The Eddas - Creation

The world as we know it was created from the death and dismemberment of Ymir...considered the first and greatest giant. Discrepancies occur as it is indicated that before Ymir there were other giants and the Aesir from a world not born and yet in the making.

 

However, here we establish the creation of the world. Evolution Norse style.

 

The rivers flowed and they in turn were so far from their sources they caused the poisonous flow of the fires of Muspell (Chaos?). These fires were turned to a slag of cinders and the ice solidified and no longer ran. They turned into poisonous drops and froze into an icy rime (hoarfrost).

 

Layer by layer an ice grew on Ginnungagap (the ether regions, the void). The southern regions turned light from the sparks and embers flowing from Gunningagap. Still there was coldness and things grim from Niflheim.

 

From this sprang a man called Ymir, a frost giant. From him he established the clan. He bore his children. From his left arm grew a male and female, from his legs, he begot a son by their union. From this came the Frost giants.

 

*****

 

Ymir lived on the milk of the cow Audhumla. Four rivers came from her udders.

 

She licked the salt from the ices and thus the hair of a man appeared. He was Buri. Soon after he took a wife called Bestla the daughter of Bolthron (giant). They had three sons: Bor, Odin, Ve and Vili.

 

Bor killed Ymir and from his blood the race was drowned. Except one who escaped with his household, Bergelmir.

 

From Ymir's body, after taking it to Ginnungagap they took his blood, thus the sea and lakes were formed. From his flesh the earth; from his bones, mountain cliffs. The stones were from his teeth and broken bones. With the blood they made the sea and contained the earth. From his skull, the sky. Under each point they placed a dwarf. The embers and sparks that were made they placed in the sky to light Heaven and Earth. This was before earth was created.

 

From Ymir's flesh

was the earth created,

from the bloody sweat, the sea,

cliffs from bones,

trees from hair,

and from the head, the heavens.

 

And from his eyelashes

the gentle gods made

Midgard for the sons of men;

and from his brains

all the oppressive

clouds were formed.

(The lay of Grimnir)

Sayings of Odin

In the absence of any interesting activity to do with the business, we thought we'd share some of Odin's sayings from the Poetic Edda. For an old Norse dude, he made some pretty relevant observations on human behaviour.

The foolish man thinks he will live for ever,
if he keeps away from fighting;
but old age won't grant him a truce
even if the spears do.

A man shouldn't hold onto the cup but drink mead in moderation,
it's necessary to speak or be silent;
no man will blame you for impoliteness
if you go early to bed.

He's a wretched man, of an evil disposition,
the one who makes fun of everything;
he doesn't know the one thing he ought to know:
that he himself is not devoid of faults.

It's a great detour to a bad friend's house,
even though he lives on the route;
but to a good friend's the ways lie straight,
even though he lives far off.

To his friend a man should be a friend
and repay gifts with gifts;
laughter a man should give for laughter
and repay treachery with lies.

Not very much need a man give,
often you get praise for a little;
with half a loaf and a tilted cup
I've got myself a companion.
-Sayings of The High One (Poetic Edda)

Runes - Jewellery, symbols, or both?

Contemplating Orders and filling them. Also contemplating our perfection factor.

One must realise that runes are not high street bling. They are representative of the myths and history of ancient cultures. They are not meant to be perfect but individual pieces with individual feeling behind each rune pendant or rune set. These are items to be worn or used in daily life, although as they are quite elegant in their way (for men or women) they are at home with nothing on at all or with evening dress.

We don't infuse the pieces or sets with anything more than the dedication and belief in our work and that which we replicate in the symbols. The actual infusion or 'activation' (if you must get a bit, say, technical) is up to the owner... or not, as the case may be.

A rune is as much a mystical or sacred symbol as it is a thing of beauty. As they represent letters, they can simply reflect the owner's name. Though we hope our 'friends' look at the rune charts and reflect on a rune's meaning, which resonates.

We will sell the pendants on adjustable cords as we feel these complement the rune to its best advantage. Having worn my 'Kaen' on a chain for weeks, I have found the cord to be more 'comfortable' and appropriate, however this is our taste, it is not everyones. We can source chains for our customers if they so wish, although the best source we have found so far is in the USA, so there might be a slight delay in at least the shipping of the chains.

Runes and the stone rune sets are not just jewellery, or even symbols. They are hopefully our own art and things of beauty to be displayed proudly.

Rune of the day

Fehu

Modern letter - F

Fehu signifies 'cattle', which is a strong symbol for wealth and prosperity. A source of food, stability, security and growth.