Magic

Old Norse Magic

In the ancient Scandinavian pagan belief system, magic and esotericism were predominantly practiced by women. This wasn’t because it was considered “degrading for a man,” but because Nordic magic was inherently suited to women, making it much easier for them to achieve effective results. However, this does not mean male practitioners didn’t exist—there were simply very few of them. 

A Vǫlva (seeress, staff bearer) was a general term for a female magician. Every Vǫlva, if called by that title, was skilled in at least three key components of Old Norse magic: Spá, Seiðr, and Gáldr. Correspondingly, practitioners were called Spákona, Séiðkona, or Gáldrakona (female) and Gáldramaðr (male). The words kona (woman) and maðr (man) denote gender. A Vǫlva might also be called a Vísendakona (“wise woman”). 

• Spá – Divination, clairvoyance, and prophecy. This involved seeing events in the flow of time: what has happened, what could have happened but didn’t (paths now closed), what is happening in the present across any location with any people, objects or entities, and what will happen in the future with all its possible outcomes.
  Spirit guides were often invoked. For example, Varðlokkur was a spell or chant used to summon the Spákona’s spirit guide for drawing information. Another example is Urðar Lokkur, a song invoking the Norn Urdr to gain insight into past events

• Seiðr – Shamanism, evocation, sorcery, and witchcraft. This involved altering the flow of time by weaving magical threads and knots to change the reality of present or future events foreseen through Spá. In some cases, even the past could be rewritten if it wasn’t yet firmly fixed (not recorded by the Norns). Successful alterations rewrote all subsequent events, erasing the original timeline from memory entirely. Properly executed, this process never caused déjà vu.
  Spirit helpers were frequently called upon using Seiðlæti, a chant used by a Séiðkona to summon a needed entity. 

• Gáldr – Rune magic, charms, spells, and conjuration. This involved creating and use of runescripts and runestavs. Galðrar - a mantra, a spell pronounced by voice. This is a blank for a magician. Creating complex formulas and placing them in an object, in order to activate at the right moment or under certain conditions, and not waste precious time.
  Also creating charms, amulets, and even talismans. The latter contained the essence or part of the essence of the subtle plane. That is, the amulet and charm are a program, and the talisman is an essence, it is alive.

These three elements formed the core of Old Norse magic practiced by every Vǫlva. They were often referred to as “sisters” of the goddess Freyja, also known as Vanadis. Freyja, considered the original Vǫlva, was believed to have introduced the practice of Seiðr to Asgard and Midgard (Earth), providing guidance and protection to Vǫlur (plural of Vǫlva). 

Other branches of Old Norse magic existed, such as Fjǫlkunning (from fjǫl- “many, diverse” + kynngi “magic” or “knowledge of many things”), but by the end of the Early Middle Ages (10th century), it had largely faded into obscurity. 

Old Slavic Magic

In contrast to Scandinavian magic, which was predominantly practiced by women, Slavic paganism saw magic primarily in the hands of men. Here, magical practices were inherently suited to male practitioners, making it more challenging for women to master. 

The term Волхв (Volhv - sage, soothsayer) referred to those versed in the three main branches of Slavic magic:
Ха-Ра (Ha-Ra), Мольфа (Molfa), and Відьомство (Witchery). Corresponding practitioners were known as Характерник (Harakternik), Мольфар (Molfar), and Відьмак / Відьма (Witcher / Witch). 

• Ха-Ра (Há-Ra) – Combat magic and illusions. This included spells for stopping bleeding, enchanting weapons and armor, entering trances, and creating illusions or mass hypnosis (навести манý, наведення мóроку – “create some kind of illusion, cause belief in unreality, cloud the mind”). The term combines Ha (“energy, power”) and Ra (“gods, divine center”), with Harakternik meaning “channeling divine energy”. 

• Мольфа (Molfa) – Elemental magic. This involved manipulating natural forces, such as summoning or dispersing storms, rain, fog, heat, or cold, and controlling natural disasters like avalanches or landslides. The etymology of Molfa is unclear but may derive from Mo (“power”), Lo (“position”), and Fa (“base”), suggesting “power of the primordial principle”.

• Відьомство (Witchery) – Rituals and spells concerning life and death. This included incantations, curses, fortune-telling, and removing or imposing magical effects. While men practiced it historically, over time, Witchery became predominantly female. The term combines Ved/Vid (“knowledge”) and Ma (“great”), meaning “great knowledge”.

Blood magic was another ancient Slavic practice. Contrary to later misconceptions, it did not involve large-scale sacrifices. A few drops of blood—sometimes even dried—were sufficient for gathering information, transferring strength, or causing harm to the blood’s owner. 

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After the Christianization of Rus' by Vladimir the Great, pagan temples were destroyed, and Christian churches were erected in their place. Most Volhvs, staunch adherents of the old beliefs, were executed. While the Volhvs disappeared, the magical practices endured in fragmented forms, evolving into the three main branches: Ha-Ra, Molfa, and Witchery.

The territory of ancient Rus', now Ukraine, was where Slavic magic flourished. Harakterniks primarily settled on the right bank of the Dnipro River, while Molfars lived in the Carpathians, and Witches resided on the left bank of the Dnipro. Over centuries, these practices began to merge, but not to the comprehensive level achieved by the Volhvs.

Summaries

Nordic magic (Norse religion, paganism, polytheism)

Vǫlva (ᚹᛟᛚᚹᚨ) - seeress. Generic name for the knowledgeable of the three major branches of magic: Spá, Seiðr and Gáldr (Spákona, Seiðkona and Gáldrkona/Gáldramaðr). Predominantly feminine.

Spá - divination, clairvoyance, soothsayer, prophet

Seiðr - shamanism, evocation, sorcery, witchcraft

Gáldr - rune magic, charm, spell, conjuration

(kona - woman, maðr - man. Spákona - Spá knowledgeable woman, Seiðkona - Seiðr knowledgeable woman, Gáldrakona - Gáldr knowledgeable woman)

Slavic magic (Slavic religion, paganism, polytheism)

Волхв (мудрець) - Volhv (wise man). Generic name for the knowledgeable of the three major branches of magic: Ha-Ra, Molfa and Witchery (Harakternik, Molfar and Witcher/Witch). Predominantly masculine.

Характерник (Harakternik) - illusion, deceiving, magicraft, totemism

Мольфар (Molfar) - elementism, dispelling, abjuration, druidism

Відьмак, Відьма (Witcher, Witch) - enchantment, charm, witchcraft, living-dying

Female incarnation:
Vǫlva, who owns Spá, Seiðr, Gáldr and possibly Fjǫlkunning.

Male incarnation:
Volhv who possesses Harakternik, Molfar, Witchcraft and possibly Blood magic.

Connections Between Old Norse and Slavic Magic
The words Vǫlva (ᚹᛟᛚᚹᚨ) and Volhv (ᚹᛟᛚᚺᚹ) share the same root as the Slavic word Вóля (Volja, meaning "Liberty, Volition, Will") (ᚹᛟᛚᛃᚨ), derived from Вол- (Vol-; “Power, Strength, Force”)(ᚹᛟᛚ).

While there were many differences between Scandinavian and Slavic magical traditions, they also complemented one another, showcasing the deep interconnectedness of ancient European esoteric practices.

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