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Runo was Finnish for song and the ancients perceived a relationship between the Songs of Odin and the written figures of the runic alphabet, the Futhark. In a Hávamál stanza, runes were mysterious and imbued with wonder and magic. Their whispered communications and powerful protective energies deserved our utmost respect. They were to be used for divination and magical inscriptions, wooden calendars, and memorial stones. The Elder Futhark had 24 runes which over time changed to become an Anglo-Frisian Futhark that ranged from 28-32 runes. The runes have magical properties, names, numbers, and were deeply connected to Germanic mythology and the goddesses and gods. A symbol of fertility, protection, and creativity. Thor used his magical hammer "Mjollnir" to ward and protect the human realm or Middle Earth. Similar to the Tantric vajra in meaning. Thor's Hammer signified enlightenment, holiness, and lightening and was used to hallow both people and things. It was also a weapon against cosmic chaos and a creative tool similar to a blacksmith's hammer.
The triple knot known as the Valknut symbolized several different triads: the Subterranean worlds, Middle Earth, and the Heaven worlds (the main divisions of the universe along the axis of Yggdrasil); Odin and his hypostases the gods, Vili and Ve; and thirdly, the high triple nature of the Odin. The Valknot could be either three separate entwining triangles or one continuous unicursal ribbon knotted upon itself. It also represented the sacrifice of the personal ego to the service of Odin and an alignment to his intentions. This bond with the Odin was viewed as spiritually liberating. Drinking Horns have been used by Heathens for Blót rituals and Sumble since ancient times. The horn was a male/female symbol since it was both a container and a weapon.
The horns symbolized the
Poets' Mead, Odroerir, won by Odin and the source of his gift of poetic
inspiration. A giant ox that once roamed the forests of Europe, the aurochs,
extinct since 1700 C.E, was a favorite source for drinking horns...
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