Magin Rose: Hagalaz

Hagalaz

Hagalaz begins the second Aett (group of eight runes) of the Elder Futhark; this Aett is known as Hel’s Aett and it starts with a bang with the powerful and disruptive energies of Hagalaz. One way of looking at the Aetts is to see them as a life journey and, in this sense, the first Aett represents the influences that go to make up the individual – manifested in the joyful and fulfilled rune of Wunjo. Hel’s Aett appears at the point where the individual is ready to be tested, fate takes hold and we steel ourselves to weather the storm, knowing that it is only through testing and challenge that we can grow and develop.

When I first started working with the runes I felt a certain dread when Hagalaz appeared in my own readings (which it often did); I was a teenager and I recognise now that the Hagalaz rune is bound to turn up for every young person making the journey from childhood into adulthood. Hagalaz represents those things that are outside our control, its literal meaning is ‘hail’, when the weather goes really crazy and pelts the land and anyone who gets in its way. The onslaught of Hagalaz can feel painful and undeserved, but there are great gifts to be reaped from this rune. Hagalaz is the ninth rune, nine being the number of worlds within the great World Tree – Hagalaz is not just a hail stone, it is a seed, containing within it all possibility and potential. The hail storm of Hagalaz clears away stagnation, weakness and disease, and once it is passed the way is cleared and strong new growth can manifest.

The appearance of Hagalaz in a reading suggests that a time of testing is at hand, it is up to the individual to find the strength within themselves to turn adversity into opportunity and destruction into rebirth.

Traditional meaning: Hail, grain

Pronunciation: ha-gah-laz

Number: 9

Gods: Hel, Holda

Colour: Blue, indigo, grey

Hour: 20:30-21:30

Half month: October 28th-November 13th

Plants: Ash, briony

Body: Wounds, cuts and blood disorders

Animal: Unknown

Mineral: Onyx

Aroma: Rose, lemon

Object of power: Weather

Journeys with the Elder Futhark – Hagalaz

Take a journey to encounter the rune Hagalaz for yourself, this guided meditation provides an accessible way for you to encounter the rune. The download includes three recordings covering setting up your space, the rune journey itself, and closing your space. A PDF is also provided, taking you through what you will need to do and giving some of the basic correspondences for the rune to help you relate your journey to the traditional rune meanings. All for only £1.00.

- BACK TO WUNJO – ON TO NAUTHIZ -