old Norse history, written sources, and folk traditions but always in service to the needs and visions of the world today. It is animist in nature, breaking down ideas of hierarchy and violence. It is a course which centres around reciprocity and relationship to Nature. This practice honours all life and all beings on our Mother Earth.
When
Friday, Saturday, Sunday 10:00am to 5:00pm.
Where
Each Thread takes place in the Miracles Room, the Glastonbury Experience Courtyard, 2-4 High Street, Glastonbury BA6 9DU.
What to bring
Pen and paper, clothing fit for walking the land and a drum if you have one (not mandatory).
Lunch/Snacks
Lunch / food is not included. However, tea and light snacks are provided.
Course dates and details
You can find course dates and details of the course circles here.
Course fee payments
Fees
Sliding scale fees paid in full at the beginning of the course. A non-refundable deposit of £200 secures your place.
Full Fee:
Scale One: Household income below £20,000 per annum: £1,290
Scale Two: Household income between 20,000 and £28,999 per annum: £1,350
Scale Three: Household income above £29,000: £1,450
We hold a policy of honesty.
The £200 non-refundable deposit is payable within four weeks of acceptance by the tutor. If you have applied within four weeks of the course start date your deposit must be received by 30th January 2026, and by return if the tutor’s acceptance is after this date. You may pay the balance of fees at any time up to the course start date of 13th February 2026, or by the instament plan outlined below.
Payment by instalments attracts a one-off £50 administration fee.
Including the £50 admin fee, the payments will be (depending on your household income):
Scale One: Income below £20,000: Non-refundable deposit of £200 plus eight monthly payments of £142.50 beginning 13th February 2026.
Scale Two: Income between £20,000 and £28,999 per annum: non-refundable deposit of £200 plus eight monthly payments of £150 beginning 13th February 2026.
Scale Three: Income above £29,000 per annum: Non-refundable deposit of £200 plus eight monthly payments of £162.50 beginning 13th February 2026.
Signed Terms & Conditions are an integral part of the course application process and should also be received by us within four weeks of your receiving confirmation of acceptance on the course.
Please make payments to: Glastonbury Goddess Temple.
You can find the fee payment page here.
How to apply for the course
You can find everything you need to apply for the course here.