töfræði

Töfræði is an Icelandic term that translates to "magic" or "sorcery." It encompasses a broad range of beliefs and practices associated with the supernatural, often involving rituals, spells, and the manipulation of unseen forces. Historically, töfræði in Iceland was intertwined with folklore, mythology, and various spiritual traditions.

Beliefs in töfræði often involved understanding the natural world through a magical lens, where spirits, elves (álfar), and other hidden folk were thought to inhabit the landscape and influence human lives. This could manifest in practices aimed at protection, healing, finding lost objects, or even causing harm. Runes and other symbols were sometimes employed in magical workings.

The practice of töfræði was not always a unified system, but rather a collection of folk beliefs and customs that varied across regions and time periods. While overt practice might have diminished with the advent of Christianity and modernization, elements of töfræði are still present in Icelandic culture, often appearing in literature, art, and contemporary discussions of folklore. It represents a rich cultural heritage that explores the human relationship with the mysterious and the unknown.