Norse magical writing, also known as runes, has long been a subject of fascination and interpretation. The ancient Norse used runes for a variety of purposes, including divination, protection, and communication with the gods. Runes are a form of ancient Germanic writing, consisting of various symbols carved into objects or inscribed onto surfaces. The Norse believed that runes possessed magical properties and could be used to harness and manipulate the natural forces of the world. They were seen as a means of accessing the divine realm and connecting with the gods. Each rune had a specific meaning and associated power, and the combinations of runes used in magical inscriptions were believed to have specific effects.
What finally left me feeling dissatisfied is, paradoxically, the pleasant, ingratiating way in which he tells it. These gods are not only mortal, they’re a bit banal. They talk a great deal, in a conversational tone that descends sometimes to smart-ass repartee. This chattiness will be familiar to an audience accustomed to animated film and graphic narrative, which have grown heavy with dialogue, and in which disrespect is generally treated as a virtue. But it trivialises, and I felt sometimes that this vigorous, robust, good-natured version of the mythos gives us everything but the very essence of it, the heart.
There is a good deal of humour in the stories, the kind most children like seeing a braggart take a pratfall, watching the cunning little fellow outwit the big dumb bully. Their survival is remarkable, for the Norse tales are about as un-Christian as you can get no all-powerful creator deity, no human virtue rewarded but courage in battle, and on the Last Day, no salvation for anybody.
Each rune had a specific meaning and associated power, and the combinations of runes used in magical inscriptions were believed to have specific effects. Interpreting Norse magical writing can be a complex task, as there is no definitive system for understanding the meanings of individual runes or their combinations. The various runic alphabets used by the Norse, such as the Elder Futhark and Younger Futhark, have different sets of symbols and meanings.
How Nature Influences Fantasy, Through Norse Mythology
Nature inspires all forms of creativity, playing an important role in a range of fantasy stories and feature films. The context of the natural environment is not only often vital to the atmosphere of each story’s setting but, equally, the direction and drama of the unfolding plot. In this blog post, I wish to discuss how natural symbols in Norse legend influence in particular some of the animated fantasy media we see today; including the film adaptations of The Lord of the Rings (Peter Jackson, 2001-2003), the Marvel Cinematic Universe superhero franchise, and the recent series Vikings (Michael Hirst, 2013-).
Nature impacted the stories that were told by our ancestors thousands of years ago; a time when pagan communities would speak of natural forces, perhaps represented as gods (Fig. 1). Some of these stories would echo on throughout the ages, and have helped to shape what we now know as ancient mythology. Modern fantasy media has been repeatedly influenced by ancient mythology, one that arguably has its roots in the stories of our pagan ancestors. These pagans were intrinsically connected to nature in their daily life, reliant on the earth and water as if it were their lifeblood. Tribulations of daily life were told through story and song, operating perhaps as a precursor to the modern musical, allowing stories to take on a symbolic and figurative value that superseded their mythic function to allow the Norse gods to symbolise different aspects of nature. For example, in old Norse texts, Odin typically represents wisdom and death, portrayed as one eyed, with a long beard. He was often accompanied with ravens Huginn and Muninn who inform him of news around Midgard – the only one of the nine worlds visible to man. Nature, in turn, is depicted not just as something with a spiritual significance, but a vessel which can allude towards aspects of the human condition.
Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (Peter Jackson, 2002) - The Making of Treebeard.
Despite the inaccuracies, naturalistic icons in Norse myths have continuously been re-imagined by artists through the ages. The Mead of Poetry ancient myth inspired the comic book The Magic Mead in the Danish comic book series, Valhalla, created by Henning Kure and Arne Stenby and written by Kure, Peter Madsen, Hans Rancke-Madsen and Per Vadmand. Of course, we also cannot forget J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings. Tolkien was a scholar who was able to extract many references from ancient texts, notably Norse mythology, giving rise to his epic trilogy. Peter Jackson’s film adaptations make use of New Zealand’s striking landscapes to contribute to the story’s epic atmosphere, replicating Tolkien’s own insistence on the presence of nature throughout his journey narrative. As part of his fantasy world, Tolkien invented a tree-like race of beings called Ents, showing similarities to the talking trees found in Norse folklore. Ents were sketched and animated using visual effects (by Jackson’s own WETA studio) in the Lord of the Rings films to seem life-like, as we see them move at snail-pace, and hear the cracking of their movement, as if they were real trees bending to the wind. Treebeard, who carries Merry and Pippin in a scene from Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (Peter Jackson, 2002) was brought to life with a giant puppet, that was edited through a combination of computer effects and animatronics to give him his digitally-produced, expressive face (see above).
Fig. 2 - Marvel’s Thor action figure.
However, Norse mythology influenced creative work in the late 19th century too, when Richard Wagnar wrote the opera ‘Ring of the Nibelungs’, based on the Norse legend about dragonslayer Siegfried and shieldmaiden Brunhilde (from old Norse texts; Edda poems and Volsunga saga). The story has been re-portrayed in the recent German film Sword of Xanten (Uli Edel, 2004). Key events in the natural landscape unfold when an animated meteor shower marks the meeting of Brunhilde and Siegfried, that Brunhilde believed to be a sign from the gods. Siegfried slays the dragon Fafnir, who is fiercely brought to life with the help of CGI technology. The glory of Siegfried is short lived, however, with the curse of the Fafnir’s gold, even though he was warned by the ghosts of immortal twilight, who were resurrected onto the screen through special effects. While the end is tragic, as the ghosts promised, we can see how the striking visuals of this film are portrayed through outdoor film-making and special effects, and how pagan beliefs help to shape the story. In the narrative, there are diversions from Wagner’s opera, just as there are differences between the opera and the original Norse folk story.
Thor (Kenneth Branagh, 2011) - Closing credits with Yggdrasil.
Thor is a well-known Norse god to many of us, representing thunder and strength. Today, the icon is heavy popularized today by Marvel’s Thor films, as well as its many spin-offs within the MCU franchise (Fig. 2). Based on the comic series “The Mighty Thor”, Thor is one of the physically strongest of Marvel’s superheroes. Digital animation and computer graphics brings ancient Norse symbols to life throughout the series - from the magical strike of Thor’s Hammer to Asgard’s Rainbow Bridge. When we look into the films’ imagery closely, there are many more Norse symbols to unravel. A key example is Yggdrasil (or Tree of Life) - an ancient Norse symbol for the interconnectivity of all living things. There are theories that Marvel tweaked the Yggdrasil to represent the ten realms of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (with 9 staying true to Norse mythology, and ‘Heven’ being added). We can see a possible depiction of Yggdrasil in the credits of the first “Thor’ film, where the structure of a tree is conveyed among stars and nebula (see left). While Marvel recreated Odin and Thor in their own image to create strong superhero characters, the faces of these gods are not seen in the popular History channel series, Vikings, directed by Michael Hirst. Instead, the pagan people talk of Thor and Odin through the telling of stories, while spiritually connecting to the landscape. The leading character, based on a renowned hero in Norse legend, Ragnar Lodbrok, had mystical visions of crows and dramatic landscapes, and his son, Bjorn Ironside, retreated as a hermit in the forest, for a transition to manhood. In Vikings, the beauty and darkness of the natural environment is emphasized through well edited and polarized cinematography.
Throughout the ages, we’ve taken inspiration from the natural icons of Norse legend in our art and popular media, including our modern fantasy, film and animation. Ancient storytellers were connected to the landscape for their livelihoods and beliefs, shaping and reshaping the stories in Norse legends for a multitude of purposes. To this day, the stories of Odin,Thor, Ragnar, and Siegfried, continue to impact our modern fantasy media; whether it be film, fiction, animation or even opera.
Biography
Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (Peter Jackson, 2002) - The Making of Treebeard.
Furthermore, the interpretations of runes have evolved over time, influenced by different cultural and historical contexts. One common approach to interpreting Norse magical writing is through divination. This involves casting or drawing runes and interpreting their positions and relationships to gain insight into a particular question or situation. The runes drawn are believed to symbolize different aspects of the individual's life, and their arrangement can provide guidance or predictions. The meanings of individual runes can be understood through their associated myths and stories. For example, the rune Tiwaz is associated with the god Tyr, who represents justice and sacrifice. This rune can be interpreted as a symbol of victory, courage, or self-sacrifice. Similarly, the rune Thurisaz is associated with the god Thor and represents protection and strength. It can be interpreted as a symbol of defense or the overcoming of obstacles. Another way of interpreting Norse magical writing is through linguistic analysis. By examining the roots and etymology of runic symbols, scholars can uncover the original meanings and functions of the runes. This approach provides insights into the social, cultural, and religious significance of the symbols. In modern times, Norse magical writing has gained popularity as a form of self-expression, spirituality, and personal empowerment. Many people use runes for self-reflection, meditation, and healing purposes. The symbolic nature of the runes allows individuals to project their own meanings onto the symbols and use them as a tool for personal growth and transformation. Overall, Norse magical writing is a rich and complex system of symbolism and meaning. Its interpretation has evolved over time and continues to be a subject of study and fascination. Whether through divination, linguistic analysis, or personal reflection, the runes provide a unique and powerful means of connecting with the ancient Norse traditions and unlocking the secrets of the universe..
Reviews for "The Use of Norse Runes in Protection and Warding"
- Emily - 2 stars - I was really looking forward to reading about Norse magical writing and its interpretations, but I found this book to be quite disappointing. The author seemed to make a lot of assumptions without providing adequate evidence or scholarly research to back them up. Additionally, I felt that the writing was quite dry and lacking in excitement, making it difficult to stay engaged with the material. Overall, I would not recommend this book to others who are interested in the subject.
- Michael - 1 star - This book on Norse magical writing and its interpretations left me extremely unsatisfied. Not only did the author fail to provide any new insights or perspectives, but their analysis was superficial and lacked depth. I found myself constantly questioning the author's conclusions and felt that the book only scratched the surface of the topic. It was a missed opportunity to explore and understand Norse magical writing more thoroughly. I would not recommend wasting your time or money on this book.
- Sarah - 2 stars - I had high hopes for this book on Norse magical writing and its interpretations, but unfortunately, it fell short of my expectations. The author seemed to be more interested in showcasing their own theories and personal beliefs rather than providing a balanced and well-researched exploration of the topic. I found their arguments to be weak and unsupported by evidence, making it difficult to take their interpretations seriously. Overall, I was disappointed and would not recommend this book to others who are looking for a comprehensive and accurate understanding of Norse magical writing.