The Map Collector

Most people who consult oracles on a regular basis—tarot, geomancy, runes, I Ching, etc.—have had the experience of a reading, perhaps a series over a period of time, that made no sense. It’s frustrating, and I don’t know why it happens, but I want to put forth a hypothesis. First, let’s consider the possibilities.
( Read more... )

In verse 163 Odin says he knows an eighteenth spell, but he will never teach it to a woman, except maybe his lover or his sister, because it’s better if only one person knows this, the final spell.

We don’t hear what the final spell is in this penultimate verse, and I’m not reading ahead, so it’s been a crazy week of anticipation for me waiting to hear the last verse of the poem. What Odin does share today is that whatever this spell is, he won’t teach it to a woman with very few exceptions. As the last two were love spells, it could be another that is too dangerous to share with the opposite sex. Or perhaps he mistrusts how women (but not men) will use the spell against him unless they are solidly in his camp. ( Read more... )

In verse 161, Odin says he knows a sixteenth spell: he uses it to win over a cunning, lovely-armed beauty all for himself.

The two descriptions of the kind of woman Odin desires are cunning and lovely-armed or white-armed, the color which means beautiful in Norse metaphor. The first adjective could mean that she is very clever, and that that’s a desirable trait in a woman (I would agree). It could also mean that he needs this spell only for cunning women because the less-clever are easily won. I’m also reminded of the American folk use of the word cunning to describe one versed in magical arts, which means she may have formidable resistance to ordinary spells.( Read more... )

In verse 159, Odin says he knows a fourteenth spell: he can count the gods for men and he knows the names of all the gods and elves.

The fourteenth spell seems to be entirely for the benefit of man. It allows Odin to count and name all of the gods and convey that information to humanity. It’s interesting to me that he gleans the names and number by a spell, not by learning in a more traditional manner, or through some census of experience. From where does the need to use magic arise? Perhaps the gods are reluctant to be known and counted, and only through craft can Odin nail them down. Or perhaps the notion of counting and naming these divine beings only makes sense to humans. Maybe there is no count or name on the spiritual plane, and the purpose of the spell is to take what is perhaps continuous (or otherwise) and render it discrete. ( Read more... )

In verse 157, Odin says he knows a twelfth spell: If he sees a dead man hanging from a tree, he carves and paints certain runes and the dead man will walk and talk with him.

Jackson Crawford notes that Odin is the Lord of the Noose, owing perhaps to his hanging from Yggdrasil, and he has an affinity with all hanged men. To hang is an Odinic death, and perhaps one that earns favor in the High One’s eyes. That said, I think it’s misleading to assume that what’s going on here is Odin paying some favor to someone who died in a preferred manner. I don’t discount the possibility that he brings these men back as some consolation, or for some higher purpose of his, but I believe what this verse refers to is something more ordinary in the world of magic: the evocation of spirits.( Read more... )

In verse 156, Odin says he knows an eleventh spell: when he leads old friends into battle, he enchants their shields to give them the victory and bring them to and from battle unharmed.

We have seen spells that work against swords or spears to protect someone. In this case, Odin enchants the shield of the person he wants to help, and in fact, many such shields. His “old friends” may be those who are loyal to him and who have earned his favor over their lifetimes rather than a Johnny Come Lately who thinks to ask a favor on the eve of a fight. In fact, he mentions specifically using this spell when he “leads” men into battle, which also suggests that the battle is Odin’s idea and and that he is vested in the outcome.( Read more... )

In verse 154, Odin says he knows a ninth spell: he can calm the wind and waves to save a ship.

Given that Odin can calm our tempers and quell out hatreds, it comes as no surprise that he can ease more literally turbulent waters when he desires. One of his magical powers is that he can save an imperiled ship, which he does by favorably affecting the weather. We don’t hear whether men can use this spell or not, but there is a rich tradition of seamen using magic to bring about their will and to see voyages safely through. I have personally noted such experienced sources as Richard Henry Dana, Jr. and Joseph Conrad mention that Finns in particular were known for their use of sea magic during the 19th century. They are looked at askance for this, but even their detractors don’t doubt their ability to soothe storms or curse their enemies.( Read more... )

In verse 152, Odin says he knows a seventh spell. If a huge fire consumes a hall full of people, no matter how bright it burns, he can still save those inside.

As with many of the spells so far, this one is effective at thwarting some harm that a man might reasonably expect to encounter. In this case, it’s a conflagration in a hall. I’m not sure if men can also use this spell, or if it’s something restricted to Odin, but we are beginning to see patterns in the kind of matters for which people might invoke Odin’s help. Jackson Crawford says to be careful about the Roman habit of assigning a “god of...” to Norse gods. There is no clear-cut ruler of thunder, fertility, war, and such. The Norse gods have rather complex personalities that defy easy categorization—you know, like the rest of us. ( Read more... )

In verse 150, Odin says he knows a fifth spell. If he sees a spear thrown into a battling crowd, he can stop its flight as long as he can see it.

I recently learned that our third spell, dulling an enemy’s blade, is a habit of the berserker, who are associated with Odin. I don’t know if they also use this one, but if not, this working may be particular to Odin. I haven’t heard of it being used by men. Probably, he uses it to make sure that his favored warriors survive in a melee.( Read more... )

In verse 148, Odin says he knows a third spell for thwarting his enemies, wherein he dulls the edges of their blades.

My commentary comes up short in these lists of magic spells, but it isn’t for lack of interest. The first three spells we hear about are for help in all kinds of worries and legal troubles, for healing, and now for battle. This one works against the metal edges of enemy blades, rendering them so that they can’t penetrate armor, presumably. ( Read more... )