Icelandic magical staves

Icelandic magical staves (, , "incantation staves") are sigils that were credited with supposed magical effect preserved in various Icelandic grimoires, such as the Galdrabók, dating from the 17th century and later.

Table of magical staves Icelandic name Manuscript description Image "To get a girl", this magical stave is used by a man in love to gain the affections of the object of his desires. Helm of Awe (or Helm of Terror); to induce fear, protect the warrior, and prevail in battle. Carved on the ends of barrels to prevent leaking. For use on whetstones. To dream of unfulfilled desires. To kill an enemy's cattle.From a 17th-century grimoire, in the Antikvarisk-Topografiska Arkivet in Stockholm. A fertility symbol. Two staves, kept in the shoes, gapaldur under the heel of the right foot and ginfaxi under the toes of the left foot, to magically ensure victory in bouts of Icelandic wrestling (glíma). To open hills. To prosper in trade and business. To open a lock without a key. Whoever carries this symbol with them encounters no evil, neither on the sea nor on the land. To win in court.From a 19th-century manuscript, lbs 4375 8vo, in the National Library in Reykjavík. A stave used when making necropants (nábrók), a pair of trousers made from the skin of a dead man that are capable of producing an endless supply of money. To make your enemies afraid.From Skuggi. Ársritið Jólagjöfin 4. Ár. 1940. "GALDRA-SKRÆÐA" by Jochum M. Eggertson (A similar looking stave is titled Óttastafur in the Huld Manuscript.) A lesser circle of protection. Butterknot, to find out if butter was made using milk stolen by a Tilberi. Staves against witchcraft.From a 17th-century manuscript, lbs 143 8vo, in the National Library in Reykjavík. To raise the dead and drive away evil spirits. For use against thieves.From a 17th-century medical text, am 434a 12mo, in the Arnemagnean Collection in Reykjavík. To ward off foxes.From a 19th-century manuscript, lbs 4375 8vo, in the National Library in Reykjavík. Valdemar's Protection Stave; increases favor and happiness. Protection against drowning. Vegvísir To guide people through rough weather.Huld Manuscript ÍB 383 4 in the National Library in Reykjavík For luck in fishing.

Icelandic magical staves

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