Ætt 1 · Pos. 5

Name

A body of water: lake, sea, water on the move.

Meaning

The poems give water its full range: the sea that seems to have no end to anyone out on it, water that bubbles up from the ground and pools, and the force that pours down from the mountains. Water moves and will not be held, and in the tradition it is where the powers of fate are found. The Norns come from the lake under the tree to lay down fate. Frigg sits in Fensalir, the fen-halls, and Sága drinks with Óðinn in Sökkvabekkr, the sinking stream, under cool waves. In Völundarkviða the valkyries are found on a lakeshore, spinning linen.

The poems

English Rune Poem

Water seems to people
endlessly long,
if they must venture
on an unsteady ship,
and the sea-waves
frighten them hard,
and the sea-steed
won’t heed its bridle.

Icelandic Rune Poem

Water is a welling stream,
and a wide kettle,
and the land of fish.

Norwegian Rune Poem

Water is what falls
from the mountain as a force;
but treasures are of gold.

Swedish Rune Poem

Water is the land’s honour.