Sowelu
Oracular Interpretation
Key Words
Mantra
Stöödhur(Positions)
Magickal Uses
Algiz-
Ansuz-
Berkana-
Dagaz-
Ehwaz-
Eihwaz-
Fehu-
Gebo-
Hagalaz-
Inguz-
Isa-
Jera-
Kano-
Laguz-
Mannaz-
Nauthiz-
Odin's Rune (blank)-
Othila-
Perth-
Raido-
Teiwaz-
Thurisaz-
Uruz-
Wunjo-
Sowelu or Sowilo (Proto-Germanic): sun; Saugil (Gothic): sun; Sigil (Old English):sun; Sól (Old Norse): sun
Phonetic value: s
Esoteric interpretation of name: the holy solar wheel.
Ideographic interpretation: one part of the dynamic solar wheel, which developed with the form of a + inside of a O; or the thunderbolt.
Sowelu is the archetypal sun and its light, symbolized as the solar wheel. The idea of the wheel turning (hvel in Old Norse) is essential to understanding to this Rune. This turning is symbolized as the wheels of the soar wagon, Raido and as the disk that is moved by that cosmic vehicular force. This Rune and its complex of symbols is the center of the ancient hyperborean sun cult that was popular during the Bronze Age. The sun was known by two special names in the North Sól, in Old Norse, and Sunna, a name known only to the cult. In the "Alvíssmal” of the Elder Edda stanza 16 reads:
It is called Sól among men
and Sunna among the Gods.
Sól represents the phenomenon, and Sunna the noumenon, the spiritual power that lives in the idea. The mystery of the sun is feminine in essence, the ancient Germans considered the sun and solar power feminine attributes.
This Rune is the magickal will that is active within every individual and throughout the multiverse. The magick within is expressed as the "spiritual wheels," the hvel. This word means the exact same thing as chakra, from the Sanskrit dialect. In this aspect it is the counterforce to the power of cosmic ice. Sowelu has often been connected to the power of the lightning bolt and is therefore tied to the ideas contained in thurisaz.
Eventually this Rune became known as the "victory rune" because it is a potent willed force. When used properly this force can bring great success and victory, But the true victory rune, or sigrun, of the ancients was Teiwaz.
Top of page
Key Words:
Solar wheel
Magical will
Guide
Goal and path
Success
Honor
Top of page
Galdr (Mantra):
sowelu sowelu sowelu
ssssssssss
ssssoooollll
su sa si se so
(sul sal sil sel sol)
us as is es os
so se si sa su
ssssssssss
Top of page
Stödhur (Positions):
I. Squat so that your calves and thighs are press together along their entire length, with your buttocks resting on your heels. Keep your back straight, and your arms should be tight along the sides of your thighs.
II. Stand with your body in the form of Sowelu, angle the arms along the sides of your body while bending your hips and knees to form the bends in the Rune.
These stödhur are reflected by an Old Norse term knésol (knee-sun) that describes Sowelu.
Top of page
Magickal Uses:
Strengthening of the psychic centers, hvel.
Increase in spiritual will.
Guidance through the pathways, "enlightenment."
Victory and success through individual will.
Top of page
Oracular Interpretation:
Sowelu stands for wholeness, that which our nature requires. It embodies the impulse toward self-realization and indicates the path you must follow, not from ulterior motives but from the core of your individuality.
Seeking after wholeness is the Spiritual Warrior's quest. And yet what you are striving to become in actuality is what, by nature, you already are. Become conscious of your essence and bring it into form, express it in a creative way. A Rune of great power, making life force available to you, Sowelu marks a time for regeneration down to the cellular level.
Although this Rune has no reversed position, there is reason for caution. You may see fit to withdraw, or even to retreat in the face of a pressing situation, especially if events or people are demanding that you expend you energy now. Know that such a retreat is a retreat in strength, a voyage inward for centering, for balance. Timely retreat is among the skills of the Spiritual Warrior.
Sowelu counsels opening yourself up, letting the light into a part of your life that has been secret, shut away. To accomplish this may call for a profound recognition, for admitting to yourself something that you have long denied.
There is a prayer, known as the Gayatri, that embodies the spirit of the Rune of Wholeness. Address the sun in this fashion:
You who are the source of all power,
Whose rays illuminate the world,
Illuminate also my heart
So that it too can do Your work.
While reciting the Gayatri, visualize the sun's rays streaming forth into the world, entering your heart, then streaming out from your heart's center and back into the world. This a powerful and life-enhancing prayer.
There is a caution here not to give yourself airs. Even in a time of bountiful energy you are required to face and vanquish your refusal to let right action flow through you. Nourish this capacity, for it is a mark of true humility.
Practice the art of doing without doing: Aim yourself truly and then maintain your aim without manipulative effort. Meditate on Christ's words: I can of mine own self do nothing (John 5:30). For by our own power we do nothing: Even loving, it is Love that loves through us. This way of thinking and being integrates new energies and permits us to flow into wholeness, which is the ultimate goal of the Spiritual Warrior.
--Copied word for word from The Book of Runes by Ralph H. Blum
Top of Page
All information in these pages comes from the following sources:
and
The Book of Runes by Ralph H. Blum.
A now out of print and rare book and stones set.
It can still be bought, used, at the above link, though.
Lisa's Planet-
The Land of Fae-
Norse Mythology-
Celtic Goddesses, Queens, Gods & Kings-
Angels-
My Web Rings
Samantha's Moon (Temporarily Out of Orbit)
Jay Jr's Moon (It's gone Void of Course)
