I am a bad, bad admin. *chuckles* I had gotten caught up with the intricacies of fathers day and Sunna’s Symbel all at once that I had forgotten to write a post. Life often times gets in the way like that.

But, continuing onward…
Sunna Symbel is a celebration of the Summer Solstice, when the power of the Sun is at its height. It was at this time that most foreign trade was conducted, as well as shipping, fishing expeditions, and raiding (go a Viking!!!). Thus, Midsummer was the festival of power and activity. It was not without its dark side as well. Midsummer was recognized as the longest day of the year; thus, the year began to age after this time and the days grow progressively shorter. The god Balder is said to have been killed by Loki at this time; the hero Sigfrith was also said to have been slain by treachery at Midsummer by his blood-brothers Hagan and Gundahari.

This is a time to remember that all our works are for the betterment of tomorrow; that what we do in life echoes throughout the years to those whom love us dearly.
Go forth and do something worth while. Make an effort to change something. Forge something great.
And if that cannot be accomplished, then just make sure you let your loved ones know that you are there, and that they in turn have worth to you.

~Spaerunn Helgardar

Last week I met the husband of a friend of mine and was pleased to find a student of the runes within him. Not only a student, but someone who is worthy of the studious and excessive nature of an Eruli (thats meant to be a complement =P ). His knowledge is less than, but his heart far more. And when a heart is as strong as that, then none save Woden can know the limits of knowledge itself. I feel this way about him as well.

This is true for the Eruli…dedicated and damn near obsessed. But then again, I’m crazy…but were completely ok with this, right? Right. =)

I wonder if his path is that of the Erulian, or just a dedicated Runster. We will see.

~Spaerunn Helgardar

Today is the United States celebration known as Memorial Day. And while our celebration to the Einherjar and Walkyrja is still a few days off yet, today we should celebrate as well.
Toast loudly and drink well to those who have fallen in battle. Boast of great deeds done by better men then most who have done all they can as soldiers and warriors. Make great Oaths with those men still standing, and bless them for protection in far away lands when the need comes.
Remember too the heroes of the past as well as present. Tell stories of Sigfrith Wyrnsbane – Son of Sigmund, Svenfjotli – son of Sigfrith, and Beowulf.

Wassale! Drinkale! Sigale!!!

The first full moon will have passed in Ingfar as the festival of Thrimilci is joined in full. This time usurers in the beginning of the light half of the seasons.
Freya turns her kindly face to us after the night of Walburg, and Balder sits proudly amongst the gods. Thrimilci is our great festival of joy and fertility, much like Ostara and Beltane; a time to make joy and love to bring in the brightness of the second half of the seasons.
Make many blessings during this time, find love and sensual nature, and remember the ties to the Middle Garth. Solidify your essence with good food and better company.

~Spaerunn Helgardar

I got an e-mail this morning that surprised me. With as diverse as the Heathen mindset is, you would think there would be more ability for acceptance of abstract or unique views. But then again, as Eksagthi often tells me : “There you go using that ‘one would think’ phrase of yours.” For as much as I get negatives, and will get negatives in the future for my oppinions and interpritations of Runelore, I hope that I get as many positives.
More on this later.

As Valborgnacht comes to a close (tomorrow night) we should remember that our ancestors come amongst us in search of thier names and power given to them through sacrifice and blessing. It is well done by us to give them their due, for it is through their actions that we are here.
Remember too Odin, for he hangs upon the tree. Tomorrow is the ninth night and as the sun sets, his body dies upon the Yggdrasil to be born anew with the comming of the morning sun…grasping the runes in his hands in triumph. But until the dawn, light candles in your home, or better yet light the bale fires. Keep the dark away…for truly the dark holds sway.

~Spaerunn Helgardar

New layout is going well. Check out the RESOURCES AND INFORMATION tab for a lot of good stuff. It is still under construction however, so please bare with me.

~Spaerunn Helgardar

So the site is coming along wonderfully. I am working with the site moderator on html and scripting issues as well as layout, so please bare with if something looks odd or funky. Were still trying to test things out.

I am happy to say that the Introduction page has finally been finished, so that will give you a strong idea to the meaning of this site and its purpose. It is my intention to spread forth much information and do a lot of organization in the first couple weeks of the sites “Grand Opening”. So, more to come. Wish me good luck.

~Spaerunn Helgardar

In the month of “Merry Moon” (April 19th – May 16th), we of the Erulian path, celebrate the festival of Valborgnacht, a night both of revelry and darkness. The nine nights of April 22 to April 30 are venerated as remembrance of the All Father Woden’s self-sacrifice upon the World Tree Yggdrasil. It was on the ninth night (April 30 of Valborgnacht) that he beheld the Runes, grasped them, and ritually died for an instant. At that moment, all the Light in the 9 worlds was extinguished, and utter Chaos reigned. During the night, the dead have full sway upon the earth for one night much like at Vitrablot and Twold Nacht Blot. To ward off the horrors of the Trolls and other myrk-wights that await men in the dark, we light the bale-fires and hold close to our faith in the power of Rune. At the final moment of twilight, and as Sunna rises high into the sky with the Light returning in dazzling brilliance, we know that the Gods are victorious.
During the time of Valborgnacht it is wise to remember ones Ancestors, to give good blessings and sacrifices to all gods and ghosts, and to revel in the power of Rune.

Blessed Symbel to all of the Troth
~Spaerunn Helgardar

Hai und Well Come!

I am glad you have come from whichever site you were browsing to view this wonderful site (which is still very much under construction). Runelore is to be a site containing information of a philosophical and spiritual nature of both historical and esoteric nature dealing with the old world culture, religion, and mindset of the Viking Age up till now. Most of the information will be from my own studies of the Runes as well as references and such from other sources (of which I will have an extensive bibliography for those who would like to research further).

I will describe this in depth later in my discussions, but I want you to think first on an idea. That idea is “Rune” itself. Not as “the runes” concerning the pictographic shapes, but as an all encompassing power source. Runes are the pictographic images that shape ones will into a form, but RUNE itself is the power within ones will to manifest that great power.
While I realize this idea is very abstract, it is important for many of the lessons that will be taught here. More on this later.

Finally, I hope to give a good view of what a modern day Erulian has to say on his Heathen religion, as well as to open some doorways into the spiritual nature of the power of Rune.

With joy and frith, may the gods and wights protect you all.
~Spaerunn Helgardar