#tiwaz

Prayer Poem to Odin and the Blessings of Tiwaz

Allfather Odin, wise wanderer,

Keeper of runes and whispered fate,

I call to you beneath the spear-starred sky,

Where justice burns and trials await.

You who hung on Yggdrasil’s bough,

Pierced by spear, self-offered,

still—Grant me the courage of sacrifice,

The will to align with higher will.

Tiwaz, the rune of Tyr's brave stand,

Carved in fire, in blood, in bone

—Guide my hand with righteous aim,

Let honor's path be clearly shown.

Through storm and silence, oath and blade,

Let duty anchor heart and breath;

Where truth demands, may I not falter

—But walk with steadiness through death.

Odin, lord of many names,

Let my voice be firm and true.

Through Tiwaz, may my soul be tempered

—Forged in justice, bright and new.

So may it be, in word and deed,

With insight clear and spirit strong.

Allfather, watch me in my vow

In Heathenry, upholding oaths are of the utmost importance. When you fulfill your oaths (or promises), you build your luck and strengthen the wyrd and bonds you share with all those who witness you fulfill that oath. That means the connections you make through that action will better serve you down the line. It means that certain opportunities that may have otherwise been hidden from you will become more visible and accessible to you. Oaths are not meant to be fulfilled in an entirely selfish manner, but it is certainly advantageous to do so.

Now more than ever, it is important to strengthen our bonds with others and build our luck. Connections built on trust, honor, and right action are powerful. They make some many things possible. This week is a time to really hone in on how you're upholding your end of your deals and making sure you really follow through. It could look like upholding your oath of employment and doing your job well, leaving out a regularly scheduled offering (maybe even one you forgot to leave out last week), or doing something for a friend that you promised to do (even if you get to the day of and don't feel like leaving the house). Follow through. Be there for the people you have promised to be there for, even when it's hard. When you are there for them, they are there for you.

Conversely, if others are not upholding their oaths to you, you owe them nothing. It is up to them to repair any damage they caused, and you are well within your right to demand weregild (compensation). (However, if pursuing that would create more problems than it is worth, simply walk away with the knowledge that they are not worth your precious energy.) Your wyrd is better strengthened with others and your luck best accumulated elsewhere.

From Immortal Thor #019, “Tales of Asgard”

Art by Jan Bazaldua, Dan Jurgens, Brett Breeding, Luciano Vecchio, Karen S. Darboe, Jorge Fornés, Juan Ferreyra, Valerio Schiti, Rod Reis, Juann Cabal, Gleb Melnikov, Steve Skroce, Leonard Kirk, CAFU, Phil Noto, Martín Cóccolo, Lee Garbett, Humberto Ramos, David Baldeón, Gavin Guidry, Matt Hollingsworth, Espen Grundetjern, Frank D’Armata and Edgar Delgado

"Let us wager on thy wits, Tiwaz. Answer me this, if you can -- and if you can, the rune is yours. "What is big, red, and eats rocks?" "A riddle! Let me consider, then. "Is it Surtur, perhaps, whose flame young Laussa wields? He is big and red, and his fire consumes all, even stone..." "Nay. The fire consumes -- but not Surtur himself." "Then 'tis the sun from which Atum came. "For it will one day turn big and red, and swallow the rock that is the Earth --" "Nay. I asked not what will be, but what is." "Hmm! Then you have me, Thor. I am without an answer. "What is big, red, and eats rocks?" "A big red rock-eater."