The Power in Middle World
by Evelyn C. Rysdyk
In the country of Iceland, the spirits that inhabit Middle World are still strong. Snorri Sturluson reported the existence of four mighty guardians in his, Heimskringla: The Lives of the Norwegian Kings, published around 1220. Here is the story of the guardians and other Middle World beings working to save the island from being conquered by the Danish King:
From his ship on the sea, King Haraldr Gormsson of Denmark told a warlock to travel ahead to Iceland in some altered shape to try to learn what he could and report back to the him. The warlock obeyed and set out in the shape of a whale swimming westward to the island.
When he came near to Iceland he went to the west side, north around the land, where he saw all the mountains and hills full of guardian-spirits, some great, some small.
When he came to Vopnafjörðr he went in towards the land, intending to go on shore; but a huge dragon rushed down the dale against him with a train of serpents, paddocks, and toads, that blew poison towards him.
Then he turned to go westward around the land as far as Eyjafjörður, and he went into the fjord. Then a great bird (eagle) flew against him, which was so great that its wings stretched over the mountains on either side of the fjord, and many birds, great and small, flew with it.
Then he swam farther west, and then south into Breiðafjörður. When he came into the fjord a large grey bull ran against him, wading into the sea, and bellowing fearfully, and he was followed by a crowd of land-spirits.
From thence he went round by Reykjanes, and wanted to land at Víkarsskeið, but there came down a hill-giant against him with an iron staff in his hands. He was a head higher than the mountains, and many other giants followed him.
He then swam eastward along the land, and there was nothing to see, he said, but sand and vast deserts, and, the ocean between the countries was so wide without any place on which to land, that no long-ship could cross and land there
Upon hearing the warlock's story, the Danish king turned about with his fleet, and sailed back to Denmark.
Here is the reverse side of the Icelandic ten-kronur coin.
Belief in these spirits still runs so strongly in the Icelandic culture that the government has placed images of the guardians on the money! While the fronts of the coins have images of Icelandic wildlife, the reverse has images of spirits beings struck into the metal--the Dragon, the great Bird(eagle), the Bull and the Hill Giant!
I believe the choice Icelanders have made to keep the knowledge of the Middle World spirits vital and alive contributes to the incredible vitality of the Icelandic landscape. Transcendent Middle World spirits are not only a place's protectors, they are part and parcel of a "living" ecosystem. When people are in relationship with the Middle World spirits, the land is more energetically vibrant. In addition, the act of being in relationship with the Middle World spirits is beneficial to the human beings who live in the place.
These spirits inhabit a place which overlaps the physical and nonphysical realms. In other words, they are able to be in both worlds. They function as conduits for the pure and enlivening energy of the spiritual to enter the physical world. Their existence in our world supports a land to be healthy and full of life.
When humans enter into and nourish relationships with these beings, we are contributing to the continued vibrancy of the Natural World. In addition, the action of being in relationship with the fairies, elves, green men and women, giants and the like--changes us. We also become more inspirited and learn to live and work in harmony with the flow of All That Is. These relationships also keep the spirits "engaged" with us so that they continue to partially remain in our world. As a result, we and the world around us reaps the benefit of their splendid vitality.
To begin working with these spirits does require some caution. While the spirits I am referring to in this article are helpful they must be approached with respect and care. The Middle World spirits are not "domesticated". Rather they have a primordial wildness and their own kinds of "cultural mores". As a result, it is always best to consult first with the spirit beings with whom you already have a strong and trusted relationship. For the shaman, these are your primary teacher and or power animal.
These personal guides can identify the transcendent, Middle World spirits with whom it would be beneficial to enter into relationship. They can guide the initial contact and support the ongoing interactions. Once a firm relationship is established, the benefits will begin to be felt. Even in places that initially may have felt quite dispirited, can be transformed into vibrant energy-filled places through the power of the Middle World Spirits.
At Home (thread painting) © 2003 Missy Stevens www.missystevens.com/
Steps for working with Middle World Spirits:
1. Spending time on the land.
Nothing takes the place of being out exploring the energies, textures, and sights of the natural world. If you are ready to begin working with the spirits of Middle World, first get a "feel" for the place. What are the dominant features of this particular landscape? What elements of the landscape seem to stand out in their power, size and feeling? Really let yourself explore the area with "fresh" eyes, ears and heart. Connect well with the spirits of the trees, rocks and waters. Get so well acquainted that you develop a vivid place memory--so that even indoors with your eyes closed--your soul/heart can return there instantly.
2. Who is there?
Once you have the place "memorized" in your heart, take a journey to the spirit of that place with your personal spirit guide/teacher or power animal. Let them show you the "hidden" aspects of the now familiar landscape. Allow them to introduce you to the spirits of the dominant landscape features.
Across the River (thread painting) © 1992 Missy Stevens www.missystevens.com/
3. What is your name?
Once introduced to these spirits of the dominant landscape features get to know them. Like any other relationship, begin with the essentials--learn their names! While we know the human names for these beings, we usually have no idea how they prefer to be called. For instance, the local river near our home is called the Royal River, but the river calls itself, Wyahtah. When we do work with the river, we call her by name. She knows us and so she receives our offerings and responds to our requests.
4. What do you want from me?
This is the step that all the unfortunate characters in myths always forget to ask! It always makes good sense to find out what the obligations and expectations are when engaging in relationship. For instance, there are some things I cannot do physically. For instance, if in order to be in relationship with the river, the spirit expects me to spend a few hours at the bottom of her--I need to know that up front! I can decide how to proceed and perhaps negotiate a different path of interaction. I have the opportunity to explain that I cannot do this and would like to find another way to get to know the river better. I may ask such questions as: "Would me kayaking on your surface be acceptable?", "What kind of offerings do you prefer?" and "How often would you like to be honored?".
5. How can you help me?
Once you know what is expected of you, it is possible to petition the spirit for assistance. These spirits of place are powerful allies for a shaman. It is as though you become part of a large and beneficial family that is always ready to pitch in and support your life.
The Greenman (acrylic painting) © 2004 Evelyn C. Rysdyk www.spiritpassages.com/
6. The Middle World "People"
Now that you know the spirits of place, it's time to meet the Middle World "people." These are transcendent spirits such as elves, fairies, green men, earth dragons and the like. Begin as before with a journey. Ask your trusted teacher or power animal to introduce you to the Middle World People on your land. If you've been doing the work of stepping into relationship with the spirits of the trees, rocks and such, they will already know about you. They will know you from your actions from your heart!
7. Follow steps 3-5 with these new acquaintances!
As before, follow the steps of asking their name, what the spirit wants from you, how they can help you and how you can be in relationship.
The relationships that you forge with the transcendent Middle World spirit people will enrich your life beyond measure. These beings have so much to teach us and we have so much to remember about being stewards of this beautiful planet!
- Evelyn
Evelyn C. Rysdyk, author of Modern Shamanic Living is a nationally recognized presenter. Included in the book Traveling Between the Worlds she is among the world’s most influential writers and teachers of shamanism.
Originally trained in core shamanism, she has integrated practices taught to her by elders from North and South America, Central Asia, Nepal and Siberia. She is also a Medicine for the Earth Teacher--teaching ways that transfigured human energy can heal our planet.
With her partner C. Allie Knowlton, MSW, LCSW, DCSW she presents
eco-spiritually focused training programs--which include advanced shamanism and shamanic healing---across the USA and Canada. In addition, as a founding member of True North, a unique, integrated medical center in Falmouth, Maine--she collaborates with physicians, nurses, a psychiatrist, a naturopath and several other complementary healthcare practitioners to provide a new model of health care that includes the spirit.
www.spiritpassages.org
www.spiritliving.org
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