The Merseburg Incantations
They are the only pagan incantations preserved in Germany, written down by a monk more than 1,000 years ago and kept in the Merseburg cathedral chapter library: the Merseburg Incantations – two spells handed down in Old High German. The lines of text are magical incantations from pre-Christian times in a rare original form and are thus a record of Germanic pagan customs.
While the first verse was spoken to release prisoners from their bonds, the second was intended to bring about the healing of a foot injury.
The spells, characterised by the strictness of their form, reveal the particularly sonorous nature of the Old High German language. Repetition, rhythm and the magic words at the end create an enchanting and compelling aura when the spells are read aloud. It is worth noting that the Merseburg incantations are the only known instance of the Old High German language to feature figures from the Germanic pantheon (Wodan, Balder, Frija, Volla, Sunna, Phol and Sinhtgunt).
It is now thought that the incantations were recorded in the first or second third of the 10th century. The Merseburg incantations became known as such due to the place where they were found. The lines were first discovered in 1841 by the historian Georg Waitz, who was widely known among scholars, in the library of the cathedral chapter of Merseburg. He himself refrained from publishing the spells and left it to the Brothers Grimm to edit them. Jacob Grimm chose the Merseburg incantations as the subject of his inaugural lecture to the Berlin Academy of Sciences on 3 February 1842. Grimm praised the surviving manuscript as a “... treasure” such that “no library in Germany ... has anything to compare with it.”
A copy of the famous Merseburg incantations can be seen in the incantation vault. Here, you can take an in-depth look at the incantations, their origin, and how they were handed down and translated.
In the series "Hidden", MDR Kultur presented the Merseburg Spells in a video report.
The Merseburg Magic Spells on their way to becoming a UNESCO World Heritage Site
The Merseburg Magic Spells are so unique that in May 2021, the United Cathedral Founders, together with Dr Wolfgang Beck from the Institute of German Literature at the University of Jena, submitted an application to have the Merseburg Magic Spells inscribed on the UNESCO Memory of the World Register. This was unanimously accepted by the German nomination committee "Memory of the World" in September 2021. Charlotte Tennler, press officer for the United Cathedral Foundations, spoke to Markus Cottin, head of the Merseburg Cathedral Abbey Archive and Library, about the current status of the application.
Charlotte Tennler: The application was submitted three years ago, when can a decision be expected?
Markus Cottin: The application for the spells can be submitted to the Memory of the World Secretariat in Paris in 2025 at the earliest. A decision could then be expected in 2026. These years are not certain because there is a backlog of applications due to a reform of the regulations.
Charlotte Tennler: Why are the spells so unique?
Markus Cottin: The spells are the oldest Old High German text document. They document the invocation of Germanic deities in certain emergencies, such as in a battle or when a horse is injured. These are the only known spells involving pagan (non-Christian) personnel. The recording in a manuscript with Christian texts demonstrates the transition from the spoken to the written word and the persistence of magical practices even in Christianised societies. Such a situation of transmission is unique and stands alongside orally transmitted spells from other cultures.
Charlotte Tennler: What then is planned for Merseburg Cathedral should the spells become a World Heritage Site and what is the current status of that?
Markus Cottin: The spells are the unique selling point for Merseburg and Merseburg Cathedral, regardless of the World Heritage title. In future, they are to be brought closer to the general public again through lectures, competitions and activities. We are supported in this endeavour not only by the Freundeskreis Literatur as a sponsoring association, but also by academics, writers and artists who deal with the spells. If the spells receive the coveted title, then the initiatives should be strengthened, which is currently being examined by a feasibility study. New spaces can then be opened up for an extensive exhibition of all facets of the spells.
Charlotte Tennler: What would the UNESCO World Heritage Site mean for Merseburg Cathedral and Merseburg?
Markus Cottin: A positive decision would emphasise Merseburg even more clearly as a cultural location and attract more visitors. It would then be important to continue to capitalise on this asset in terms of tourism and make it possible to experience the magic spells across generations. Thanks to the support of the state, district, city and committed citizens, we are on the right track.
Original Text
Literal Transcription
Eiris sazun idisi sazun hera duoder suma
hapt heptidun sumaherilezidun sumaclu
bodun umbicuonio uuidi insprinc hapt
badun inuar uigandun. H.
phol ende uuodan uuorun ziholza duuuart
demobalderes uolon sin uuoz birenkict
thubiguolen sinhtgunt sunna era suister
thuboguolen friia uolla era suister thu
biguolen uuodan so he uuola conda
sosebenrenki soseblutrenki soselidi
renki ben zibena bluot zibluoda
lid zigeliden sosegelimida sin
Translation of the incantations into modern German
(by Wolfgang Beck, Würzburg)
Einst saßen Idisi, saßen auf den Kriegerscharen.
Einige fesselten einen Gefangenen, einige hemmten die Heere,
Einige zertrennten scharfe Fesseln.
Entspringe den Fesseln, entfahre den Feinden!
Phol und Wodan begaben sich in den Wald.
Dort wurde dem Fohlen Balders der Fuß gerenkt.
Da besangen ihn Sinhtgunt und Sunna, ihre Schwester.
Da besangen ihn Frija und Volla, ihre Schwester.
Da besang ihn Wodan, so wie er es gut verstand:
Wenn Knochenrenkung, wenn Blutrenkung, wenn Gelenkrenkung:
Knochen zu Knochen, Blut zu Blut, Glied zu Glied!
So seien sie zusammengefügt!
Exclusive tour "Die Merseburger Zaubersprüche"
To understand the incantations, guests are taken to the time around 900 A.D. – a period when people still believed in wonders and the power of their words and gods. What was their language? How did they live and work? We visit the location where the Merseburg incantations were found and are still kept. Why do magic spells still fascinate us after 1000 years? In an impressive interpretation this “spell” in Old High German language is also be brought to your ears. Please note that this tour is only available in German. You can, however, bring along and individual translator.
Contact
Besucherservice Merseburger Dom
Domplatz 7 | 06217 Merseburg
Tel. +49 (0) 3461 21 00 45
fuehrung@merseburger-dom.de
