sõnavaim
Sõnavaim is an Estonian term used in folklore to describe the belief that certain spoken words or utterances carry intrinsic magical power. It refers to a form of word-based charm or spell, often considered part of the broader tradition of loits (incantations). A sõnavaim might be a short rhyme, formula, or set phrase believed to influence outcomes when spoken in the right context.
In traditional practice, sõnavaim was used for practical aims such as healing, protection, or ensuring good
Sõnavaim is typically distinguished from prose prayer or everyday speech by its ritual character and intentional
Today, there is renewed interest in sõnavaim within ethnofolkloristic research and cultural revival, as part of