Galdr

[1] Old Norse: galdr and Old English: ġealdor or galdor are derived from the reconstructed Proto-Germanic *galdraz, meaning a song or incantation.

[2][3] The terms are also related by the removal of an Indo-European -tro suffix to the verbs Old Norse: gala and Old English: galan, both derived from Proto-Germanic *galaną, meaning to sing or cast a spell.

[11] In Grógaldr, Gróa chants nine (a significant number in Norse mythology) galdrar to aid her son, and in Buslubœn, the schemes of king Ring of Östergötland are averted.

[1] For instance, Odin mastered galdrar against fire, sword edges, arrows, fetters and storms, and he could conjure up the dead and speak to them.

"Svá hjalpi þér hollar véttir, Frigg ok Freyja ok fleiri goð, sem þú feldir mér fár af höndum.

At last were born a boy and girl, Son and daughter of Hogni's slayer; Then speech the woman so weak began, Nor said she aught ere this she spake:

"[19] In Beowulf, ġealdru are used to protect the dragon's hoard that was buried in a barrow: Him big stódan bunan ond orcas discas lágon ond dýre swyrd ómige þurhetone swá híe wið eorðan fæðm þúsend wintra þaér eardodon, þonne wæs þæt yrfe éacencræftig, iúmonna gold galdre bewunden þæt ðám hringsele hrínan ne móste gumena aénig nefne god sylfa sigora sóðcyning sealde þám ðe hé wolde --hé is manna gehyld-- hord openian· efne swá hwylcum manna swá him gemet ðúhte.

Beside them goblets and ewers stood, and dishes lay and precious swords, rusty and eaten through, as had they dwelt there a thousand winters in the earth's embrace.