The sequence alu (ᚨᛚᚢ) is found in numerous Elder Futhark runic inscriptions of Germanic Iron
Age Scandinavia between the 3rd and the 8th century. It is frequently
cited by modern Heathens as good, for healing magic. The word usually appears either alone (Elgesem runestone) or as part of
an apparent formula (Lindholm amulet).
A gold bracteate (medal worn as
jewelry) discovered in Djupbrunns, Sweden reads simply Alu and dates from around 400 CE. The third panel Elder Futhark inscriptions
found on the 7th or 8th CE century Eggja stone discovered on the farm Eggja
located in Sogn og Fjordane, Norway is often interpreted as reading alu. The Nydam axe shaft (300 to 350
CE) is a wooden axe shaft discovered in South Jutland, Denmark that bears the
runic inscription. The Lindholm amulet (contains the word alu) is a bone piece found in Skåne,
dated to the 2nd to 4th centuries. Three 5th century cremation urns from Spong
Hill, England bear the impression of the term alu by "the same runic stamp" in mirror-runes.
The symbols represent the runes Ansuz,
Laguz,
and Uruz.
The origin and meaning of the word are
matters of dispute, though a general agreement exists among scholars that the
word represents an instance of historical runic magic or is a metaphor for it. It is the most common of the early runic charm
words.
Although the literal meaning of the word
alu is generally accepted to be
"ale," i.e. "intoxicating beverage," researchers have found
it necessary to look deeper into the significance of the term. Earlier proposed
etymologies for the word sought a connection with Proto-Germanic aluh "amulet, taboo" from alh "protect."
What alu
means is disputed, but we encounter the word in several runic inscriptions in
Scandinavia. Some think alu was
a magic word to keep evil powers away from the grave and the dead, and to
protect the humans from ghosts. Others hold the runes alu and read 'Defense against the evil-doer'. Yet others think alu
means ale - beer. But beer played an important part in the Old
Norse society, especially in important rites and celebrations, as for example,
childbirth, funeral feasts, weddings and sacrificial rituals. So it many mean all of the above.
Linguists are
generally satisfied that alu does
mean 'ale'. Ale is strong beer. Old English 'ealu' and 'beor', and Old Norse 'øl'
and 'bjórr', all refer to alcoholic drinks. However, whereas 'ealu' and 'øl' mean a weakly
alcoholic drink made from grain, 'beor' and 'bjórr' seem to mean a stronger
drink, sweetened with honey and possibly made with fruit juice. What we now think of as 'beer' – mildly
alcoholic, made from grain, and common compared to stronger drinks – is
essentially 'ale', but with one important
difference from today's beer: no hops.
Although there
is evidence for hops being used quite early, they did not become a de
facto ingredient in beer until the 14th century. Gruit
is an old-fashioned herb mixture used for bittering and flavoring beer, popular
before the extensive use of hops. Gruit or grut ale may also refer to the
beverage produced using gruit. The
most commonly used gruit herbs were bog myrtle, wild
rosemary, and yarrow – although wormwood, juniper, ginger, cinnamon, and many
other herbs and spices were often included.
Beer brewed with bog
myrtle is described as “strongly intoxicating, with unpleasant after effects”
by Odd Nordland. Similarly, wild
rosemary “in high doses produces cramps, rage, and frenzy”. Yarrow is known for mild narcotic effects. They had a wide range of herb-lore, some of
which is preserved in the Anglo-Saxon charm spells and folklore.
Ale brewed with
gruit, as opposed to beer brewed with hops, is documented from at least the 10th
century. Archaeological evidence further
supports the use of gruit herbs – particularly bog myrtle and yarrow – in
beverages made from honey, grain, and sometimes fruit during the Iron Age in
northern Europe. The use of heather in
ale and mead is attested in Scotland from at least the 19th century all the way
back to the Neolithic.
This history becomes
particularly intriguing in light of the cultural significance of the alu inscriptions. It cites the religious importance of alcohol in
Germanic culture – specifically that beer and mead appear to be the alcoholic
beverages used by the Germanic people to attain that particular level of
consciousness which may induce religiously inspired ecstasy. This interpretation is supported by the role
that alcoholic beverages have in traditional cultures, both ancient and modern.
In these cultures, alcohol is consumed
in social rituals of hospitality, such as feasting, and as part of religious
ceremonies.
We are left,
then, with alu inscriptions
associated with activities, possibly because of the narcotic, agitated
inebriation imparted to ale by the herbs discussed above. A beverage which induces a narcotic euphoria
or a berserker-like sense of invulnerability could be seen as increasing the health
and vigor of the imbiber, and thus supporting the
contemporary Heathen association of alu
with health.
The healthy
effects of ale are more fundamental – and not just because ale was safer to
drink than water in pre-modern times. Beer
in traditional societies, however, was drunk quite fresh, within a few days of
brewing, and with little attempt at filtration prior to serving. Because of the freshness, more of the
substance of beer is drunk, from fragments of malted grain to live yeast. In this way, ancient traditional beers contribute
significantly to the nutrition of the people who make and consume them. Malting grain increases B-group vitamins in
the grain. Alcohol (ethanol) has double
the calories of the carbohydrates. Brewer's
yeasts contain essential minerals.
Thus,
when brewed as an indigenous beverage, ale is both wholesome and inspiring. In early Germanic cultures, it would have been
integral to diet and ritual, nourishing both body and soul. The alcohol, malted grain, and yeast contributed
calories, vitamins, minerals, and protein, while the herbs used in brewing
augmented the euphoria and ecstasy of drinking the alcohol ritually. In this context, the runic inscriptions of alu mean not only 'ale', but health,
happiness, and holiness.
Ansuz is the conventional
name given to the a-rune ᚨ.
The name is based on Common Germanic ansuz, a God, one of the main deities
in Germanic Paganism, knowledge and Odin. The Ansuz rune tells of increased awareness of
what the future holds. Linked to Odin,
it is a rune of inspiration, wisdom, holiness and communication. Promises spiritual renewal and progress, clear
vision and good health. It is
also a rune that indicates intellectual activities and directly represents the
divine breath of all life and creation.
Laguz or Laukaz is the name
of the l-rune ᛚ, for water, lake, flow, emotions,
and inner strength. Laguz represents the
ebb and flow of life as water is an essential ingredient to life. Water is a feminine energy and highly
connected with the aspects of the Goddess. To the ancient Norse, water of all kinds
including the ocean, lakes, streams and rivers were considered a source of
wealth and fertility. We must learn to
“go with the flow” when this rune shows up in a reading so that we can take
full advantage of our powers. In many
spiritual paths, consecrated water can be found – holy water is just regular water
with salt added to it, with a blessing or invocation is said above it.
The u rune ᚢ is Uruz meaning wild ox, health and
strength. This rune is associated with strength, tenacity, courage and survival skills. The energy of this rune is raw, powerful, and
distinctly masculine. It can be used for
defense, crop fertility, good weather, strength and healing. Excellent in bind runes for healing purposes.
Ur is a physician’s rune and represents
resurrection, eternity, and continuity.
*The
legal drinking age is the age at which a person can consume or purchase alcoholic
beverages. These laws cover a wide range of issues and behaviors, addressing
when and where alcohol can be consumed. The United Kingdom, Hong Kong, Malaysia
and Singapore are the only countries that have a minimum legal age for drinking
alcohol in private locations such as the home.
Thailand, Indonesia, Palau, Solomon Islands, India, the United States,
Yemen, Iceland, Canada, and South Korea have the highest set drinking ages,
18-25 years old. Don't drink and
drive. Use common sense and stay legal.*
For those who do not wish or are
unable to use alcohol in their rites, for whatever reason, there are several
alternatives. Non-alcoholic beers and wines are now available in most large
stores, and these are perfectly acceptable, as is non-alcoholic cider or apple
juice. Many of the Goddesses, and all of the wights, can be blessed with and
offered whole milk.
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