völva

plural völvas · alternative volva

1. GermanichistoricallifestyleIn 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

   2 more examples

   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

   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

   Synonyms: seiðkona

2. broadlyAny prophetess, sooth-sayer, or witch.