Since the topic I am writing about is region specific, sometimes the only place you can get the information you need is at the source. While I was negotiating a wire transfer to the Arctic in order to get an obscure book, I was struck by the recurring warning spoken by the völva in Völuspa – “Seek you wisdom still?” The poem is about Odin demanding prophecy from a seeress in his relentless pursuit of wisdom. I somewhat sarcastically identified with the poem, as I too am in the process of going to great lengths for arcane knowledge. I give you, “The Prophecy of the Museum Manager.” (No, it’s not in the correct verse or anything.)
Speak to me, Wise One | I demand knowledge Of the ice-choked fjords | of Greenland! Who dwelt upon the rock? | What church stood to the north? I will pay the Allfathers price | for the wisdom of ages. Who disturbs this keeper, | this guardian of the text? A foolish man seeks only | that which is not worth the price. Such knowledge I have | bound by white pages But the price is not set | Seek you wisdom still? Arise, Wise One! | For this book I will pay Gladly, for feast I will | on the meat of wisdom Drink draughts deeply | from the well of knowledge! What price must I pay | the hour grows late. Before your sacrifice | for the sake of such secrets Know ye that such text | must be carried a great distance Across the New World | on the wings of the sky-steed For this must you pay | Seek you wisdom still? Torment me not | for I fear no penalty! The secrets I will know | are worth such a price I shall send thee a purse | o’er flowing with gold For but a taste of | that ancient tome. Know this, Traveler, | thy purse useless lies Such knowledge I shall not give | though your coin be heavy Seek ye a seidmann | to cross my palm with your gold Carried upon the air | Seek you wisdom still? Of such sorcery | have I heard Though it grieves me greatly | to deal with such devils I shall pass ye my coin | through the ether From my land to yours | with greatest haste. Now do I know | that you are no coward The text you shall have | plus two or three more For the sacrifice you have made | exceeds that of these words The wisdom shall seek ye out | Look to its coming.
What’s this about:
Seek ye a seidmann | to cross my palm with your gold
Carried upon the air | Seek you wisdom still?
It’s definitely the turning point in the poem. What’s a seidmann, and why is it soooo bad?
A seidmann was a male practitioner of Seidr (“seether”), by all indications a form of shamanic sorcery. It was pretty taboo for a male to practice it, but Odin did it anyway. I’m basically using it to compare international money transfers to evil sorcery.