Daily Old Norse Insight - The Seiðstafr – The Ritual Staff of Seiðr Magic

Among the most iconic and archaeologically confirmed tools of Norse magic is the seiðstafr – the ritual staff used by the völur (seeresses) and other practitioners of seiðr.

Far from being a simple walking stick, the seiðstafr was a symbol of power, a magical instrument, and a mark of authority.

Multiple graves of high-status women across Scandinavia contain elaborate iron or wooden staffs, often buried with other ritual items.

Key Features of the Seiðstafr

1. It Appears in the Sagas

In Eiríks saga rauða, the völva þorbjorg Lítilvöva a staff adorned with:

·         Carved knots

·         Brass fittings

·         Stones and charms

The staff is part of her ritual identity and essential to the seiðr rite.

2. Archeaology Strongly Confirms the Tradition

Dozens of Viking Age graves (mostly women’s) contain staffs that:

·         Are iron, often with a hooked or knobbed end

·         Have complex spirals or loops

·         Resemble shepherd’s crooks or ceremonial rods

Scholars consider these to be seiðr staffs because they match saga descriptions and appear in ritual-rich graves.

3. Symbol of Connection Between Worlds

The seiðstafr likely functioned as:

·         A ritual pointer

·         A channel of magical energy

·         A “world-axis” symbol connecting the völva to spirits

·         A representation of her spiritual authority

Its presence in graves shows how important it was to the practitioner’s identity.

4. Associated with Liminality and Power

The staff marks the völva as one who:

·         Stands between worlds

·         Commands spirits

·         Sees fate (örlög)

·         Travels in trance

It is both a tool and a proclamation of status.

Modern Relevance

Today, many Heathens and modern practitioners use:

·         Carved wooden staffs

·         Iron or brass rods

·         Staffs decorated with runes or fur

These function as symbols or spiritual authority, grounding, and connection with the unseen world.