Meaning: Hailstones
Symbolises: Rainbow between Heaven
(God) and Earth (Mankind)
Mythology: Heimdall – Watcher,
teacher, and guardian
Fylgja: Ram
Class: Yarl
Tree: Beech
Plant: Bearberry
Old Norwegian Rune Rhyme:
Hail is the coldest of grains;
Christ formed the world in ancient times.
Hagl is associated with Heimdall, the
watchman of the Aesir and Odin's agent for
the education of mankind. The association of
this rune to hailstones suggest a sudden
change or disaster which strikes
unexpectedly. It may destroy and cause
temporary chaos but like the hailstones
which may destroy crops then turns instantly
to water which can enable new growth. When
hagl occurs it means a sudden change is in
the offing. The change that Hagl indicates
may not be better or worse, simply something
new. Heimdall is the god of change and his
role was to bring about a new order of
mankind. Heimdall is very far sighted god so
he sees the consequences of everything that
happens due to his actions. Thus when he
fathered Jarl it was with the clear
intention of raising a lord who in turn
would father a king. Nor did he father Jarl
and leave him to his own devices, he
returned later and gave the young man a full
education including knowledge of the runes.
The Hagl rune suggests a shock to the
system, cutting away the old to make way for
the new. This suggests a healthy growth
process that should be embraced and not a
disaster that should be resisted. If should
be regarded more as an education and the
beginning of something new. Change, however,
never comes without some pain, hardship, and
disillusionment. The Hagl rune should serve
as a reminder that change is part of the
process of live and growth, it is ever
present and if change is resisted then there
is the danger of life leaving you behind. |
