Saxon spell of protection

Introduction

This poem is written in the style of an Anglo-Saxon spell of protection employing the use of listing the possible threats and also the used of the cardinal directions.

Glossary:
Drychten is the Old English for lord.

Aelfadle is any sickness caused by elves, compare addled.

Haegtesse are wild, armed supernatural women riding out in a group and causing    harm havoc and mayhem! Haegtesse was used as a scan for wælcyrige.

Aelfsiden is the magic of elves.

Svartalheim is the world where the dark elves dwell.

Nihtgenga refers to night walkers; demons of the night.

Incubus/succubus is synonymous with mere/mera and often used as a scan for the same. Mare/mara gave rise to the term ‘nightmare’.

Cockatrice and wyrm are types of dragon.

Smithas are mythical beings that forge arrows (elf shot) for the elves to fire.

Nidavellir is the world where the dwarfs dwell.

Saxon spell of protection

Guard us lord Wodan, oh magical lord,

Leader of Wild Hunt, loaf drychten ward.

Elf shot aelfadle, against thine bombard,

Against hægtessan, this be thine guard.

This guard against aelfsiden, magic of elves,

Svartalheim’s dark elves, this against themselves.

Night walker succubus, dark elfin mare,

Nihtgenga incubus, be gone to thine lair.

Cockatrice and wyrm, iron darts of smithas,

Sleep in thine wyrm bed, stay in thine quivers.

Nidavellir dwarfs, advance if thee dare,

This guard against, fiery drakes of air.

Under linden shield, protect from the east,

Malice from the south, thee shalt never feast.

Sword against malignancy, from the west,

With spear guarding north, thee art now suppressed.

Copyright Andrew Rea Aug 2013