DISCOVERY OF THE RUNES – FESTIVAL OF THE MIND

Hail Woden, Balder and Frig
Hail Woden the Wise and Strong
Hail Balder the Righteous and Pure
Hail Frig who Nurtures and Provides
Hail Woden, Balder and Frig

Woden, God of magic, possessor of knowledge, patron of song and poetry, god of eloquence, hear us.

Woden, you strove for knowledge. From Mimir’s Well you drank of wisdom and knowing: a clear vision without, a clear vision within. Lord of the Gallows, on Yggdrasil the tree which spans all worlds, all life, you hung, and knew the secret streams of power which flow through all creation. Terrible and beautiful they are. The Runes you took up High One. The Mead of Inspiration you won, and and our inspiration comes from you. May your cup be ever brimming for us to drink from.

I know I hung on that windy tree
Swung there for nine long nights
Wounded by my own spear
Bloodied for Odin
Myself an offering to myself
Bound to the tree
That no man knows
Whither the roots of it run

None gave me bread
None gave me drink
Down to the deepest depths I peered
Until I spied the Runes
And with a cry I seized them up
Then dizzy and fainting I fell.

Well-being I won
And wisdom too
From a word to a word
From a deed to another deed

(The song of the High One from the Poetic Edda)