Further attempts at scholastic thought by yours truly
So, I've been re-reading the Icelandic Rune Poem as of late and I've been doing some thinking on it.
Below, you'll find my contemplations on the first rune of Freyr's Ætt, fé.
fé, ‘wealth’
source of discord among kinsmen
and fire of the sea
and path of the serpent.
What significance has this rune? In our modern conception, it is wealth, gold, coin, cash, money, etc. It is that which makes us able to lead lives considered comfortable or luxurious. But why, then, the negative connotations?
The Rune Poem itself is generally negative, but it's reading of fé is particularly negative.
As a source of discord amongst family, one need look no further than the anecdotes of families bickering over the estate of a departed one. Historically - or, rather, insofar as the Sagas are concerned - we have the example of Egil Skalagrimsson's death and the hiding of his hoard in order to prevent such discord between his surviving family. Whether this was simple pragmatism or an example of Egil's Heathen sensibilities and knowledge of the Rune Poem is is never revealed, although likely it was a result of both.
The phrase 'path of the serpent' suggests treachery, too, in the assumption that one will do whatever one can to acquire more wealth - or, at the very least, maintain their current level of wealth - once in possession of an amount able to provide the quality of life they desire.
The second stanza, though, is what is most interesting;; 'fire of the sea' could be any of a number of things. A poetical reference to gold or, perhaps more likely, a reference to the fleeting nature of wealth, suggesting that, like a flame in the open sea, wealth will not outlast any upset.
What, then, is the use of such a rune in a magical or divinatory context? Magically, it will bring what it promises - a surfeit of material wealth - but also what it implies with that surfeit, namely temptation, strife and difficulties. In a divinatory sense, it suggests that the seaker will get what they desire but, at the same time, will reap what they sow.
Below, you'll find my contemplations on the first rune of Freyr's Ætt, fé.
fé, ‘wealth’
source of discord among kinsmen
and fire of the sea
and path of the serpent.
What significance has this rune? In our modern conception, it is wealth, gold, coin, cash, money, etc. It is that which makes us able to lead lives considered comfortable or luxurious. But why, then, the negative connotations?
The Rune Poem itself is generally negative, but it's reading of fé is particularly negative.
As a source of discord amongst family, one need look no further than the anecdotes of families bickering over the estate of a departed one. Historically - or, rather, insofar as the Sagas are concerned - we have the example of Egil Skalagrimsson's death and the hiding of his hoard in order to prevent such discord between his surviving family. Whether this was simple pragmatism or an example of Egil's Heathen sensibilities and knowledge of the Rune Poem is is never revealed, although likely it was a result of both.
The phrase 'path of the serpent' suggests treachery, too, in the assumption that one will do whatever one can to acquire more wealth - or, at the very least, maintain their current level of wealth - once in possession of an amount able to provide the quality of life they desire.
The second stanza, though, is what is most interesting;; 'fire of the sea' could be any of a number of things. A poetical reference to gold or, perhaps more likely, a reference to the fleeting nature of wealth, suggesting that, like a flame in the open sea, wealth will not outlast any upset.
What, then, is the use of such a rune in a magical or divinatory context? Magically, it will bring what it promises - a surfeit of material wealth - but also what it implies with that surfeit, namely temptation, strife and difficulties. In a divinatory sense, it suggests that the seaker will get what they desire but, at the same time, will reap what they sow.