Wahya Circle
Odin’s Day

Oaths to Odin
The All-Father,
a Var Specialty

As we know, Wednesday is named for Odin. This name has been carried with this day for quite some time as well. Today, we learn of something that is said to be extremely important to Odin, …Kindred.

Kindred refers to a person's relatives, family, or kinfolk collectively. As an adjective, it describes people or things that are similar, related in nature, or have a shared origin, such as "kindred spirits". It often implies a close, natural connection or affinity

For Odin, “kinship was of prime importance”. This meant, throughout viking culture, it signified that a peaceful relationship and strong bonds within families and kinship groups was important also.

Peace. Protection. Loyalty.

In keeping with what was held as important to the All-Father, we also learn of Vár: The Norse Keeper of Vows that Punished Oath Breakers. (Aligns rather nicely with Tyr who also prided Himself on monitoring social contracts.)

Var, or Vara, is the Keeper of Oaths. She can be invoked to help people keep their promises, for example. Var will do so to the best of Her ability, strengthening one's will and integrity, utilizing the best resources of energy available to the Practitioner.

However, we do have a certain amount of Free Will on these things, and if we choose to violate our oaths in spite of Var's best efforts, it is believed that She will have the right to punish for the broken Oath or foolishness. Kind of an “energetic debt”. Her name comes from the word varar, meaning “a private contract”. It is cognate to the word vow, and possibly to the Old Norse word varda, meaning “to warrant, guarantee, or answer for.”

Norse pantheon members prided themselves on Honesty, Truth, Justice, Honor, etc.

Any contracts can be placed on Her altar to hallow and keep. Her power lies in how we speak our words, and how those words shape our *maegen, so be careful in the wording of what you promise. Especially if you are a follower of such a noble Path. *maegen – the Norse had no word for “luck”, so some scholars believe in addition to physical strength, maegen also ment ‘luck’. (Or, was it magick?)

“Vár was born of two powerful deities in Asgard and great things were expected of Her, yet She could not choose Her path. Everything came so easily to Her that it was found to not hold interest for Her. She could not commit to any one skill enough to master it. Thus, She drifted aimlessly, told by the All-Father that if nothing else She could marry and produce powerful children for Asgard. Depressed, She was tricked into discovering Her true talent — for binding people to their oaths — and given a drop spindle to record these in yarn for the Norns (the Fates). She is witness to promises, agreements and marriages, having no path of Her own, often being little more than a silent ghost watching other people’s major life events.”

A way to tap into this energy, to honor it if you follow this Path, is by making a promise and holding to it. You can do this by making detailed plans for your goals, and by studying history and laws regarding contracts related to those goals. Furthermore, you may call on Vár to punish oath-breakers — at your own risk as Practitioners of this Path say. All of your own broken vows will likely be inspected before action is taken if you do. Practitioners of a Norse Path say It is better to make reparation when you break a promise than to wait for the consequences.

According to the Experience of many, should you choose Her as your patron deity, Vár does not care for food, unless it is somehow symbolic of something important to you. But She does like incense and fragrant oils. Then again, She may come to you completely in a different way. Keep an open mind if you do and are asked to do something NO ONE else is.

The symbol of Var is the oath-ring. Arm bands were not merely ornamental. They were often used to cement bonds of loyalty between a lord and his warriors in a society where men lived and died by their honor, and often the sword. They were often bestowed upon young adult males to symbolize their coming of age. In addition, some groups used the rings—which were made of precious metals—as a form of, easily transportable (and protectable) currency, in a time before coins or paper money.

Some feel “wedding rings” evolved from this, as Var appears in the Poetic Edda. There, She was evoked to witness the vow between Thrym and His "bride" (Thor in disguise).

“Then loudly spoke Thrym, the giants' leader: "Bring in the hammer to hallow the bride;

On the maiden's knees let Mjollnir lie, That is both the hand of Var may bless.”

Her name also appeared in a runic inscription found in Norway dating back to around the 12th century:

Wise Var of Wire ["woman of filigree," meaning "wise bejeweled woman"] makes (me) sit unhappy.

The scholars explained in this sentence that "Var" in this case appeared as the kenning for the woman. It simply meant "women made me miserable". Sometimes, they translated that "marriage made me miserable" because Var was the keeper of promise and this time it referred to the promise between a man and a woman (NOT necessarily a “male” and “female”) which was commonly known as a wedding.

Knowledge is Power

It is thought by many Practitioners that this is one of the best herbal books to have on your reference shelf. It is accurate, concise with descriptions and has plenty of illustrations. It is recommended for beginning identifying plants or as a quick reference for the more seasoned herbalist. This book is recommended for use while learning what parts of the plant are used and why.

DISCLAIMER: One should always know what they have before using it to make any remedy. A field guide or sound knowledge of the plant is recommend for plant identification purposes. And as always, consult with your medical care provider FIRST.

Odin Knowledge
Nine Noble Virtues

The Nine Noble Virtues (NNV)—often associated with Odinist and modern Heathen ethics—are a set of principles rather than seven, frequently including Courage, Truth, Honor, Fidelity, Discipline, Hospitality, Self-Reliance, Industriousness, and Perseverance. These virtues represent a code of conduct derived from Norse sagas to live a life of honor and strength.

• Courage: Facing fears and hardships with bravery, often associated with Thor.

• Truth: Honoring reality, honesty, and living without hypocrisy.

• Honor: Maintaining a strong reputation and integrity, crucial for social standing.

• Fidelity: Loyalty to family, community, and oaths sworn.

• Discipline: Self-control and adherence to personal duty.

• Hospitality: Treating guests with respect and warmth.

• Self-Reliance: Taking personal responsibility and being resourceful.

• Industriousness: Dedication to hard work and productive effort.

• Perseverance: Enduring challenges and continuing despite setbacks. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]

These virtues are often considered the "Nine Noble Virtues" because of the sacred significance of the number nine in Norse mythology (e.g., nine worlds, nine nights for Odin to find the runes