The Seeress of the Witch is a fascinating and mystical concept that has been present in various mythologies and cultures throughout history. It refers to an individual, usually a woman, who possesses the ability to see into the future and communicate with spirits or otherworldly entities. The seeress is often portrayed as a wise and knowledgeable figure, with the power to provide guidance and insight to those who seek her counsel. In some cultures, she is even considered a religious or spiritual leader, esteemed for her ability to tap into supernatural realms. The role of a seeress is often associated with witches, who are known for their connection to magic and the unseen. In many folklore and legends, witches are portrayed as having the ability to see the future and communicate with spirits.
The earliest of our Scandinavian texts. one written anonymously probably around 960, is the Völuspá, (literally: “the prophecy of the völva). In the narrative the seeress in question is sought out by Odin himself, a dynamic testifying to the importance of the völva in Germanic culture.
Our next selected episode featuring a völva comes from the 13th-century Icelandic saga, the Saga of Örvar-Odd , a name translated usually as Arrow-Odd. A particular episode in this epic poem features a seeress by the name of Gullveig later changed to Heidr who is attacked by the gods in Odin s hall, an event leading to the war between the two divine races, the Aesir and Vanir.
In many folklore and legends, witches are portrayed as having the ability to see the future and communicate with spirits. The seeress is often seen as a mediator between the mortal world and the spiritual realm, acting as a bridge between the two. The concept of the seeress of the witch speaks to the human desire to understand the mysterious and unknown.
The Seeress: Germanic Tribes, Vikings, and Witches
In pagan Germanic cultures, the seeress played an extremely important role, not only as a clairvoyant, but also often fulfilling the role of a priestess, wisewoman or witch.
We begin with a short clip from Robert Eggers’ The Northman, in which Björk plays a seeress. Old Norse words used to describe this role include spákona, or völva (pl. völvur, völur) — the last meaning “staff bearer,” as a staff was a signifying attribute of the völva, one possibly also used as a magic wand. Staffs discovered in graves of certain high-status women, as suggested by luxurious grave goods, suggest these individuals may have been völvur. We hear some details regarding such discoveries in Denmark and Sweden.
Wands (grave-goods) believed to belong to seeress. Danish National Museum.
Next we provide a quick overview of the Nordic magic that may have been part of the völva‘s repertoire. Two Old Norse designations for witchcraft are galdr and seiðr (Anglicized as seidr). The latter has more to do with spoken or sung charms, and the latter most prominently with control of mental states but can also involve manipulation of physical realities.
We also address briefly the notion that, like the sibyls of the Classical world, the völva likely entered a trance in order to produce her utterances. Drumming is popularly associated with this, as it is central to the shamanic practice of the Sammi people on the northern and eastern fringes of Scandinavia and Lapland.
The first accounts we have of völvur come from Roman encounters with Germanic peoples on Europe’s mainland. A particularly important account we hear comes from Tacitus’ Histories, in which he describes a seeress by the name of Veleda, who guided the Bructeri tribe through their conflicts with the Romans. We also hear about a sacred grove of the Germans, one likely described to Tacitus by a Germanic priestess by the name of Ganna during her visit to Rome.
Illustration of Veleda and Romans from Alois Schreiber, Teutschland und die Teutschen (1823)
We also hear from the Greek historian Strabo, who in his Geographic portrays female seers of the Cimbri people, sacrificing prisoners of war, bleeding them, and telling fortunes from their entrails. Mrs. Karswell provides a lovely reading of this passage.
The earliest of our Scandinavian texts. one written anonymously probably around 960, is the Völuspá, (literally: “the prophecy of the völva). In the narrative the seeress in question is sought out by Odin himself, a dynamic testifying to the importance of the völva in Germanic culture.
Odin and the Völva by Karl Gjellerups, from Det kongelige Bibliotek, 1895
A particular episode in this epic poem features a seeress by the name of Gullveig (later changed to Heidr) who is attacked by the gods in Odin’s hall, an event leading to the war between the two divine races, the Aesir and Vanir. It’s speculated that this seeress may be the narrator of the prophecies recounted in the poem.
Probably the most finely detailed account of the völva’s activities in the real comes from the 13th-century Saga of Erik the Red. Its description emphasizes the honor with which the seeress was treated while visiting farmsteads to relate her prophecies. It also notes the use of galdr (singing magic) and lavishly details the special attire worn by a seeress.
Our next selected episode featuring a völva comes from the 13th-century Icelandic saga, the Saga of Örvar-Odd, a name translated usually as “Arrow-Odd”. This one involves the seer’s prophecy of an inescapable fate involving a horse.
Our final story of a Nordic witch is from Gesta Danorum or”Deeds of the Danes,” a 12th-century chronicle of the country by Saxo Grammaticus. It features a witch who transforms herself into a walrus at a critical moment and a body that really needs to be buried.
We close with some audio snippets from Freyia Norling, a modern practitioner of seidr, who from her home in the Arctic Circle, hosts the intriguing YouTube Channel “A Discovery of Nordic Witches.”
We close with some audio snippets from Freyia Norling, a modern practitioner of seidr, who from her home in the Arctic Circle, hosts the intriguing YouTube Channel “A Discovery of Nordic Witches.”
Throughout history, people have turned to spiritual leaders and mediums to gain insight into what lies ahead or to seek answers to complex questions. The seeress offers a glimmer of hope and understanding in a world filled with uncertainty. The seeress of the witch is a captivating figure that continues to intrigue and fascinate us. Whether she is seen as an enigmatic and powerful sorceress or a wise and benevolent guide, her presence in mythology and folklore serves as a reminder of the human fascination with the supernatural and our longing for answers to life's deepest questions..
Reviews for "The Seeress of the Witch: Spells and Incantations"
- Jane Doe - 2 stars - I was really disappointed with "Seeress of the witch". The plot was confusing and hard to follow, and the characters were not well-developed. I found myself not caring about what happened to any of them. The writing style was also lackluster, with repetitive phrases and clichés throughout. Overall, I was underwhelmed by this book and would not recommend it.
- John Smith - 2 stars - "Seeress of the witch" had so much potential, but it fell flat for me. The world-building was inconsistent and the magic system felt poorly explained. The pacing was all over the place, with slow moments dragging on and action-packed scenes rushed through. I was also put off by the heavy religious undertones that seemed forced and unnecessary. Sadly, this book did not meet my expectations.
- Emily Johnson - 3 stars - I had high hopes for "Seeress of the witch", but it didn't fully captivate me. While the concept was intriguing, I found the execution lacking. The writing felt amateurish at times, with awkward dialogue and repetitive descriptions. The twists and turns of the plot were predictable, and the ending left me unsatisfied. However, I will say that the character relationships were well-developed and the emotional depth was commendable.
- David Thompson - 2 stars - "Seeress of the witch" was a disappointment for me. The story had potential, but it was filled with plot holes and inconsistencies. The characters lacked depth and their motivations were unclear. The romance felt forced and unrealistic. I struggled to stay engaged with the book and was left feeling unsatisfied. Overall, I would not recommend it.