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The Merseburg Charms are two short magic texts in Old High German, written in the 9th/10th century on a free page of a Merseburg manuscript. They are the only surviving pagan charms in the German language – a unique treasure.
The first charm describes Idisi (valkyrie-like women) who loose fetters and bind enemies. It is a releasing charm for captives: "Escape the bonds, flee the foes."
The second charm tells how Balder's horse sprains its foot in the wood. Several deities speak over it, among them Frija and Volla, but only Wodan heals it with the formula "bone to bone, blood to blood, limb to limb". This healing formula lived on in European folk medicine for a long time.
"thu biguol en Uuodan, so he uuola conda"Second Merseburg Charm, OHG (public domain)
The Merseburg Charms are the heart of continental paganism. Continue with Wodan, Donar & Ziu and Frija.
Wodan, Donar & Ziu · Frija – Goddess of the Week · Germanic Religion · Donar · Rune magic – alu, laukaʀ and the formula words.
