Also called Landvaettir, land-wights, land spirits.
Their story
Old Icelandic law told sailors to remove the dragon heads from their ships before sighting land, so as not to frighten the land-wights. In the saga of Olaf Tryggvason, a wizard sent by the Danish king in the form of a whale tried to reach Iceland but was driven off by its guardians: a dragon, a great bird, a bull and a rock giant. These four still appear on Iceland's coat of arms.
Best times to give to them
- moving into a new home
- the start of planting
- harvest
- Winter Nights
- any time you visit a special place
What they like being given
- milk, porridge or bread left outdoors
- clean water poured out
- a little ale, or apple juice
- biodegradable offerings only
- picking up litter
How to honour them
- Introduce yourself to the spirits of your home and garden when you move in.
- Keep a small stone or bowl outside for regular offerings.
- Learn the names of the plants, birds and streams near you.
- Leave wild places better than you found them.
How they can help you
- feeling at home in a new place
- a thriving garden
- protection of the land
- luck of the household
Symbols
- stones and cairns
- springs and waterfalls
- old trees
- the four guardians of Iceland (dragon, eagle, bull and giant)
Only leave offerings outside that are natural and biodegradable, and never in places where they could harm wildlife.
More Norse spirits
- The Dísir Ancestral mothers and guardian women
- The Álfar The elves, bright and hidden folk
- Jötnar The giants, elder powers of the wild
- The Daughters of Ægir and Rán The nine waves of the sea
- Dvergar The master smiths under stone
- The Sons of Ivaldi The dwarf smiths of Sif's hair and Skíðblaðnir
- Einherjar The chosen dead of Valhalla
- Fylgja The follower spirit at your side