The Self and Metabiology

A perfect Self should be viewed in the context of human biology.

As a “perfect” organ(ism) can exist, serving its purpose with extreme clarity, so can an actualized and/or super individual Self.

Not all of us are meant to be a heart, for instance…

Some of us embody a form whose perfect expression is unique to its duty, as each human’s duty is not identical.

Some people are brains, some are hearts, some are eyes, some are stomachs…

This can be most obviously seen in the ancient caste system, which places this concept into a meta-biological framework, as each caste represents a different part of the human body; each duty not only necessary, but sacred and holy. This was the case within some Indo-European societies all the way into the “Viking Age.”

Like the plethora of circumstances and organs that create a working organism we call a body, we should view ourselves (and humanity as a whole) in the exact same context. We individually make up a greater organism that is called Humanity; where exists many types of organs, tissues, muscles, needs, etc.

Each and every faculty or individual organism has a divine duty specific to their existence, allowing the wheel of human life to move forward in balance and harmony (theoretically).

All things have a meaning and all things have purpose. If this wasn’t so, there would be no cause or reaction; a topic I touch on in this article : Fate, Instinct, and Nature.

Shaping yourself into a potent being should be your main focus, in however that expression manifests within you. Pair this with love and wisdom to achieve the ultimate state of being.

Spend less time thinking of the faults of others and instead set your crosshairs within at your lower impulses and desires; become the spiritual catalyst that the body needs to heal itself and the spirit within.

Narrow your focus on your higher Self. Develop this connection with as much time as you can dedicate to it and you will no doubt find a more solidified presence within yourself; one, that with practice, becomes more and more unshakable.

Irreplaceability, Mastery, and Glory

All men really want is to be irreplaceable.

Mans higher purpose is to become a master of something… a professional at X, a genius on Y, an authority on Z.

When it comes down to it, men want nothing more than to become irreplaceable. They want to know that no one can fill their shoes; that their existence has a meaning tied to their form. They want to know within that they have made a contribution and that their memory/legend will live on beyond the grave; whether or not one has heirs.

Man wants to conquer great obstacles, ascend the highest peaks, and soar into the blackness of space; each one wants his unique piece of the glory.

At a certain point, we must ask ourselves if this is really a bad or negative trait to possess. In reality, yes and no cannot answer this sufficiently, as it seems to be “natural” instinct for driven humans to behave like this.

Do we call the hunting aspects of a mountain lion negative or evil, even when they sometimes kill humans? No, it is natural for them to hunt any prey that is liable and in their territory.

The humans’ need to conquer seems to be akin to this type of instinctual, non conscious behavior; transcending a human “right” or “wrong” duality. Repressing this can be detrimental to one’s own life and the lives of those around him. But, through wisdom, it can be mastered and maneuvered with divine accuracy.

This view ties one in with the physical and metaphysical simultaneously, as one must achieve earthy victories in order to attain the metaphysical “legacy” one wants to build or acquire. In many ways, although this doesn’t seem to offer any sort of climax or end, it reinforces man’s role as the being “in the middle.” We exist within that context, as a wheel in between tracks, moving onward into eternity.

We emerge and dissolve into many forms, although, the deeper parts of our spirit continue to rise ever higher.

Algiz Maenon

For those that don’t know, my better half and I run a small Pagan oddities shop called Algiz Maenon.

We carry animal bones, handmade runes, raw materials, books, music and more.

Check us out via the “Bones and Craft” link in the menu.

Wisdom of the Futhark

ᚠ: Fehu is resource, wealth, and abundance.

ᚢ: Uruz is oxen, pride of the marshes.

ᚦ: Thurisaz builds it, and also destroys.

ᚫ: Ansuz is wisdom, wind of the body.

ᚱ: Raido is wagons, rhythm of seasons.

ᚲ: Kenaz the torch-light, fire of knowledge.

ᚷ: Gebo the crossing, of gifts between friends.

ᚹ: Wunjo is wishes, and joy in the heart.

ᚺ: Hagalaz changes, liquid to solid.

ᚾ: Nauthiz the trial, building the fire.

ᛁ: Isa the focus, crystalline patience.

ᛃ: Jera is turning, wheat into flour.

ᛇ: Eihwaz the greenest, spine of the forest.

ᛈ: Perthro is chances, the womb of the fates.

ᛉ: Algiz the antlers, guardian of groves.

ᛋ: Sowilo the fire, that burns in the sky.

ᛏ: Tiwaz the arrow, celestial light.

ᛒ: Berkano is thin, the bones of the woods.

ᛖ: Ehwaz is trusted, moving with partner.

ᛗ: Mannaz the flesh-bridge, between Earth and Sky.

ᛚ: Laguz the water, to heal and to quell.

ᛜ: Ingwaz the homestead, gestation and growth.

ᛟ: Othala in sight, home of the fathers.

ᛞ: Dagaz the light-source, breaking the cycle.

Suffering, Fire, and Wellbeing

The avoidance of suffering shouldn’t be the end goal, contrary to what many Buddhists would argue.

Times of suffering are opportunities that give us what we need; chances to break cycles, change habits, grow stronger, etc. while also giving us the (unfortunate) opportunity to completely give up, stall out and/or fail. Suffering is the great catalyst for change, the instigator of wisdom. Without suffering, mankind would not grow or change.

To attach yourself to an end goal which jades you or completely removes you from suffering is to imply that growth comes to an end and suffering has a limit. This is a pipe dream mentality, because just as with knowledge, the more you learn, the less you know. This is the case with suffering, as the more you conquer it, the more you see it’s lingering presence in other people and the more you will strive to assist in the destruction of its grasp upon humanity.

The only way we could righteously practice an “avoidance” of suffering is if every single human being took it upon themselves to destroy, or rather, actively overcome their own suffering(s). By rooting out the cause of one’s own suffering, then one can consciously choose whether or not to participate in that which makes them suffer. Only then could the notion possibly be eradicated, as we would slowly and consciously move away from the negative connotations surrounding the concept. Suffering should be viewed as a “friction’ in one’s life, the same friction that births fire from sticks. Friction generates heat and heat creates fire/energy. This is a metaphysical fuel-source to the conscious individual, who can channel this in any direction he/she wishes.

Likewise, it opens the door to find new and more profound approaches to raise one’s sense of well-being. This well being must be found and cultivated internally, not produced by external means. If one wishes to feel a long-term sense of satisfaction in life, then one must spend their energy internally and renounce the addicting pleasures of material dependence. This is the road to achieving greater heights of the spirit.

Short-term pleasure must be sacrificed for the long-term gain; the short term being materialistic tendencies like consuming, hoarding, or anything solely connected to one’s externally gained sense of comfort. Well-being and comfort are to be found within oneself. If you create a sense of comfort and well-being within yourself, then it is untouchable, grasped and stored in the most secure way and form; an internal armor against external chaos.

Like the Nauthiz rune teaches, we are to instead channel this phenomenon into a certain metaphysical fire, a drive to conquer. We are, in a way, meant to seek out hardship for our own benefit; to cultivate, build, and reach the supreme Self within.

Become addicted to challenges if you want to reach the heights of the Immortals.

Memory of Younger Runes

ᚠ – Fe is domestic,

ᚢ – Ur is chaotic,

ᚦ – Thurs is both for the good and the bad.

ᚬ – Oss is for breathing,

ᚱ – Reid is for riding,

ᚴ – Kaun is the torch that burns all around.

ᚼ – Hagal is harshness,

ᚾ – Naud is resistance,

I – Is marks the silence frozen in time.

ᛅ – Ar is the cycle,

ᛋ – Sol is the sun-flow,

ᛏ – Tyr is the pillar holding the sky.

ᛒ – Bjarkan is whitest,

ᛘ – Madr is wisest,

ᛚ – Lagu is water, tides, and the moon.

ᛦ – Yr is the crossroads,

A path you must choose,

One path you win and one path you lose.

Walpurgisnacht

Hailaz Walpurgisnacht!

However you choose to celebrate the next couple days, do it with your full attention.

Meditate on life in its myriad forms.

Banish any fetters holding you down in the damp halls of Hel.

Personally, we will be preparing a part of the homestead for the return of our patron deity of peace, plenty, and fair weather (Freyr,Ingwaz, Fraujon).

(In our practice, Freyr departs after Samhain and returns on May Day.)

Before we do this, we wish to shield ourselves and our land from all forms of evil and misfortune with song, ritual, and fire.

Under the darkest of moons we shall embody the Sun,

Becoming the fire that licks the sky.

Filling our hearts with strength,

impregnating our minds with ferocity.

Let us transcend the depths,

On the wings of the eagle!

ᚠ : ᛉ : ᛋ

Second Edition of ‘Runes, Bindrunes and Hahalruna: European Sorcery and Divination’ Out Now!

Pleased to announce that edition two of “Runes, Bindrunes and Hahalruna: European Sorcery and Divination” has been published and is now available worldwide via Amazon.

Personal copies have been ordered and should arrive in the next couple weeks.

This version includes a new cover, new chapter covering the Younger Futhorc runes, new bindrunes, and various additions to the previous content.

The book runs for 154 pages and is an intermediate read for those at any stage of rune work, research, and development.

If you have the first edition, leave a comment with something you were able to take away from the book. I’m interested in hearing your thoughts.

Help spread the word by sharing and feel free to leave a review, they help a lot.

Hailaz

The Metaphysics of Action as Expressed by the Germanic Pagan Trinity

In this piece, I will explain how we can metaphorically link all actions, plans and inspiration to a formula represented by the three main deities of Germanic mythology.

First and foremost, when carrying out any action, we are met by a force of inspiration. A divine “spark,” if you will. This inspiration has long been equated with the wind god, Odin. Odin is the inspiring thought, drive, or “stirring” we feel before any action is undertaken. Once we are inspired to complete a goal, action, or task, the next faculty comes into play, as we move from inspiration into planning and execution.

This intermediate period between final action and initial inspiration is the planning stage. This is when the “seed(s) of inspiration” begin to gestate and grow. This gestation period is deified in the god Freyr, who represents growth, abundance, and fertility.

As this seed of inspiration grows and our plans begin to take form, we begin to move towards our final aspect of completing an action, which is to finally act with precision, force, and fullness. This aspect of the trinity is most easily attributed to the god Thor, who represents action, will, force and potency.

To quickly summarize, Odin inspires, Freyr plans, and Thor executes. Each faculty is crucial and each one fits closely with a certain aspect of society, class, or caste.

If you practice Germanic Paganism, try incorporating this tripartite system into your life. The role of Freyr can be replaced by his sister if that is your preference. This can be a practical application to philosophize Paganism and the “worship” of deities. As much as they are to be viewed as “Gods,” they also represent greater ideas and functions within the life and society of those who revere them. They are the blueprints of ascension.