*Updated*

Still Waters Run Deep

For the second week in a row, I will not be able to make it to this evening's (Monday, March 29th) meeting of the local runes study group I came across three weeks ago.

When I checked my e-mail this morning, it included an e-mail that had minutes about last week's meeting, during which they studied laguz.

Although I was not able to attend, some of my own thoughts concerning laguz include how that particular rune seemed to be the shape of certain carvings that may have been featured on some viking ships and had been wondering if laguz was used in some of these instances. Based on what I have read within the minutes of last week's rune study group as well as elsewhere, guess I was correct. Of course it might also be very likely that I based my initial thinking on the Hollywood version of viking ships.

While doing some quick online research on laguz and viking ships this morning, I came across the following (excerpts) which I found concerning laguz. Of particular interest to me was the analysis -- most especially the last two sentences of the first paragraph as well as the entire second paragraph -- of course.

Nordic Runestones: Runes Meanings:

laguz : water

Phonetic equivalent: l

DIVINATORY MEANINGS:

emotions, fears, unconscious mind, things hidden, revelation, intuition, counselling

MAGICAL USES:

enhancing psychic abilities, confronting fears, stabilizing mental or emotional disorders, uncovering hidden things

ASSOCIATED MYTHS & DEITIES:

Njord, Midgard Serpent

ANALYSIS:

When most people think of water, they generally think of its more pleasant associations - peacefulness, love, compassion, intuition, and the emotions in general. However, we must remember that, to the Norse, water most often meant the sea, and the sea was a terrifying, unpredictable place, home of the Midgard serpent and the grave of many sailors. Laguz, then, should be thought of in terms of the lighter and the darker sides of the element of water. It speaks to our primal fears of the dark, the cold, and all those terrifying things hidden deep
within our subconscious minds.

Like eihwaz, which forced the journeyer to confront his or her mortality, laguz makes us examine the underlying roots of our personality and behavior, and allows us to modify those aspects which are hindering our spiritual development. The understanding and wisdom gained through eihwaz and the runes which followed have prepared the journeyer to face this darker side (represented by laguz) and accept it as an integral part of their selves. Laguz also prepares the person to take on the task of helping others through this self-examination process, allowing them to empathize more strongly and share their own experiences, making it (among other things) the rune of the spiritual counselor.

Extremely interesting as well as very strong and spiritual -- *deep* -- stuff me thinks.

As I ponder the above quoted excerpts a little more, I think of how -- like an ocean voyage -- (as everyone already well knows) life is an unpredictable journey, as full of dangers as it is of wonders: one best shared with others closest with and to us, whom we can trust as well as count on -- especially when it matters most (and not to be taken alone, at least not until we embark upon the final journey from this life to the next on our own).

Laguz is definitely a good rune for such journeys.

Some additional reading I came across concerning my online search re: laguz and viking ships was found at the following various sources:

Laguz/Laukaz -- by Jordsvin

The Old English Rune Poem refers to the danger inherent in ocean travel. The Old Norse Rune Rhyme refers to the force of falling water, and the value of gold objects. The Old Icelandic Rune Poem has a LOT to say about this rune, and does so in only three lines, mentioning "churning water," "wide kettle," and "land of fish." All of these themes will be covered in this article. The oceans represent both great danger and great riches to be won (think of Norse fishermen and Vikings, both lucrative but dangerous occupations). Laguz, as the rune of bodies of water, oceans included, is no different!

As befits a rune with two names, this one has a double edge as it were. Healing at one pole, insanity at the other. While the runes are relatively "safe" in divination, when it comes to using runes for magick, especially healing magick applied to another person, heed Egil Skallagrimson's warning and handle with care and only after careful study and training! Laguz is one of the more dangerous runes, although subtly so. You'll notice several meaning of Laguz overlap with those of Perthro. Perthro will help you, in time, safely access the mysteries of Laguz. The same warning of potential danger that I just gave you for runic magick, by the way, goes equally well for herbalism. Aside from treating your own minor ailments, like peppermint tea for a tummyache, be aware that it requires YEARS of study to become a competent herbalist. If that be a path you choose to follow; Kenaz, Jera, and of course Laukaz will be of great help as you study!

Uppsala -- Runes: Laguz

Ocean is to people / seemingly unending / if they should venture out / on an unsteady ship / and the sea-waves / frighten them very much / and the brine-stallion / does not heed its bridle. - Anglo-Saxon Rune Poem

Water is that which falls from the mountain; as a force; / but gold objects are costly things. - Old Norwegian Rune Rhyme

Wetness is churning water, / and a wide kettle / and the land of fish. - Old Icelandic Rune Poem

Laguz is water, the ocean, that which flows. There are two faces to this mystery. One is as the provider of fish, as described in the Icelandic rune poem, the road to other lands where plunder might be obtained by the viking, the road to new homes for the settler. In this aspect laguz represents the road to plenty. The other face is a danger, a wrecker of ships, a drowner of men, the endless abyss. Laguz is the road of adventure, ever-changing, full of danger and treasure. It leads to new opportunities both bright and dark. The athling is thus advised to become a sailor, as it were, someone who knows how to travel upon this road, someone who can make the brine-stallion heed its bridle. To put it simply, to venture into the abyss the athling must learn to swim.

One final, and very brief, item:

WWPN Paths of the Norse People: tales and folklore:

Laguz, L Laguz is the rune associated with water. Water cleanses and refreshes. It finds its own level, and it contains the teeming flow of life. It reflects the sky above it, and mirrors the calmness or ferocity of the wind that flows over it.

Have already received two of the Rune books, via inter-library loan, that someone in the runes study group had recommended to me at my first meeting three weeks ago; but have to bring them back to the library really soon.

One of the things I read that interested me a lot was of how that one can practice moving (i.e., movements or forms), healing and protecting one's energy (i.e., life force or what the Chinese refer to as *chi*) by movements and mediation based on the runes, which appears similar to the ancient art of Tai Chi too -- (that I have been interested in though never have gotten around to doing), however the Nordic practice is more in keeping with my ancient, cultural, *roots* of course.

By the way: the heading (i.e., title: still waters run deep. for more information on the use or meaning of this 15th century proverb, go here and here) of this particular blog post is what someone mentioned concerning or in describing me once, a long while back.

Speaking of which, my first name, Morgan, happens to be a Teutonic ( as well as a Gaelic) name and basically means sea dweller, from the sea, by the sea, etc.

A very general description of the name of Morgan, one I came across about a year or so ago on the Kabalarians Website (here), ironically enough seems to fit all too well:

The name of Morgan has given you sensitivity and appreciation for the finer and deeper things in life. You can enjoy reading, study, and contemplation about many different subjects. When your interests or curiosity are aroused, you work intensely at new undertakings, but your interests often wane when you encounter drudgery and monotony, with the result that you leave many things unfinished. Your name has taken you into many bitter experiences. The greatest lack in your life is stability and peace of mind. A peaceful and quiet environment, especially out in nature, is one of your greatest desires, but you are constantly taken into chaotic conditions. Because you have high ideals and are a principled person, you have been disillusioned and disappointed in people on many occasions and have experienced much aloneness.

Hmmm. Strange, but still true, if I say so myself.


*Note*: Opps. Realized last night (Monday) that I mistakenly used the wrong word as the first word of the header (title) of this particular blog post. Meant to use the word Still instead of the word Quiet as I initially had used; also added some links leading to definitions of the saying still waters run deep; in addition, made certain edits to paragraph three for the sake of clarification, also included the provision of a link concerning viking ships for further information: last updated on Tuesday, March 30, 2004 at 10:43 AM [EST]