Working with Norse God Odin to Gain Wisdom and Knowledge

As the second Thorsday in the series, where we discuss a Norse God or Goddess and ways to connect with them, this time it's Odin.

Odin is a Norse God and a prominent figure in Norse/Germanic Paganism. He is the god of war and death, but is also associated with wisdom, knowledge, poetry, and the runic alphabet. Odin is also known as Wotan or Woden, and the day Wednesday is named after him. 

Ways to Work with Odin in your Spiritual Practices

Turn to Odin when you need guidance or wisdom about a particular situation in your life. Using runes - like tarot cards - can be a great way to connect with Odin and gain valuable insight into parts of your life that needs work.

Every Wednesday - or whenever you feel the need to - do a ritual through prayer or words of affirmation, alter offerings, or just sit quietly in nature or in a quiet space and visualise Odin and what it is you need guidance on. Whilst nobody can give you the answer, Odin will give you the strength to work things out on your own.

Values

You could incorporate some of Odin's values into your own life. For example, Odin was said to be a shapeshifter. Whilst you clearly can't shapeshift as a human, you could be more flexible and adaptable to change. Odin was was also known for his divine knowledge of mystical arts, and was said to have discovered the runic alphabet. Why not try using runes for divination?

On your altar

• Crystals such as Obsidian

• Runes

• Incense such as Frankincense

• Offerings like mead or wine

A rune associated with Odin

The rune Ansuz is associated with the God Odin. Ansuz symbolises stability, order, and intellectualism.

Interpretation: Divine creation, stability, order, intelect .

In a positive rune interpretation:

Ansuz can indicate the need to incorporate intuition or emotion to make a wise decision. Listen to your inner self and put your experiences into action. It is also up to you to learn from others who have more knowledge than you do. Ansuz can also represent an intelligent person in a reading. Seeking advice means a release of stress and blockages. You may feel attached to a situation. When you seek resolution, the effect of the energy released by the Ansuz rune is physical, emotional, and intellectual freedom. Ansuz shows you the effect of your positive or negative action.

In a reversed rune interpretation:

If a reading shows the rune Ansuz reversed (upside down), pay attention and listen carefully to what others say to you - manipulation, lies, rumors and deceit might be around you. It might also mean you didn't find the answer you were looking for and perhaps need to seek the results you're looking for in a different way.

Rune magic

Runes aren't just for divination like tarot cards - you can use runes in your everyday life.

When you're about to start your day, pick a rune from the bag at random and think about the meaning and what guidance it can give for your day. Or, carry a rune with you when you're out in the same way you'd carry a crystal to receive its energies throughout the day.

While you may not have a runes at hand, you can still envision them or draw a runic symbol onto a piece of paper. You don't need expensive items on your altar or to practice spirituality with. Just use whatever fits best with your daily lifestyle.

Just like trusting in the universe to divinely guide you, Odin will show you the power of intellect and wisdom one way or another.

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