Post by Senbecc on Feb 6, 2007 18:20:08 GMT -5
Along with the two runes that follow it in the Elder Futhark (Nauthiz and Isa), Hagalaz is a rune that could rightfully be considered negative in scope. Its traditional meaning is hail, which is generally considered to be destructive.
When Hagalaz comes up in a reading, it is usually indicative of disruptive forces that necessitate change, usually within the querent. Oftentimes those disruptive forces originate in the querent's past, involving lessons unlearned and issues unsolved that are affecting the present.
Sometimes, Hagalaz indicates events that come as a shock or surprise; surrounding runes will often indicate whether those events are positive or negative, but do not be surprised if negative events are most often indicated. Keep in mind, however, that sometimes things will appear very negative, but given time, a positive outcome may be realized. This is often the case with sweeping, unexpected change.
This rune is often associated with Urd, the Norn who is identified with the past.
www.bewitchingways.com/runes/hagalaz.htm
The second aett (set), which is ruled over by Heimdall, the Watcher of the Gods, begins with Hagal or Hagalaz, the ninth rune. The three runes at the beginning of this Aett are icy and binding runes, expressing their place at the first part of winter in the year-circle. Hagal represents the most powerful sacred number of the Northern Tradition, 'by the power of three times three'. Because of this, it is sometimes called the Mother Rune. (It is the ninth Rune, so three times three is quite obvious.)
Literally, the name Hagal means hailstone. Hailstones are water transformed for a short while from its liquid into it solid phase, during which time it falls from the sky, sometimes so violently that it destroys crops or property. But when the damage is done, it melts, changing back into harmless, even beneficial, liquid water. More generally, Hagal represents all aspects of frozen water that falls from the sky -- sleet and snow as well as hail. Everyone who has experienced a bad winter will know the sudden transformation that a snowstorm brings. Green fields and black roads are transformed rapidly into a sea of whiteness. Equally transormative is the thaw, when the colors of the landscape are restored. In folk magic, this rune is the protective sigil called the lucky star. This is drawn as a six-petalled flower formed of arcs within a circle. It can be seen on many old buildings, still protecting them magically against bad weather. Hagal's element is ice, the fifth element in the Northern Tradition, ruled by Rinda, goddess of the frozen earth.
Now we can look at the magical meaning of Hagalaz. Since there is no upside down for it, there is only one way to look at it:
There is a need to break free from constricting circumstances. There are some things beyond your control. Though this Rune has only an upright position, it operates through reversal. You may feel as though you are waking from a long sleep and take some time to come to your full senses. There may be a loss before there is a great gain.
The connection between the hailstone that thaws is shining through here. Also, when the solid form hits down, the damage that is done, that is the sign of the loss you may suffer before things look up again. A very typical example is when you are feeling down, and things can't possibly get worse. The situation then can prove you wrong by getting a bit worse, before things get better again.
So, when you draw this Rune, consider the atmosphere in that you are looking at it. If you can understand the position you are in, meditate on it, and try to find out what things you should cover, or get to work on so the outcome will be most easy on you.
As with the first Aett, the first set of eight, this one also is a starting point. You will see that this is something that comes out in every Aett. In each of them, on a different level of life, there is a progression towards becoming better, more insightful.
nlpagan.net/rune_hagalaz.htm
The rune Hagalaz is the ninth rune in the Elder Futhark. It is the rune of disruptive natural forces, elemental power, and hail. If this sounds somewhat alarming - all right. But, you shouldn't look at it as "frightening" or "unnatural." The power of Hagalaz can be found in the Nordic myths of the very creation of the multi-verse.
In the very beginnings of pre-time, before the earth or the seas or the sky, there was Allfather. He had never been seen, felt, or created. He just was. Anything he wished came into being. And, nothing came into being without his wish. Back then, in the middle of space, there was a huge chasm, the Ginnunga-gap. Its vast size was unknown; nobody could see near to the bottom.
On the north side of Ginnunga-gap was Nifl-heim. The land of cold and dark and mist. From the internal, bubbling cauldron in the center of Nifl-heim flowed the twelve rivers, Elivagar. As the waters of Elivagar approached Ginnunga-gap, they turned to ice. Huge skyscraper-sized chunks of ice broke off and fell into the abyss with a deafening roar, which can only be understood by those of us who have spent time in the far north.
On the other side of the abyss, directly across from Nifl-heim, was Muspells-heim. It was the home of brightness, light and the internal, elemental fire. Its borders were guarded by the flame giant, Surtr. He protected the frontier by swinging his flaming sword. As he did, sparks flew off and many fell into Ginnunga-gap. As you can guess, fire and ice do not go together well. Where they met, a dynamic reaction occurred and steam was created. When this steam flowed upward, it again cooled and developed into rime ice. Two significant creatures were created from this rime. One was Ymir, the ice giant; the other was Audhumla, the gigantic cosmic cow. The cow provided nourishment for the giant. Ymir, on the other hand, battled the gods as soon as he saw them. However, there was more to Ymir; he was the creation of two races of beings, the ice giants and the gods. Odinn and his two brothers, Vili and Ve, are examples. In the end, Odinn and his family, killed Ymir and most of Ymir's race. You see, the gods and the ice giants represent opposites - good and evil. But, when it was all over, Odinn and his brothers used the body of the giant to make the earth.
This is a very brief version of several fables from Nordic mythology. But, it illustrates several points which are inherent in Hagalaz. First, notice the heat and cold positioned against one another. The reaction of their meeting was quick, certain, and violent. So it is today in the mundane world. A cold front and a warm front meet, and there is rain and violent weather. Depending on how cold (or hot) one is compared to the other and how quickly they come together, we might see a summer storm, a thunderstorm, or even a hurricane.
But, this violent reaction is required. It dissipates the energy and refreshes the land, giving nourishment to plants, animals, and humans. Without the storms, the atmosphere might become even more violent. Without the rain, the land would become a desert. In the same way, the violent combination of the ice from Nifl-heim and the sparks from Muspells-heim created more violence -Ymir. But, the result was even greater good. Two races created-the formation of the ever nourishing Audhumla, and the building of earth.
As is usually the case with the magic of the runes, this myth of creation also holds truths for us in several realms. We can't expect peace if we are not balanced between our mundane goals and the Self, or if we are torn between conflicting ideal or desires.
So, what does drawing Hagalaz tell us? You've heard me say it before. Meditate and strive to know the Self. Look at all realms of your life and try to determine where the imbalance is, then move to the Self by adhering to natural law.
www.indigosun.com/dec97/rambln.htm