Tuesday, April 5, 2011

April's Rune - Eihwaz

Eihwaz - my rune for April

Eihwaz is the 13th rune in the Futhark. and the translation of the word is yew, which represents the World Tree, Yggdrasill. Yggdrasill's branches reach up into the heavens and its roots reach deep into the lower worlds. It holds the nine worlds and it was from Yggdrasill that Odin hung for nine days and nine nights in order to receive knowledge.

"I know that I hung on a windy tree

nine long nights,

wounded with a spear, dedicated to Odin,

myself to myself,

on that tree of which no man knows

from where its roots run.

No bread did they give me nor a drink from a horn,

downwards I peered;

I took up the runes, screaming I took them,

then I fell back from there."


Eihwaz is a powerful rune. According to Freya Aswynn (Northern Mysteries and Magic) this rune can be used in "shamanic traveling" or in the killing of another's soul.

 On a lighter and more positive note, its basic meaning is spiritual enlightenment, endurance, initiation, protection, and the motivation as well as the action needed to complete a goal. As I'm not into any kind of astral projection or travelling or stealing souls, I'm hoping that when I look back on the month of April I'll see that 1. I've used my time productively. 2. I've completed my writing goals. And, 3. I've continued on my path to learn and experience the deeper meanings of the runes.

Any accomplishments are dependent on a person's own will and desires. I look upon Eihwaz as a positive rune which is meant to inspire and encourage me.

No comments: