Icelandic magical staves
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In medieval Iceland there were several magical staves or rune-like symbols credited with magical effects.
- Gapaldur and Ginfaxi were 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).
- ægishjálmur, helm of awe; to induce fear and to protect against abuse of power
- nábrókarstafur, necropants
- þjófastafur, against thieves (from a 17th century medical text, am 434a 12mo, in the Arnemagnean Collection in Reykjavík).
- angurgapi
- veiðistafur for fishing
- kaupaloki, to prosper in trade and business (19th century manuscript)
- vatnahlífir, protection against drowning
- brýnslustafir, for sharpening knives
- draumstafir, to dream what your heart desires
- varnarstafur valdemars
- óttastafur, to induce fear
- dreprún, to kill an enemy's cattle (from a 17th century grimoire, in the Antikvarisk-Topografiska Arkivet in Stockholm.)
- feingur, to make a woman pregnant
- lásabrjótur, to open a lock without a key
- að fá stúlku, to get a girl
- hólastafur, to open hills
- stafur til að vekja upp draug, to invoke ghosts and evil spirits
- rosahringur minni, a lesser circle of protection
- máladeilan, to win in court (from a 19th century manuscript, lbs 4375 8vo, in the National Library in Reykjavík.)
- stafur gegn galdri, against witchcraft (from a 17th century manuscript, lbs 143 8vo, in the National Library in Reykjavík.)
- við höfðingja reiði, against the wrath of chieftains (from a 17th century medical treatise , am 434a 12mo, in the Arnemagnean Collection.)
- tóustefna, to ward off foxes (from a 19th century manuscript, lbs 4375 8vo, in the National Library in Reykjavík.)
- smjörhnútur, butterknot (to ensure butter is real)
