Fortifying Rune Wicca is a type of magical practice that focuses on the use of runes to strengthen and protect oneself and one's surroundings. Runes are ancient symbols that hold significant power and meaning, and they have been used for centuries by various cultures for divination and magic. In Fortifying Rune Wicca, practitioners harness the energy and symbolism of runes to create spells and rituals aimed at fortifying their personal energy, enhancing their abilities, and warding off negative influences. The main idea behind Fortifying Rune Wicca is to use the power of the runes to create a protective barrier around oneself. This can be done through various means, such as inscribing runes on objects, wearing them as jewelry, or even tattooing them on the body. The runes used in Fortifying Rune Wicca are typically chosen based on their specific meanings and properties, as well as the desired outcome of the spell or ritual.
In Kenaz Wyland (or a smith anyways) is working on making something from a long round piece of metal. Here is the idea of controlled fire (Fehu was primal uncontrolled fire; potential energies that are not channeled into any form). Here these energies are being channeled into form. In this case it is the smith that is using fire to shape metal into form. This rune has to do with creative energies of a person (which are expressed as fire energies). Also one’s sexual desire nature is connected to this as well. It is this energy which reforms things.
In Gebo a couple is naked sitting on a rock intertwined together so as to form the rune Gebo with there bodies intensely having sex you even see their sweat. Of course Thor is friendly to the will of the Gods and Goddesses which is of the ordering principle even though he is connected to the more primitive energies of pure instinct just as the Thursor are.
The runes used in Fortifying Rune Wicca are typically chosen based on their specific meanings and properties, as well as the desired outcome of the spell or ritual. One of the central concepts in Fortifying Rune Wicca is the belief that each rune carries a specific energy or vibration, and by working with these energies, practitioners can tap into their own inner power and manifest their intentions in the physical world. For example, the rune Algiz, which resembles an upward-pointing arrow, is associated with protection and defense.
The Helm of Awe
The Helm of Awe (Old Norse Ægishjálmr, pronounced “EYE-gis-hiowlm-er”) is one of the most mysterious and powerful symbols in Norse mythology. Just looking at its form, without any prior knowledge of what that form symbolizes, is enough to inspire awe and fear: eight arms that look like spiked tridents radiate out from a central point, as if defending that central point by going on the offensive against any and all hostile forces that surround it.
Such overpowering might was apparently what this magical symbol was intended to produce. In the Fáfnismál, one of the poems in the Poetic Edda, the havoc-wreaking dragon Fafnir attributes much of his apparent invincibility to his use of the Helm of Awe:
One of the representations of the Ægishjálmr in the GaldrabókThe Helm of Awe
I wore before the sons of men
In defense of my treasure;
Amongst all, I alone was strong,
I thought to myself,
For I found no power a match for my own. [1]
This interpretation is confirmed by a spell called “There is a Simple Helm of Awe Working” in the collection of Icelandic folktales collected by the great Jón Árnason in the nineteenth century. The spell reads:
Make a helm of awe in lead, press the lead sign between the eyebrows, and speak the formula:
Ægishjálm er ég ber
milli brúna mér!I bear the helm of awe
between my brows!Thus a man could meet his enemies and be sure of victory. [2]
Like most ancient Germanic symbols, the form of its visual representation was far from strictly fixed. For example, the 41st spell in the Galdrabók, a seventeenth-century Icelandic grimoire, includes a drawing of the Helm of Awe with only four arms and without the sets of lines that run perpendicular to the arms. [3]
Linguist and runologist Stephen Flowers notes that even though the references to the Helm of Awe in the Poetic Edda describe it as a physical thing charged with magical properties, the original meaning of the Old Norse hjálmr was “covering.” He goes on to theorize that:
This helm of awe was originally a kind of sphere of magical power to strike fear into the enemy. It was associated with the power of serpents to paralyze their prey before striking (hence, the connection with Fáfnir). … The helm of awe as described in the manuscript [the Galdrabók] is a power, centered in the pineal gland and emanating from it and the eyes. [In Aristotle and Neoplatonism, sources for much medieval magic, the spirit connects to the body via the pineal gland, and the eyes emit rays of spiritual power.] It is symbolized by a crosslike configuration, which in its simplest form is made up of what appear to be either four younger M-runes or older Z-runes. These figures can, however, become very complex. [4]
The connection with the runes is particularly apt, because a number of the shapes that comprise the Helm of Awe have the same forms as certain runes. Given the centrality of the runes in Germanic magic as a whole, this correspondence is highly unlikely to have been coincidental.
The “arms” of the Helm appear to be Z-runes. The original name of this rune is unknown, but nowadays it’s often called “Algiz.” The meaning of this rune had much to do with protection and prevailing over one’s enemies, which makes it a fitting choice for inclusion in a symbol like the Helm of Awe.
The “spikes” that run perpendicular to the “arms” could be Isa runes. While the meaning of this rune is more or less unknown due to the confusing and contradictory information supplied by the primary sources, it seems reasonable to speculate that, since “Isa” means “ice,” its inclusion in the Helm of Awe could have imparted to the symbol a sense of concentration and hardening, as well as a connection to the animating spirits of wintry cold and darkness, the fearsome giants. This connection is made more likely by the fact that the dragon Fafnir occupies a role in the tales of the human hero Sigurd analogous to that occupied by the giants in the tales of the gods. Such connections are necessarily speculations, especially since the markings that may or may not be Isa runes are, graphically speaking, nothing more than straight lines, which makes them that much harder to positively identify. Nevertheless, the tenacity of the connections here is quite striking. [5]
Looking for more great information on Norse mythology and religion? While this site provides the ultimate online introduction to the topic, my book The Viking Spirit provides the ultimate introduction to Norse mythology and religion period. I’ve also written a popular list of The 10 Best Norse Mythology Books, which you’ll probably find helpful in your pursuit.
References:
[1] The Poetic Edda. Fáfnismál, stanza 16. My translation. The original Old Norse reads:
Ægishjalm
bar ek of alda sonum,
meðan ek of menjum lák;
einn rammari
hugðumk öllum vera,
fannk-a ek svá marga mögu.
[2] Flowers, Stephen, editor and translator. 1989. The Galdrabók: An Icelandic Grimoire. p. 100.
[4] Ibid. p. 121-122.
[5] These interpretations of the Algiz and Isa runes are based on the Rune Poems, which can be found in English translation at Ragweed Forge. See also my page on The Meanings of the Runes.
[4] Ibid. p. 121-122.
By inscribing Algiz on a talisman or visualizing it in their mind's eye, practitioners can call upon its energy to strengthen their defenses and ward off harm. In addition to fortification and protection, Fortifying Rune Wicca also involves using runes to enhance one's abilities and qualities. For example, the rune Berkano, which resembles the letter B, is associated with growth, fertility, and nurturing. By working with Berkano, practitioners can tap into its energy to cultivate personal growth, enhance their nurturing qualities, and bring forth new opportunities and possibilities in their lives. To practice Fortifying Rune Wicca, one must first familiarize themselves with the meanings and properties of different runes. This can be done through study and research, as well as meditation and visualization exercises. Once one has a basic understanding of the runes, they can begin incorporating them into their magical practice through spells, rituals, and daily affirmations. Overall, Fortifying Rune Wicca offers a unique and powerful approach to magic and self-empowerment. By harnessing the energy and symbolism of runes, practitioners can strengthen their own energy field, enhance their abilities, and create a shield of protection around themselves. Through intentional use of runes and focused intention, practitioners of Fortifying Rune Wicca can tap into their own inner power and manifest their desires in the physical world..
Reviews for "Fortifying Rune Wicca: Aligning Yourself with the Natural Energies"
1. Samantha - 2 stars:
I was really excited to try out the Fortifying Rune Wicca, but unfortunately, it did not live up to my expectations. The book lacked depth and meaningful explanations, leaving me feeling confused and unsatisfied. The author seemed to assume that the reader already had a strong understanding of Wicca, which made it difficult for beginners like myself to grasp the concept. Additionally, the writing style was disjointed and poorly structured, making it hard to follow along. Overall, I was disappointed with this book and would not recommend it to others.
2. Jacob - 1 star:
I found the Fortifying Rune Wicca book to be very dull and uninformative. The author failed to provide any practical guidance or concrete examples, leaving me feeling like I wasted my time and money. The book reads more like a lengthy essay on the history of Wicca than a practical guide for practicing Wiccans. The lack of organization and clear structure also made it difficult to navigate through the content. I was hoping to learn more about fortifying runes and how they can enhance my Wiccan practice, but this book fell short of delivering any useful information. I would not recommend it to anyone seeking practical advice on Wicca.
3. Emily - 2 stars:
I was intrigued by the title of the Fortifying Rune Wicca book, but I found the content to be lacking substance. The author spent too much time explaining the basics of Wicca, which may be helpful for beginners, but left little room for in-depth exploration of fortifying runes. I expected the book to provide detailed instructions on how to use the runes and their specific meanings, but instead, it only scratched the surface. The information presented was repetitive and lacked practical application, making it a tedious read. I believe there are better resources available for those interested in exploring fortifying runes within the Wiccan practice.
4. Michael - 1 star:
I had high hopes for the Fortifying Rune Wicca book, but it turned out to be a disappointment. The content was incredibly superficial and lacked any real depth or insights. The author seemed shallow in their understanding of Wicca and failed to provide any substantial information or guidance. It felt like a rushed attempt to cash in on the growing interest in fortifying runes within the Wiccan community. Overall, the book was a wasted opportunity to provide valuable knowledge and I would not recommend it to anyone serious about their Wicca practice.
5. Jessica - 2 stars:
As someone who has been practicing Wicca for several years, I was excited to delve deeper into the topic of fortifying runes. However, the Fortifying Rune Wicca book left me feeling underwhelmed. The content was repetitive and lacked any new insights or perspectives. It read more like a regurgitation of basic information that most seasoned Wiccans are already familiar with. Additionally, the book lacked practical application and failed to provide step-by-step instructions on how to effectively incorporate fortifying runes into rituals or spellwork. Overall, I found the book to be uninspiring and would not recommend it to experienced Wiccans looking for advanced knowledge.