völva
nounUK /ˈvɜːlvə/ · US /ˈvɑlvə/
Etymology From Old Norse vǫlva (völva in modern Icelandic).
1
Lifestyle, Paganism, Religion Germanic, Historical In Old Norse society, a female practitioner of magic divination and prophecy.
- In the Eddas, Odin conjures up a dead volva and questions her about Baldur's fate.1988, Freya Aswinn, Runes & Feminine Powers: Northern Mysteries & Magick, page 30:
- In another account a volva was paid by a king to find his nephews who had been hidden by a man skilled in magick.1994, Michael Howard, The Mysteries of the Runes, page 157:
1 more example
- There is another story in Landnamabok telling of a volva who actively brought prosperity to the fishing activity of the people through her use of seidr.1995, D. J. Conway, Moon Magick: Myth & Magick, Crafts & Recipes, Rituals & Spells, page 26:
2
Broadly Any prophetess, sooth-sayer, or witch.