Runic meanings in god-form names

[Ratatosk]

While the use of runes for writing is well-known, and the use of runes for sigils and talismans is well known, the fact that the talismanic meanings of runes are present even when used in writing is not so well known.

Anything written in runes invokes the energy of the runes it is written with. So how does this apply to the names of god-forms? Let's take a look.

(There are several common spellings of all the Norse god-forms. I will stick with the most common for this discussion.)

Odin http://www.evardsson.com/images/runes/o.pnghttp://www.evardsson.com/images/runes/d.pnghttp://www.evardsson.com/images/runes/i.pnghttp://www.evardsson.com/images/runes/n.png
Othila: Divine birthright
Dagaz: Day, illuminating fire
Isa: Ice, boundaries
Nauthiz: Need, necessity
The divine birthright that brings into light of day boundaries which are set out of necessity.

So what we have is a god-form that is all about strictures, boundaries, and limits. These are the limits of necessity (laws of men, that allow society to function) and Odin is very much a god of the rulers of men.

Let's take a look at another form now, shall we?

Loki http://www.evardsson.com/images/runes/l.pnghttp://www.evardsson.com/images/runes/o.pnghttp://www.evardsson.com/images/runes/k.pnghttp://www.evardsson.com/images/runes/i.png
Laguz: Lake, reflection
Othila: Divine birthright
Ken: Torch, understanding, ability
Isa: Ice, boundaries
The reflection of divine birthright focused to dissolve boundaries.

So now we have god-form that is all about the application of personal understanding to break through boundaries, strictures and limits. Wile this may not play well in society at large it is the realm of the adept, pushing into 'taboo' territories and exploring beyond the normal limits.

And another.

Sif http://www.evardsson.com/images/runes/s.pnghttp://www.evardsson.com/images/runes/i.pnghttp://www.evardsson.com/images/runes/f.png
Sowelu: Sun
Isa: Ice, boundaries
Fehu: Cattle, Wealth
The light of the sun parts the ice to allow wealth to grow. It is no wonder then, that Sif is a grain goddess, her golden hair representing the crop.

And now the last one for this round:

Ratatosk http://www.evardsson.com/images/runes/r.pnghttp://www.evardsson.com/images/runes/a.pnghttp://www.evardsson.com/images/runes/t.pnghttp://www.evardsson.com/images/runes/a.pnghttp://www.evardsson.com/images/runes/t.pnghttp://www.evardsson.com/images/runes/o.pnghttp://www.evardsson.com/images/runes/s.pnghttp://www.evardsson.com/images/runes/k.png
Raido: Riding, journey, movement
Ansuz: Divine communication
Tyr: Victory, justice, spear
Ansuz: Divine communication
Tyr: Victory, justice, spear
Othila: Divine birthright
Sowelu: Sun
Ken: Torch, understanding, ability
The movement of divine insults [communication + weapon] (both up and down the tree, thus the repeat of ansuz tyr) bestows [divine birthright] the ability to bring the light of the sun into sharp focus [sowelu + ken]. Thus the squirrel who runs up and down the world tree delivering insults back and forth between Niđhogg (the serpent that chews at its roots) and Hræsvelg (the eagle that perches at the top).

[Talkingfox]

This brings up important stuff for sigil workings that use bind runes as well. Each rune has affect on the other (s) and create a 'sentence' as it were.
so rather than taking each rune used individually, the practioner MUST consider the sum total of all runes used IMO.

In addition, implied or circumstantial runeshapes are often overlooked and should be accounted for in the overall design.

[Nuhad418]

Odin http://www.evardsson.com/images/runes/o.pnghttp://www.evardsson.com/images/runes/d.pnghttp://www.evardsson.com/images/runes/i.pnghttp://www.evardsson.com/images/runes/n.png
Othila: Divine birthright
Dagaz: Day, illuminating fire
Isa: Ice, boundaries
Nauthiz: Need, necessity
The divine birthright that brings into light of day boundaries which are set out of necessity.

So what we have is a god-form that is all about strictures, boundaries, and limits. These are the limits of necessity (laws of men, that allow society to function) and Odin is very much a god of the rulers of men.

Let's take a look at another form now, shall we?

Loki http://www.evardsson.com/images/runes/l.pnghttp://www.evardsson.com/images/runes/o.pnghttp://www.evardsson.com/images/runes/k.pnghttp://www.evardsson.com/images/runes/i.png
Laguz: Lake, reflection
Othila: Divine birthright
Ken: Torch, understanding, ability
Isa: Ice, boundaries
The reflection of divine birthright focused to dissolve boundaries.

So now we have god-form that is all about the application of personal understanding to break through boundaries, strictures and limits. Wile this may not play well in society at large it is the realm of the adept, pushing into 'taboo' territories and exploring beyond the normal limits.



Thanks for posting this information; its very helpful. I have one question though. Since I'm used to dealing with gematria and all sorts of weirdness (pun intended) that looks for underlying patterns would it be "incorrect" to look at the above two examples and focus on commonalities between them? For example, as there is a familial connection between Odin and Loki could one look at the Othila in both names as a subtle link between them or would this be taking the runes too far out of context?

Tf: the fox is scaring me....evil glowy eyed beast!! AAAAAAAAAAAAAAaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh hhhhhhhhhhh.....

[Ratatosk]

Thanks for posting this information; its very helpful. I have one question though. Since I'm used to dealing with gematria and all sorts of weirdness (pun intended) that looks for underlying patterns would it be "incorrect" to look at the above two examples and focus on commonalities between them? For example, as there is a familial connection between Odin and Loki could one look at the Othila in both names as a subtle link between them or would this be taking the runes too far out of context?

Tf: the fox is scaring me....evil glowy eyed beast!! AAAAAAAAAAAAAAaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh hhhhhhhhhhh.....

Actually, that's not taking it too far out of context. That energy (the Othila) is present in both names and in both forms. The fact that they are linked in a familial manner is not so important, though, as the fact that they both deal with a divine birthright.

[Nuhad418]

ok, that makes sense. Thanks!

[Talkingfox]

And wouldn't Othiel be more linked to a humans divine birthright being as the other interpretation of the rune is 'inheritance'?

When I think of a rune that talks of the nature of Divinity it's As....as in Asa.

[Ratatosk]

And wouldn't Othiel be more linked to a humans divine birthright being as the other interpretation of the rune is 'inheritance'?

When I think of a rune that talks of the nature of Divinity it's As....as in Asa.

Hmmm, well, since the runes are primarily devoted to the human experience that would make some sense. However, it is my take on these two runes that Othiel http://www.evardsson.com/images/runes/o.png is about a divine inheritance, or getting something which it is within your right to own, while Asa http://www.evardsson.com/images/runes/a.png deals with divine communication/communion, the passage of information, messages or gifts which are not necessarily yours by right, but are given nonetheless. And once you start talking about things given as a gift rather than an inheritance you start to think about Gyfu http://www.evardsson.com/images/runes/g.png - which carries the imperative that a gift demands a gift, but this is not always the case in terms of Asa.

So, one could look at Asa as a "blessing" - which can only come as a "freebie" (if you will) from divinity, while Othiel is something that you own by right, and the role of divinity is mostly that of being the "signing authority" on the deed (so to speak.)

PS - sorry if my metaphors are bit jumbled, but I'm still working on my morning coffee. :coffee: :yes:

[Coyote426]

I've always seen Isa as indicating need for caution as opposed to boundaries. For example the ONRP says:

Ice is called a bridge broad; the blind need to be led.

While the OIRP give us:

Ice is a river's bark/ and a wave's thatch/ and doomed men's downfall

The only real sense of a barrier is given in the OERP:

Ice is over-cold , extremly slippery; it glistens glass clear, most like gems; it is a floor wrought with frost, fair to look upon.

This is some interesting analysis though.

[Talkingfox]

I think that both caution and restriction of free movement are indicated within Isa.

I think much of the kenning depends upon the context of the surrounding runes.

[Coyote426]

Yeah, maybe. I guess my understanding of the runes making up Odin's name is slightly different. As I read Othala to be ancestral heritage then this provides the bedrock of understanding (Dagaz) to use caution or measured response (Isa) in situations that necessitate change (nauthiz).

We also get an interesting cross-reference if we change Dagaz for Thuriaz. As Thuriaz can be representative of focussed power.

But it's all down to how the runes interact with each individual.

[Ratatosk]

Yeah, maybe. I guess my understanding of the runes making up Odin's name is slightly different. As I read Othala to be ancestral heritage then this provides the bedrock of understanding (Dagaz) to use caution or measured response (Isa) in situations that necessitate change (nauthiz).

We also get an interesting cross-reference if we change Dagaz for Thuriaz. As Thuriaz can be representative of focussed power.

But it's all down to how the runes interact with each individual.

I have to disagree here, especially with your take on Dagaz and Thurisaz. Kennaz is the rune of understanding, Dagaz is illumination, as in a solar flare, and is cyclical to boot. (It is the rune of Ragnarok, after all.) Thurisaz is indicative of the weaponry of the giants, not focused power. Focused power is (again) better represented by the torch, Kennaz.

And if you really think about Isa, which is ice, what is ice? It isn't caution, it is a barrier. Yes, caution is called for when dealing with ice, as anyone who lives in the North knows, but it is not the nature of ice. To really understand the nature of Ice (capital I) one needs to stand at the foot of a glacier and look up the sheer face - therein is the barrier nature of Isa.

[Coyote426]

I have to disagree here, especially with your take on Dagaz and Thurisaz. Kennaz is the rune of understanding, Dagaz is illumination, as in a solar flare, and is cyclical to boot. (It is the rune of Ragnarok, after all.) Thurisaz is indicative of the weaponry of the giants, not focused power. Focused power is (again) better represented by the torch, Kennaz.

And if you really think about Isa, which is ice, what is ice? It isn't caution, it is a barrier. Yes, caution is called for when dealing with ice, as anyone who lives in the North knows, but it is not the nature of ice. To really understand the nature of Ice (capital I) one needs to stand at the foot of a glacier and look up the sheer face - therein is the barrier nature of Isa.

When I refer to understanding I'm ttalking more about a clarity of vision, which I don't think is reflected in Kennaz. I disagree to an extent with you on Thuriaz as a reading of the OERP does, at least to my mind, indicate focussed power in defence. The references to Giants in the OIRP and ONRP only talk in terms of womens illness. Having said that the concept of the focussed power being used against barriers that can be read in Thuriaz adds weight to your viewing of Isa as a barrier.

Though again, with the rune poems for Isa, there seems to much more reference to caution than to an actual barrier. Even glaciers can be summounted by those with the knowledge and cautionary approach.

[Talkingfox]

When I refer to understanding I'm ttalking more about a clarity of vision, which I don't think is reflected in Kennaz. I disagree to an extent with you on Thuriaz as a reading of the OERP does, at least to my mind, indicate focussed power in defence. The references to Giants in the OIRP and ONRP only talk in terms of womens illness. Having said that the concept of the focussed power being used against barriers that can be read in Thuriaz adds weight to your viewing of Isa as a barrier.

Though again, with the rune poems for Isa, there seems to much more reference to caution than to an actual barrier. Even glaciers can be summounted by those with the knowledge and cautionary approach.


Well except for the fact that the word "THURZ" itself actually means Giant.....
And so far as defense goes, what is defense against giants? Weapons of giants or wielded by giants.

Remember the nature of a kenning after all; NOTHING is literal in Nordic poetry of any kind, it's a series of similes and metaphoric phrases designed for further rumination.

[Coyote426]

Remember the nature of a kenning after all; NOTHING is literal in Nordic poetry of any kind, it's a series of similes and metaphoric phrases designed for further rumination.

Absolutely, which is why we're talking about differences of interpretation not "you're wrong, I'm right". Also, I have to admit that I'm more than a little rusty on all this. Just getting that part of the brain working again.