It is mentioned in several sources, including the Grágás (The Gray Goose Laws), Fóstbræðra saga, Haraldskvæði and Eiríks saga rauða. In the sagas sitting out is interwoven with seidr-magic, clairvoyance and contact with the supernatural. With the spread of christianity the practice was banned, but in modern Ásatrú and other pagan paths it has been revived, now also as a form of meditation, self-knowledge and deep nature-connection.

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When practicing útiseta, choosing the location is crucial: according to the sagas, burial mounds, mountain peaks and sacred springs were the most common sites, and the practice was usually carried out at night, at full moon or on significant ritual days. Clarifying your intention is important - it may be divination, inner guidance, healing knowledge or self-inquiry. It was often accompanied by silence, fasting, or varðlokur - an ancient, repetitive chant that supported contact with the spirit world.

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MY FIRST FULL MOON ÚTISETA

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I had heard about this kind of meditation before, but it was actually one of Alvigunilla’s Instagram Reels that inspired me to take it more seriously and really give it a try.

The monastery where I eventually meditated was built in the 13th century in Romanesque style. A little historical side note: this is where Queen Gertrude, wife of King Andrew II of Hungary, was buried. The nearby spring and the ruins together make a perfect setting for such an occasion.

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Originally, I wanted to do my first útiseta back in May, on the land of one of my "ancestral branches" in northern Slovakia, not far from the town of Žilina, a region full of old castle ruins and rock formations - among them a special, shrine-like rock formation (Súľov rocks). From the middle of the site and from the tops of the rocks there is a huge, clear alpine panorama. But it was very cold at the time, I couldn’t sleep outdoors so I spent two nights shivering in the car and only managed a smaller, daytime meditation out in a field after a very exhausting hike.

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The number 8 has personal significance for me so in the end I chose August 8th (8.8.) as a worthy date for my first full moon útiseta meditation. The Moon actually reached its peak on the morning of the 9th, so this night felt the strongest. This time I prepared more consciously: two weeks earlier I started a serious detox and fast, which turned out to be very beneficial in several ways. :)

My original goal was connection with spirits and a more conscious connection to my fate. Of course, I did not manage to sit motionless all night long, as one might romantically imagine, and my concentration was not particularly strong - I still have to get used to these situations. Still I’m glad I took the step and saw it through. :)

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At first, the place felt pleasant and quiet, although from time to time dogs barking and howling could be heard in the distance which pulled me out of it a bit. When I unpacked my little pre-prepared altar and laid out my tools, in the middle of arranging my runes it suddenly occurred to me to draw three of them for guidance - what I should focus on more strongly. Raidho, Isa and Uruz appeared - a classic sequence describing a full-night meditative working process. I did my best to follow that thread even though little sounds and noises often distracted me.

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One of the "most exciting" moments was around half past ten when a curious, sniffing fox - at least I’m pretty sure it was a fox - came so close that I could even feel the "freshness" of its breath. :) The Moon’s magical light illuminated the monastery ruins for four to five hours and from time to time it lit me up as well. From the bushes behind me other animals were also watching throughout the night.

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Surprisingly, I worried a lot more beforehand about my fears than I actually needed to in reality. The place itself and the fact that throughout the night I could always see in the grey light whenever I opened my eyes, gave me a sense of safety and homeliness. Since I was sitting on rocky ruins, it wasn’t possible to remain motionless all night so from time to time I meditated standing up or did a bit of stretching in the moonlight under the stars. I noticed fairly early that my senses had sharpened and even the scent of my hair was different from before. The early morning breeze felt especially pleasant as I tried to hold on with the rune Uruz in my hand. :)

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By morning I was very tired, and my legs were probably still under the influence of Isa somehow but the Moon’s energy had deeply recharged me. As tends to be the case with me, the real effect did not show up immediately, but days or even weeks later…

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Anyway, I recommend it to anyone who is not afraid to look a little crazy, because with conscious preparation and some experience it can be a very powerful journey of self-knowledge and a great experience. :)

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HOW TO PREPARE AND HOW TO DO IT

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1. Choose the place that calls you

The heart of útiseta is the location. Old Norse sources especially emphasize the importance of power places:

• Burial mounds - connecting with ancestors, a deeper understanding of fate.

• Mountain peaks, rocks - spiritual clarity, seidr practices.

• Old sacrifice sites - closer to the gods and the ancestors.

• Sacred springs - visions and purification.

• Forests, open land - encounters with the spirits of nature (landvættir).

It’s important that the place is safe and undisturbed - you will be alone here with your thoughts, with nature and perhaps with something more. It is said that for safety you can bring one or two people but you must keep enough distance from each other so that everyone’s meditation remains undisturbed. So it’s best to go with someone who also takes it seriously and is open to such things. :)

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2. The time when the veil is thin

According to the sources, útiseta was often done at night when the boundary between the worlds is softer:

• Midnight - when the veil between worlds is at its thinnest.

• Full moon - amplifies the power of visions.

• The dark half of the year - a time of insight and wisdom.

• Sacred days and feasts - for example Winter Nights, Midwinter Blót, Victory Blót, solstices.

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3. Preparation and intention

Know exactly why you are sitting out. You may be seeking a vision of your fate, wanting to connect with gods or ancestors or asking for guidance on an important question.

Preparations can include:

• Detox, fasting - for clearer "signal strength".

• Purification ritual - for example washing in spring water.

• Offerings - honey, beer, bread, rune stone.

• Drum, song or chanting (varðlokur) - to open the mind.

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4. Varðlokur - the spirit-calling song

The first part of the word varðlokur (varð) can mean "guard" or "protection", and the second (lokur) can mean "closing" or "spell". So it can be understood as "protective song" or "guardian chant". With repetitive, hypnotic melodies it calls upon gods, spirits or other beings.

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5. Sitting out

• Sit comfortably with a straight back, on the ground, on a stone or on a mound.

• Open your senses: feel the wind, the pulse of the earth, let the night wrap around you.

• Be patient - the signs do not always come immediately.

• If your mind wanders, gently guide your attention back to your intention.

• Accept the signs: animal sounds, inner images, sensations - all may carry messages.

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6. Closing

• Thank the place and its spirits for their presence.

• Ground yourself: touch the earth, eat something, drink water.

• Write down your experiences so their meaning can unfold later.