võlamise

Võlamise is the Estonian noun for the act or craft of enchantment or spellcasting. It derives from the verb võluma, meaning to enchant, conjure, or cast a spell. The form võlamise signals the process, technique, or body of practices involved in enchanting.

In traditional Estonian folklore, võlamine is associated with the knowledge of spells, charms, and incantations used by healers, wise people, and storytellers. Practitioners were believed to be able to influence weather, health, or misfortune, often through words, rituals, or talismans. The concept is closely linked to related terms such as võlu (magic or charm), võlur (wizard), and võlukunst (the art of magic). While some legends treat võlamine as genuine supernatural power, others present it as folklore, superstition, or moral lesson.

In modern Estonia, the term also appears in literature, academic discussions, and discussions of fantasy or stage magic. When used in everyday speech, võlamine often refers to the fictional or hypothetical practice rather than observable real-world phenomena. Scholarly treatment tends to distinguish between traditional folklore beliefs and contemporary representations of magic.

See also: võlur, võlu, võlumehed.