Sovereignty of a saex

[alfvin]

This is the result of a meditation I did on 18th June this year. The meditation was on the saex in relation to Kingship.

"The saex is a weapon from nature. The steel magically transformed through fire (Kaunaz rune) from stone to metal. The handle is from a stag antler. It belongs to me. It is mine to control. With it I can take life, but choose not to. That is it's sovereignty as that is a choice made by Kings.

Fehu: It has monetary value and is portable.
Uruz: Is the physical strength to use it.
Thurisaz: Is the pain it can inflict.
Ansuz: Is the wisdom to know when and when not to use it.
Raidho: Is the protection it offers on a long journey.
Kaunaz: Is the fire in the forge that made the blade.
Gebo: Is the fine gift it would make.
Wunjo: Is the joy in the warriors heart as he brandishes the weapon.
Hagelaz: Is the potential for destruction within the saex.
Nauthiz: Is it's use to overcome enemies.
Isa: Is the beauty of the cold steel. Icicle of battle.
Jera: Is the warrior circling his enemy and the harvesting of the fallen warriors soul.
Eiwaz: Is the death blow.
Peorth: Is the hall where it must remain sheathed.
Algiz: is the protection it gives.
Sowelo: Is the bright warriors victory.
Berkano: The fallen warrior buried in the earth.
Ehwaz: The ship carrying the warriors to battle and the bond a warrior has with his weapons.
Mannaz: Individual combat.
Laguz: Blood shed.
Ingwaz: The duelling ground.
Daggaz: The duel at dawn and death of a combatant.
Odilla: The sacred homeland to be defended.

Alfvin

[littleraven]

It's a fascinating and well thought idea, reminds me of the various types of themed Ogham from the Ogham tract. A piece of work to be proud of IMHO.

A slight thought though, is the Saex appropriate as a symbol for kingship/sovereignty, when it was such a commonplace tool an entire tribe was supposedly named after it?

Also, in the Brythonic context (ie here) the Saex is a supreme symbol of dishonour and falsehood, in the context of the Night of the Long Knives and Vortigerns misplaced trust (there's an irony, double crossing traitor that he was)/

An interesting idea certainly, but I'm not sure how much useful feedback you'll get here for such heavily Heathen influenced material. I be very interested to read some of the Heathen opiniosn though.

[alfvin]

A very good point. It would be much better suited to a sword, but as most Runers use a saex in ritual and for the cutting of wood, I had to do the exercise on a saex. I have to say though that my saex has a 19" blade.

The only "Night of the Long Knives" I'm familiar with was that perpetrated by the SS against the leadership of the Nazi SA.

Perhaps you can direct me to a good book about it?

Thanks....Alfvin

[Francis]

Oct 7, 2008 15:08:00 GMT -1 @alfvin said:

The only "Night of the Long Knives" I'm familiar with was that perpetrated by the SS against the leadership of the Nazi SA.

Perhaps you can direct me to a good book about it?

Thanks....Alfvin

Might as well refer back to Geoffrey of Monmouth's "The History of the King's of Britain" - available as Penguin Classic and worth having around

[Tegernacus]

" a peace conference was called at Amesbury Abbey (or nearby Stonehenge) in Wiltshire; but the Anglo-Jutes unexpectedly pulled knives from their shoes and massacred the whole British contingent save for Vortigern himself. The king was ransomed in return for control of Essex, Middlesex and Sussex. This event was to become known as the 'Night of the Long Knives'."

www.earlybritishkingdoms.com/bios/vortig.html

[alfvin]

I guess it depends which way you look at it whether it's treachery or ingenuity with the means justifying the end, but it wasn't honourable and I think you should always seek to show honour in the things you do.

I'll follow the link but first I'm going to post a riddle based on that meditation.

Alfvin

[alfvin]

I read the story and will link to it from my OR site. I was born in Crayford and knew nothing of that part of it's history. I do know where the white horse stone is that commemorates the brothers Hengest and Horsa though. Kent being the first Ynglish Kingdom.

Alfvin