What Are Landvættir?
Landvættir, or Land Spirits, are nature spirits that occupy a lesser-understood yet important role in Northern European folklore and mythology.
The root word Vættir is Old Norse for “spirits,” and Landvættir is the word specially used to identify spirits that are part of the natural landscape. In this way they are culturally similar to the Genius Loci of pre-Christianity Rome or the Kami of the Shinto religion.
While it is historically believed that Landvættir were important in all Old Norse cultures / settlements / countries, the best documentation of their descriptions and importance comes from Iceland. The Landnámabók, or Book Of Settlements, specifically mentions a rule that sailors must avoid frightening the Landvættir with their ships’ ornamentations; the modern-day coat of arms of Iceland shows the four supporters of the land - a bull, an eagle, a dragon, and a giant.
Because Landvættir are inexorably attuned to their natural surroundings, their location and number vary widely - rocks, trees, and meadows can all contain or be Landvættir, as can larger landmarks like mountains or fjords. Landvættir can appear as manifestations of nature (e.g. a swirl of leaves in the wind), as mystical creatures like gnomes or elves, or as animals or insects.
Discerning the presence of Landvættir depends on the individual, and can be a deeply spiritual process. Landvættir guard the natural spaces they occupy, ensuring vitality and well-being; they are a manifestation of the delicate balance between humanity and the natural world, a reminder of the importance of living in harmonious balance with the air, land, and water.
As protectors of nature, Landvættir were respected and treated with care in Old Norse culture. Respect and veneration in the form of kind words or left offerings was believed to create fruitful partnerships; disrespect or desecration of nature was equally believed to contribute to natural disasters or agricultural misfortune.
If you are interested in connecting with the Landvættir in your area, here is an easy way to begin that is built on ritual work with the Five Senses:
Sit directly on the ground in an area where you live - ideally ground that is not paved over - and visualize your body’s energy moving down into the earth like tree roots. Feel the land and its vibrations, paying attention to how you feel when your energy and the energy of the land meet. If you have trouble connecting, or want a deeper connection, it can help to place your palms face-down on the ground as well.
Take three deep breaths and notice how the air feels in your lungs and tastes in your mouth. The trees and plants, the rocks and earth, the insects and animals and birds - these all contribute to the quality and the movement of the air in any given area.
Listen to the sounds of the nature all around you. If you live in an urban area, acknowledge the sounds of human civilization first; then allow your mind to hone in on the more subtle sounds of the natural world. Pay close attention to what you hear: the wind whispering through tree branches, the songs of birds, the chirps of insects, the movement of water, these are all indicators of how the land is alive, and potential messages as well.
Observe the natural elements you see all around you. Documenting how nature appears in your environment is a wonderful way to begin to recognize landmarks or special trees or rocks where Landvættir might be contacted. Sketch in a journal, take pictures with a phone, or just look and remember - there is no wrong way to observe so long as we do it with respect.
Share an offering with the Landvættir in the form of your favorite food or drink. This does not have to be a full meal; it is as simple as taking a moment to sip a beverage, or eat a few bites of a food that brings you joy. Savor the flavors and textures. Feel gratitude for the nourishment. And then offer some of what you brought to the land - you can bury it if scavengers are a known issue, or you can leave it under a bush, on a rock or tree stump. Take a moment to let the spirits of the land know you are purposely sharing with them, so they know it is a gift - this will help you tap into any gifts they may leave in kind, like unexpectedly appearing feathers, flowers, or interesting pebbles or shells.
A face carved into a tree’s living bark - Landvættir were often honored with depictions of their presence