In my personal rune set, I replaced the elder futhark Hagalaz symbol with the younger futhark Hagalaz variation a while ago, a personal choice, and I should take this opportunity to explain why.
In the face of disaster, compassionate human beings discover that they do not break, but become stronger. We discover that our communities come together, even on a global scale, in face of unimaginable destruction. When the universe shows its inimical side, the side that couldn’t care less about average human affairs, it’s as if we come together to show overwhelmingly that we care for one another. When the universe demonstrates that it cannot be depended upon, that it is more than able to wreck havoc, we react by showing that we can depend upon one another.
This reactive human response to the crisis and catastrophe that Hagalaz can often represent is a strange magic, but one of great potential.
We can also point to the immense wisdom in preparing for the worst, in allowing ourselves not only to imagine catastrophe, but to incorporate it into our plans for the future.
We see from the Japanese, in the past few days, after their massive 8.9 earthquake, tsunami and the threats to their nuclear power plants, a tragic event that will have taken 10,000+ lives. But consider this: the Japanese have for a good number of years held incredible standards for their buildings and construction — everything is made to bend, to wiggle. These standards were in place to protect their cities and their people against the worst forms of earthquake… the kind they recently experienced. It likely saved millions of lives.
While it is hard to wrench our focus from the spectacular chaos and destruction of Hagalaz, we ought to keep in mind a great, untold story: that planning and foresight, that the willingness to contemplate the worst, is a powerful form of wisdom for an individual to have, and even more-so an entire people. It may not be positive thinking — but it has positive consequences. It is an example of taking the negative aspects of a rune and transmuting it for positive ends.
So today, let us contemplate the younger futhark symbol for Hagalaz — the potential for us to unite and heal in the face of unimaginable destruction, to show our strength and courage in the face of catastrophe and the wisdom of looking ahead in order to safeguard against the worst the universe can throw at us.
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8 Responses to Lessons of Hagalaz: Rune of Disaster and Healing
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In the Elder rue I see two Uraz this puts me in mind of the dividing of the sacred cow or like two aurochs locked in battle. The idea is the destruction that comes with change. The birthing of a new world or the struggle to plant your seeds.
The younger rune gives us so much more to work with. I see six degrees of Kenaz, two Tyr head to head, two Nauthiz, five degrees of Gbo, and three Isa.
unpacking these in the greater context of events is fascinating.
My first impression are the red or blue cross-icons – services for medical aid – tending to wounds or healing.
Another thought that comes to mind is the beauty of a snowflake – and the danger of avalances. Perhaps in that sense it reminds me most of ISA.
And third, completely away from symbols I’ve seen so far… it gives me the Impression of ‘Stop. Do not cross. ‘ or ‘You’re stepping on dangerous grounds. Be careful. Prepare yourselve. ‘
This is the astrological symbol for sextile usually seen as a +ve aspect
think I’ll stick with the wonky H !
I have adopted this symbol from Younger Futhark not for normal Rune work, but as a symbol of my dedication to pursuit of Runic mysteries. In fact, David Williams, a member here, made a pendant of damascus steel for me which carries this symbol. To me the symbol represents the ultimate wild power, the energy of the Big Bang. In a sense, it is truly the ultimate Rune of change; in this case science believes the change was from non-existence to existence of the Cosmos. Importantly, since this is also seen as the “seed Rune”, the wild power it embodies can be seen as energizing and empowering all of the Runes.
That’s Uranus power you are describing – which interestingly was originally called Herschel and (still has ) given another type of “wonky” H as a symbol tho this one is used infrequently nowadays . Unpredictability is key to both hagalas and uranus I wonder if changing the symbol used to a far more balanced one makes it in a sense “safer” and therefore easier to work with ? I would be circumspect about it either way myself ; riding the whirlwind not for me !
Incidently with hagalas as the great Disruptor I would see it more as stopping a process rather than a “seeding” – if it seeds it seeds something new something not expected not what you plan , surely
Caroline, thanks for your perspective on this. I agree with your excellent point about “riding the whirlwind” but I feel that at this point in my life I NEED a disruption of sorts to help me renew myself. I also feel that all Rune work could be seen as inherently dangerous, but I think this renewal process is worth the risk. I should mention that I have had huge changes in my life in the last few years, including a move to another country, unemployment, and a 3-year fight with cancer. Like I said, I need renewal and seek the cosmic power to fuel it. Hagalaz serves both as a reminder of my dedication to change, and an admission that I need power from “other” to make it happen. That said, I remain vigilant, as I would be if I used any other potentially dangerous “tool”.
Although I am relatively new to studying the runes, I am tending to prefer the YF version of this rune; when I look at it I see GEBO and ISA together — the gift of Isa. From the melting hail comes water which nourishes and from the innocuous snowflake comes the avalanche. Makes sense to me!