NorsePlay Investigates: the Elf Stone!

While in Reykjavík during my recent cross-Atlantic trip, I went to investigate the Map Of Midgard site of the Álfasteinn, The Elf Stone!

After leaving The Stone Of The Hidden Man, I had the cabbie drive to the east entry of the Icelandair Hotel Reykjavík Natura where on the north side of the driveway sits the above stone, but unlike the former, this stone actually has its own how-to sign:

"If you'd like to visit with the elves, you can sit on the rock, stroke it and perhaps even have a spontaneous conversation with these invisible creatures. Those who know a thing or two about the world of the hidden folk also recommend bringing flowers as a gesture of friendship."

Objective observations: In an oddly similar way to the Huldumannssteinn, the Álfasteinn also had a split along with the uneven one-third to two-thirds separation. One could infer from the sign's other text and this feature that removal was attempted, thwarted, and abandoned. About 3'6" tall and 7' wide, this stone also has the same lichen surfacing, spray of healthy vegetation in its fissure, and drop away angles on its sides that give it a distinguishing profile when seen compared to regular boulders.

On the N side, coloured yogurt-dipped pretzels with M&M "eyes" had intentionally been left where the ground met the upper surface:

And on top were placed other stones, an egg, coins, and a padlock:

Subjective observations: To me, the berm-like wall in front of the Elf Stone seems to be a cosmetic landscape cover up on the drive into the hotel parking lot, but it also strangely echoes the broken shape of the stone with its own split you can walk through, perhaps even providing a windbreak for it, and it feels as though it sets off a bit of sacred space for the Álfasteinn (well, as sacred as one can achieve next to a parking lot). The matching split to the Huldumannssteinn is interesting, but that feature is incidental as the Álfar Rock I saw during my 2014 visit and the one in the Faroes this year doesn't mirror that, but the profile of this stone does distinguish & signal the idea of supernatural habitation, which the exterior offerings confirm, though less than the others. I was glad to see things left for the Elves, and told them that it pleased me greatly that they had such recognition & riches from the people around them. I also promised them recognition with some mead when I got back home to thank them for letting me visit, photograph, and speak to them. Also, compared to The Stone Of The Hidden Man, I sensed  happier yet still somewhat remote presences here.

The Elf Stone's GPS: 64.13129, -21.93043

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Guillermo Maytorena IV knew there was something special in the Norse Lore when he picked up a copy of the d'Aulaires' Norse Gods and Giants at age seven. Since then he's been fascinated by the truthful potency of Norse Mythology, passionately read & studied, embraced Ásatrú, launched the Map of Midgard project, and spearheaded the neologism/brand NorsePlay. If you have employment/opportunities in investigative mythology,  field research, or product development to offer, do contact him.