Carl Nordblom, UK
"I started being interested in the occult in my late teens, and have been “dabbling” with ceremonial and modern types of magic since then. However, I never found a practice which really seemed to put emphasis on results, as well as being comprehensive enough to really go to the depths of things…With decades of experience and being extremely well-versed...Johannes has the ability to meet the student at their individual level and sees where their strengths are at, along with where they need more training…Each session brings about a new discovery, method or insight, which deepen and solidifies my practice of magic and spirit work in ways I previously thought were impossible."
Betsy Bergstrom, US
I can’t tell you how much your classes and apprenticeship have changed, deepened and freed me and my perceptions. I value and respect all that you do and put into your courses and trainings.
Corinne Boyers, US
" I have been working closely with Johannes Gårdbäck for nearly one and a half years. I approached him with the specific intention of wanting more training to build up my confidence and knowledge to do practitioner work. Coming from a background in traditional witchcraft, folk magic, plant lore and trance work, I felt that even with all of the tools that I had already acquired, there was something missing. I am so glad that I followed my intuition and had the opportunity to work with Johannes. My training with him has far exceeded my expectations.
Johannes is a gifted teacher and practitioner with so much experience that his approach is practical, no nonsense and efficient. He is extremely generous with his knowledge, for those that are committed to doing the work. He challenged me and tested me in ways that I would have never sought on my own and at times, pushed me gently out of my comfort zone in order to polish my skills and put them to use. He is helpful and thorough with his guidance, and ultimately very encouraging. While he has high standards, his expectations are realistic and he has been very understanding when life gets busy. At the same time, I feel blessed to have a teacher with such skill and discernment.
Johannes is also a walking encyclopedia of folk lore and magical applications, it is a joy to be exposed to this. He is always willing to answer my many questions, and has been very patient with the learning process. I feel honored to work with him and feel much more well rounded in my ability to do practitioner work for others, including spirit work, spell work and all manners of practical magic. He has expanded my horizons considerably as he is one of the few people that I have met that thinks like an old school magical practitioner- he focuses on the magic and the work being done, rather than the image or the aesthetic. Also, nothing shocks him which is great. He has pretty much seen it all.
If you are called to working closely with spirits, helping others in the invisible realm, doing the practical and getting your hands dirty type of folk magic, if you enjoy being challenged and problem solving, and if you have high ethics in regards to your magical work, Johannes is a wonderful guide, mentor, teacher and resource
Erik Ohlsen, US
“Authentic magic, wisdom that seems to rise from the sacred wells. A living tradition that breathes life into my every cell. This is the best way I can describe my feelings and experience of Johannes Gårdbäck’s Trolldom Program. Life-changing and life-affirming. Johannes not only teaches a living magical tradition, but ancient Nordic wisdom that emerges from the land itself. The connection to nature, our own selves, and the inherent power that pulses within us is all unlocked through the Trolldom Course. I’ve never felt more connected to my ancestors, to the soil, and never more empowered with magical technique. For me, there’s life before the Trolldom class and there’s life after. Thank you, Johannes, I will never be the same.” Erik Ohlsen
Miklos K, Hungary
...Johannes’ book was published and in his book I found endless pages of information; both on the historical facts of Trolldom and hundreds of practical, time honoured practices found in the tradition. For me it was the time when I knew I need to study from this person; his descriptions and background information deeply convinced me of his knowledge. After I finished the book (and re-read it many times through the last few years), I started on a journey of studying about the Norse / Scandinavian folk magic, mythology and folklore / folktales. Finally I came to a deep conclusion of the endless similarities between Trolldom and my own nation’s folk magic practices...Johannes will give students these first bricks and upon this solid foundation build a palace with all the knowledge he can teach.
What is really amazing about him is that he is not restricted to Trolldom, he is an endless source of information about the magical practices of the world in and of himself... In the person of Johannes I found an excellent teacher / mentor whom I can call a friend without any doubt.
Simone Kotva, Sweden
Johannes' new apprenticeship program is AMAZING and just what I needed. If you want magic without the nonsense, if you want to work on your skills and technique and save the fireside speculating for, well, the fireside - this is the place for you. Not only is the coaching excellent, your fellow students are just as impressive. You will be training alongside serious practitioners (many of them professionals) who are there for the walk, not the talk. I loved this. It has improved my practice, boosted my confidence, but above all encouraged my accountability. My magic is more effective but also more attentive as a result of taking the apprenticeship program. I will always be grateful to the friend who told me to check out Johannes' courses. Life-changing is a word that gets thrown about a lot, but in this case it's spot on.
Katherine Rita, US
These courses have been a life-changer both as a professional and how I walk in the world. They get to the heart of folk magic and ripen an authentic relationship to Nature. They nurtured my own creativity and trust in my instincts as I learned from direct experience many times over. I understood former limiting perceptions and blind spots which led to a maturation of skills beyond what I imagined possible. These teachings are multi-layered from profound insights for the soul to practical tools in daily life, I recommend these for anyone called to a path of living wisdom.
Jo Hendrikson, US
Learning from Johannes has been an absolutely amazing experience. He has been an inspiring and enriching influence on my path. His teachings are foundational for anyone looking to truly unfold their spiritual or magical path. His approach is honest and nurturing while bringing out what is already inside you so you may thrive in your own power. He pulls from a deep well of knowledge and experience that seemingly has no bottom, carried with humility and clarity, and always rooted in lived practice. His guidance has given me tools and skills I can truly use and has helped me trust more deeply in my own connection. I’m grateful for the way he continues to guide and offer insight toward how I walk my practice, and every contribution he passionately sows in the fields of his expertise. Not enough can be said - and words cannot truly express my deepest appreciation and gratitude for the opportunity to train under him.
Katy M, US
I've really enjoyed the last 2.5 years of studying with you, and I will miss regularly being in class. I hope to take classes again with you in the future!!
Thank you, thank you, thank you! It's been a liberating, empowering, fun and life changing experience to study with you.