The introduction to each episode features a reproduction of the imagery that has always accompanied my great-grandfather as he appears during our channeling sessions. My great-grandfather (53rd actually) was born in what is today Bjergby Sogn, north-western Jutland of Denmark in the year 731 A.D. By the age of twelve seasons he was brought into a group called the Ulfhednar or (Odin's own) which represents the wolf-skin.

Some things to know about my grandfather that you might not know. His right eye is pale to represent his primary god, Odin. He wears a great cloak to keep the weather off, and a sword or axe as he was a warrior first, Shaman of his people second. Sometimes you may see him in chain armor as was the case when they conquered other lands, taking their weaponry and armor for their own needs. He wears a hammer (Thor's hammer) around his neck as we all do and paints his face to make it harder to recognize his face (an early form of camouflage).

Divination using the Norse runes was a very powerful way to understand our forward trajectory in this life time. It is during a trance that I call upon the gods to deliver the information through the practice of divination.

As I have come to embrace my personal ancestry, the spirits have called me to adorn myself differently than the others so that they may recognize me as I traverse the physical/spiritual realms. There are several items that I'll draw your attention to with the full regalia of a Norse/Celtic Shaman.

First, we have to discuss the headdress. There are four elements I draw your attention to.

1. Antlers of caribou - The caribou of northern Alaska use their antlers to defend themselves, but also for digging through the snow covered lands for untapped foods hidden beneath. In much the same way the Sami peoples of Norway and Sweden have celebrated for thousands of years, the Shaman embraces the gifts of the gods to undercover the truth beneath the surface of our understandings.
2. Fur cap - The fur represents the protection against the elements. As a natural barrier between the animal and the environment around them, the fur protects and allows the wearer to call up on the gods to keep them warm and safe.
3. Head and jaws of the arctic fox - While the wolf of the Ulfhednar is cunning and sharp, the fox represents a higher level of intellect and tactical advantages over its larger, more powerful, relative. By applying the jaws of the fox to the headress, it completes the ability of the animals to speak through the Shaman, thereby allowing the words to be of the universal truths.
4. Feathers of the raven - Odin depended on his ravens Huginn and Muninn to review the world of Midgard and report back to him the necessary intellect from their travels. So too does the Shaman rely on the Ravens of Odin to report all that is to be known that the Shaman may be knowledgeable in all things about life on Midgard.

In addition, the Shaman wears the "Necklace of Gullveig" which symbolizes a rise from the depths of death to live again. Gullveig was three times burned to death and rose to live eternally. A powerful Vanir witch who was feared by the AEsir would go on to pass her powerful magic to my goddess Freyja. Her affinity for gold had sparked the war between the tribes of the gods, which would ultimately be settled by an exchange of prisoners.

You will find a large collection of Celtic symbolism contained within the regalia, as I recognize both: my connection to the Norse gods, as well as their forebearers, the Celts.

Drapes and robes help the spiritual entities find me on the physical realm, and capture their attention so as to feel their infusion of energies.

Being a Shaman for me, means that I do not rely on my physical sensory input to communicate or learn. Most often during these self-induced trances, I use my heart and my spiritual mind to communicate, therefore I cover the ears and eyes from attempting to draw my attention away from listening with my heart and spiritual mind. The gravely voice you hear is actually what happens to me during a trance, I have been taught it is the "voice of the many", therefore it is part of who I am.

Throughout my ancestral history lies a deep connection with the Celtic understandings that developed from the southern portions of the Iberian peninsula. This understanding has interwoven itself throughout the understandings I have of my tribe that moved North from the lands of what was Germania (Germany today) to the lands of the Jutland of Denmark. My tribe, called the Danes, would go on to settle most of what is today, Denmark, as the word Denmark means "march of the Danes". These Celtic influences and understandings would provide additional knowledge above and beyond what either the Celtic or Norse beliefs brought within themselves.

As a modern-day guy would was discovered by my spiritual ancestors, I attempt to translate what my grandfather and other spiritual entities have taught me into modern day lessons that we could take away. Notice I said "could"? I am simply a conduit between my ancestors and the modern-day. I do not claim, nor accept responsibility for, those beliefs of my ancestors. I too am learning the lessons that they teach me every day.