A Völva is a female Shaman in Old Norse culture, religion, and mythology.

The word Völva (or Vǫlva in Icelandic) comes from the Old Norse word “vǫlr” which means “wand.” Vǫlva literally translates to “of a wand” and culturally translates to “wand carrier.” The word “wand” was a reference to a Distaff — a wooden staff designed to hold a bundle of raw fiber (e.g. flax or wool) while a woman spun it into thread or yarn.

Though women and men in Old Norse society did participate in many gender-neutral tasks and responsibilities, the art of spinning thread and weaving it into cloth was exclusively considered women’s work, which is why Völva — the practitioners of Norse shamanism — were almost exclusively women.

In essence, a Völva was a woman who represented the gods’ influence over Wyrd, or Fate, within Old Norse society. The goddess Freyja was considered to be the original Völva; it was she who brought the practice of Seiðr to Midgard (Earth) and Völva looked to her for guidance and protection. Völva were respected and revered practitioners of the magical and healing arts that lived at the center of Norse society.