Grógaldr
Grógaldr (The Spell of Gróa) is the first part of the larger story cycle sometimes called Svipdagsmál. It tells of the young hero Svipdag, who has been given an impossible quest. His stepmother, described as cruel and false, has ordered him to find and win the maiden Menglöð. The task is meant to be hopeless, a trap that will lead him to his death.
With no hope on his own, Svipdag remembers the words of his real mother, Gróa, who was skilled in magic and charms. Before she died, she told him that if he was ever in great need, he should call on her. So Svipdag goes to her grave, stands at the doorway of the dead, and calls her spirit back.
Gróa answers. She rises from the world of the dead and speaks with her son, asking why he has disturbed her rest. When Svipdag explains his cruel fate and the impossible journey before him, she does not despair. Instead, she begins to chant a series of protective spells to strengthen and guide him.
Each spell shields Svipdag from a different kind of danger he may face:
Shaking off sickness or harm.
Safe travel, even on unknown roads.
Power to cross deadly rivers.
Victory over enemies.
Freedom from chains or fetters.
Calm seas during storms.
Protection from frost and deadly cold.
Safety from curses and the restless dead.
Wisdom and sharp words when facing giants or challenges.
With every verse, Gróa arms her son not with weapons, but with wisdom, magic, and resilience. These charms represent both her magical skill and her undying love, showing that even death cannot sever the bond between mother and child.
At the end, Gróa urges Svipdag to go forward bravely. She reminds him to keep her words alive in his heart, for as long as he remembers her spells, fortune will be with him.
So, Grógaldr is about more than just magical charms. It’s about the strength we inherit from those who came before us, and how love, guidance, and wisdom can be just as powerful as swords or strength in the face of fate.
Below, you’ll find my modern English translation of the poem, written to make it easier to follow. For those interested in the source, I’ve also included the original Old Norse text.
Grógaldr - Modern English Translation
Svipdag spoke:
“Wake, Groa! Wake, good mother! I call to you here at the gates of the dead.
Remember, you told me once - when I was in need,
I should seek your help, even at the hill of death.”
Groa spoke:
“What troubles you, my only son? What cruel fate has found you,
that you call upon your mother who lies in the earth,
gone from the world of the living?”
Svipdag spoke:
“The false woman my father married has set a cruel task for me.
She ordered me to go where no man dares to travel,
to find the maiden Mengloth.”
Groa spoke:
“The road is long, and far must you wander,
but love itself is long as well.
Perhaps you will win what your heart desires,
if the fates grant their favour.”
Svipdag spoke:
“Then sing me your strongest charms,
mother. Protect me as I go.
For I fear death on this journey,
and I am still young in years.”
Groa spoke:
“First I will sing for you a charm,
one long-tested, the very one Rani once taught to Rind.
If any harm or sickness clings to you, shake it from your shoulders,
for you shall have strength to help yourself.
Next I will sing for you, in case you must travel far,
wandering without clear purpose.
The bolts of Urðr (Fate) shall guard you on every side,
keeping you safe along your path.
Third I will sing for you,
if deadly rivers rise against you,
threatening to drag you down.
The waters will turn aside,
Horn and Ruth will flow to Hel,
and the river shall part before your feet.
Fourth I will sing for you,
if enemies attack you upon the gallows-road of battle.
Their hearts will fall into your hands, and peace will overcome them
- even warriors will wish to stand down.
Fifth I will sing for you, if chains or fetters should bind your body and limbs.
I will chant a loosening spell over your thighs,
the locks will break, and the bonds will fall from your feet.
Sixth, I will sing for you,
if storms rise on the sea with power beyond any man’s strength.
No wind or wave shall harm you, and your boat shall sail in calm waters.
Seventh, I will sing for you,
if frost and deadly cold threaten you upon high mountain cliffs.
The fatal chill will not grip your flesh,
and your body shall remain whole.
Eighth, I will sing for you,
if by night you wander along dark and misty paths.
The curse of the restless dead,
even the spite of a Christian woman,
shall never bring you harm.
Ninth, I will sing for you,
if you must contend in words with a warlike giant.
Your heart will be filled with wisdom,
and your mouth shall speak with sharp and skillful words.
Now go, my son,
upon the road where danger surely waits.
Let no evil weaken your love, or turn you from your path.
I have stood here, before the door of stone and earth,
singing these charms to guard you.
Carry with you, my son, the words your mother has given.
Keep them alive in your heart, and fortune will be yours,
so long as my spells endure.”
Grógaldr -
Old Norse Translation
Sonr kvað:
1. "Vaki þú, Gróa, vaki þú, góð kona,
vek ek þik dauðra dura, ef þú þat mant,
at þú þinn mög bæðir til kumbldysjar koma."
Gróa kvað:
2. "Hvat er nú annt mínum eingasyni,
hverju ertu nú bölvi borinn,
er þú þá móður kallar,
er til moldar er komin
ok ór ljóðheimum liðin?"
Sonr kvað:
3. "Ljótu leikborði skaut fyr mik in lævísa kona,
sú er faðmaði minn föður;
þar bað hon mik koma, er kvæmtki veit,
móti Menglöðu."
Gróa kvað:
4. "Löng er för, langir ro farvegar,
langir ro manna munir, ef þat verðr,
at þú þinn vilja bíðr,
ok skeikar þá Skuld at sköpum."
Sonr kvað:
5. "Galdra þú mér gal, þá er góðir eru,
bjarg þú, móðir, megi;
á vegum allr hygg ek, at ek verða muna,
þykkjumk ek til ungr afi."
Gróa kvað:
6. "Þann gel ek þér fyrstan,
- þann kveða fjölnýtan, þann gól Rindi Rani, -
at þú of öxl skjótir, því er þér atalt þykkir;
sjalfr leið þú sjalfan þik.
7. Þann gel ek þér annan, ef þú árna skalt
viljalauss á vegum, Urðar lokur
haldi þér öllum megum, er þú á sinnum sér.
8. Þann gel ek þér inn þriðja, ef þér þjóðáar
falla at fjörlotum, Horn ok Ruðr
snúisk til heljar meðan, en þverri æ fyr þér.
9. Þann gel ek þér inn fjórða, ef þik fjándr standa
görvir á galgvegi, hugr þeim hverfi
til handa þér, ok snúisk þeim til sátta sefi.
10. Þann gel ek þér inn fimmta, ef þér fjöturr verðr
borinn at boglimum, leysigaldr læt ek
þér fyr legg of kveðinn, ok stökkr þá láss af limum,
en af fótum fjöturr.
11. Þann gel ek þér inn sétta,
ef þú á sjó kemr meira en menn viti,
logn ok lögr gangi þér í lúðr saman
ok léi þér æ friðdrjúgrar farar.
12. Þann gel ek þér inn sjaunda,
ef þik sækja kemr frost á fjalli háu,
hræva kulði megi-t þínu holdi fara,
ok haldisk æ lík at liðum.
13. Þann gel ek þér inn átta,
ef þik úti nemr nótt á niflvegi,
at því firr megi þér til meins gera
kristin dauð kona.
14. Þann gel ek þér inn níunda,
ef þú við inn naddgöfga orðum skiptir jötun,
máls ok mannvits sé þér á minni ok hjarta
gnóga of gefit.
15. Far þú nú æva, þar er forað þykkir,
ok standi-t þér mein fyr munum;
á jarðföstum steini stóð ek innan dura,
meðan ek þér galdra gól.
16. Móður orð ber þú, mögr, heðan
ok lát þér í brjósti búa;
iðgnóga heill skaltu of aldr hafa,
meðan þú mín orð of mant."