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Icelandic Magical Staves are symbols credited with magical effect. The effects credited to most of the staves were very relevant to the average Icelanders of the time, who were mostly subsistence farmers and had to deal with harsh climatic conditions. Að fá stúlku: Love from a woman to a man. Ægishjálmur: Helm of awe (or helm of terror); to induce fear and to protect against abuse of power. Angurgapi: Carved on the ends of barrels to prevent leaking. Brýnslustafir: For use on whetstones. Draumstafir: To dream of unfulfilled desires. Dreprún: To kill an enemy’s cattle. Feingur: A fertility rune. Gapaldur & Ginfaxi: Two staves, kept in the shoes, Gapaldur under the heel of the right foot and Ginfaxi under the toes of the left foot, to magically ensure victory in bouts of Icelandic wrestling (Glíma, the Scandinavian martial arts system used by the Vikings over 1,200 years ago). Hólastafur: To open hills. Kaupaloki: To prosper in trade and business. Lásabrjótur: To open a lock without a key. Máladeilan: To win in court (governing assembly in medieval Germanic societies). Nábrókarstafur: A stave used when making Necropants, a pair of pants made from the skin of a dead man that are capable of producing an endless supply of money. Óttastafur: To induce fear. Rosahringur minni: A lesser circle of protection. Smjörhnútur: Butterknot, to ensure butter was procured through non-magical means. Stafur gegn galdri: Staves against witchcraft. Stafur til að vekja upp draug: To invoke ghosts and evil spirits. Þjófastafur: For use against thieves. Tóustefna: To ward off foxes. Varnarstafur Valdemars: Valdemar’s Protection Stave; increases favor and happiness. Vatnahlífir: Protection against drowning. Vegvísir: To guide people through rough weather. Veiðistafur: For luck in fishing. Sacred Chaotic Geometry | Please, don’t remove credits. Thank you!

Roland Penrose. Cabinet at Farley Farm. 1940s.

Heidelberger Totentanz, 1488

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