Aegishjalmur

Aegishjalmur – The Helm of Awe

Aegishjalmur, also called Ægishjálmur is an ancient protective talisman of the Norse —but the true nature of its magic has many interpretations. In icelandic sagas it can be found to confer power and dominance in conflict. To instill fear in one’s enemies and to conquer fear in one’s own mind. And while its literal translation is “Terror Helm”, it is believed that it was never actually a helm, but rather something worn impressed or imprinted upon the forehead.

Pronunciation

Secrets Hidden in Aegishjalmur

Aegishjalmur contains two numerical patterns, 3 and 8, that were sacred to the Northern tradition. And multiples like 24, the number of runes in the elder futhark, or runic alphabet. But its most prominent feature is the rune Elhaz. Elhaz can be used by itself for protection of a person, place or thing. It can create a sacred space or can be employed more aggressively to scatter negative energy, people or groups. Elhaz protects by connecting a circuit to our spiritual resources. Linking us to guardianship, a sovereign right to exist, for our time here. The rune is shaped like someone with outstretched hands to the heavens. And adopting this posture can touch and develop a feel for its streams of influence. Can summon it with its song.

In the Aegishjalmur, Elhaz is also contained 8 times not only at the ends of each spoke, but 8 times hidden in the spokes themselves. Truly a defense in depth, in other ways as well.

Activating Aegishjalmur

There are many ways to activate the power of an archetype in daily life. You can wear it on an article of clothing. You can embody it with a temporary or permanent tattoo. You can wear jewelry with the design.You can carry an image in your head. Most of these rely on a part of the mind knowing this symbol is present and connected to you in some physical, symbolic or image awareness. The psychologist Carl Jung believed these archetypes act as beacons to deeper energies within the self. Energies reaching back into a communal reality of consciousness, deeper than the mind of the individual. In this sense the symbol primes the pump and taps an energy much deeper, older and more powerful than the currents typically at play in our day to day awareness. It sets up a vibration, answered and amplified in a more powerful resonance.

But this older mind isn’t impressed with words and reason. It prefers the potencies of song and music, of the tactile and the visual, of story and image. Ritual and play. Poetry and rhythm.

So a playful ritual for imprinting Aegishjalmur into the fabric of your energy is to use a mirror. Either the one in your bathroom, hall or dresser. Or a small one you carry with you. Or a special one framed for this purpose. On the mirror, with the markers used for white boards, draw the Aegishjalmur . Draw it of a size and height that when you look into the mirror, the symbol appears emblazoned upon your forehead. Repeat the ancient activation:”Ægishjalm eg ber milli bruna mjer” (Ægishjalm I carry between my brows) Or construct your own phrase or poem such as this one.

Exploring Runes

Meditation on the rune Elhaz will help to truly understand and unlock the energies of the Aegishjalmar. This rune can enable a protective field of energy around yourself, establish communication with your Valkrie and strengthen the walls of our hamingja to store more magical energy and potency. (Think of the hamingja as similar to the hara, or tandem in martial arts.) More on these connections in future posts! Thanks for stopping by!

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