 The next
festival is midsummer. The runes to use for this festival are Othila, Dagaz and Fehu. Othila represents Odin. Fehu
represents Freya, (Frigga). Dagaz, the rune of the summer solstice, represents the slaying of Baldur, the decline of
the Sun, and the shortening of the days. A ritual employing these runes and constructed around the myth of Baldur's
death can be devised in which Odin, Baldur and Frigga are all involved.The next festival is Lammas or Celtic
language - Lughnassad. L ugh, after whom Lughnassad takes its name
-
is a Celtic solar god comparable to Odin. This is borne out by the circumstance that one of the runes for this
festival is Ansuz, which represents Odin in his aspect of inspiration (inspiration being recognized as a solar
attribute). The other two runes to be used are Uruz and Thurisaz, both of which are associated with Thor and which
especially evoke a thunderstorm. Thor could therefore also be the god to be given priority in this ritual. The giants
are also an aspect of Thurisaz. In this context they may well represent the unassimilated raw material of the human
psyche.
It may be noticed that there is an element of confrontation here between two opposing forces, Odin and the giants,
with Thor as the protective strength between them (we should bear in mind that Thor is part giant himself and thus
takes the part both of Odin and of the giants). This ritual could be enacted as a "fight" between Thor and the giant,
Hrungnir, to gain supremacy over solar power. Alternatively, a ritual could be enacted depicting the contest of wits
between Odin and the giant Vafthrudnir. This series of runes could also be interpreted in a depth-psychological
manner. Uruz would then stand for the raw, primitive, fiery urge; Ansuz would represent the higher function of the
intellect; and Thurisaz would be the mediating field of conflict and interaction between the two. of the intellect;
and Thurisaz would be the mediating field of conflict and interaction between the two. |
