“Wise in measure should each man be;
but let him not wax too wise;
seldom a heart will sing with joy
if the owner be all too wise.“
- Hávamál
but let him not wax too wise;
seldom a heart will sing with joy
if the owner be all too wise.“
- Hávamál
Literal Meaning & History
Tracing down the etymological origin of this word is difficult. There are no words in current usage in any of the nordic languages that I’ve been able to find that corrolate closely to the name of this rune and it’s meaning.
Never the less the word is thought to have a meaning similar to joy or happiness and this meaning is primarily because of an anglo-saxon rune poem.
Who uses it knows no pain,sorrow nor anxiety,
and he himself has prosperity and bliss,
and also enough shelter.
and he himself has prosperity and bliss,
and also enough shelter.
Whether this word was ever in usage or merely exists as the name for this rune is unknown.
Figurative Meaning & Symbolism
The rune is one of “joy”, or all feelings of elation and bliss.
It’s the feeling that success in any things bring you.
That blissful spark of eureka when you finally solve a puzzle, or that buzz of joy from receiving praise, or that contented hum of finally completing a difficult job.
It is happiness.
It’s feeling comfortable and cozy and well.
It’s the sensation of being rewarded.
It’s contentment.
It’s praise.
That blissful spark of eureka when you finally solve a puzzle, or that buzz of joy from receiving praise, or that contented hum of finally completing a difficult job.
It is happiness.
It’s feeling comfortable and cozy and well.
It’s the sensation of being rewarded.
It’s contentment.
It’s praise.
As I’ve gone on about in every post so far, and feel the need to impress upon greatly in this case.
This rune is not necessarily a good one!
This rune is not necessarily a good one!
All things rely on context and nothing is free.
The rune in and of itself holds all this potential for feeling well and at ease and comfortable but it doesn’t tell you for how long nor at what cost.
Do not fall into the trap of thinking that all happiness is a good thing.
Do not fall into the trap of thinking that all happiness is a good thing.
If you win the lottery tonight this will likely make you happy.
But the majority of big lottery winners end up poorer and worse off than they started out within a few years of their win.
And that’s assuming you were right, that your ticket doesn’t get lost, that you don’t get into an accident because you’re distracted by thinking of all the great things you’re going to do, all the good things this will bring.
But the majority of big lottery winners end up poorer and worse off than they started out within a few years of their win.
And that’s assuming you were right, that your ticket doesn’t get lost, that you don’t get into an accident because you’re distracted by thinking of all the great things you’re going to do, all the good things this will bring.
Not all happiness is long lived.
Not all happiness is over things that actually will make your life better.
Not all happiness is good.
Not all happiness is over things that actually will make your life better.
Not all happiness is good.
What if the windfall of funds, much needed funds, came at a price?
Inheritance?
Insurance?
Lawsuit?
How much would you sacrifice for the taste of financial security and the happiness that can bring?
Inheritance?
Insurance?
Lawsuit?
How much would you sacrifice for the taste of financial security and the happiness that can bring?
Is this rune even referencing yourhappiness.
Depending on how you weave your magic or spread your symbols for divination, the happiness at play with this rune might not even be yours.
Depending on how you weave your magic or spread your symbols for divination, the happiness at play with this rune might not even be yours.
So please. Remember.
None of the runes are strictly bad!
None of the runes are strictly good!
Context Context Context!
None of the runes are strictly good!
Context Context Context!
Suggested Homework
Find something that makes you happy, that makes you feel content, that makes you feel positive emotions.
Write this thing down, write down how it makes you feel, write down how important this thing is in your life. Write it all down.
Once you have it all written down… write down the price.
What does this happiness cost you.
And dig down, think, stretch out that mind of yours and look for all the inevitable things this happiness Will cost you, and you know it will cost you.
If the source of joy is a family pet, odds are you will outlast this pet, you will likely outlive this pet, you will almost certainly have to bear the pain of when it’s time to let go.
Write it down.
Every cost, every scrap of pain, every sacrifice, everything.
Know that nothing in this world is ever, truly, without cost, somehow, in some way. Know this, and then go bask in every tiny spark of happiness you can summon up for as long as it lasts. Appreciate it, for what it is.
And try not to make the price higher than it has to be.
