The post that you are reading now is a continuation of some of my old posts:
RUNES
Link: http://blog.bitcomet.com/post/22410/
Freya - Goddess of love
Link: http://blog.bitcomet.com/post/22448/
Valkiries
Link: http://blog.bitcomet.com/svetlana/post_22450/
In this post is again revealed the connection of runes and Norse mithology with the metall music, as it was done in other 2 posts:
The Secret of Runes
Link: http://blog.bitcomet.com/svetlana/post_39674/
The Cult of Heroes in Norse Culture
Link: http://blog.bitcomet.com/svetlana/post_25589/
And, as before, it was prepared under wise guidance of my friend Monti (http://blog.bitcomet.com/monti84metal/)
The actual post is dedicated to a remarcable creature of Norse mythology:
Sleipnir (Norse, "gliding one") is the legendary eight-legged horse belonging to Odin, the Father-God of the Norse pantheon. Sleipnir carries Odin between the world of the Gods and the world of matter. The eight legs symbolize the directions of the compass, and Sleipnir's ability to travel through land and air.
The eight legs of Sleipnir are probably symbolic of the eight spokes solar wheel, and probably relate to an earlier form of Odin as a sun-god. There is some evidence that Odin himself was at one time anthropomorphized as a horse; Sleipnir's ability to travel instantaneously associates him with sunlight.
This horse allowed the ride to travel all nine worlds. So to say, with Sleipnir the far most regions and unknown areas come within reach.
According to Norse Mythology, the wall that enclosed Asgard was destroyed during a war between the Vanir and the Aesir, leaving the gods vulnerable to an attack by the giants. One day, an itinerant stonemason named Blast came to Asgard and offered to rebuild the wall if the goddess Freya would consent to be his wife. He asked for the sun and the moon as well. The gods wanted the wall rebuilt but the terms stated by the mason were outrageous. However, the god Loki proposed a way of outwitting the mason and getting at least part of the wall rebuilt for nothing. The gods agreed to the payment asked by the mason, but only if the work was completed within six months. The mason insisted that he be allowed to use his stallion, Svadilfari, in rebuilding the wall. The work proceeded much more rapidly than the gods had anticipated and they began to worry that the mason might have to be paid after all. Loki saw that the mason's horse was doing the heavy hauling and he devised a plan to deprive the mason of the help of his horse. Taking the form of a young mare, Loki lured the stallion into a thicket and made sure that he remained there until the next day. When Svadilfari returned to his master it was too late to complete the work. Months later, Loki returned to Asgard. He brought with him a gray colt with eight legs, the foal of Loki the mare and Svadilfari the stallion. He gave it to Odin, saying that its name was Sleipnir. The colt could travel over land and sea and through the air.
Such remarcable horse as Sleipnir, couldn't be left without attention of runes and the 5th rune of the FUTHARK is associated with him.
RAIDHO (or RAD) = WHEEL
Symbol of change, RAIDHO refers to travelling, relaxing and enjoying one's nice company. It also refers to information, message, news, unexpected news or the fact that your travel may be metaphorical: you imagine it - spiritual travel.
In a straight position, it announces good news or new contacts, a change of plans and projects. It announces that it is time you solved an ambiguous situation that you confronted with.
In a reversed position, it means disordering personal plans. It announces a travel you must make for unexpected reasons or receiving a visit in the worst moment. It might refer to a broken promise or transient problems; you are advised to postpone the travel and pay attention to your relationships.
Advice: You are warned about daily routine. Be ready and change something: take any event with calm or give up to searching elsewhere what is right next to you. Be patient and keep focused, keep your sense of humour (laugh about your problems), in case of your relationship with people you feel close to.
One of the famous contemporan explorers of runes Ralph H. Blum, in his book The Healing Runes, associated this rune to the healinig power of SURRENDER:
"It is through surrender that we come to recognize a force greater than ourselves, a limitless power that is available to us, a power that heals. Surrender is the highest form of conscious contact with the Divine. Receiving this Rune, you are being asked to let go of your need to control the present situation, or to realose any past experience that continues to trouble you.
The true power of surrender always changes our lives."
This rune was used in past for protection in the journeys. It was carved on horses saddles and on riders bags. But, as Sleipnir was traveling from one world to another, it was evoced for traveling of soul to the new knowledge of Divine.
Such character as Sleipnir and such nice associations with him, became very attractive for the metal music bands. As I was told by Monti, there are 2 metal bands who carry his name. But my choice for the song today is of the band MANOWAR with thier nice song Sleipnir:
He is descended from giants. his father loki,
God of fire, is the sworn blood brother to
Odin himself. he rides across land, sea and air
From the land of the living, to the land of
The dead. This eight legged steed crosses eight
Points of the compass, from eight directions
Into eight dimensions. He is bringer of the
Valiant dead from the battlefield to Valhalla!
Carry we who die in battle
Over land and sea
Across the rainbow bridge to Valhalla
Odin's waiting for me
He was born of giants
His icy coat is grey
At night he rides into the world of death
The living by day
One day on his back i shall ride
From the battlefield into the sky
Borne by valkyries we valiant dead
Into the hall of heroes shall be led
Ride down from asgard
To the battlefield
Bringer of the valiant dead
Who died but never yielded
Carry we who die in battle
Over land and sea
Across the rainbow bridge to Valhalla
Odin's waiting for me
Faster then the fastest horse alive
The living son of fire rides
From the halls of across the sky
To the world of gods and men
Eight legs and magic runes
Carved upon his teeth
Thunder and lightning
Sound beneath his feet
On his back the war god odin rides
Sword and magic spear held high
Ride down from asgard
To the battlefield
Bringer of the valiant dead
Who died but never yielded
Carry we who die in battle
Over land and sea
Across the rainbow bridge to valhalla
Odin's waiting for me
