vallarmáttu

Vallarmáttu is a term that appears in Old Norse literature, most notably in the Poetic Edda. It is a compound word derived from "vallar" (genitive of "völlr," meaning field or plain) and "máttu" (meaning strength or power). Therefore, "vallarmáttu" can be interpreted as "strength of the fields" or "power of the plains."

The concept of vallarmáttu is not extensively detailed in the surviving texts, but its usage suggests a connection to the natural world and the inherent forces present within the landscape. It is sometimes associated with deities or powerful beings who draw their strength from the land. In some interpretations, it refers to the vitality and fertility of the earth, a force that sustains life and possesses a primal energy.

The term's appearance in Eddic poetry indicates its significance within the pre-Christian Norse worldview. It hints at a belief system where natural phenomena and the land itself were imbued with spiritual power and agency. While specific rituals or practices directly linked to vallarmáttu are not clearly documented, its existence as a concept reflects a deep respect and understanding of the natural environment's influence on human life and the cosmos. It represents a fundamental aspect of the earth's power, a force that could be both benevolent and formidable.