Queering the Runes with Siri Plouff

The Elder Futhark create a beautiful system of divination, though finding good information about them can be difficult - especially for queer, progressive, modern heathens and witches. Norse mythology includes an incredible diversity of gender and sexual expression, but this has been largely excluded from books published on contemporary heathenry or runic divination. Even worse, the runes have been wrongfully co-opted by white supremacists and heathens have to actively fight against this stereotype of the rune reader.  In recent years, rune readers have been reclaiming the feminine side of the runes, bringing nuance to a divination style that is largely perceived as “masculine" - however, the runes themselves are not inherently gendered. If we're going to challenge toxic masculinity in 20th century rune work, why not blow open all concepts of "traditional" gender roles? Why not create out of the runes a kaleidoscope of animist relation to the world - a world that doesn't run on human concepts of gender and sexuality?

In this talk, Siri will explore the queer qualities of the runes through understanding pre-Christian Nordic gender concepts, translating that through a simulation and simulacra, and carving from this root culture a modern future-facing divination system.

About the Presenter:

Siri Plouff (they/them) is a Nordic witch, rune reader, and tarot reader based on Anishinaabe and Dakota land, AKA Minneapolis, MN. As an unabashedly queer person, they are constantly interrogating runes and Nordic practices through a unique lens of gender identity. They share their knowledge of all things heathenry on their podcast, “The Heathen’s Journey.” They are in training with Kari Tauring, a modern-day völva. Siri teaches about the runes, tarot, and witchcraft. Their signature courses are the Radical Runes Course and the Witchcraft Immersion. Their next book, “Queering the Runes,” will be released by Weiser Books in October 2024. They are also the co-author of “Lessons from the Empress: a tarot workbook for self-care and creative growth.”

THIS CLASS IS ONLINE ONLY! If you are unable to make the live  streaming of this class, don't worry - the recording will be available for you. The class link will be emailed to you in your registration confirmation. The class recording link will be emailed to you within 3-5 business days of the conclusion of the event.

By purchasing access to this event you agree to the following Non Disclosure:

This Agreement is between The Salem Witchcraft & Folklore Festival (also know as Salem Witch Fest)(“OWNER”); and the Purchaser (“RECIPIENT”). WHEREAS, OWNER has developed through substantial effort, research, time, and expense certain inventions, design concepts, methodologies, technical know-how, copyrightable material and trade secrets directed and related to this class.  (“INFORMATION”); WHEREAS, OWNER desires to disclose the INFORMATION on a confidential basis to RECIPIENT.  The OWNER wishes to maintain the confidentiality of the INFORMATION and the protection of OWNER'S intellectual property rights. NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the   mutual promises, covenants, and conditions contained herein, the sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged, the parties agree as follows: I. CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION A. OWNER agrees to disclose INFORMATION to RECIPIENT for the purposes of an online class. B. RECIPIENT agrees to receive such INFORMATION and to refrain from copying, disclosing, using, selling, or offering for sale any and all of said INFORMATION. RECIPIENT agrees to keep confidential and refrain from disclosing any and all of the INFORMATION, and to take all necessary and reasonable steps to prevent unauthorized disclosure or use of any and all of the INFORMATION.  Failure to uphold this NDA may result in legal action.