Ansuz and Othala – The Key to Asgard
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Kaedrich Olson is the author of a popular new book entitled ‘Runes for Transformation: Using Ancient Symbols to Change Your Life
Below is his first guest post with us, a Rune Secrets exclusive!
Ansuz is the rune representing wisdom, knowledge, and communication. All in all, it is the rune of the transmission and reception of information. Information that is understandable and usable.
In the Eddic poem, Rigsthula, Heimdall, one of the wisest of all the gods, came to Earth (Midgard) disguised as a man named Rig. He then traveled to three homes and stayed nine nights in each home. During the course of those nights, he taught each family new things in ways they best understood. After his visit, each home begot children that advanced upon what the parents were able to provide.
The final house Rig visited produced a child of exceptional nature named Konunger. This child, when grown became was ready to learn runic information and the mysteries. That is when Rig returned to Midgard to teach Konunger about runes and other mystical wisdom.
In addition to being the progenitor of educated mankind, Heimdall is also called the guardian of Asgard. He watches the great gate standing at the portal of Asgard, known as the Valgrind. To do his job, Heimdall has incredible perception: great hearing and sight. From this position he is able to determine who is worthy to venture into Asgard. Since he brought mankind great teachings, it is this wisdom that is the key to gaining passage.
Also relevant in this discussion is the rune, Othala. It is a rune of ancestry, inheritance and legacies. We see its effects upon the new generations that benefited from the teachings of Rig. That which he taught to the families he stayed with, they passed on to their children who exceeded in talents, skills, and greatness beyond their parents’ statuses. In our world, we all can benefit from our own Heimdalls in human form.
Many of those who came before us studied great things. They toiled and pondered great mysteries that have been passed on to us in their writings, teachings, and great works. Their great works are the things that we contemplate to try to gain a deeper understanding of all the things in the world around us.
This passage of information through the ages is like a bind rune of Ansuz and Othala – an inheritance of knowledge and understanding.
Because of these great things they left behind we do not have to redo the work they already did. To access their gifts we simply engage our own Ansuz in the real world. That is we study, learn, and understand the result of their efforts in order to gain the benefits they have already wrought.
In the Norse tradition, we honor the notion that a gift demands a gift. As gratitude to the ancients for the gifts they have bestowed upon us we offer them sacrifice. Sometimes this sacrifice takes the form of stories or songs remembering great deeds. Sometimes these sacrifices take the form of mead, food and blot (a Norse ceremony) offering energy and memories to the ancients.
Remember, sacrifice means “to make sacred” not “to dispose of”. The greatest sacrifice we can offer is the sacrifice of the self to the self. This means that you are to make your life sacred. To honor the ancestors, give to yourself only the best of the things they have to offer. Take that which brings you pleasure and find joy in its use. Share your joys with all that are around you and let them see your joy; let them know of your growth. More so, let them share in your joy. Then work to add to that joy and pass it on to those that will come after you.
All of the things the ancestors gave to us are ours to use. If we do not use these things or we choose to make them for ourselves, then we may be dishonoring the ancients.
Life is meant to be a joy. Our lives are meant to be at peace and filled with wonderment. The toil and work of the ancestors, little by little granted us greater ability to gain our joys. Just as the work we do today adds to the joys and wonderment of those that are to come after us. As we engage in greatness, we build upon the lives of all those around us, and for future generations. The best way, to honor our ancestry is to become as great as possible, to shun shyness, to live life liberally, and to grant liberty to all others to do as they please with their gifts. As we grow in our greatness, we give permission to others to do the same.
For us to desire and gain pleasure and happiness is the greatest sacrifice we can make to honor the ancestors, the gods, and all of mankind to come. Be free, enjoy all that is around you, and add to it so that it may grow even more wonderful. This is the desire of the ancients, for us, now. This is what they yearn for you to do, in your life, today! Meekness and mildness are the roads of dishonor. They breed only contempt and desolation. There is honor in greatness, joy, sharing of wonderment, and giving all of these things to yourself, so that all may share in your exuberance.
This is the lesson of the bind rune of ANSUZ and OTHALA. Give to yourself the greatness that has been won by those that came before us. It honors them, it honors you and it honors the future generations. If we toil in the work of the past and refuse to grow from what the elders have gained for us, we dishonor all and we make no gains. That which can be gained exists with the specific intention for us to gain it. Grasp it and hold on to it tightly. Only let it go only to those, in the future, who are willing to take the best from it. Learn, grow, and share.
Kaedrich Olson
Kaedrich Olsen has studied the runes and Northern mysteries for over 20 years. He also studied spiritually based hypnotherapy and Shamanism in order to become a transpersonal hypnotherapist. Within this practice, he applies runic wisdom to develop powerful techniques his clients use to transform their lives. Kaedrich lives in Boulder, Colorado with his wife and two daughters, where he is an accomplished leader in the Nordic spiritual community.
He is the author of a practical and contemporary workbook entitled ‘Runes for Transformation: Using Ancient Symbols to Change Your Life
Kaedrich has an online presence and can been reached at his WordPress blog ‘Among the Runes’ or on MySpace!
12 Comments to “Ansuz and Othala – The Key to Asgard”
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Mannaz says:
A book recommended by “authorities” such as Ralph Blum can’t be good.
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Well you’re short changing yourself, “Mannaz” if you make snap judgements about Kaedrich’s book, but I’m not going to necessarily disagree with you over Blum.
Blum is very ‘pop culture’ in the New Age community, I see his book and his dead-processed-plastic rune set all-in-one package in almost every bookstore from Chapters to the local New Age bookstore down the road…
I will venture to argue though, that a lot of people have picked Blum’s book up and become further interested in an otherwise obscure subject, and haven’t restricted their growth and understanding solely to his books.
I know two exceedingly wise women, in the ways of the world and the runes, who found them long ago through Blum’s works. Years later, their current understanding is awesome.
Kaedrich asks a lot of questions to his readers. His overarching message is: What is deep within you and how deeply can you see if you really open your eyes?
It’s all about what you bring to the table. I’d like to see you bring more than a crumb ;) Hope to hear back from you!
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Well, close to personal interest are the runes and their relation with poetry (see, for example, “A History of Old Norse Poetry and Poetics” by Margaret Clunies Ross). For those interested in applying the semiotic theory of rune magic, I could recommend reading “How to Do Things with Runes: A Semiotic Approach to Operative Communication” by Dr. Stephen E. Flowers (published in “Runes and Their Secrets: Studies in Runology”). There are many works that help to go (far) beyond the basics, but most often these are dry academic works, not occult/new age paperbacks.
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Mahryan says:
Well, I’d like to see some comments on Kaedrich’s generous guest posting that were more constructive and respectful of the work he has put into this. This is a site that welcomes constructive, respectful discussion – including disagreement. I don’t think it is the place for dismissive comment.
Mannaz (can’t imagine why he chose that name, unless it is a state to aim for) apparently is dismissive of women just because they are female. We, he appears to think, are incapable of deeper contemplation than Blum and plastic runes as we are “willing to try anything (even ancient symbols) to sort things out in their lives”. I am especially disappointed that Tyriel would follow such a remark by replying that Mannaz “had a point.” Fortunately for the (slight) chances of human survival and growth,there are also some men who are more open to considering anything that might help them sort through the life they find themselves within.
As for Blum’s work, it may differ from the traditional – that must have been one heck of a road trip – nevertheless, his thoughts and explorations deserve respect – a core runic value. I also fail to follow Mannez’s point about using or not using runes to change one’s life. The use of runes is (or should be) part of a life path in which we make a concious choice to work daily towards the core values they represent and towards full understanding of their concept in the multiverse.
I want to see more – many people commenting on this site, which has important thoughts and insights for ‘beginners’ or ‘experienced’ runesters -whatever those words actually mean in terms of the many lives any of us may bring with us when we pick up the runes in this one. I for one beleive that there is learning potential in all things. Please, those of you who are women, and those men who truly seek with open minds, do not be put off from commenting on this site, by this less than considerate exchange over what should have been received and recognized as a generous gift to the site. Keadrich, I haven’t had a chance to consider your writing yet, but I will. Thank you for sharing it with us.
-Mahryan
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I was definitely not trying to suggest that the commenter above had a point with his generalization of women. And I sincerely apologize that I missed out on giving him hell for it. I was sidelined by trying to create more discussion… which I’ve done, but at what cost?
I’m still learning about how to handle comments on a site where so many hold strong opinions. I’m not of the mind the censor anyone or immediately judge their position…
… but that said, I will side with Mahryan (of course) and be much less tolerant of ignorant, hateful comments.
If you post, be prepared to say more than what ‘Mannaz’ originally offered, which was basically: ‘This book must suck because it’s the type of book bought by ‘women who are willing to try anything’.’
I bought Kaedrich’s book, and I hardly agree with that attitude. We can learn a lot from Kaedrich’s honesty and humility, never mind the creativity and virtue he brings to investigation.
Thorsson rubs off too, and yes, he too has a particular attitude. Preferring Flowers/Thorsson over another author is just that: a PREFERENCE… an opinion.
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Erika says:
hello, im new here. do ya’ll acually think this rune stuff works? im being serious, i WANT to know the truth in this disgusting world!
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Erika:
I really do think the runes are worth pursuing… and your pursuit of truth fits well with them. I’m both a skeptic and a believer, I often say “an open mind is half closed.” That means you have to be open to the unknown and unexpected but sometimes guarded against the opinions and beliefs of others.
The most important thing is to think for yourself. If something makes sense to you, pursue it. If it fits, if it works with what you already know, take it and leave what doesn’t fit.
In a way, the runes are a reflection of what you bring to them. They are great for self discovery and for introspection. I find I am able to look at them as a type of magic, and a type of psychology at the same time.
They are symbols that allow you to explore important concepts that are vital to living. They’re not a religion or a cult, in and of themselves, though there are some groups that use them.
The runes are a solitary experience a lot of the time. I know that they are used for divination or fortune telling, of course, but I mostly use them to explore.
This curiosity, this desire to explore, and a passion for truth and beauty… I really think that the runes are well suited for an individual who values these things :)
Hope to see you around the site, Erika! Thanks for commenting.
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Hi Erika and welcome to Rune Secrets.
The short answer to your question – in my expereince – is YES, the runes do work. I pretty much agree with what Tyriel has already said to you, but I thought I’d maybe explore it a little more with you too.
I wondered, when you ask, “do the runes work?” in what way are you thinking of? I would say they work in many ways at many levels depending on our personal need and understanding. I agree with Tyriel that mst importantly they are symbols to help us focus our minds and tap into our inner knowledge, much of which comes to us through tribal/genetic lines down the ages.
The Runes can be used for personal guidines ( divination if you like). I will often pose a question to mine when I am unsure of right action, or not understanding what lies behind a situation. Sometime the answer given is very clear and pragmatic ( but not necessarily particularly sympathetic). Other times it is on a more esoteric level. Sometimes both. Careful contemplation and self-honesty is necessary to gain full understanding.This is important to understand. You said that you wanted to know the truth in this “disgusting world.” I know that some days I feel very saddened by the awful things people do to each other and this very beautiful planet we inhabit. The ‘truth’ is not necessarly very comforting and as a medium, the runes are not a osft vehicle. They come from a northern reality where survival was often harsh – just in terms of the climate. The runes will not use pretty wrapping on the insights they offer. At the same time, at the core of the values they represent, is the energy of WUNJO – the joy of simply being and SOWELO the striving for healing and wholeness. Personally, I fing the values that underly all of the runes helpful in understanding the world in which we live in both the positive and negative aspects. This does not reduce the ugliness present, but it does also highlight the joy and beauty.
Hope you will keep visiting Rune Secrets and commenting more.
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Hel says:
Keadrich, lovely words.
RuneSecrets; thank you for hosting such a meaning author.Blum’s words are lovely too.
And about mass produced plastic runes… I believe it is the symbol that holds the power. Keep your eye singley fixed on good. Perhaps to make them feel more sacred and give them more meaning one can eventually carve their own in stone or wood. You might be amazed at how much life affirming power there is in holding a plastic rune set. Especially for ones who would otherwise not be inclined to carve or purchase a more substantial set.Also I am the type of women who uses runes to change my life and give it deeper value and meaning. The runes have inspired greatness in me by strengthening my imagination, helping me with my resolve, building my constitution.. and other greatnesses.
I have yet to read Keadrich’s book, but am already grateful and happier knowing it exists. Thank you.
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i loved this article. it lifted my spirits. i really needed that this morning. and to get it through a channel on runes, which i love so much but for the most part represent hard work for me, is a blessing. thank you, Kaedrich, for the uplifting words. clearly, you are gifted with the ability to pass on sacred wisdom.
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Vanr says:
I just completed Kaedrich’s book.
Excellent work on runes and very interesting ideas on inner-outer runes and NLP!
Brother, thank you
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Tyriel (also known as James Lord Bard) is a writer and graphic designer, living in Canada. He is passionate about the runes, and about bringing spiritual consciousness and heightened freedom to the mainstream. He has a solid background in web design, graphics and video production. He is also a poet, a novelist and musician.
I want to thank Kaedrich for this insightful exploration of bind runes and the magic they can bring into a focus for our lives.
I hope we hear a lot more from Kaedrich in the future! If you enjoyed his article, do tell us so… authors can use all the encouragement they can get! ;)