> Is there any saga that has a mage (or
> anyone else realy)singing to the spirits, asking them to aid him and or
> singing their praises.

Hmph. Maybe something from the 'gyðja' in Örvar-Odds saga.

Maybe this:

Hjálpi Æsir
ok Ásynjur
gervöll regin
gyðju sinni.

(May the gods and the goddesses
- all the powers - help their priestess.)

Or this:

Auð þættumst ek
eiga nógan,
ef ek inn ítra
Álf of fyndak;
blót gefk honum
ok bú fjögur;
hann mun yðr alla
í eld draga.

I would consider myself to have enough wealth
if I found the glorious Álfr. I give sacrifice
to him and four farms - he will draw you all
to fire.

> Is the Old Norse word for bear Beowulf?

No, it is not. The general word is 'björn';
thought to be derived from the same stem as 'brown'
with the original IE-stem (lat. ursus) being lost
due to a taboo.

Kveðja,
Haukur