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1  The Elder Futhark / Thurisaz / Re: Thurisaz on: May 26, 2011, 02:55:25 AM
I have been wondering if in fact the Old English poem has been changed.  I have seen some evidence that some other runes were changed by Christians so that they were more in line with Christian teaching, Thurisaz may be one of them especially as the rune is phallic and possibly refers to a mythology that they don't agree with.

I think I am going to have to do some research into the poems and their history to discover the truth behind such conflicting ideas (not overly conflicting as they carry roughly the same meaning but conflicting in the sense that they allegedly describe two very different things.)
2  The Elder Futhark / Gebo / Re: Gebo - Impressions on: May 17, 2011, 02:32:34 AM
Quote from: winter night on February 22, 2011, 07:00:41 AM
I thought I would have a crack at my interpretation of the poem (which I hadn’t read prior to joining):  so here goes - and be nice to me you lovely people!  Cheesy

I interpret Gebo in two ways - the first that came to mind is it talks about if 'you' were broken. The second way I read it is the poem advising about how you should react when faced with ‘others’ who are broken.  I will try to explain!

You:  Even in the face of adversity, when everything has been taken, if you can still be selfless and generous to others then you will be rewarded and the respect and honour which this generates will provide the stepping stones to allow you to make your way out of adversity.  Hold your head up high and have respect for yourself, so that others will respect and believe in you.

‘others’: Does it tell of a tale that you should not judge the broken man?  – Don’t stamp on someone when they are down, help them without the need for praise and reward.

Even tough Gebo is labelled ‘the gift’ I don’t think it is as simple as something great coming your way – its about finding that greatness in you and others.  Through this you will be rewarded.

Even the ‘X’ has taken on a new meaning for me – prior to this it could be considered the ‘bow’ on that gift you are going to get, but I think in relation to what I have written, its more like a warning sign, an ‘X’ never fails to get attention.  And when illiterate people could not sign documents with their own written name, they retained their dignity with the act of signing the  ‘X’.  All they had but a piece of them all the same.

Now, would love to have anyone’s take on this and I am quite happy if you want to point out how un-poetic my interpretation it – I just wanted to do this without consulting books to see what comes out!


I agree with a lot of this.  Gebo is traditionally interpreted as the gift but this seems simplistic when one actually reads the poem.  When one hears gift one thinks of expecting a gift but this rune seems to be about giving to others, there also seems to be a sense of duty towards those less fortunate.
3  The Elder Futhark / Perthro / Re: Peorth on: May 17, 2011, 02:25:48 AM
I agree it is difficult to see any reference to a bard in the actual rune.

However while I was digging around yesterday I discovered that it has been postulated by a few people that poem has been altered and that instead of warriors in the banqueting hall it should be wives in the birthing hall.  It was changed by the christians because the original meaning had a more sexual meaning.

I thought it was quite interesting and the rune does look like a woman in a birthing position.

It seems the more I look into this rune the more possibilities emerge!
4  The Elder Futhark / Ehwaz / Re: Ehwaz Interpretation on: May 15, 2011, 02:19:41 AM
I think this is one of the runes where a bit of knowledge about the distant past can be a helpful thing.  It's fairly obvious it's a horse but to the ignorant they will just see it as a mode of transport, however if you know how horses were treated and regarded in the ancient world it brings on a whole new meaning.

A horse was so much more than just transport, it was a friend, they would live together, fight together and sometimes even sleep together.  There was a sense of oneness between a horse and his rider.

I think harmony, unity and working together is a good interpretation of this rune.
5  Rune Readings / Rune Spreads / Re: One a Day Spread on: May 14, 2011, 04:18:04 PM
It all worked fine until the Romans insisted on giving Julius and Augustus their own months!  I can't remember exactly when the new year was shifted to 1st January but it's all linked in somehow (I looked it up around Samhain because I was interested in why we celebrate the New Year when we do.)

Anyway, I have been known to draw a couple of runes on my arms in biro when needs must.  I haven't used them in spell casting apart from that but I am moving towards that as I have an affinity with runes so I think they will work well for me.
6  The Elder Futhark / Perthro / Re: Peorth on: May 14, 2011, 03:59:58 PM
Could it not also be a bard?  It was fairly common across the ancient world for bards to recite epic poems in banqueting halls.

The bard would symbolise knowledge and the passing down of histories.  The warriors may be sitting blithely because they are having their own great battles re-counted to them.

Just another idea to throw into the mix, but on reading that poem that was the impression I received.
7  The Elder Futhark / Thurisaz / Re: Thurisaz on: May 14, 2011, 03:20:55 PM
Quote from: winter night on March 06, 2011, 01:42:40 PM
The thorn is exceedingly sharp,
an evil thing for any knight to touch,   
uncommonly severe on all
who sit among them

Again, my first attempt at reading this with its old original poem  Smiley

I don't know about anyone else, my first read of this gets me thinking its relating to women? (thorns that embelish and protect a rose - the rose is often linked to women in history)

Its a real kick-ass kind of rune this one, there is a real sense that you are opening pandoras box if you are lured in by the rose in the first place.  Sort of like if you take on a challange which presents itself, knowing full well the result is going to be bad, then you only have yourself to blame when it all hits the fan.

I am hoping you might jump in with a few nicer alternative theories as I am reading this one as a bit of a bad rune.  (and still think there is a heavy 'female' influence behind all the evil stuff too! 

I would like to know if anyone has drawn this rune and 'read' it in a good way?   Cheesy

thanks!
winter

I thought I would come back to the rose idea.  The rose itself is feminine but I think the thorn is masculine, it is the protector of the rose.  Almost like protection but more primal as I feel a jealous streak through it as well, like a man getting angry because another man tries to steal his woman.

I see it as a warning, to re-think my plans as my current course could lead me to bring down the "wrath of the gods."

I haven't actually meditated on this rune yet but those are my initial thoughts based on what I have read here.
8  General Category / Introductions / Hello! on: May 14, 2011, 03:13:38 PM
Hello, I'm Cara, found my way here from TW.

Glad to have somewhere to chat runes as I find that most places are Tarot-centric, and I just never clicked with Tarot the way I do with runes.

I'm getting back into studying them using the set I made from beach pebbles several years ago, I stopped doing a lot of stuff while I was pregnant and now my son is 2 I am getting back into it.

Smiley
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