Slow Havamal: 161

In verse 161, Odin says he knows a sixteenth spell: he uses it to win over a cunning, lovely-armed beauty all for himself.

The two descriptions of the kind of woman Odin desires are cunning and lovely-armed or white-armed, the color which means beautiful in Norse metaphor. The first adjective could mean that she is very clever, and that that’s a desirable trait in a woman (I would agree). It could also mean that he needs this spell only for cunning women because the less-clever are easily won. I’m also reminded of the American folk use of the word cunning to describe one versed in magical arts, which means she may have formidable resistance to ordinary spells.( Read more... )