Seeresses. An in-depth description of a Volva is found in Eirik the Red. The woman in the saga wore a cloak with a catskin lined hood and catskin gloves. She had a belt with a pouch on it, in which she carried her magical items. She also carried a staff.
A typical prophesizing ritual seemed to consist of the volva sitting on a platform, slipping into a trance like state, and while in the altered state of consciousness communing with spirits to learn the anwers to questions. Questions concerning health, war, farming, and any other common activity were frequent. The ritual performed by the volva was referred to as seidr, meaning sorcery. There is an on-line article regarding volva, seidr, and spae-craft.
A good description of the prophetic ritual is given in Hrolf's Saga Kraka. The king asks the seeress to locate two boys, she slips into a sort of trance, opens her mouth wide, and chants out her answer.
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