This is my anecdotal experience with perceiving the realites of the studies in soul lore that I will give full credit in the recommended reading list that follows. First I want to give my interpretation of the Primary Source study that enacted my new direction. Since I don't know the Icelandic or Old Norse language yet, this is not a translation. It is an interpretation based upon the best translations of others who know more.
Here I give my interpretation through study.
This return to runes and lore will take different directions in the booklets and life experiences that result. Ideally the life experiences and booklets will be congruent and consistant in victory. One direction is the expression of the Runatal Thattr Odhinns section of the Havamal that will look at the 18 Charms and give a divination method. Another direction is in allowing the doctoral thesis of Stephen E. Flowers to teach me to understand through semiotics the complex soul lore that addresses the theme of a more comprehensive understanding of the human, Divine, and trans-human presence of Souls in a more dynamic way.
It has been awhile since I left the last post with an intention to make Germanic concepts more real in my life. I immediatly opened the Lee M. Hollander translation of the "Poetic Edda" to the Havamal stanza that begins the 'Runatalsthattr Odhins' verses of the Havamal. It seemed that something was telling me to begin again with operant knowledge of runes. I had 25 years of experience and knowledge with Futhark runes with what I had learned from the best teachers like Stephen E. Flowers. Yet it seemed it was time to begin again and get new understanding. In front of me on the bookshelf was Stephen E. Flowers doctoral thesis, "Runes and Magic : Magical Formulaic Elements in the Older Runic Tradition". It seems it is time to learn a more valid semiotic contact with the ways of my ancestors.
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Here is the interpretation I use of Havamal stanzas 138 - 142 that signaled the direction given to me. I call this an 'interpretation' rather than a 'translation' since I don't know Icelandic. I'm using the Edred Thorsson, Lee M. Hollander and Carolyne Larrington translation as the basis.
138
"I know that I hung + + + + + on a wind swept Tree
All of nights nine,
wounded by the gar + + + + + given to Odin,
self given to Greater Self,
On that Tree, + + + + + of which no one knows
from what roots it rises."
139
"They delt me no bread + + + + + nor drinking horn;
I looked down
I took up the runes, + + + + + roaring I took them,
and returned again from there."
140
"From the son of Bolthor, + + + + + Bestla's father,
I mastered nine mighty songs,
And a drink I had + + + + + of the dearest mead,
gotten from Odhroerir."
141
"Then I began to grow + + + + + and gain insight,
to gain in wisdom :
one verse led on + + + + + to another verse,
one poem led on + + + + + to another poem."
142
"Runes wilt thou find + + + + + and rightly read,
of wondrous weight,
of mighty magic,
which carved the great God,
which made the holy hosts,
and were carved by Odin"
Those are the stanzas of the Havamal that led to my renewal of a more thorough study of rune lore and a greater contact with the influence of the Mysteries. I will present some of the relevent concepts that meet the theme of this message in gaining integral authenticity in esoteric ways for living well.
