Further attempts at scholastic thought by yours truly 2/16

Aug 06, 2010 01:36

A continuation from this post.

Below, you'll find my contemplations on the second rune of Freyr's Ætt, úr.


úr, ‘shower’
lamentation of the clouds
and ruin of the hay-harvest
and abomination of the shepherd.

The rune úr is fairly unique amongst the runes in that it's meaning is readily apparent, even without any especial foreknowledge of the sagas, Eddas or even the remaining runes in the Rune Poem. Úr is the rune of rain; a looming misfortune which cannot be avoided but only dealt with.

Insofar as the poems allusions are concerned, they are straightforward enough; the lamentation of clouds is, obviously, the rain itself falling like tears. The reference to the ruin of the hay-harvest is also evident for those who have a little knowledge of farming at the time of the poem's creation; when harvesting hay, any moisture can result in rot and blight, which would be disastrous for anyone whose need for hay - for bedding, roofing thatch, floor-covering, kindling, animal feed, etc. - was great. The final reference to the abomination of the shepherd is easily explained by anyone who has spent a long period in the rain with little shelter and improper clothing; cold, discomfort and irritation are practically guaranteed after staying in the rain for hours (or longer, depending on where the herd was in relation to the farmstead) on end.

Insofar as magical significance, úr signifies an inevitability. Whatever other runes it is paired with will take effect, regardless of other attempts to stop them, In divination, úr has much the same effect, implying that there is an inevitability to the cast in general.

philosophy, rune poem, ponderings, vikings, theology

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