Sunday, October 6, 2013

Travel Well

There is a Norse charm called the Vegvísir.  It comes from the Huld Manuscript, which was collected in Iceland in approx. 1860, but allegedly contains much older information. The Vegvísir (Iclandic for "sign post") is intended to provide the holder of the charm with the ability to pass through rough weather without getting lost.

[Edit, May 2014: The original Huld Manuscript image is given below by request.]
The internet has tons of images of this charm. Most of these images are photos of tattoos, already indellible in someone's skin. Unfortunately, I found all of them to be wrong. Looking at the original manuscript will reveal that there are lines making up the Vegvísir symbols that are not present on the internet versions. So if you plan to make and use this charm, particularly in a permanent capacity (like a tattoo), you will want to get it right.

The Vegvísir is made up of eight staves radiating from a center point. Each of the staves terminate in a combination of lines that make up a symbol. It is speculated that these symbols are created in much the same method as bind runes, but instead using the Ogham tree alphabet.

The original drawing of this charm in the Huld Manuscript is represented as fitting inside a square. The staves of the charm at 2, 5, 7 and 10 o'clock are longer than the others so as to fit into the imagined corners of the square. However, little change is made to the power of the charm by making the staves all the same length. This effectively fits the charm inside a circle. There is no change to the charm because the symbols themselves have not changed.


This popular block-line representation is a good example of what you will find online:

But when we draw the charm from the original manuscript in the same block-line style, we see this:
It may be difficult to see the differences, so let's compare them side by side. The popular charm is on the left, while the correct charm is on the right; the differences are indicated by the red arrows.
These changes may not seem like much. But given the subtleties of both the Rune and the Ogham alphabets, the addition or subtraction of a single line can completely change the meaning of a stave.

Do yourself a favor before your next tattoo. Make sure that the magickal symbol you are going to be wearing for the rest of your life is the symbol you think it is. 

If you would like a clean version of the correct Vegvísir that is large and free of red arrows, just write to me at fen.alraun@gmail.com and I will send it to you. DO NOT PUT YOUR EMAIL IN THE COMMENTS SECTION!


Note, 9/6/2014: I have modified the original, high res drawing to create a version that is square and without any interior circle, just as is the original manuscript drawing. It is also available by email request. I can also provide a cleaned-up, high contrast version of the original manuscript image. However, I will not be your tattoo designer. If you want to modify what I send you, that's up to you, but please don't ask me to modify the designs to be exactly what you want. 

Note, 9/13/2014: I want to address a couple of questions that I get rather frequently about this charm. Before I do so, I should note that no one has yet interpreted this charm with any confidence. What I state about this charm is based solely on my experience with charms in history, folklore and contemporary magickal studies (both eclectic and ceremonial).

The idea that the symbols at the end of each stave come from Ogham, which is an Irish magical alphabet, originally seemed unlikely. The Gemanic people had their own alphabet that they believed to be divine. Replacing it with another seemed preposterous. However, I should note that there is no indication that this charm is any older than 1860. The Huld Manuscript has been claimed to represent information that is older than its date, but that is only speculation by one contemporary author. So it is highly possible that the manuscript writer was influenced by scholarship on the Ogham alphabet.

The rest of the manuscript likely includes all of the information to understand the charms themselves. It gives 379 lists of numeral systems, runes and symbolic alphabets. Some appear to be based on runes, but those toward the end of the work appear to take major influence from the angelic symbols created by the writings of Dr. John Dee in the late sixteenth century, which had a profound impact on the Rosicrucians and nearly every Western Mystery school since his time. As the nineteenth century was experiencing a surge in interest in mysticism, this is not surprising.

Modern representations of this charm show it with two elements that were not present in the original image. The first is a central ring, which is generally empty. My own thoughts on this variation is that its presence does not change the symbol. The ring simply represents the self, as would the converging lines at the center of the charm. In the same way that a zero holds the same value as a blank space, an empty ring would represent the same meaning as no ring at all.

A second common design seen these days is an outer ring of runes. This is merely a design choice and bears no meaning to the usefulness of the charm. Most often, this ring is simply the whole runic alphabet written clockwise around the outer edge - the equivalent of writing ABCDEFG...XYZ around the outside of the design. To the contemporary eye, this design may appear like a preschool mnemonic device for the alphabet, (which would not be a very adult tattoo). But to the ancient Germanic people, their system of writing was more than that, it was a gift of divine symbols. To represent them as a design in this manner might be considered quite wonderful. As for using the design with the Vegvísir, my personal opinion is to keep any charm unadorned and un-disturbed by markings that do not belong. 

I was questioned in the past if the charm must be presented in any particular orientation. I do not believe that it must. Most charms that are directional have some kind of indication of their orientation. Most often, this is a string of text, the reading of which promotes a logic to the orientation of a charm. Where that kind of indication is not obvious, the charm will have a symbol to indicate the top. Most of the time this is a symbol for the divine, which is commonly represented near the top as a gesture of respect. This is seen frequently in the seals of Solomon as a small six-rayed star. Runic writing was regularly written in any direction. It has been found written from top to bottom, bottom to top, left to right, right to left, in spirals and labyrinths. The goal of runes is to communicate by presenting information. Those who are literate have been taught to understand context and do not need to apply rules of orientation. Based on this, I do not believe that orientation is important. I believe the charm is intended to ward against 8 kinds of threats to promote safe travel, so long as the symbols on each stave are correctly drawn.


For a very thorough page of scholarship on the Vegvísir, as well as other similar charms, see Joseph's work at: http://users.on.net/~starbase/galdrastafir/galdrastafir.htm

I've had many requests for the "correct" Vegvísir drawing over the past year. I would love to see some of the tattoos that are now carrying this correct charm around the globe. If I send you the drawing of the correct charm, please send back pics of your completed tattoo. 

Update 10/31/2014: Merry Samhain and a Happy Pagan New Year to all! Mexx, one of my readers, has agreed to provide a pic of his new Vegvísir tattoo! I think it turned out really well (the symbol on the right). It is coupled with the Ægishjálmur, which is customarily called "the Helm of Awe" (on the left). They are great examples of using the runic alphabet as a decorative border. Thanks, Mexx!
Mexx with correct Vegvísir on the right


Update 6/22/2015: Thanks to Google, some of the updates I have been doing lately got wiped away. So I apologize if your tattoo was erased. I'm going to try to put them back.

Here is the tattoo of Rodrigo from Brasil. He elected to go with the original manuscript lines. Classic and powerful!

Rodrigo's Vegvísir 

This is what Rik from Rotterdam chose. He decided that the round design was right for him. It looks great!

Rik's Vegvísir 

One of my readers, Cheradenine, sent an image of his tat, which he got several years ago. Thanks for sharing!

Vegvisir on Cheradenine

Randy went with the square design. It turned out great!

Randy's Vegvísir
Natalie put one on her leg! Safe travels!
Natalie's Vegvísir
Here's Charith's Vegvísir, done with some shading. Well done!
Charith's Vegvísir

Update 11/14/2016: Over the years of thinking about this charm, I played with the idea that each stave might represent a ward against one of eight different kinds of threats to travel. But in recent months my mind has taken a different path. Since it is a charm against getting lost, I began to speculate that each stave is a door key or charm of orientation to travel the 8 Norse world (Earth, Midgard, is the center, so it doesn't have a charm). In other words, perhaps this is a charm for trance/journey work for use by a Northern Shaman. I've decided that the possibility of this could only be determined by "translating" or uncovering the meaning behind each stave.


However, I'm also considering that there may not be any meaning for each separate stave. Perhaps each stave is not a separate charm with its own meaning and only together do they create the charm against getting lost. That mentality may be driven by the idea of bind runes, which the staves on the charm very much resemble. Bind runes are charms made of several other glyphs, each with their own meaning when alone. In this case, the whole charm, simply is the whole charm. We wouldn't look at the letter P and ask, "what does the round bump mean?" or "then what does the lower stalk under the bump mean?" We would simply take it for what it is, as a whole. The Vegvísir, though a complex arrangement of lines and curves, is the entirety of the charm. Breaking it apart would be just as useless as breaking up the letter P into its parts but expecting to still read the sound in that letter.

Here's How Becky's tattoo turned out. I think the foot was a highly appropriate place to put her tat.

Vegvísir on Becky's foot

Ismael put it in the center of his back. How wonderful!

Ismael's Vegvísir

Dagmar used the design directly from the manuscript. Very well done.

Dagmar's Vegvísir
And Melody did the same. This is becoming a very popular design of this charm.
Melody's Vegvísir
Here is GK's version of the charm.

GK's Vegvísir
I wanted to include Bev's tattoo also, since it is so attractive. She linked to it earlier in the comments.
Bev's Vegvísir
This is a shot from Nick's photo shoot. You can see the amazing design of the charm with an arrow through it.
Nick's Vegvísir
Topher is apparently a collector of tattoos and he recently added the charm to his collection.
Topher's Vegvísir

Update: 8/25/2017: There are one or two points that I feel it important to state obviously, because so many of my fellow online writers seem unable or unwilling to do so. I have already mentioned these accurately above, but I hope to make these points abundantly clear here. 

First, the earliest known date for the Vegvísir is 1880, which is the age of the text in which it was first found. That text is the Huld Manuscript. The charm was not part of the Galdrabok and anyone claiming that is in error. The charm was published at the end of Stephen Flowers' 1989 work The Galdrabok: an Icelandic Grimoire, after his translation of the actual Galdrabok, in an appendix called, "Appendix A: Other Icelandic Sources." Flowers specifically gives the date of the charm in that text, but so many readers hungry to find some nugget of ancient knowledge seem to gloss over the date, incorrectly attributing this charm to the Galdrabok itself. There have been other representations of the charm, but always later than the Huld Manuscript.

Second, Flowers writes of the date of the Huld manuscript, "The material contained in these spells is, however, much older, as can be seen when compared to the contents of the Galdrabok" (p. 83). Based on what comparison? His claim should more correctly be characterized as his own speculation. He cites no sources and does not describe his comparative methodology. I find it a feature of poor writing to state a speculative claim as if it was fact. A good writer assumes that the reader might not be able to follow the trail of logic being presented, so one should describe it. Simply writing "as can be seen" is an assuming way of sounding scholarly while placing the burden of executing the comparison with the reader, thus side-stepping any need to specify the comparisons directly. It's obfuscation at its best. It would be more accurate to claim, "I believe the material contained in these spells is, however, much older, after a comparison to the contents of the Galdrabok." He should then reveal what comparisons led him to this conclusion.

For those interested in leaving a comment, don’t be one of these people:
   Q: “You know those runes that are often written around the charm online? What do they mean?”  (No example provided)
   A: No, I’m afraid I can’t read your mind through the internet; but even if I could, I’m not a linguist and I cannot read the runes in their original language; but, even if I could, I would do what the rest of that industry does and charge you a fee for asking for a translation service.

   Q: “What do each of the sides of the charm mean?”
   A: No one really knows. This blog contains all the speculation that springs from that lack of knowing. Did you miss that part?

   Q: “Can you send me the charm, only change it by adding runes and the style and the ...”
   A: No! I can’t send you what I don’t have. I’m not your personal tattoo designer. I’ve clearly stated what I have to offer. The rest is up to you.

116 comments:

  1. I'd like to tattoo myself with vegvisir, after having read your post i have searched the original image of the Huld Manuscript on the internet. But...would you suggest me please something about the right way (i mind if there's an order to follow in drawing the symbols) and the right time to correctly draw the vegvisir? Thank you

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  2. Doc, thanks for reading and posting your questions.

    No one knows if there is a correct sequence to draw each of the stave symbols. That information is not given in the original manuscript. Because it is not given, it either means that there is no particular order, or that the order was an understood practice.

    Using principles of contemporary paganism, one could start in either "the North" or "the East" of the charm, and move deosil until all staves are crafted. This would depend on your own pagan magickal tradition.

    One possibility to my mind came about when I noticed that the charm fits neatly inside the magic square of Saturn, from Agrippa's writing on occult magic. In that case, one could draw the staves in the order of the numbers of that magic square. That square is designed "to keep a man safe" by employing the planetary intelligence, Ariel. Yet it is stated that the intelligence of the Moon, which is a very long name to type here, who governs safe travel. The union of the staves would be represented in the magic square as the number 5, so your method would have to draw the first 4 symbols, then the central hub, then the remaining 4 symbols.

    If we operate in this ceremonial system - a system that is based on Hebrew numerology - we may have to concede that "safe" and "lost" have larger meanings than are typically thought. We must also acknowledge that this system somehow made its way into a Scandinavian manuscript. That idea is not so unheard of when considering how vehemently Christianity forced itself into Northern Europe.

    Please share your own ideas on this and let the readers know what method you eventually use to create the tattoo.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Hello Fen,

    Thank you for posting this. I am thinking to tattoo myself with the Vegvisir and just came across your interesting comments and ideas on it. It will look like this:
    http://www.spreadshirt.com/vegvisir-futhark-runes-navigator-t-shirts-C3376A11726178

    However I have now some doubts on the right use of symbols. Do you know if the symbol is mentioned in the books and/or if it safe for the bearer to have it? Is there a particular ritual I should seek to do with the tattooer before/during the tattooing process? And yes, I would be glad to receive a version without the red arrows.

    Thank you in advance for your reply.


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    1. Hi Theo, Thanks for writing.

      To my knowledge, there is no ritual that goes with this charm. In contemporary Wicca, a spell begins the moment you set your intent to cast it, which is often at the moment that you start gathering materials together.

      I would suggest that you write a ritual that feels correct for you. If you want to involve the tattoo artist, that would be wonderful!

      Please remember that this symbol is to help you find your way, and that the universe doesn't always give you for what you think you are asking. Many people who get this tattoo find their lives change in ways they didn't expect. Finding your way is more about becoming true to your karma and less about fulfilling what you obsess over.

      Delete
    2. I enjoyed reading your interpretation of this symbol and it was the reason I got it as my first tattoo. I'ts not so much about helping you reach a particular destination, but more like helping you understand when the universe is sending you guiding signals. Those signals don't always take the form we expect. I think this symbol is one of humility, rather than greed.

      Delete
  4. Hi Fen,
    Very intersting article.
    I just have the question, in the Huld Manuscript their is no mention of the middle circle we can see here on the illustration.

    Does it have a special meaning ? Is it a mistake to draw the Vegvisir with it ?

    Thanks for yout answer.

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    1. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  5. The middle circle is a representation of the self; you are at the vortex of the runic power. When there is no circle, it is understood that the center is you. Similarly, when the circle is present, but empty, the meaning is the same: you are the center. The only time the charm changes is if the circle is filled with a symbol indicating that charm holder is not the center. That is, if I wanted the charm to be active for someone other than the one who holds it (like my family, brother, lover, whoever). In that case, I would gain consent to work the charm, and then I would craft a rune representing the person, and put that in the center.

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  6. It would be helpful to put on your article the original vegvisir. They have the original Huld Manuscript digitalized. And the symble can be found on page 60. Here is the link

    http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EeRWib32J08/UlGFNTWjKcI/AAAAAAAAAQY/id3DXxNNPyU/s1600/Vegvisir-comp.JPG

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  7. Hey, would it be possbile for you to send me the HighRes Version of the correct Vegvísir? :)

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    1. Myagi, if you write to me gmail, I will send directly to your email. I am at fen.alraun@gmail.com

      Delete
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  9. Hey!
    Would it be possible to explain what exactly the content of the Huld Manuscript is? I searched the internet for a summary but couldn't find anything. Additionally I would be interested in the exact meaning of the single staves of the vegvisir.

    Best regards

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    1. bhacks, thanks for your letter. The Huld Manuscript is a colloction of mystical charms and sigils collected in the 19th century by Geir Vigfusson.

      Each individual staff meaning is not known. The charm is used whole like a large bind rune.

      Delete
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  11. Hi Fen

    I was looking to get this as a tattoo but I am very keen to ensure it is authentic and geometrically correct. I have noticed that sometimes the vegvisir is encompassed by a circle of runes? Is this something that someone has just made up or does it have a particular meaning to it? The books that I have with the symbol in it do not have the runes around it, but I quite like them; however not keen on just having meaningless crap on my arm ;)

    Many thanks

    Gem

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    Replies
    1. Gem, you can write me at fen.alraun@gmail.com to get the clean version of the charm.

      Delete
  12. hi! thanks for the correct info , I want to tattoo the vegvisir you could send the correct image as it appears in the manuscript I'd appreciate it very much , I leave my email peludozz@hotmail.com
    Greetings

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  13. > and then you would craft a rune representing the person, and put that in the center.

    How would one go about crafting a rune for a person and is there a name/term for this?

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    1. These are called "bindrunes" because they are runes bound together. The art of bindrunes can be very complex as a magickal technique. I would suggest getting one of the more popular books on rune magick.

      Delete
  14. Hi, I has been using the Vegvisir design for some time but not in its original form and I came across your blog by chance whilst researching the Huld Compass for an order I had received. Coincidentally 2 days before I was having my tattoo done. So thankfully as you mention in your blog I was able to have the correct compass tattooed. Many thanks. http://www.pinterest.com/pin/543387511265394324/

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    1. Very nice tattoo! The border is a nice addition.

      Delete
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  16. good morning, thank you very much for the info, I have a small doubt, perhaps very ignorant of me. no matter where you are tatue? if you are in the right or left pectoral. eg vegvisir on the right and on the left Ægishjálmur or conversely

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    1. The side of the body on which you tattoo should not matter. What matters is that the charm is drawn correctly, otherwise it becomes some other charm.

      Delete
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  18. Thanks a million for this blog post!
    I'm in love with Iceland since my first visit around 2005 and this symbol means a lot to me. I've been looking for an accurate image of the original symbol that has been transferred to an circle WITH an explanation for some time now and you've done it perfectly.
    I designed it now myself with illustrator and I will send you a picture of my tattoo as soon as it's done :)
    Thanks again! Lots of love from Germany

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    1. Emmi, thank you for reading my post. I'm glad you liked it and that it was helpful to you. I'm excited to see your finished ink!

      Delete
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  20. Very good, congratulations for your great post, it has served me very helpful.
    I would want the vegvisir tattoo on my body, and I joined the real solar compass with vegvisir symbol .
    http://www.image-share.com/ijpg-2932-266.html

    with the compass found in 1948
    http://www.google.es/imgres?imgurl=http://cdn.phys.org/newman/gfx/news/hires/2013/vikingsuncompass1.jpg&imgrefurl=http://phys.org/news/2013-04-errors-viking-sun-compass-hint.html&h=1748&w=941&tbnid=puUcnigWn9MMvM:&zoom=1&docid=0nLsX-EugC9eLM&ei=QbdAVf-KDYLtUrGig8AK&tbm=isch&ved=0CCEQMygCMAI

    design would be good?

    and I tattooed facing me, north to south in front and behind me would be fine ?
    Thank you very much and sorry for my poor language

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    1. the orientation of the charm should not matter. I like the charm placed inside the solar rays; that is a wonderful design! Please share the finished image of your tattoo when it is done.

      Delete
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  22. http://www.image-share.com/ijpg-2961-290.html
    Here it is!

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  23. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  24. Hi, I'm going to do the vegvisir tattoo tomorrow. So I'm very glad I found this page before I get it. Could you send me a picture of the most likely to the original Vegvisir? And I have a question, I intend to paint the inner circle with turquoise color. It would change the meaning of myself in the center of the symbol?

    Thanks a lot!

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    Replies
    1. LeVic, Send me your email to fen.alraun@gmail.com and I will send you the cleaned up original from the manuscript.

      Delete
  25. Hi I have sent an email requesting for the highres artwork of vegvisir

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  26. Hello,

    Thank you very much for the very well researched and presented webpage. I was thinking of having the vegvisir tattooed because it has personal significance for me at this time. Is it still possible to receive a high resolution image of the charm by email? Thank you.

    ReplyDelete
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    1. Yes, just send me an email at fen.alraun@gmail.com.

      Delete
  27. Hi my name is Adrian and i would like to get a vegvisir tatoo on my right arm, is there any chance i could get the original vegvisir charm?

    Thanks

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Adrian, write to me at fen.alraun@gmail.com and I will send them to you.

      Delete
  28. I recently got a Vegvisir tattoo while on a trip to Iceland. While I have the correct version of the symbol, I realized I have a "mirror image" of the correct one on my back. Now, I feel like I have one of those tattoo nightmares, but you said above that orientation or organization of the staves/symbols shouldn't matter as long as they are drawn correctly....would this still be the case with mine? Thank you! Please let me know if you would like me to send a photo to demonstrate better!

    ReplyDelete
  29. Hi! I'm interested in getting a vegvisir tattoo and I'm happy that I now know the correct way, but I'm wondering if you know any other Icelandic symbols? I was an Icelandic fair once and saw a symbol for Thor and a quote like "may Thor protect you with thy hammer" I'm Icelandic and I really regret not taking a picture and I was wondering if you had any knowledge of that? My email is nicoleadamyk@gmail.com if you have any info :) thanks

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    Replies
    1. Nicole, the symbol may have been the traditional Thor's Hammer symbol or it may have been the Veldismagn. If you do an image search for both, you will likely find something attractive.

      Delete
  30. Great blog post and very helpful. Got myself tattooed today.

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  31. Hi, could you send me a clean version of the correct Vegvísir for a futur tatoo ? Thanks so much
    Emiliefargant@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  32. Hi, could you send me a clean version of the correct Vegvísir for a futur tatoo ? Thanks so much
    Emiliefargant@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  33. Can you send me the right/original vegvisir? sbasfonseca@hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  34. Hello Fern,

    Thanks for this post! I would like to share my story.

    I had a dream of different symbols being tattooed on my arm on nigjt and I was rsther intrigued.

    I dont know how, but I came across the symbol online and it totally drew my attention. I read about it and I was surprised to know it comes from Iceland. It has always been a dream to go to Iceland. I spent two years backpacking in Europe and never heard of Vegvisir.

    Anyway, the other day I was having a rough day at the office and all I could think of was "sell it all and go on a long journey again".

    I left the office and went grocery shopping. On the way I stopped at a tattoo parlor to schedule an appointment to get a tattoo (not vegvisir). When i went inside I changed my mind and showed the vegvisir pic to the tattooist and he said "a guy just got this symbol like half an hour ago". I was surprised, since I live in Brazil, in a small town and we have no norse heritage around here. I thought it might be a sign and I got it tattooed on my arm right away.

    Two days later I drove to a convinience store for pop and fags. Before I left the car I changed my mind and decided to get pizza. At the pizza place a woman stares at me and suddently says "a guy who works here has the same tattoo". We had a chat and to be honest we were both pretty spooked.

    I do believe in syncronicities, I just wonder what this one means.

    Any thoughts?

    XX

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    1. XX, I'm not surprised that there is someone with the same image near you. The symbol has been recently gaining popularity all over the world. Charms are becoming particularly popular because they have a built-in meaning that is independent of any variable interpretations. Thankfully, I have not heard anyone of any Northern Germanic culture complaining about cultural misappropriation.

      I also believe in snychronicity. It is simply being aware of the energetic web that connects all of us.

      Delete
  35. Hi!
    Can i mail you in fen.alraun@gmail.com to get the vegvisir image for my future tattoo? Thanks in advance :)

    ReplyDelete
  36. Hi, I have a doubt and thought maybe you can help me out. In the huld manuscript there is another galdlastafur just below the vegvisir that's marked with number XXIX and as long as I know is considered a part of the vegvisir spell. Well my first question is if you know something about it and why people tend to use only the squared (or rounded) spell of the vegvisir and not the below gadlastafur. The second question is about the "A" that's at the bottom of the spell (still the one marked as XXIX in huld manuscript) is that part of the spell or it's the name of the author? I had a discussion about it with a friend that does litographys and he suggested it my be the initial of the drawer's name, but I'm not convinced about it. Thanks in advance for the reply!

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    1. Eleanor,
      Each of the charms is numbered. The Vegvisir is number 27, so the charm with the number 29 is a different charm. No one knows what the original spell was that goes with the Vegvisir charm, so no one knows if charm 29 belongs in the same working or not. The fact that the two charms were written with double lines dividing them seems to suggest that they are to be separated.

      As for the "A" you mentioned, it appears to me that it is part of the charm. Anyone familiar with the angelic script of John Dee will agree that magical scripts often have shapes in them that appear similar to letters in modern alphabets. That doesn't mean there are letters in these charms necessarily, but it also doesn't mean there isn't. Whether the image you described is intending to represent the letter "A" or not is not really relevant. It seems clear to me from the decorations on the stroke ends make this element part of the charm. The page on which the charm appears is part of a larger manuscript and so it wouldn't make sense for the author to sign the work on this page. Instead, any signature would be at the beginning or the end of the whole work.

      Delete
  37. Please send me the correct vegvísir for a tattoo, thanks! fernandotz@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  38. I have a nearly correct vegvisiras a patch on my kit that I wear Into combat. (Us army) would love to get a correct version for a tattoo. allen.matt138@gmail.com thanks man.

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  39. Hello sir, my name is Widi i came from south east asia Indonesia to be correct, i really like to have this Vigsivir as my first tatto. Im a rafter and mountaineering man, i have doing a small research on this matter, then i find your web here. It helps me alot answering all my question sir, but i still like to asked you a question sir. Can i put some old javanese letters on the outer circle? I would sent you the desain that i made to your email sir, hope you have the time to look and answer my question sir. My best regards Widi

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  40. Hello sir, my name is Widi i came from south east asia Indonesia to be correct, i really like to have this Vigsivir as my first tatto. Im a rafter and mountaineering man, i have doing a small research on this matter, then i find your web here. It helps me alot answering all my question sir, but i still like to asked you a question sir. Can i put some old javanese letters on the outer circle? I would sent you the desain that i made to your email sir, hope you have the time to look and answer my question sir. My best regards Widi

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    1. Widi,
      There should be no problem with adding your own designs to the outside of the charm. The charm will not change.

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    2. Planning to get it as a tattoo. Please send me your designs. Appreciate it. nish_1306@hotmail.com

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  41. I would like the clean version of the Vegvisir. How should I contact you to acquire it?

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  42. Thanks for this great post, i find it very interesting and very well thought out and put together. I look forward to reading your work in the future. Travel Books

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  43. Hello, I would love a copy from the original manuscript please email me at edwards.elizabeth25@yahoo.com. thank you

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  44. All,
    If you want me to send a large version of the charm, please write to my email address, given numerous times in the body and comments of this entry.

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  45. I love what the vegvisir represents and the short version of this is I have wanted to get the vegvisir on my fingers instead of the traditional form. I would love it on the fingers, one on each finger. Would that be distasteful and disrespectful to the original meaning of this? That's what's been holding me back.
    My intentions with getting it is that hands guide and direct and having each staff on it's own finger would be a different way of using it. But in having respect for such things I wanted to consult with others first!
    Thank you kindly! And well written and informative article!
    Blessed be
    -rebecca

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    1. Hi Rebecca. Your idea sounds wonderfully creative! But let's explore it a bit more.

      I'm not sure I know what you mean by "distasteful." If you are asking if it would be culturally inappropriate, you are asking a philosophic and political question that I don't dare explore here.

      If you are asking if the charm would still work, to do what it was designed to do, I would err away from breaking up the design of the charm. Part of what gives a charm power is the total spirit of it that has been created by users in the world. This is a kind of stored energy - an egregore - power that exists joined to the concept of the charm based on the essence of it. The egregore has been created by repeated use. When you change the charm, you are no longer tapping into the same source of power into which others are tapping. You can't rebuild an egregore without lots of time and others feeding the store of energy.

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  48. Hi, Im Guido Besozzi from Argentina.

    I was going to tattoo the vegvisir other version thinking it was the real one, but thanks to you I was able to do the right thing. I leave you an image of my tattoo

    Thank you so much!

    [img]https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/564x/b6/10/9c/b6109cb0e3e9ddd2321ecfd8f3b64374.jpg[/img]

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  49. Hi, can you send me the original image?
    Thanks!

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    1. As I wrote in the blog entry, I will be happy to send it if you send me an email.

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  50. Hi,
    I loved your post, I am also thinking of getting one tattoed. I would like to ask you about your opinion about its age, if you really think (without prove) that the symbol is older than the 19th century.
    Thanks

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  51. Hi.

    I would like to get the clean version in both round and square version, if possible. Could you let me know how to contact you in order to receive them? Thank you.

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    1. Hi Mike,
      Click on my name at the top under "Contributors" and let me know if that links you to my address. I have put my email directly in comment replies before, but I'm thinking I should put it directly in the article body.

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  52. Hello I'm from Italy.. can you send me the real image for a tatoo? Mike_bell_94@live.it. Ty:)

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  53. Thank you fo info! But I made my vegvisir before I read this article :-) - and I add Iolite stone in the center: http://vegvisir.attfreya.com

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  54. Love hearing about runes and stuff, would you recommend any books about these things (huge witch geek)

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    1. My favorite book on runes is Rune Rede: Wisdom and Magic for the Life Journey by Ruarik Grimnisson. Not only is the Norse world view discussed, as well as the philosophy of the soul, but his runic interpretations stretched me beyond the ideas I thought I had for each rune. It was the most valuable rune book i had purchased in years.

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  55. Hi Fen,

    I loved your post, I am also thinking of getting one tattoed. I would like to ask your opinion about its age, if you really think (without prove) that the symbol is older than the 19th century.
    Thanks

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    1. My personal opinion is that the charm is no older than the 19th century. However, many of the themes, rituals and practices that we now understand to be the "traditions" of the Golden Dawn or Gardnerian Wicca, arose from these traditions. They have power because we have been feeding power into their thought forms for the last 150 years. The fact that their age is 150 instead of 2000 does not invalidate them.

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  56. Thanks for sharing the info, keep up the good work going.... I really enjoyed exploring your site. good resource...
    activities in dubai

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  57. I send you a mail for the correct desing of the charm, have a nice day Fen !

    Camilo, Chile.

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  58. Here's my interpretation of the original symbol:
    I believe the dots can be safely interpreted as two Haglaz (hail) runes: the version known in Younger Futhark -- but stripped of the line, as it is unnecessary when not used for the purpose of writing it as a letter.
    The rounded part on the bottom-right maybe paints a picture of a ski, alternatively a bow (both are symbols of Skaði) while those additional "legs" on the bottom might represent spare ski sticks used for grip or some kind of footwear.
    The one additional line is a depiction of the Isaz rune: ice above (across the sky) creates hail below.
    Following this logic, one might conclude that this stave is more fit for dealing with cold weather and snowy/icy surfaces.

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  59. I really loved reading your blog. It was very well authored and easy to understand. Unlike other blogs I have read which are really not that good.Thanks alot!
    what to do in spain

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  60. I have a "mirror image" of the tattoo one on my back.Does it hav a different meaning. Please ley me know

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    1. Akhiel, if you haven't experienced negative affects of your tattoo, you shouldn't worry how the charm is drawn. If anything, the charm will have zero affect. Charms don't work quite the same as a tarot card, so reversing it won't necessarily create the anti-travel charm.

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  61. Thank you for the info! I would actually like to get this in the round version. Could you send me a high resolution image to my email? brendanganji@gmail.com

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  62. Hi, fortunately very in time I came across for your site. My name is Yuri, and I'd like to get a tattoo of vegvisir on my right arm, is there any chance that I can get the original picture of vegvisir? I'll send you an email in a minute, thank you!

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  63. Hi, you wrote 'I have modified the original, high res drawing to create a version that is square and without any interior circle, just as is the original manuscript drawing. It is also available by email request.' ... I would like to receive this one please : sandydesenclos.alt@gmail.com :)
    Thank you,
    Sandy

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  64. I have a question (It may have been answered but I did not see it on this page). I am considering a vegvisir tattoo on my forearm, below my elbow. Is there a particular or correct orientation? I have seen photos where the northern stave is pointing towards the elbow but others where "north" is pointing toward the wrist. I wouldn't want an upside down tattoo!

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    1. There is no correct orientation. This kind of charm does not have any "Up" indicators of which we know at this point. It's possible that everyone who considers this charm has been completely wrong about it. But for now, it can be oriented any way and still do the job.

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  65. I have designed my own version of that tattoo. I have overlayed the runes over a compass and added a skull in the middle of the vegvisir. I wanted to ask you if in this case the meaning of the symbol would change.

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    1. Since I haven't seen your design, I can't say for sure how much its meaning will deviate from the norm. In the use of other glyphic charms like this one, adding a symbol to the center would definitely change the meaning of the charm. The target of the charm would become whatever is in the center. Since you created the design, the power of the charm would flow from your intent. Ask yourself the intent of the skull. What is its meaning to you? Does the skull mean death, fierceness in battle, the underworld? That meaning would become part of the charm's focus.

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  66. Hello ! I was very curious about the second Vegvisir right underneath in the original manuscript. Do you know anything about it ?

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    1. The charms in the manuscript are numbered. The charm numbered 27 is named Vegvísir. The charm you mentioned is number 29 and is not given a name. Only the original author knows why this is the case. It is not correct to call it a second Vegvísir. There is no scholarship regarding this charm and no indication for what it should be used.

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    2. Oh wow that's crazy! I've always been super curious about it. Thank you !

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  67. what are the meaning of the runes that appear on top of most vegvisir?? ive seeing a bnch of letters together and another ones that looks like words like a couple on top of each mark

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  68. Hello can you send me the corrected vegvisir also what magical runes that can add to it thank you.

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  69. It is not true what counts in the article.

    The Vegvisir has different versions, the one you call "false" is the Galdrabok, which is precisely the one that shares grimoire with the aegishjalmur, so tattooing them together is the most logical.

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    1. Not logical. There is often little logic applied to the organization of older spell books. More commonly, they are buckets of spells meant to archive material being kept from the Church. I would be happy to edit my claims in favor of yours, given that I see sources justifying them.

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    2. So, is the correct version really the Vegvisir of Huld?

      I want to get tattooed soon and I have seen so many opinions and different versions that I can not believe.

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  70. Ciao, vorrei averlo anche io in variante corretta.
    Potrei usarlo come quadrante radionico?.grazie Michela.
    M_michela@hotmail.com

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