Meaning: Kingship, the God Head.
Symbolises: Knowledge, shamanic man
riding an eight legged horse.
Mythology: Odin, Wotan
Fylgja: Ravens, eagles, wolves,
horses, snake/dragon
Class: Konge
Tree: Ash
Plant: Oats
Day: Wednesday
Old Norwegian Rune Rhyme:
Estuary is the way of most journeys;
But the sheath is that for swords.
This rune is Odin's rune, the all father
and relates to wisdom. As with Thor we find
Odin playing a significant role in nearly
all of the stories in the Eddas. The stories
that are of most immediate interest are
those telling how Odin acquired his wisdom.
How he hung of Yssdrasil for nine days and
nine nights with out food or drink, with a
spear in him. On the ninth night he cried
out and looked up and was shown the runes
and won his wisdom. The price of the wisdom
was knowing the truth even if it is painful.
The rune poem suggests a dedication to the
god before beginning a journey, asking for
protection and guidance. The estuary would
have been the beginning of most journeys in
places like Norway, with the dangerous
mountains, travel by water would have been
the easiest way to travel. The second line
balances this request for help with a
reminder that you are responsible for your
own protection. Is your sword in its sheath
before you set off in case you meet danger.
The protection that the sheathed sword
offers is not a threatening one, you're not
being aggressive and possibly provoking a
problem. This leads to the suggestion that
the rune represents personal responsibility.
As the Konge (King) Odin has a menagerie of
Fylgja which relate to every class. This is
related to the wisdom of Odin and the
knowledge that he gained. |
