(Tiwaz) rune and the 
(Nauðiz) rune were popular because of their strong protective powers.
combines the Tiwaz and Nauðiz runes for extra protection.
This ingredients were all put in a horn of beer or mead, this horn was inscribed with unknown red runestaves and the drink itself tasted bitter and cool.
Other magical workings of elements:
In ancient times many herbs, elements, and objects were believed to have a magical working but unfortunately many of this lore and beliefs have been forgotten nowadays, though some of it has survived in the Poetic Edda:
Poetic Edda, Hávamál:
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137. Ráðumk þér, Loddfáfnir, en þú ráð nemir. Njóta mundu ef þú nemur, þér munu góð ef þú getur: Hvar er þú öl drekkir, kjós þú þér jarðar megin, því að jörð tekur við öldri, en eldur við sóttum, eik við abbindi, ax við fjölkynngi, höll við hýrógi, heiftum skal mána kveðja, beiti við bitsóttum, en við bölvi rúnar. Fold skal við flóði taka. |
137. I counsel thee, Loddfafnir, to take advice, thou wilt profit if thou takest it. Wherever thou beer drinkest, invoke to thee the power of earth; for earth is good against drink, fire for distempers, the oak for constipation, a corn-ear for sorcery a hall for domestic strife. In bitter hates invoke the moon; the biter for bite-injuries is good; but runes against calamity; fluid let earth absorb. |
Ribe cranium:
The Ribe cranium dates from the 9th century AD, the inscription reads:
"Ulfur auk Uþin auk Hutiur hialb Buris uiþr þaima uiarki auk tuir kuniu".
Which means:"Ulfur and Odin and Hydyr help Buris against pain and dwarfstoke".
The Ribe cranium is probably a charm to protect against fever (Dwarfstroke), which was believed to be caused by Dwarves, anyone posessing such a charm was believed to be immune to illness.
Westeremden charm:
This is a piece of wood found near the Dutch city of Westeremden in the province of Groningen.
The inscription reads; "Adujislu meþ Jisuhildu", which means "Adujislu (a male name) with Jisuhildu (a female name)".
The stick is probably a charm that had to protect or strengthen the love between two persons.
Gotland medallion:
On the Swedish island of Gotland a medallion was found that contains the skeleton of a snake, just like in the Baltic culture snakes were believed to bring good luck.
Virring stone:
On the Virring stone is an inscription that says:
"Þur uiki þisi kuml"
Translation:"Thor hallows this monument"
This type of charms were used to protect monuments or holy places against vandals (the proverbial ones of course ;)
The Merseburger charms:
The most famous charms are of course the ones found at the German city of Merseburg, they were written down in the 10th century AD but were based on older ones.
The charms are written in Old High German which has many similarities with modern Dutch and German, therefor I have decided to translate the texts myself because most translations I have seen so far were either incorrect or too far away from the actual text.
The first one is a charm that could be used to free a prisoner:
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Eiris sâzun Idisi, sâzun hera duoder. Suma hapt heptidun, suma hera lezidum, suma clûbôdun umbi cuoniouuidi: Insprinc haptbandun, invar vîgandun! |
Once sat the Disen (guardian spirits), sat here and there. Some fastened shackles, some hindered the army, some loosened the shackles of the brave: Jump out of the shackles, escape the enemies! |
The second charm could be used to heal sprains:
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Phol ende Uuodan vuoron zi holza. Dû uuart demo Balders volon sîn vuoz birenkit. Thû biguol en Sinthgunt, Sunna era suister; thû biguol en Frîia, Volla era suister; thû biguol en Uuodan, sô hê uuola conda: sôse bênrenkî, sôse bluotrenkî, sôse lidirenkî: bên zi bêna, bluot zi bluoda, lid zi geliden, sôse gelîmida sîn! |
Phol (=Balder) and Wodan rode through the woods. There had Balders foal sprained his foot. It was charmed by Sinthgunt, Sunna her sister; it was charmed by Frija, Folla her sister; it was charmed by Wodan, like he well could: be it bonesprain, be it bloodsprain, be it limbsprain, bone to bones, blood to blood, limb to limbs, like they are glued! |
