THE ART OF SORCERY

The Prophetess

Within the context of Norse mythos, a seeress is the orator of the Norse cultural origin story, Voluspa. In this poem, Odin raises a seeress from the dead to inquire about his fate. Her response is the composition of poem itself. Her narrative recounts the most ancient events - the origin of the cosmos, the primordial forces that shaped it, and the emergence of life, along with key aspects of mythic history before revealing the prophecy of Odin's death at Ragnarok. In raising the seeress from the dead, the transmission of prophetic knowledge is directly associated with death and rebirth.  

The line, "Alone I sat, when the Old One [ancient one] sought me... I know where Othin's eye is hidden," associates the seeress directly with the well of Mimir, and indicates Odin's remarkable sacrifice occurred in the very ancient past, Thus, it is apparent that Odin had already gained the power of prophecy, yet he raised the seeress rom the dead to gain further wisdom.  It is significant that Odin offers necklaces and rings in exchange for the dead woman's knowledge. Rings are commonly associated with seidr women in archaeological assemblages.  

1. "...Thou wilt, Valfather, | that well I relate
Old tales I remember | of men long ago."

"Much do I know, | and more can see 

Of the fate of the gods, | the mighty in fight."

28. Alone I sat | when the Old One sought me, 

The terror of gods, | and gazed in mine eyes: 

"What hast thou to ask? | why comest thou hither? 

Othin, I know | where thine eye is hidden."  

29. "I know where Othin's | eye is hidden, 

Deep in the wide-famed | well of Mimir; 

Mead from the pledge | of Othin each mom [morning]

Does Mimir drink: | would you know yet more?" 

30. "Necklaces had I | and rings from Heerfather, 

Wise was my speech | and my magic wisdom; 

.    .    .    .    .        .    .    .    .    . 

Widely I saw | over all the worlds."

(Bellow's Translation, 1936). 

Gollveig

The Voluspa also tells the account of the mysterious and powerful sorceress, Gollveig, and of her remarkable power over life and death. The gods speared her and burned her three times, and each time, she was reborn. After being reborn the third time, she was mysteriously transformed and renamed as the seeress, Heith. 

Bellows (1936) translates Gollveig  as "Gold-Might" and Heith possibly as "Shining One....a name often applied to wise women and prophetesses." Other's have interpreted Gollveig as  "Gold Lust/Intoxication," and associate Gollveig with Freya based on their presumably shared lust for gold. These mysterious passages continue to elude definitive interpretation, however, it is clear that Gollveig possessed a type of "Golden Power" - a power over life and death - that Odin could not overcome, despite his mastery of the craft. 

21. The war I remember, | the first in the world,
When the gods with spears | had smitten Gollveig,
And in the hall | of Hor had burned her,
Three times burned, | and three times born,
Oft and again, | yet ever she lives.

22. Heith they named her | who sought their home,
The wide-seeing witch, | in magic wise;
Minds she bewitched | that were moved by her magic,
To evil women | a joy she was.

(Trans. Bellows, 1936)

http://www.heathengods.com/library/poetic_edda/BellowsEdda/poe03.htm

The story of Odin's sacrifice to the well of Mimir is among the most profound stories in North mythos. The Havamal tells the profound rite that Odin practiced - a sacrifice of 'himself to himself.' He cut out his eye, cast it into the well of knowledge, speared himself, hung himself from the cosmic tree, and suspend there for nine days and nine nights without food or water. Thus suspended from the tree of life, at the threshold of life and death, gazing into the well of Mimir, the depth of which no man may know, Odin had a transformative experience. He saw the runes and took them up. From thence, Odin applied his knowledge of the runes for all manner of intentions and spell-craft purposes. 

139. I ween that I hung | on the windy tree, 

Hung there for nights full nine; With the spear 

I was wounded, | and offered I was To Othin, myself to myself, 

On the tree that none | may ever know What root beneath it runs.

140. None made me happy | with loaf or horn, 

And there below I looked; I took up the runes, | shrieking I took them, 

And forthwith back I fell.

(Trans. Bellows, 1936)

Remarkably, in the passages of Voluspa cited above, the seeress recounts this moment. From the narrative structure, she is directly associated with the well of Mimir, as if to suggest that the two are one and the same. 

In the final passages of the poem, Odin specifies eighteen spells, each for a different purpose. These are recounted in Attestations of Spell Craft in Poetic Eddas below. 

Concerned after learning about Balder's dream, Odin rides Sleipnir to  the underworld and enters Hel  through the eastern  door, where he wakes a seeress from the dead to gain insight: 

4. Then Othin rode | to the eastern door,
There, he knew well, | was the wise-woman's grave;
Magic he spoke | and mighty charms,
Till spell-bound she rose, | and in death she spoke:

5. "What is the man, | to me unknown,
That has made me travel | the troublous road?
I was snowed on with snow, | and smitten with rain,
And drenched with dew; | long was I dead."

...Othin Spake:
8. "Wise-woman, cease not! | I seek from thee
All to know | that I fain would ask:
Who shall the bane | of Baldr become,
And steal the life | from Othin's son?"

Later, in the poem, Odin identifies the seeress as, "The mother of three monsters." It is plausible that Odin may be referring to the three children of Loki and his first wife, Angrboda. 

An exchange of insults between Loki and numerous Aesir gods and goddesses reveals details about Frigg and Gefjun's gifts of foresight: 

Freyja spake:
29. "Mad art thou, Loki, | that known thou makest
The wrong and shame thou hast wrought;
The fate of all | does Frigg know well,
Though herself she says it not."

Othin spake:
21. "Mad art thou, Loki, | and little of wit,
The wrath of Gefjun to rouse;
For the fate that is set | for all she sees,
Even as I, methinks."

Loki also reveals how  Odin dressed in women's clothes and practiced witchcraft:

Loki spake:
24. "They say that with spells | in Samsey once
Like witches with charms didst thou work;
And in witch's guise | among men didst thou go;
Unmanly thy soul must seem."

(Bellow's Trans.)

Passages in the Ynglinga saga are widely recognized for their characterization of the arts and particularly seidr. In these passages, Odin is venerated for his mastery of the arts, including siedr craft. The detailed association between Odin and seidr attests to its ubiquity in ancestral Norse cultural traditions. 

The account describes a diversity of remarkable feats that Odin was capable of, including skald-craft, war magic, shapeshifting, enchantment, prophecy, travel magic, animal communication, necromancy, elemental magic, and others. Price (2004) characterizes the arts that Odin practiced more broadly as Odinic Magic and notes that the Odinic Magic and seidr can be "interpreted in a similar context" (pp: 110).  Orchard (1997) specifies that seidr is "a particular form of magic..." (pp: 137); particular forms of the craft are identified in stanza seven (below). Notably, in this and in other accounts, Odin's practices are integrally entwined with the use of words and runes.  

The saga also attests to behavior associated with learning of the arts. It tells that Odin, "and the Diar with him introduced and taught to others the arts which the people long afterwards have practiced." Although  it also tells that Odin, "...knew them first, and knew many more than other people" (stanza 6),  it also attests that Freya, " first taught the Asaland people the magic art, as it was in use and fashion among the Vanaland people" (stanza 4) . These passages elucidate a traditional view of the origins, evolution,  persistence and continuity of cultural arts traditions. The author eloquently adds, "and from that time witchcraft spread far and wide, and continued long" (stanza 7). 

Due to their importance, the following passages from the Ynglinga Saga are cited in full from Laing's 1844 translation:

Chapter 6. Of Odin's Accomplishments

When Odin of Asaland came to the north, and the Diar with him, they introduced and taught to others the arts which the people long afterwards have practised.  Odin was the cleverest of all, and from him all the others learned their arts and accomplishments; and he knew them first, and knew many more than other people.  But now, to tell why he is held in such high respect, we must mention various causes that contributed to it. When sitting among his friends his countenance was so beautiful and dignified, that the spirits of all were exhilarated by it, but when he was in war he appeared dreadful to his foes.  This arose from his being able to change his skin and form in any way he liked. Another cause was, that he conversed so cleverly and smoothly, that all who heard believed him.  He spoke everything in rhyme, such as now composed, which we call scald-craft.  He and his temple priests were called song-smiths, for from them came that art of song into the northern countries.  Odin could make his enemies in battle blind, or deaf, or terror-struck, and their weapons so blunt that they could no more but than a willow wand; on the other hand, his men rushed forwards without armour, were as mad as dogs or wolves, bit their shields, and were strong as bears or wild bulls, and killed people at a blow, but neither fire nor iron told upon themselves.  These were called Berserker.

Chapter 7. Of Odin's Feats 

Odin could transform his shape: his body would lie as if dead, or asleep; but then he would be in shape of a fish, or worm, or bird, or beast, and be off in a twinkling to distant lands upon his own or other people's business.  With words alone he could quench fire, still the ocean in tempest, and turn the wind to any quarter he pleased.  Odin had a ship which was called Skidbladnir, in which he sailed over wide seas, and which he could roll up like a cloth.  Odin carried with him Mime's head, which told him all the news of other countries.  Sometimes even he called the dead out of the earth, or set himself beside the burial-mounds; whence he was called the ghost-sovereign, and lord of the mounds.  He had two ravens, to whom he had taught the speech of man; and they flew far and wide through the land, and brought him the news.  In all such things he was pre-eminently wise.  He taught all these arts in Runes, and songs which are called incantations, and therefore the Asaland people are called incantation-smiths.  Odin understood also the art in which the greatest power is lodged, and which he himself practised; namely, what is called magic [seidr].  By means of this he could know beforehand the predestined fate of men, or their not yet completed lot; and
also bring on the death, ill-luck, or bad health of people, and take the strength or wit from one person and give it to another. But after such witchcraft followed such weakness and anxiety, that it was not thought respectable for men to practise it; and
therefore the priestesses were brought up in this art.  Odin knew finely where all missing cattle were concealed under the earth, and understood the songs by which the earth, the hills, the stones, and mounds were opened to him; and he bound those who dwell in them by the power of his word, and went in and took what he pleased.  From these arts he became very celebrated.  His enemies dreaded him; his friends put their trust in him, and relied on his power and on himself.  He taught the most of his
arts to his priests of the sacrifices, and they came nearest to himself in all wisdom and witch-knowledge.  Many others, however, occupied themselves much with it; and from that time witchcraft spread far and wide, and continued long.

Trans. Laing, 1844

https://www.sacred-texts.com/neu/heim/02ynglga.htm

Erik the Red's saga is widely cited as the most descriptive account of a seeress in ancient Norse literature. She is identified as a woman named Thorbjorn. Her appearance in the saga is brief, but the narrative reveals key details about seidr within the context of Norse social structure. The account suggests that she lived, "in the settlement" with other Greenlanders and that she traditionally made rounds to people's homes in the winter time. To some extent, this contradicts characterization of seeresses as wanderers; although the people are said to be "curious" about her, and also that she did wander about during winter,, the text also strongly suggests that she nevertheless resided within the "settlement."

    
The account describes her physical appearance and includes detail related to material culture associated with her practice.  These literary details have proven useful in cross-examination of archaeological data (see Seidr in Archaeology below). To illustrate, the account describes her clothing, her staff and her bag of talismans. Significantly, Thorbjorn's staff is described as being, "ornamented with brass, and inlaid with gems round about the knob" (Trans. Kunz, 1997: pp. 658). Numerous viking age burials have produced archaeological materials that are consistent or partially consistent with these details,  including personalized staffs with brass and/or bronze ornamentation (see Seidr in Archaeology below).  

Chapter 4. Description of Thorbjorg

At that time there was a great dearth in Greenland; those who had been out on fishing expeditions had caught little, and some had not returned. There was in the settlement the woman whose name was Thorbjorg. She was a prophetess (spae-queen), and was called Litilvolva (little sybil). She had had nine sisters, and they were all spae-queens, and she was the only one now living. It was a custom of Thorbjorg, in the winter time, to make a circuit, and people invited her to their houses, especially those who had any curiosity about the season, or desired to know their fate; and in as much as Thorkell was chief franklin thereabouts, he considered that it concerned him to know when the scarcity which overhung the settlement should cease. He invited, therefore, the spae-queen to his house, and prepared for her a hearty welcome, as was the custom wherever a reception was accorded a woman of this kind. A high seat was prepared for her, and a cushion laid thereon in which were poultry-feathers.

Now, when she came in the evening, accompanied by the man who had been sent to meet her, she was dressed in such wise that she had a blue mantle over her, with strings for the neck, and it was inlaid with gems quite down to the skirt. On her neck she had glass beads. On her head she had a black hood of lambskin, lined with ermine. A staff she had in her hand, with a knob thereon; it was ornamented with brass, and inlaid with gems round about the knob. Around her she wore a girdle of soft hair, and therein was a large skin-bag, in which she kept the talismans needful to her in her wisdom. She wore hairy calf-skin shoes on her feet, with long and strong-looking thongs to them, and great knobs of latten at the ends. On her hands she had gloves of ermine-skin, and they were white and hairy within.  Now, when she entered, all men thought it their bounden duty to offer her becoming greetings, and these she received according as the men were agreeable to her. The franklin Thorkell took the wise-woman by the hand, and led her to the seat prepared for her. He requested her to cast her eyes over his herd, his household, and his homestead. She remained silent altogether.

During the evening the tables were set; and now I must tell you what food was made ready for the spae-queen. There was prepared for her porridge of kid’s milk, and hearts of all kinds of living creatures there found were cooked for her. She had a brazen spoon, and a knife with a handle of walrus-tusk, which was mounted with two rings of brass, and the point of it was broken off.When the tables were removed, the franklin Thorkell advanced to Thorbjorg and asked her how she liked his homestead, or the appearance of the men; or how soon she would ascertain that which he had asked, and which the men desired to know. She replied that she would not give answer before the morning, after she had slept there for the night.  And when the (next) day was far spent, the preparations were made for her which she required for the exercise of her enchantments. She begged them to bring to her those women who were acquainted with the lore needed for the exercise of the enchantments, and which is known by the name of Weird-songs, but no such women came forward. Then was search made throughout the homestead if any woman were so learned.

Then answered Gudrid, "I am not skilled in deep learning, nor am I a wise-woman, although Halldis, my foster-mother, taught me, in Iceland, the lore which she called Weird-songs.""Then art thou wise in good season," answered Thorbjorg; but Gudrid replied, "That lore and the ceremony are of such a kind, that I purpose to be of no assistance therein, because I am a Christian woman."

Then answered Thorbjorg, "Thou mightest perchance afford thy help to the men in this company, and yet be none the worse woman than thou wast before; but to Thorkell give I charge to provide here the things that are needful."

Thorkell thereupon urged Gudrid to consent, and she yielded to his wishes. The women formed a ring round about, and Thorbjorg ascended the scaffold and the seat prepared for her enchantments. Then sang Gudrid the weird-song in so beautiful and excellent a manner, that to no one there did it seem that he had ever before heard the song in voice so beautiful as now.The spae-queen thanked her for the song. "Many spirits," said she, "have been present under its charm, and were pleased to listen to the song, who before would turn away from us, and grant us no such homage. And now are many things clear to me which before were hidden both from me and others. And I am able this to say, that the dearth will last no longer, the season improving as spring advances.The epidemic of fever which has long oppressed us will disappear quicker than we could have hoped. And thee, Gudrid, will I recompense straightway, for that aid of thine which has stood us in good stead; because thy destiny is now clear to me, and foreseen. Thou shalt make a match here in Greenland, a most honourable one, though it will not be a long-lived one for thee, because thy way lies out to Iceland; and there, shall arise from thee a line of descendants both numerous and goodly, and over the branches of thy family shall shine a bright ray. And so fare thee now well and happily, my daughter."

Afterwards the men went to the wise-woman, and each enquired after what he was most curious to know. She was also liberal of her replies, and what she said proved true. After this came one from another homestead after her, and she then went there. Thorbjorn was invited, because he did not wish to remain at home while such heathen worship was performing.

The weather soon improved when once spring began, as Thorbjorg had said, Thorbjorn made ready his ship, and went on until he came to Brattahlid (the steep slope). Eirik received him with the utmost cordiality, saying he had done well to come there. Thorbjorn and his family were with him during the winter. And in the following spring Eirik gave to Thorbjorn land at Stokknes, and handsome farm buildings were there built for him, and he dwelt there afterwards.

http://heathengods.com/library/icelandic_sagas/eiriks_saga_rauda.en.html

There are several attestations of seidr in the Saga of the People of Vantansdal. It also includes an account of  what seems to be different magical tradition identified as trolldami, which is included here for comparative purposes.  

Chapter #.  Account of Lapp Seeress

The saga includes an account of a Lapp Seeress, "splendidly attired," who "sat in a high seat." It  tells that, "men left their benches and went forward to ask [her] about their fates." Her role in the narrative is small, but informative. She tells a man named,  Ingimund, "What I am saying will come to pass and, as a sign of this, an amulet is now missing from your purse... and it now lies in the wood where you will settle, and on this silver amulet the figure of Frey is carved, and when you establish your homestead there, then my prophecy will be fulfilled" (Smiley, 2001; pp. 204-205). 

Þeir Ingjaldur efna þar seið eftir fornum sið til þess að menn leituðu eftir forlögum sínum. Þar var komin Finna ein fjölkunnig. Ingimundur og Grímur komu til veislunnar með miklu fjölmenni. Finnan var sett hátt og búið um hana veglega. Þangað gengu menn til frétta hver úr sínu rúmi og spurðu að örlögum sínum. Hún spáði hverjum eftir því sem gekk en það var nokkuð misjafnt hversu hverjum líkaði. Þeir fóstbræður sátu í rúmum sínum og gengu eigi til frétta. Þeir lögðu og engan hug á spár hennar.

Chapter 26. Ljot, Fjanda and Trolldomi

In contemporary literature, Ljot is often characterized as an "old-witch," however, she is actually denoted in text as a "fjanda, "  which translates closely to the English word, fiend. She is also identified as a "kerling," a woman of low standing (as opposed to Fru). She is said to be troll-like (tröllslega) and practiced a type of sorcery identified as "trölldómi" (troll magic). 

Og er þeir bræður komu að mælti Högni: "Hvað fjanda fer hér að oss er eg veit eigi hvað er?"

 Þorsteinn svarar: "Þar fer Ljót kerling og hefir breytilega um búist." 
Hún hafði rekið fötin fram yfir höfuð sér og fór öfug og rétti höfuðið aftur milli fótanna. Ófagurlegt var hennar augnabragð hversu hún gat þeim tröllslega skotið. Þorsteinn mælti til Jökuls: "Dreptu nú Hrolleif, þess hefir þú lengi fús verið." Jökull svarar: "Þess er eg nú albúinn." Hjó hann þá af honum höfuðið og bað hann aldrei þrífast. "Já, já," sagði Ljót, "nú lagði allnær að eg mundi vel geta hefnt Hrolleifs sonar míns og eruð þér Ingimundarsynir giftumenn miklir." Þorsteinn svarar: "Hvað er nú helst til marks um það?" Hún kvaðst hafa ætlað að snúa þar um landslagi öllu "en þér ærðust allir og yrðuð að gjalti eftir á vegum úti með villidýrum og svo mundi og gengið hafa ef þér hefðuð mig eigi fyrr séð en eg yður." Þorsteinn kvað þess von að hamingja skipti með þeim. Síðan dó Ljót kerling í móð sínum og trölldómi og eru þau úr þessi sögu.


Chapter 44. Thordis and Her Staff

The prophetess, Thordis, lends her cloak and staff to affect the outcome of a case at an Althing  The account is as follows:

She then said to Thorkel, "Go now in my black cloak and carry in your hand the staff which is called Hognud... You will go to Gudmand and strike him three times with the staff on his left cheek; it does not seem to me that you are due for an early death and this may work" (Smiley, 1997l; pp. 262-263). 

The cloak and staff are elements of material culture associated with seidr that recur in literary accounts and in archaeological contexts.

Chapter 47. Account of Weather Magic

In this account, a man named Bard  applies his craft to alter weather conditions.

There was a man named Bard... he also went with them. They asked them to call off the bad weather, because he had the wisdom of a magician (margkunnigur). He asked them to join hands and make a circle; he then went round three times backwards, spoke in Irish and bade them all say 'yes' out loud - and this they did. He then waved a kerchief at the mountain and the weather relented"

(Smiley, 1997 )

Bárður hét maður og var kallaður stirfinn. Hann fór með þeim. Þeir báðu hann af taka veðrið því að hann var margkunnigur. Hann bað þá handkrækjast og gera hring. Síðan gekk hann andsælis þrisvar og mælti írsku. Hann bað þá já við kveða. Þeir gerðu svo. Síðan veifði hann giska til fjalls og tók þá af veðrið.

Chapter 7: Sorceress & Shape-Shifting:

"It is now told that Signy was sitting in her room one time when very powerful witch visited her. Signy said to her: I would like for the two of us to switch our forms.The witch answered, That's for you to decide. And so the witch used her magic to cause the two women to exchange shapes" (Trans. Crawford, 2015).

Saga of the People of Laxardal

Chapter 32. Dream Interpretation and Prophecy:

A man named Gest interprets several dreams and predicts future events.

Chapter 35. Male and Female Practitioners:

A man named Korkel had only recently immigrated to Iceland, along with his wife, Grima, and their sons Hallbjorn Slickstone-eye and Strigandi. They were all from Hebrides, all of them skilled in witchcraft and accomplished magicians. Hallstein had received them on their arrival and settled them at Urdir in Skalmalfjord, where their presence was anything but welcome (Smiley, 1997)

Under construction:

Numerous attestations

- Seidr in Frodi's Hall

- Hvit: Gand Sorceress  

- Bodvar's Prophecy  

- Skuld

There are many accounts of prophetic dreams throughout the Icelandic sagas. This particular type of prophetic power is not limited to priestly classes. Any character might potentially have a prophetic dream. 

Saga of King Harald. 

The Saga of King Harald attests to three men who have prophetic dreams. 

Chapter 83. Gurd's Dream:

While they lay at the Solunds a man called Gyrd, on board the
king's ship, had a dream.  He thought he was standing in the
king's ship and saw a great witch-wife standing on the island,
with a fork in one hand and a trough in the other.  He thought
also that he saw over all the fleet, and that a fowl was sitting
upon every ship's stern, and that these fowls were all ravens or
ernes; and the witch-wife sang this song: --

    From the east I'll 'tice the king,
    To the west the king I'll bring;
    Many a noble bone will be
    Ravens o'er Giuke's ship are fitting,
    Eyeing the prey they think most fitting.
    Upon the stem I'll sail with them!
    Upon the stem I'll sail with them!

Chapter 84. Thord's Dream:

There was also a man called Thord, in a ship which lay not far
from the king's.  He dreamt one night that he saw King Harald's
fleet coming to land, and he knew the land to be England.  He saw
a great battle-array on the land; and he thought both sides began
to fight, and had many banners flapping in the air.  And before
the army of the people of the country was riding a huge witch-
wife upon a wolf; and the wolf had a man's carcass in his mouth,
and the blood was dropping from his jaws; and when he had eaten
up one body she threw another into his mouth, and so one after
another, and he swallowed them all.  And she sang thus: --

"Skade's eagle eyes

The king's ill luck espies:
Though glancing shields
Hide the green fields,
The king's ill luck she spies.
To bode the doom of this great king,
The flesh of bleeding men I fling
To hairy jaw and hungry maw!
To hairy jaw and hungry maw!"

Chapter 85. King Harald's Dream:

King Harald also dreamt one night that he was in Nidaros, and met his brother, King Olaf, who sang to him these verses: --

"In many a fight
My name was bright;
Men weep, and tell
How Olaf fell.
Thy death is near;
Thy corpse, I fear,
The crow will feed,
The witch-wife's steed."

Many other dreams and forebodings were then told of, and most of them gloomy.

https://www.sacred-texts.com/neu/heim/10harald.htm

Saga of Gisli Surrson . Chapter #. Gisli's Dream

Gisli was a wise man who dreamed a great deal and whose dreams were prophetic."He dreamed of two women, "one of them good to me," and the other "..only prophesies ill for me..." Gilsli tells that the good woman advised him, "to stop following the old faith for the rest of my life, and to refrain from studying any charms or ancient lore. She told me to be kind to the deaf and the lame and the poor and the helpless."

Gisli recounts four versus, two of which speak directly to a moral code:

'Bringer of death in battle 

from words spoken by poets, 

take and learning only what is good,' 

said Nauma's gold to me. 

Almost nothing is worse, 

for the burner of shields, 

the spender of sea-fire, 

than to be versed in evil.

Do not be the first to kill 

nor provoke into fight 

the gods who answer in battle.

Give me your word on this, ring-giver, 

shield of Balder. Beware, 

evil resides in scorn 

Shown to the lame and needy.

(From Sagas of Icelanders,  Smiley, 1997: pp 531-532)

In the final passages of the poem, Odin specifies eighteen spells, each for a different purpose. Some of these are paralleled in greater detail in the passages of Svipdagasmol [see below]). Bellow's (1936) explains, "With this stanza [147]  begins the Ljothatal, or list of charms. The magic songs themselves are not given, but in each case the peculiar application of the charm is explained."

147. The songs I know | that king's wives know not,
Nor men that are sons of men;
The first is called help, | and help it can bring thee
In sorrow and pain and sickness.

148. A second I know, | that men shall need
Who leechcraft long to use;
.    .    .    .    .    .    .    .    .    .
.    .    .    .    .    .    .    .    .    .

149. A third I know, | if great is my need
Of fetters to hold my foe;
Blunt do I make | mine enemy's blade,
Nor bites his sword or staff.

150. A fourth I know, | if men shall fasten
Bonds on my bended legs;
So great is the charm | that forth I may go,
The fetters spring from my feet,
Broken the bonds from my hands.

151. A fifth I know, | if I see from afar
An arrow fly 'gainst the folk;
It flies not so swift | that I stop it not,
If ever my eyes behold it.

152. A sixth I know, | if harm one seeks
With a sapling's roots to send me;
The hero himself | who wreaks his hate
Shall taste the ill ere I.

153. A seventh I know, | if I see in flames
The hall o'er my comrades' heads;
It burns not so wide | that I will not quench it,
I know that song to sing.

154. An eighth I know, | that is to all
Of greatest good to learn;
When hatred grows | among heroes' sons,
I soon can set it right.

155. A ninth I know, | if need there comes
To shelter my ship on the flood;
The wind I calm | upon the waves,
And the sea I put to sleep.

156. A tenth I know, | what time I see
House-riders flying on high;
So can I work | that wildly they go,
Showing their true shapes,
Hence to their own homes.

157. An eleventh I know, | if needs I must lead
To the fight my long-loved friends;
I sing in the shields, | and in strength they go
Whole to the field of fight,
Whole from the field of fight,
And whole they come thence home.

158. A twelfth I know, | if high on a tree
I see a hanged man swing;

So do I write | and color the runes
That forth he fares,
And to me talks.

159. A thirteenth I know, | if a thane full young
With water I sprinkle well;
He shall not fall, | though he fares mid the host,
Nor sink beneath the swords.

160. A fourteenth I know, | if fain I would name
To men the mighty gods;
All know I well | of the gods and elves,
Few be the fools know this.

161. A fifteenth I know, | that before the doors
Of Delling sang Thjothrörir the dwarf;
Might he sang for the gods, | and glory for elves,
And wisdom for Hroptatyr wise.

162. A sixteenth I know, | if I seek delight
To win from a maiden wise;
The mind I turn | of the white-armed maid,
And thus change all her thoughts.

163. A seventeenth I know, | so that seldom shall go
A maiden young from me;
.    .    .    .    .    .    .    .    .    .
.    .    .    .    .    .    .    .    .    .

164. Long these songs | thou shalt, Loddfafnir,
Seek in vain to sing;
Yet good it were | if thou mightest get them,
Well, if thou wouldst them learn,
Help, if thou hadst them.

165. An eighteenth I know, | that ne'er will I tell
To maiden or wife of man,--
The best is what none | but one's self doth know,
So comes the end of the songs...

(Trans. Bellows, 1936)

 https://www.sacred-texts.com/neu/poe/poe04.htm

5. "Beer I bring thee, | tree of battle,
Mingled of strength | and mighty fame;
Charms it holds | and healing signs,
Spells full good, | and gladness-runes."

*    *    *    *    *    *

6. Winning-runes learn, | if thou longest to win,
And the runes on thy sword-hilt write;
Some on the furrow, | and some on the flat,
And twice shalt thou call on Tyr.

7. Ale-runes learn, | that with lies the wife
Of another betray not thy trust;

On the horn thou shalt write, | and the backs of thy hands,
And Need shalt mark on thy nails.
Thou shalt bless the draught, | and danger escape,
And cast a leek in the cup;
(For so I know | thou never shalt see
Thy mead with evil mixed.)

8. Birth-runes learn, | if help thou wilt lend,
The babe from the mother to bring;
On thy palms shalt write them, | and round thy joints,
And ask the fates to aid.

9. Wave-runes learn, | if well thou wouldst shelter
The sail-steeds out on the sea;
On the stem shalt thou write, | and the steering blade,
And burn them into the oars;
Though high be the breakers, | and black the waves,
Thou shalt safe the harbor seek.

10. Branch-runes learn, | if a healer wouldst be,
And cure for wounds wouldst work;

On the bark shalt thou write, | and on trees that be
With boughs to the eastward bent.

11. Speech-runes learn, | that none may seek
To answer harm with hate;
Well he winds | and weaves them all,
And sets them side by side,
At the judgment-place, | when justice there
The folk shall fairly win.

12. Thought-runes learn, | if all shall think
Thou art keenest minded of men.

*    *    *    *    *    *

13. Them Hropt arranged, | and them he wrote,
And them in thought he made,

Out of the draught | that down had dropped
From the head of Heithdraupnir,
And the horn of Hoddrofnir.

14. On the mountain he stood | with Brimir's sword,
On his head the helm he bore;
Then first the head | of Mim spoke forth,
And words of truth it told.

*    *    *    *    *    *

15. He bade write on the shield | before the shining goddess,
On Arvak's ear, | and on Alsvith's hoof,
On the wheel of the car | of Hrungnir's killer,
On Sleipnir's teeth, | and the straps of the sledge.

16. On the paws of the bear, | and on Bragi's tongue,

On the wolf's claws bared, | and the eagle's beak,
On bloody wings, | and bridge's end,
On freeing hands | and helping foot-prints.

17. On glass and on gold, | and on goodly charms,
In wine and in beer, | and on well-loved seats,
On Gungnir's point, | and on Grani's breast,
On the nails of Norns, | and the night-owl's beak.

*    *    *    *    *    *

18. Shaved off were the runes | that of old were written,
And mixed with the holy mead,
And sent on ways so wide;
So the gods had them, | so the elves got them,
And some for the Wanes so wise,
And some for mortal men.

19. Beech-runes are there, | birth-runes are there,
And all the runes of ale,

And the magic runes of might;
Who knows them rightly | and reads them true,
Has them himself to help;
Ever they aid,
Till the gods are gone.

(Trans. Bellows, 1936)

 https://www.sacred-texts.com/neu/poe/poe25.htm

Numerous viking age burials throughout  Scandinavia produced archaeological data consistent with descriptions of material culture associated with seidr in ancient literary attestations. The widespread distribution of these burials further elucidates seidr material culture and siedr practice in the context of ancestral Norse social structure. The distributions of burials sites suggests that seidr was an integral aspect of ancient Scandinavian culture, with similarities in material culture spanning widely throughout viking age Scandinavia and beyond. 

Fyrkat, Denmark

A Seeress from Fyrkat?
National Museum of Denmark.
Accessed Online. August, 23, 2021.

https://en.natmus.dk/.../religion.../a-seeress-from-fyrkat/


…there is the very strange Viking woman’s grave, which was found at the ring fortress of “Fyrkat”, near Hobro, in Denmark. Amongst the total of around 30 graves from the site, it stands out because of its unusual grave goods. It was the grave of a female, who may have been a seeress. At the time of burial the woman was dressed in fine blue and red clothes adorned with gold thread – which had royal status. She was buried, like the richest women, in the body of a horse-drawn carriage. She had been given ordinary female gifts, like spindle whorls and scissors. But there were also exotic goods from foreign parts, indicating that the woman must have been wealthy. She wore toe rings of silver, which have not been found elsewhere in Scandinavia. In addition, two bronze bowls were also found in the grave, which may have come all the way from Central Asia.

Amongst the unusual objects were a metal wand and seeds from the poisonous henbane plant. These two accessories are associated with the seeress. The most mysterious object is the metal wand. It has partially disintegrated after the long period in the ground. It consists of an iron stick with bronze fittings. This may have been a wand associated with the practice of magic – a völva’s wand or magic wand. The henbane seeds were found in a small purse.

Oland, Sweden

The Magic Wands of Viking Seeresses?

National Museum of Denmark.
Accessed Online. August, 23, 2021. 


https://en.natmus.dk/.../the-magic-wands-of-the-seeresses/

The völva burial from Köpingsvik, on the Swedish island of Öland, contained an 82 cm long iron staff, with bronze ornamentation and a house represented on top. Accompanying this was a jug from Central Asia and a bronze cauldron from Western Europe. The woman was dressed in bear fur and was buried within a ship setting, or stone ship, which also contained sacrificed animals and humans.

Another völva burial is the Oseberg burial from Norway. This contained the bodies of two women. One was a woman of high status, whilst the other was a slave. Several of the objects in the burial are associated with seid and seeresses, for example a wooden staff or wand, and cannabis seeds in a purse.

At Hagebyhöga in Östergötland, Sweden, another seeress was buried. Apart from her staff or wand, she was placed with horses, a carriage and Arabic bronze jugs, together with a small piece of silver jewellery shaped like a woman with a large necklace. This figure can be interpreted as Freyja – the goddess of the Viking seeresses – who is wearing the necklace ‘Brísinga men.

Roskilde, Denmark

A Völva’s Grave at Roskilde, Denmark.
Ulriksen, Jens.
Kultur Ministeriat (Ministry of Culture, Denmark).

Accessed online. August 23, 2021

https://pure.kb.dk/en/publications/en-v%C3%B8lvegrav-ved-roskilde-danmark

A complex burial from the Viking Age was excavated at Trekroner-Grydehøj in the outskirts of present day Roskilde, Denmark. Grave A 505 was an inhumation demonstrating a ritualized furnishing. Amongst other things the burial A 505 contained two women, half a man, a stallion, a dog cut in two halves, a foetus of a sheep, a small menhir and large boulders, all with a stone covering of granite, flint and chalk. Double graves are often interpreted as the master and his/her slave, the latter executed at the time of the funeral to accompany the first. However, it has also been suggested that some graves with more than one individual could represent a völva, i. e. a seeress and sorceress, accompanying a deceased person to the Otherworld. The identification of a völva rested on a staff-like object of iron. This brings a peculiar metal point of bronze and iron from grave A 505 into consideration. It is suggested that the point is a part of a magic wand and consequently identifies the woman interred as a völva. Besides the pointed staff of magic the presence of an old stallion attracts attention.

The Good, the Bad and the Undead: New Thoughts on the Ambivalence of Old Norse Sorcery. Leszek Gardela, 2009. The 14th International Saga Conference Uppsala. Volume 1. Edited by Agneta Ney, Henrik Williams and Fredrik Charpentier Ljungqvist. Gävle: Gävle University Press.

Gardela summarizes theory on the material culture and the recurrence of Seidr staffs associated with volur burials:

In 2002 Neil Price...convincingly argued that it is possible to identify a number of Viking Age graves as belonging to ritual specialists involved in the practices of seiðr... Although all those graves are in many respects different from one another... it possible to view them as a special, coherent group of burials is the presence of iron “rods” in each one of them. Those “rods”, which in several cases were decorated with bronze knobs, are currently believed to be attributes of the ritual performers and labeled as staffs of sorcery (a term first introduced by Neil Price in 2002). As Price (2002: 175–180) argued, the staff was one of the main attributes of the Late Iron Age performers and there exist many sources which confirm that they were strongly associated with the practices of seiðr.

The Viking Way: Religion and War in Late Iron Age Scandinavia 

Neil Price 2002. Department of Archaeology and Ancient History, Uppsala University. ISBN 91-506-1626-9.

Comprehensive overview of theory and evidence of seidr and in late Iron age and Viking age Scandinavia. 

A 'Divination Staff' From Viking Age Norway: at the British Museum

Brunes, Sue. 2016.

Acta Archaeologica 87(1):193-200

Abstract:

A long iron rod in the British Museum's Viking collection (accession number 1894,1105.5) has been reclassified by curators. Accessioned in the nineteenth century as a fishing tool and later recast as a roasting spit, it can now be added to a group of enigmatic iron rods that are widely interpreted as the special attribute of the völva, or Norse seeress.

(PDF Requested)

Staffs of Sorcery

Rig Svenson

Accessed online Nov. 12, 2021

Overview of distaffs recovered from Viking age  burials and association with Seidr.

https://rigsvenson.wordpress.com/2016/01/26/staffs-of-sorcery/?fbclid=IwAR2tN6cIVV75tO73cun4juypQv7k4-5cQOzB6QdIlNsuzqTL9s7aA3njg6Y

Volur

(source undetermined)

"The distaff symbolism of the Norse völr or seiðstafr is not a theory, but an irrefutable reality."

https://www.veleda.net/witchesandpagans/excerpts/volur.pdf?fbclid=IwAR0EYXY0LIWFmtXY4r8d1vGknHJzIkCG8cr5Fvj_0oGAPrW5PIEIL2Aibq0