[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]
birch could be better compaired to a young princess or prince, fair and magestic, but both young
and not yet fertile or verile. These figures contain within themselves the nacient forms of sovereignty
which will at some point manifest. By this interpretation, those who see Berkano as a rune of fer-
tility do not entirely do so in error. It is a rune of incubation, or rather it is a rune of the outward
manifestation of what is being incubated.
The interpretation of the sterility if Berkano being associated with youth is backed by the Old
Icelandic Rune Poem:
(Birch-twig) is a leafy limb and a little tree
and a youthful wood.
Silver Fir Protector"
The connection between birch and youth becomes striking. On a more subtle level however, one
is challenged with the folk custom in Northern Europe of self-flagellation with birch switches to
promote vitality. I maintain that these concepts are very clearly tied together. Youth is by nature
energetic, and if one takes the leaves as a symbol of life energy or even luck (ON "Hamingja"), as was
seen in above, then every rune poem makes reference to the link between birch and vitality.
The final rune poem may make some slight mythic reference, though this is somewhat conjectural.
The Old Norwegian Rune Rhyme states:
(Birch-twig) is the limb greenest with leaves
Loki brought the luck of deciept.
In addition to the afore mentioned link with vitality, this stanza may make reference to the Lay
of Thrym, where Thorr, with the aid of Loki, disguises himself as Freya this is the only place in the
Eddas where Loki is outright deceptive in his tactics. Loki usually is mischevious but usually at least
is nominally truthful. Here, however, he outrught lies to protect Thorr and help the god which is
generally his enemy to retrieve his hammer.
76 CHAPTER 6. THE THIRD AETT: THE AETT OF RULERSHIP
This story requires some description. Thrym had stolen Thorr s hammer and would only give
it back on the condition that the Aesir give Thrym Freya as his bride. With Loki s help, Thorr is
disguised as Freya and sets off to the land of the giants along with Loki. When he arrives at the
hall of Thrym, he is unable to contain his appetite and would have been discovered were it not for
the quicke words of Loki who explain Thorr s hunger as being related to heat of the journey, and he
again conceals Thorr s identity when Thrym is shocked by the intesity of Thorr s gaze through the
veil. Eventually, Thorr is in a position to take back his hammer and he gleefully slays Thrym and all
the giants in the hall.
A close look at this story reveals a pattern consistant with the notion of this rune representing the
incubationary process. Thorr is the entity which is being incubated by the bridal disguises and by
Loki s quick words. In this way he remain in a state which could not be manifest as Thorr until he
is able to emerge with Mjolnir to slay his foes. Furthermore, Thorr is an entity who represents the
active, vital priciple, so he is a prime candidate for the story.
Divinatory Meanings
This rune signifies a period of hidden development after which the goals can be met as the project
can emerge vital and full of life.
Magical Uses
To allow things to grow in secret, for fertility, prosperity, beauty, or even magesty.
6.4 Ehwaz: The Horse
*Ehwaz (Horse) From PIE *Ekwos
Ehwaz -> Eoh (Horse)
Ehwaz -> NHG Eh (Marriage)
Cognate with Latin Equus, Old Celtic Equuns (-> Gaulish Epona, the name of a horse and
war goddess)
Phonetic value: E (Enter)
This rune again poses some linguistic difficulties in part because, of the decendent traditions, the
rune only appears in the Old English Futhork, while the linguistic evidence points to some profound
divergent trends. Furthermore, although the horse does not feature in the rune-row of tho Old Norse,
it strongly features in the myths and legends, and also in the kennings.
The linguistic connection between Ehwaz and the New High German Eh ("marriage") are actually
quite meaningful. The horse was not only a "vehicle" for travel but also a traveling companion. In
medieval poetry, the war horse is a companion, and knights often talk to their horses and swords.
This rune then symbolizes companionship.
The Old English Rune Poem states:
(Horse) is, in front of the warriors, a joy of noble men,
a charger proud on its hooves; when concerning it, heroes
wealthy men on warhorses exchange speech,
and to the restles it is always a comfort.
This poem makes reference to several points of interest. First, this rune makes direct reference to
the corresponding stanza of the fourth rune (Ansuz). Ansuz clearly is connected with the god Oðinn
6.5. MANNAZ: THE MAN 77
and Oðinn with his horse Sleipnir (One who Slips). Sleipnir is the son of Loki and an Etin-stallion,
and this story is worth repeating.
Asgard s wall was built by an etin disguised as a human who claimed he could perform the work
at an astounding pace so long as his payment would be the hand of Freya in marriage. The Aesir
felt that the job would be impossible to do on time and so they agreed. The Etin had but one horse.
As the time went on, it became apparent that the Aesir were wrong in their assessment and that at
the current rate the giant would finish the work in time. In their despiration, they turned to Loki
who took the shape of a mare and distracted the etin s stallion just as the gatehouse was nearing
completion. When the giant saw what was happening, in his anger he resumed his gigantic form.
When Thorr saw him, he slew the etin with his hammer. No one saw Loki for some time after that,
but when he returned, he was in the company of an eight-legged colt named Sleipnir, whom he gave
to Oðinn.
It is worth noting that Loki s other children are Fenrir the wolf (the wolf who slays Odhinn and
swallows Tyr s hand), Iormungand (the serpent who slays Thorr) and Hel (the "goddess" who pre-
sides over the dead). His remaining child becomes Odhinn s steed. Oðinn himself is associated with
death and distruction, and he is not without his demonic aspects, so this dark pattern is found even
here. However, it is seriously mitigated by the sovereign influence of Oðinn.
When Sigurd, as a young man, goes to buy a horse, he meets Oðinn in the form of a stranger who
advises him to pick out Grani, a horse decended from Sleipnir himself. He is with Grani when he
leaps through the wall of fire to meat Brynhild. This action not only seals his death but also takes
him to the point where he should have been meeting his own betrothed (hence the connection with
companionship and marriage again).6
The concept of a horse is also common in kennings for ships, and these appear in the stanzas of
the Old English Rune Poem relating to Sowilo and Laguz. Furthmore, this kenning is found in many
other Indo-European poetic traditions as well.
Divinatory Meanings
This rune can indicate love and companionship, but also motion and a means of achieving one s
goals.
Magical Uses
In love magic, and also in general to produce a general harmonious motion to move toward a goal.
Also in the assertion of sovereignty.
6.5 Mannaz: The Man
*Mannaz (Man, Human)
Mannaz -> OE Mann -> Mod Eng. Man
ON Madhr (Man) not linguistically related.
Phonetic value: M (Man)
This rune represents Man in all the rune poems (i.e. a human of either gender). For
example, the Old English Rune Poem states:
6
See the section on Raidho (4.6).
78 CHAPTER 6. THE THIRD AETT: THE AETT OF RULERSHIP
(Man) is in his mirth dear to his kinsment;
although each shall depart from the other;
when the lord wants to commit, by his decree,
the frail flesh to the earth.
Here we see the themes of societal connection and separation by death associated with this rune.
[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]