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Othin Galdr
consciousness
Chaturbhuja (Four-Armed) Mahakala
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Om Mahakala Hum Phat
Mahakala, black in color and fearsome in appearance, represents spiritual activity beyond our comprehension; the true consciousness that is unseen. His name means “Beyond Time/Great Black One” because he is all pervasive and unmanifested in material form, free of the shackles of tangibility. As a presence beyond matter, he remains untouched by Samsara, residing in the very fabric of space (consciousness) that permeates the entirety of the cosmos. Mahakala, like all Yidam (Ishtadevata) deities, represents the Vajra mind, fixed and indestructible; the primordial state of sentient awareness. Surrounded by the flames of wisdom, he is beyond the reach of times’ destruction. Mahakala is the foundation of conscious reality; a force of gravity that pulls beings towards the practice and service of the Dharma.
“…Such undeluded energy, like a windblown fire, can burn away the dross.
Mahakala has strong legs and Mahakala has sure feet;
They are well able to trample down demonic thoughts and deeds!…”
Odin and Freyja
Odin as the primordial state of consciousness applies to women as well, as Odin is said to have given soul to both. This innate awareness is formless and is beyond any associations with body or sexual identity. Therefore, one does not have to look at primal awareness as something based on these limiting and mundane concepts. This doesn’t mean that Freyja is not involved in the equation, as Freyja is the energy and flux of the natural/material universe, identical to great Kali/Shakti/Tara Ma. Freyja represents matter, while Odin represents consciousness. Without Odin, there would be no Freyja, and without Freyja, Odin would have nothing to manifest into. These are the two pieces of the puzzle that create what we know of our existence and reality; the Father (consciousness) and the Mother (material world). Each sentient being and all physical matter encapsulates these qualities. They are inseparable. Through training and practice, one can destroy the surface duality represented in these two halves, reuniting them into one single point of experience. Either deity can be venerated as supreme, as they both express one final outcome of creation.
Hail the Mother, Hail the Father!
Ek Immi Óðinn
We have uploaded a new galdr track titled “Ek Immi Óðinn” to our YouTube channel.
Ek Immi Óðinn can be translated to “I am Odin” and is meant to invoke the supreme awareness within. After one feels the deity present in their surroundings, one is to merge this primordial consciousness into oneself, replacing the mundane qualities of their hindered state of being associated with ignorance, weakness, and delusion. This method is mirrored in the Sanskrit mantra “Soham,” meaning “I am That.” This is a technique which allows the practitioner to become the deity (Odin) through the replacement of one’s limited state of mind, substituting it with the primordial awareness represented by the all-pervading consciousness of Odin. Through chanting this galdr repeatedly, one can transform themselves with immense speed and precision if one practices with single-pointed focus.
May all sentient beings seek the source of their consciousness and realize Odin within.
May all beings benefit.
Hailaz / Namaste
Interpreting Odin’s Sacrifice on the World Tree
One interpretation of Odin’s world tree ritual is the destruction of his ego: the sacrificing of his lower self to his higher Self. The ritual is a metaphor for replacing our material limitations for the infinite potential of primordial wisdom; exchanging our mundane form for that of the almighty consciousness of Odin. Odin, as the material individual, strives to return to the source, which like Shiva or Buddha, is nothing other than his innate, true nature, beyond constructs and existing within everything. This is why Odin is known as the “Masked God” or “God of Masks,” as his shapeless state allows him to cloak himself in whatever physical form he wants, being able to shift appearances according to his worldly goals.
Names of Odin relating to this are Fjallgeiguðr (Shape God), Fjolnir (The One Who is Many), and Grimnir (Masked One). Odin, in this way, represents all possible expressions of life and exists within all sentient beings. Odin is the great animator of matter, obscured and covered up to varying degrees by the limitations of our ignorance and material attachments. By removing these obstacles one by one, Odin, as the common man, realizes and becomes his true Self; the unchanging reality which can be described as furious, terrifying, and awesome. This is why he is known as “The Terrible” or “Furious One,” as the realization of this state can be deemed nothing other than ferocious and shocking. This is identical to some names of Shiva that relate to this same phenomenon, such as Bhairava (Lord of Terror), Mahakala (Beyond Time), and Rudra (The Howler/Dreadful).
This primordial state, the formless consciousness beyond conceptual and dualistic framework, can be further represented by Odin’s one eye, which sees nothing but the true state of reality: non-dual and single focused. This pure vision shows him all things; the causes and effects of all phenomena; unaffected by time, change, or abstract forms. Odin as the “One-Eyed God” appears in many ways such as Hoárr (One Eyed), Báleygr (Flaming Eye) and Bileygr (Flashing Eye). Odin, the individual, has but one single motive: the search for ultimate wisdom/source. Further evidence for this is reflected in his names Sanngetall (Seeker of Truth), Fjǫlsviðr (Very Wise), and Forni (Ancient One).
This is the eternal Odin within us, the awareness we must all uncover if we want to transcend our worldly limitations. This formless state of being is what remains when the body falls to the wayside, remaining intact for all of eternity. Through his ritual on the world tree, Odin loses attachment to his body/shape/name and realizes his supreme nature; flooded by the ancient wisdom of the cosmos represented by the runes, poetry, and other various magical techniques.
May all sentient beings seek the source of consciousness and realize Odin within themselves.
Hailaz / Namaste
Shirts and Logo Analysis
Our first batch of shirts have arrived and look awesome.
These will be given out to members, donors, volunteers and collaborators in order to spread not only the sign, but the culture of the Ansuz Society.
Our hope is that these will be worn with modesty, positivity, and respect.
For those who would like to purchase a shirt directly, they can be ordered for $20 with free shipping in the USA. Please use the contact form to order. Sizes available are small, medium, and large. Very limited quantity available.
While we invite everyone to interpret these symbols as they see fit, we would like to offer a brief overview of the design:
-3 Ansuz runes representing the gods Odin (soul), Vili (will), and Ve (body); the 3 components necessary for human life.
-the related Sanskrit word ásu, meaning “breath, spirit, life force, life.”
In regards to the triangular shape, we have a strong emphasis on the fire element, hence one interpretation of the triangle as fire. This fire is being propagated by the breath or wind represented by the Ansuz runes. The upward triangle also has associations with the air element, and therefore, is another representation of the breath, wind, and soul of which Odin is said to have given to mankind. With these connections in mind, this sign can be viewed as an internal flame driven by the winds of inspiration, or, Odin.
We also believe that all matter is a form of the Great Mother who strives for union with the Great Father (source of consciousness). That said, another interpretation of the upward triangle is to represent the male aspect of primordial awareness; the unmovable, foundational consciousness which exists in all sentient life. Because of this connection, the upward triangle can also be perceived of as representing Shiva, as his half of the Shatkona is the △ shape, while Shakti is symbolized by the ▽ shape. This primordial awareness, associated with male energy, is called by many names across the world and seen in deities such as Odin, Shiva, and Vajradhara.
May all beings benefit from these signs.
Hailaz / Namaste
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