Though Weinhold, perhaps the foremost scholar on the position and achievements of early Germanic womanhood, does not concede the existence of a real priestcraft among the ancient Teutons, he gives, nevertheless, numberless examples of their great influence and prophetic mission. Like the above-mentioned mythological women, mortal women were supposed to know secret charms to make the weapons of their men victorious: some possessing the charm over the blade (_Schwertsegeri_). This spell was worked by scratching secret runes (letters) upon the handle or blade of the sword while calling thrice the name of the sword god Tyr. The most potent influence of Teutonic women rests upon their guardianship of the sacred runes, which are a primeval, Teutonic method of searching the future: the power of divination. The Anglo-Saxon and Scandinavian word _run_ signifies a letter, a writing, or literally a secret, mystery, confidential speech, counsel. A letter was also called _runstaef_. Little staffs with significant signs and symbols were thrown by women, as dice are cast, to the accompaniment of prayers and charms, and from the result of the cast prophecies were made. Odin (Wodan) himself taught the wise women the greatest of runes "which [in this connection] means both writing and magic, and many other arts of life." Whittier, Kallundborg Church, says of them: "Of the Troll of the Church they sing the rune: By the Northern Sea in the harvest moon." The _runes_ or charms are twofold. The good and wholesome ones are called _galdr_; the pernicious ones, carrying with them sickness, madness, and death, are called _soidr_. The women of magic possessed of the art of the _runes_ were called _volur_ or _seidkona_, and wandered through the land in fantastic attire, a dark cloak set with pearls around their limbs, a cap of black lambskin on the head, a staff with a brass button, set with stones, in their hand. Wherever they appeared, they were reverently invited to a feast and propitiated in every way, that they might be induced to practise beneficent magic arts during the night. They enjoyed an almost semi-divine veneration. There were, however, "_balewise_ women" against whom the Scandinavian warrior was warned. "The sons of men need an eye of foresight wherever the fray rages, for _balewise_ [horrible, hideous] women often stand near the way [with _baleful runes_] blunting swords and minds."