World-Wide Witchcraft

Flag of Iceland

For years I’ve been fasciated by the old folk magic, traditional magic and witchcraft practices from around the world.  One of my favorites is witchcraft and folk stories from Iceland.  When researching dream vacations, I stumbled across Galdrasýning á Ströndum: The Museum of Icelandic Sorcery & Witchcraft.  The museum maintains an amazing website, translated into several languages.  Within the museum, among postcards, T-shirts and grimoires that you can purchase is some of the most interesting information that I’ve ever come across.

One of the best sections is an incredible list of magical staves, some dating back to the 17th century.  Not every entry has been translated to English, but browsing through them brings you to such things as the fishing stave which was to be “drawn in wren’s blood on a caul with a pen made of a raven’s feather.”

Then there is the story of the milk-stealing tilberi, created with a stolen human rib bone, and stored between a woman’s breasts, where she spits communion wine over three Sundays.  No, really.

You can also read about the history of witchcraft in Iceland, witchcraft trials and about the executed.   There are articles on magical stones and flora.  Some of the site has not been translated yet, so it does take a little effort (and a good translation program/site) to read some of the information, but it’s well worth the effort!

Be sure to visit the museum on Facebook as well!

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