Tales from the Ironwood

This installment of my meditations on the Armanen Runes was completed on 4 April 2021. It focuses on the all-important rune MAN. The wind-witherer sits between the eyes of the eagle who is perched so gracefully in the highest branches of Yggdrasil. ********* As I meditate on the Armanen rune MAN, I begin by internalizing verse 160 of the Hávamál . A fifteenth I know, That which Volkrast the Gnome sang by the Gates of Day: To Strength for the Aesir, and to Force for the Albes (elves) And to clear my own senses. [1] Karl Hans Welz assists greatly in relating this obscure verse to several concepts in Norse mythology. He writes, “MAN is the crown and branches of the world tree, Yggdrasil, while YR signifies the roots of the world tree.”[2]  While Yggdrasil is primarily thought of as the structure of the universe or multi-verse, comprised of the Nine Worlds, it may also represent, in microcosm, the human body / soul-complex. In MAN, it is that internal or spiritual structure of Yg...

Begun on 18 March 2021 and completed on the Spring Equinox, this essay is another installment of what will be a complete set of meditations on the Armanen Futhorkh. These will form the centerpiece of the book that I am currently writing that will consider various thoughts on Asatru, Runes, and Magick. ********* As I ponder the esoteric meaning of LAF, the fourteenth rune of the Armanen Futhorkh , I begin as usual by meditating on the relevant verse from the Hávamál , verse 159: A Fourteenth I sing To all the assembled people And I name the Divine Names For no one knows the names Of all Albes and Ases As well as I do. [1] Karl Hans Welz provides this explanation for a seemingly obscure verse: “Clearly there is reference to names. An old magical idea is that once you know the name of an entity you have it under your control, a name being a structural link to an energy field. The references to Light beings (Albes, or elves) and gods (Ases or Aesir) are obvious. LAF, then, is a ...

This essay was originally written on 18 March 2018, almost precisely three years ago. It was the first time that I recorded my thoughts on the runes. It later became Chapter 10 of my book, Tales from the Ironwood . Since that time, I have devoted many hours to reading, learning, and working with the runes to discover their meaning, understand their power, and of course, to unlock their mysteries.  ********* When one chooses to follow the path of Ásatrú, they will inevitably discover the runes somewhere along the way. While some discover Ásatrú after first encountering the runes, others like me may be introduced to the runes at a gathering of Ásatrúars. The Winter Nights event was well organized and lasted for several days. The organizers created a schedule and I was thrilled to see that the days were filled with several promising lectures as well as various rituals. Wanting to gain as much information and knowledge as possible, I attended each class with the enthusiasm of a recent ...

This essay began also as a progress report of my continued studies of the Armanen Futhorkh. It was written on 13 and 14 March 2021. My further exploration of the Armanen Runes confirms my theory that the Eddas provide a vast array of secret knowledge and a deep esoteric message for those willing to plumb their depths. ********* As I continue my study of the Armanen Runes, I come to the thirteenth rune of the Futhorkh , BAR. While meditating on the meaning of the rune BAR, I focus my thoughts on Hávamál verse 158: “A thirteenth I name: When I wetten the son, The beloved, with holy water; When he is facing the foe, he cannot fall, And no blade can strike him into the dust.”[1] There is an important relationship between this verse and the one that precedes it. That verse is associated with the rune TYR in Armanen runology. As noted in my article on TYR,[2]  the esoteric meaning of that rune is self-sacrifice. Not only does it recall Odin, the “Hanged Man shaking in the wind on the...

This essay began as a progress report of my continued studies of the Armanen Futhorkh. Originally written on 1 January 2021, it was representative of my understanding of the runes generally, and the TYR rune specifically. This essay was substantially rewritten on 5 February 2022 based on my current understanding of the runes and to enable to better serve as a part of a cohesive book rather than a standalone essay. ********* TYR is the twelfth of the Armanen Runes. I begin my mediations on TYR by focusing on verse 157 of the Hávamál . Karl Hans Welz translates verse 157 as follows: “A twelfth I know: If I see the hanged man shaking in the wind on the tree, Then I cut and stain Runes. Now the warrior talks And descends from the tree.”[1] Initially this verse doesn’t appear to align with the more straightforward reference to the god Tyr in the Norwegian Rune Poem ( NRP ): “TYR is the one-handed god; the smith is often [busy with] blowing.” [2] The god Tyr is clearly indicated...

Sometimes articles appear fully formed in my mind before I commit them to the page. At other times they develop chaotically through a strange creative dance of research and revelation. This one, appropriately, developed through the latter method. Nietzsche wrote in Also Sprach Zarathustra that "one must still have chaos in oneself to be able to give birth to a dancing star." This star appeared in the heavens during Yule 2020. ********* Even within Ásatrú circles, some of the least understood of mythic beings are the giants. While their role in Norse cosmogony, eschatology, and even magick is essential, most Ásatrúars take an overly simplistic and perhaps naïve approach to these figures. In fact, most kindreds and tribes that I know mandate that no giants be toasted—no horn may be raised during the ceremony of sumbel to these awesome beings. The basic line of reasoning is that giants are opposed to the Æsir gods, that they play a destructive role in the events of Ragnarök ...

I began work on this article on 28 June 2020. It has taken nearly four months to complete. During that time my views on the matters that served as the original catalyst for this article evolved. Initially I embraced an exclusive approach thereby seeking to eliminate texts that might be contaminated by non-Heathen poets. Perhaps the runes themselves suggested a better alternative. By the time I completed this article, I embraced an inclusive approach whereby not only are the ancient works utilized for their wisdom but inner work too is leveraged for increased clarity while seeking answers to these great mysteries. ********* While most academics embrace a profane explanation of the runes, many in the Heathen community believe that the runes possess a special power and may be used in magical ways. Such magical uses include divination and influencing or making actual change in the subjective and even objective universe. Runes may be called on for victory, for health and healing, or for a...