Fylgja and Fylgjukona

    Norse.

    Fylgja is a human man's soul that may be seen during life, often in animal form. It leaves at death and may pass to a son.
    The feminine is the fylgjukona, a sort of goddess (dis) who premonishes in dreams, most often appearing to him shortly before his death. She at times vexes and at other times protects him.
    This includes ideas of second sight, dream spirit, and guardian or attendant spirit.

    A similar idea is in the Swedish vard and Old Norse hamingja.

    A Norse tale, "Atlamal", refers to the fylgjukona:
    "Methought dead women came hither by night, poorly clad; they wished to choose thee; they bade thee forthwith to their benches."

The Religion of the Teutons, by Saussaye, 1902.
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