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288 RBLigHON OF THE NOETHMEN.
of the subordinate Noms, which, according to the
Asa-faith, were sent out from the three great God-
desses of Eate at Urdar's Fount, to measure out the
life of individual men and appoint their fate, which
they consequently were able tg announce beforehand.
But so high a conception of the Norns was
hardly maintained during the heathen ages, espe-
cially in the latter years ; yet they were always
looked upon as most remarkable beings, who at
least were considered to be under the special pro-
tection of the great Norns, and to receive revela-
tions from them. Men, therefore, not only listened
with eagerness to their prophecies, but they also
rejoiced at their good wishes and feared their
curses ; for to both had been ascribed extraordinary
power. For this reason people took all possible
pains to make the Vala, whom they wished to con-
sult, incline propitiously towards them and their
house. The Yala wandered by invitation from
house to house, and everywhere people vied with
each other in doing honor to her while she staid, and.
in bestowing rich gifts upon her at her departure
Her dress and address were calculated to attract
attention. A seat of distinction was ready for her
wherever she came, and magic performances, such
as sei5r and gaUdr, were practiced as preliminary
measures for opening her prophetic vision.
The Saga of Eirik the Ked contains a very de-
tailed account of a Yala and her proceedings,
during her visit to Thorkel, a distinguished chieftain
among the Norwegian settlers of Greenland in the
later heathen times. "At that time," it is stated,