440 SUPERSTITIONS. WITCHCRAFT. 



future things, and cause death or bad luck, or illness, and take 

 away men's wit or strength, and give them to others. He 

 taught most of his idrottir to the sacrificing priests ; they were 

 next to him in all wisdom and witchcraft. Many others, how- 

 ever, learned a great deal of them, and from them witchcraft 

 has spread widely and been kept up long" (Ynglinga Saga, 

 c. 7). 



The seid, which had been learnt by the Asar from the Vanir. 

 like the galdr, was performed with songs and incantations, and 

 generally at night. It was used mostly for evil purposes, and 

 its knowledge was not held as noble as that of galdr. It had 

 been taught by Freyja, and was chiefly performed by women. 



Among the ceremonies attending seid was that of cooking 

 strange dishes, the objects composing which were kept secret 

 by the seid persons. 



" Kotkel had a large seid-platform made ; they all went up 

 on it and sung there their wisdom, namely, galdr " (Laxdaela, 

 c. 35). 



"Kotkel and Grima and their sons left their home during- 

 the night ; they went to the farm of Hrut and there made a 

 great seid. When the seid-sounds were heard, those inside 

 could not understand what it was, but the song was fine to 

 listen to. Hrut alone knew these sounds, and said that no 

 man must look out that night, and that every one who was 

 able must be awake, and they would not be harmed if they 

 did this. Nevertheless all fell asleep. Hrut was awake the 

 longest time, but nevertheless fell asleep. Kari, his son, was 

 then twelve winters old and the most promising of his sons, 

 and much loved by him ; he could scarcely get any sleep, for 

 all this was intended against him ; he did not get much rest. 

 He jumped up, looked out, and walked on the seid place, and 

 fell down dead at once " (Laxdrela, c. 37). 



The Finns were looked upon as great masters in witchcraft, 

 and their advice was in much favour ; they were considered 

 especially clever in going on journeys in another shape. 



" Vanlaridi, the son of Svegdir, succeeded him and ruled the 

 realm of Upsala ; he was a great warrior, and travelled far and 

 wide. He lived one winter in Finnland with Snjar the old, 

 and married his daughter Drifa. In the spring he went away, 

 and Drifa remained ; he promised to come back in three win- 

 ters, but for ten winters he did not come. Then Drifa sent for 



