A3 Refereed book chapter or chapter in a compilation book
Seiðr and ergi: limited sources, diverse explanations
Authors: Willson, Kendra
Editors: Kuusela, Tommy; Ingunn Ásdísardóttir
Publication year: 2026
Book title : Women and goddesses in Old Norse mythology and folklore
Series title: Acta Scandinavica
Number in series: 15
First page : 44
Last page: 77
ISBN: 978-2-503-61466-3
eISBN: 978-2-503-61467-0
ISSN: 2466-586X
eISSN: 2565-9170
Publication's open availability at the time of reporting: No Open Access
Publication channel's open availability : No Open Access publication channel
Snorri Sturluson states in Ynglinga saga Chapter 7 that the type of magic known as seiðr, listed as one of Óðinn's skills, is attended by such ergi (unmanliness or perversity) that it is considered hazardous to a male practitioner. Other passages that have also been taken to indicate that seiðr is argr involve hapax legomena or difficult words or else concern the topic only indirectly. Many attempts have been made to explain the ergi of seiðr and reconcile this with its association with Óðinn. Some of these draw on the disputed association between seiðr and shamanism. Scholars have understood ergi in different ways, which seem to reflect the gender discourses of the scholars' own time.