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Magical
Staves
Helm
of Awe
 Ægishjálmur
This sign exists in various forms though all are a variation of crosses
with three-forked ends. It is mentioned in the Eddic heroic poetry and
was a fear inducer and protection against the abuse of power. It was
to be carved in lead and pressed on one's forehead. The version above
is in the county seal for the Strandir region.
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Necropants
Nábrókarstafur
These were made with the intact skin of the lower part of the human
body, dug up from a church yard. When worn they will become undistinguishable
from one's own skin. The stave should be kept in the scrotum along with
a coin stolen from a poor widow. Money will then constantly be drawn
into the scrotum.
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To
find a thief
Þjófastafur
If you want to know who has stolen from you, carve this stave on the
bottom of of a wooden bowl, fill it with clean water and sprinkle yarrow
over it.
Recite: I invoke the nature of the grass and the power of the sign
to reveal who has stolen from me and others. In nomine domini amen.
The thief's face will appear in the bowl.
(From
an Icelandic medical text in a 17th century manuscript (AM 434a 12mo,
in the Arnemagnean Collection in Reykjavík).
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Wrestling
Staves
  Gapaldur
og Ginfaxi
These two staves were kept in the shoes, Gapaldur under the heel of
the right foot and Ginfaxi under the toes of the left foot, to ensure
victory in bouts of Icelandic wrestling (glíma).
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 Angurgapi
This sign should be carved on the lid or the bottom of a barrel. Ther
purpose is unclear.
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A
Fishing Stave
Veiðistafur
This stave should be drawn in wren's blood on a caul with a pen made
of a raven's feather. Then put it in a gimlet hole under the prow of
your ship and you will always have a good catch.
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Trade
Clincher
Kaupaloki
To prosper in trade and business carve this sign on a tablet of beech
and carry it on your breast.
(From a privately owned 19th century manuscript.)
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Water
Protector
 Vatnahlífir
This stave should be kept under your right arm. It is a helpful amulet
when crossing dangerous rivers.
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 Staves
for Sharpening
Brýnslustafir
The sign at the top is to be laid over a sharpening stone and the bottom
one under it. Then cover for a while with a piece of turf. The next
time you sharpen your scythe turn it away from the sun and never look
straight at the edge.
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Dreamstaves
Draumstafir
Carve these on silver or white leather on Midsummer's Night. Sleep on
them and you will dream what you desire when the sun is close to the
horizon.
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 Valdemar's
Protection Stave
Varnarstafur Valdemars
The sign increases favour and happiness if it is treated correctly.
If somebody intends evil against you, lay it out with the gut of a plaice
on the membrane inside a hen's egg and then place it inside your hat.
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Fear
Inducer
Óttastafur
To scare your enemy carve this on oak and throw it before his feet.
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A
Killing Rune
Dreprún
This stave is to be written on a piece of paper and if a man has insulted
you without reason, throw it where his horse has trodden and cover it.
Some of his livestock will then die.
(From an Icelandic grimoire from the 17th century, in Antikvarisk-Topografiska
Arkivet in Stockholm.)
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To
make a Woman Pregnant
 Feingur
If you want a girl to became pregnant by yourself then carve this sign
on a piece of cheese and feed it to her.
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Lockbreaker
Lásabrjótur
To open a lock without a key, have in your mouth a man's bellyfat, stolen
from the graveyard; and lay the staff upon the lock you wish to open.
Then blow into the keyhole and intone:
"I blow into the lock 'til its cylinder rattles and roars,
while hissing a bellyfat whistle.
May the fiend's foul breath blow fierce into the keyhole;
may the trolls tear it open;
may Puck's partisan imps pull it apart.
Bend back the bolt, all ye devil's urchins;
spring the shackle, all ye scoundrel spirits."
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To
Get a Girl
 Að
fá stúlku
This sign should be written in the palm of your right hand with blood
from the tip of the thumb on the left hand. Take the girl's hand and
recite: My hand I lay in yours, my will in yours. May your bones burn
lest you love me as much as I love you. These words shall be as passionate
and powerful as eternity. All magic and sorcery turn your mind towards
love of me and may all those who inhabit supterranean abodes assist
me in this.
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To
Open Hills
 Hólastafur
Carve this character on a pole of rowan. Paint the lines with blood
from under your tongue. Knock on hills or rocks with the rowan and they
will open.
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A
Stave to Raise the Dead
Stafur til að vekja upp draug
This sign can be used to wake from the dead, to exterminate a ghost,
and it also has the power to drive away evil spirits. It must be carved
on the skin of a horse's head with a mixture of blood from a seal, a
fox, and a man. This verse must be recited with it:
Þykkt blóð, þreytast rekkar.
Þjóð mörg vos öld bjóða,
grand heitt, gummar andast,
glatast auður, firrast snauðir.
Hætt grand hræðast dróttir
hríð mörg, vesöld kvíða,
angur vænt, ærnar skærur.
Illur sveimur nú er í heimi.
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A Lesser Circle of Protection
 Rosahringur
minni
Rosahringur must be carved on the flesh side of the skin of a brown
bitch. Then colour the carving with the blood of a black tomcat which
has been killed under a full moon. This is a powerful protection against
ghosts and witchcraft. It helps to recite: I crave help from the earth,
victory from the sun, happiness from the moon, assistance from the stars,
and strength from the angels of God.
If the sign is to be used against a lightning ghost or a demon, you
should spit, throw urine and wave the skin reciting the following verse:
Undan vindi vondan sendi,
óskir ferskar raski þrjóskum,
galdurs eldur gildur holdið
grenni, kenni og innan brenni.
Eyrun dára örin særi,
eitrið ljóta, bíti hann skeytið,
allur fyllist illum sullum
eyði kauða bráður dauði.
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To Win in Court
 Máladeilan
Carve this on lignite and paint it with blood from the septum of your
nose and keep it on your breast. If you fear loosing your case in court
have another one on your back and you will win regardless of the truth.
(From a 19th century manuscript, Lbs 4375 8vo, in the National Library
in Reykjavík.)
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Against
Witchcraft
 Stafur
gegn galdri
These four signs are a protection against witchcraft from all four corners
of the earth. Carry them on your body.
(From a 17th century manuscript, Lbs 143 8vo, in the National Library
in Reykjavík.)
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Against the Wrath of those in Power
Við höfðingja reiði
If you want to avoid the wrath of chieftains then walk home before the
sun turns red and talk to no man. Take the herb called millefolium (yarrow)
and sprinkle it with your blood. Write a cross on your forehead with
the herb and then walk before your overlord.
(From an Icelandic medical treatise from the 17th century, Am 434a 12mo,
in the Arnemagnean Collection.)
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 To
ward off Foxes
Tóustefna
This should be carved on a piece of oak and put under the threshold
of your sheep-shed. Alternatively tie it in the wool of the eldest gelding.
(From a 19th century manuscript, Lbs 4375 8vo, in the National Library
in Reykjavík.)
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Butterknot
 Smjörhnútur
The butterknot was carved on butter to ensure it was not made from milk
stolen by a tilberi. This was a being created by a woman from a man's
rib and used to steal milk from cows and sheep out in the pastures.
The woman kept it on a teat on the inside of her thigh where it grew
and fed on her body fluids. The preparations for creating a tilberi
are very complicated.
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