Often, symbols are the anchors grounding our lifes or standing for a certain meaning. Each symbol has its own origin and its own story. This year, two symbols got focused in my life besides the one of mighty Mjölnir.

„Mjollnir“, as the Norse say, is the hammer of the thunder god Thor in the local mythology, used both as a devastating weapon and as a divine instrument to provide blessings. The „life tree“, Yggdrasil (from Old Norse Yggdrasill), in Norse cosmology, is an immense and central sacred tree. Around it exists all else, including the Nine Worlds so the meaning of „Life Tree“ stands for the mere foundation of everything.

Not to get lost is surely one of the most-demanding tasks in life and, sometimes, even beloved ones need a compass for an unknown and unexpected voyage: The vegvísir (Icelandic for „sign post“ „or „wayfinder“) is an Icelandic magical stave intended to help the bearer find their way through rough weather and situations.

#norway #norge #gods #norse #symbols