Thistle mistletoe formula


The thistle mistletoe formula is a pagan Norse Runic formula, involving several rhyming words ending in -istill. The formula is attested in around 15 variants from the Viking Age.

Attestations

Ledberg stone (Ög 181)

The Swedish Ledberg stone from Östergötland contains the formula. Following a standard memorial inscription, we read
When resolved becomes, in normalized Old Icelandic spelling:

Gørlev stone (DR 239)

Likewise, the Danish Gørlev stone contains the exact same formula, along with a younger futhark rune-row.

Saga of Bósi

The formula reaches its climax in a riddle in the legendary Icelandic Saga of Bósi and Herraud, where it reads :

r.o.þ.k.m.u. iiiiii. ssssss. tttttt. iiiiii. llllll

Resolved and normalized, we get:
The meaning of the final word, uistil , is unclear.