Svakons, in Lettish mythology, were soothsayers who foretold fortunes from tlame and the smoke of a light.
Svalgoni, in Lettish mythology, were priests who understood nuptial ceremonies, examined bridegrooms and brides who were about to marry, tied the conjugal knot, and pronounced the blessing upon them in the name of Deity.
Svantevit, in Slavic mythology, was the most re- vered and conspicuous of the gods among the Wends. At Arkona, on the island of Riigen, stood his gigantic image, which was far and wide, for the whole southern coast of the Baltic Sea, the central point of worship. Svantevit was an enormous colossus, which on four necks bore four heads with shorn hair and short beard. His clothing was like that of the Wends in general: a gown extending to the knees, made of cloth or felt, with long wide sleeves; a ginlle held it together; the legs were bare; on the feet he wore coarse bark shoes; an immense sword bung at his side; and in the right hand he carried a large bow resting on the ground; his left hand held a cornucopia, which was annually tilled with _ wine. In addition to these
insignia, his image, which stood in Rlietra, had also a long- bearded human head on the breast. Svantevit was both a good and an evil - deity, as the cornucopia and '■" the bow indicated — the lat- ter for war, the former for peace. He overshadowed the whole earth with his four heads; hence his coun- sel was highly prized and his oracles were the most conspicuous, as his cultus involved earthly power and authorit}'. He was wor- shipped with drunken rev- elries, and large offerings, including, not unfrequentlv, human victims, were made; but, it would seem, only when he was angry. His service was attended to by one high-priest, who, on the day of the great harvest fes- tival, personally swept the temple, anil that with re- strained respiration, so as not to offend the god with his breath. Wine only was poured into his great cornucopia ; and from the quantity that remained over from the pre- ceding year an augury was drawn as to the abinidance or otherwise of the next year's crop. The temple and the image of the god were destroyed by Waldemar I, on the baptism of the people. The public worship of this god thereafter ceased, although it privately continued, so that even now many old peasants regard the spot witli superstitious awe. The interpretation of the name as Holy Veil (Sanctus Vitus) is probably only an instance of the corruption or extension of language. — Vollmer, WOrterb. d. Mythol. s. v.
Svaitalf hein, in Norse mythology, was the native place of all evil genii or black elves.
Figure of Svantevit.
Svarthcefde, in Norse mythology, was the origi- nal ancestor of all magicians, who learned his art from the gods themselves, and transmitted it to his descend- ants.
Svasudes, in Slavic mythology, was the gnd of summer, represented by the warm beams of spring that introduced summer. He was worshipped by the Wends and Slavs as a deity of the second raidv.
Svava, in Norse mythologj', was a beautiful daugh- ter of king Eylimi, who became famous through Helgi Haddinga, the son of Hiorward, king of Norway. The last had made a vow to call his own the fairest woman of tlie earth; and thus he already had three wives — Alfliild, the mother of Hedin ; Siireid, the mother of Humlung; and Siuriod, the mother of Hilming — when he heard that Sigurlin was the handsomest of women. He immediately wooed her through the jarl Atli, but was rejected through fear of other suitors. Thereupon he made war upon her father, and at length seized Si- gurlin. She was, however, already the mother of a son, the famous Helgi, who remained quiet until the kind- hearted Svava aroused him, gave him the name of Hel- gi, and allied lierself to him as a godmother. Defended by the bad and charming Walkur, and armed with a never-failing sword, Helgi signalized himself by deeds of the greatest heroism ; but he was, nevertheless, slain by Atli, the son of Hrodmar. No sooner, however, was Helgi reborn as the son of king Sigmund and the beautiful Rorghili than Svava also reappeared in a sec- ond incarnation as the Shild virgin Sigrun. Helgi was but one day old when he stood in armor and longed for the liattle and victory. He crept, in female attire, into the house of the powerful but wicked king Hundingur, explored it as a waiting-maid, and then attacked and slew him in a dreadful contest. Helgi next wooed the beautiful and formerly loved Svava, now Sigrun; but had 3'et to undergo many a severe contest, since she was already betrothed to Hodbrod, a son of king Gramnar of Sweden, but not loved by her. Helgi attacked him also, overcame and slew him in a battle at PVekastein, and was approaching the goal of liis wishes when a new obstacle arose in the person of his own brother Hedin. The latter was returning home to .Julaabend when he met an ugly old witch, out of the forest, riding on a wolf, which she drove with reins of twisted snakes, and she offered herself as a Walkur to the beautiful youth as a protectress; but when he disdained her, she angrily cried, "Thou shalt pay for this with Braga's cup." When Hedin reached his home, he wildly swore that he would possess himself of Sigrun, his brother's bride, and he accordingly went immediately to seek his broth- er for that purpose. The latter not only treated him kindly, but, having been already mortally wounded in battle, surrendered her to his brother. When Helgi ar- rived in Walhalla, all the joys of heaven coidd not sup- ply the place of the beautiful Sigrun ; he therefore re- turned to his tomb, and rested there all night by the side of the lovely Sigrun till the morning light an- nounced the end of his delight ; and, mounting his steed, he returned to the halls of Walhalla. Helgi was a third time born as the ifccand Haddinga, while Svava, like- wise, a third time appeared as Kara, daughter of Half- dan, who was king of Denmark, and, with the spouse of his daughter, ruled over land and sea. — Vollmer, Wur- terb. d. A/yt/zo/. s. v.