Nordic Wiccan: Svartalheim

Svartalheim

In Norse mythology, Svartalfheim (Svartalfaheimr) is the underground realm of black elves, or dark elves, ruled by the dark elf Modsognir. Svartalfheim is in the middle region of the nine worlds, on the same level as Midgard. These creatures were not allowed to come to the surface of the earth during daylight hours under penalty of being turned to stone. The counter part to the dark elves are the Light Elves who live in Alfheim.

The elves were a race of mythical beings, who were, in a way, lesser deities. They weren't exactly Gods in the normal sense, but they did possessed powers. The truth is that the writers in the Norse myths don't have much to say about the elves. Their roles were developed more later in folklore, fairy tales and in the world of fantasy novels, such as by the novelist J. R. R. Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings.

An elf is a type of supernatural being in Germanic mythology and folklore. Elves are first attested in Old English and Old Norse texts and are prominent in traditional British and Scandinavian folklore. Elves were originally thought of as ambivalent beings with certain magical abilities capable of helping or hindering humans, but in later traditions became increasingly sinister and were believed to afflict humans and livestock in various ways.

The races that comprise the Dark Elves are: dwarves, gnomes, goblins, kobolds and trolls. The Dark Elves, are evil creatures who grew from the maggots of Ymir's flesh. The dark elves could be hideous and could be a great nuisance to the humans, many described them as being extremely annoying. The dark elves were nothing but trouble. Many believed that dark elves were also responsible for the nightmares. These dark elves were called mare. A mare would sit on a sleeping person’s chest and whisper bad dreams to haunt the person. A mare could also haunt animals, especially horses. But they could not be exposed to sunlight, if the sun’s rays reached them they would immediately turn into stones.

Dark Elves are sinister and often use their magic to evil ends. Farmers often complain of them riding their horses all night until exhausted. They are also blamed for poor milk cows, missing shiny objects sure as money, rotten food and smoke billowing back down chimneys. Generally they are not called on for magic works. If you do great caution is given and may you find protection in your path.

Ruler of the universe,
who closes my eyes in sleep,
my eyelids in slumber.

Let no disturbing thoughts upset me,
no evil dreams nor troubling fantasies.

Peace of sleep is all I ask.

Thank you and Good night.