Aegishjalmur

Rune binding is the creation of a unic magical symbol with a specific "power" to it, and one of the most famous symbols is the Aegishjalmur. Also written Ægishjálmur and commonly known as the "The Helm of Awe",this symbol is an ancient protective talisman of the Norse cultures. In Icelandic sagas it can be found to confer power and dominance in conflict and also to instill fear in one's enemies and to conquer fear in one's own mind. 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. However, there are also some reports of painting this symbol in one's shield to strike fear upon the enemy.

This powerful symbol contains two numerical patterns, 3 and 8, that were sacred to the Northern tradition. Multiplying such numbers, gives us the number 24, the number of runes in the runic alphabet (elder futhark). But its most prominent feature is the rune Algiz/Elhaz. This rune can be used by itself for protection of a person, place or an object. It can create a sacred space or can be employed more aggressively to scatter negative energy into a person or a group of people. In the Aegishjalmur, the rune is also contained 8 times not only at the ends of each spoke, but 8 times hidden in the spokes themselves. This shows that the main purpose of this symbol is really to defend the wearer of evil.

Supposedly, Algiz protects whatever and wherever we place this symbol onto, by connecting a circuit of positive energies to the spiritual resources of the living thing or place. The symbol has many visual interpretations,such as its shape being like someone with outstretched hands to the heavens. Adopting this posture one can touch and develop a feel for its streams of influence as if summoning its power as if it was a song. 

A person can wear this symbol on an article of clothing. You can embody it with a temporary or permanent tattoo. You can wear jewelry with the design.You can also carry an image in your head, pocket, hand, whatever. 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.

It is believed that energies can reach 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. Its is as if vibrations were pulled through us.

"Ægishjalm eg ber milli bruna mjer"

Valknut - A Norse Symbol

The Valknut is probably the most known and used symbol (as well as the Mjölnir) by the neo-pagans who follow and practice the old Norse pagan traditions. However, most people don't know it's meaning, sadly. The word Valknut is a neologism, created in modern times, formed by the combination of "valr" (the dead or the slain" and knut (knot). This symbol has many connections with the other symbols I have written before, this is a symbol of three interconnected triangles. These triangles may be joined in two ways, and I will place images below.

It can either be as Borromean:

or Unicursal:

Know that other types of Valknuts that you may encounter, different from these two, were never used in original Viking ornaments. Only the two designs above are genuine Viking Valknuts, keep that in mind. The Borromean triangles type can be seen in the Stora Hammer Rune Stone (below).

Right above the Valknut, we can see a raven, obviously Odin's symbol. Below the symbol, probably a burial scene or even a burial mound, it is obvious that it is something connected with death. A dead person, probably a warrior, is placed there by a figure with a spear and accompanied by another raven, probably Odin himself, since the two ravens are his symbol and also the spear, Gungnir, his famous weapon. To the left, it seems that there is someone hanged on the tree, which is another symbol for Odin, for he is also called Hangadróttinn (Lord of the hanged) and Hangatýr (God of the hanged), but I am not sure if that is a hanged person, so I leave that to the experts in Rune stones. One thing is certain, all these symbols are around the Valknut, which is in the center of all this scene, this means that all the symbols point to death and that Odin is also the god of the slain warriors.

The unicursal type of valknut (which can be drawn with one stroke) appears on Tängelgarda stone (below):

Other instances of the valknut in Viking ornaments are Lärbro stone, River Nene ring and a bedpost found on the Oseberg ship.

The Valknut as a symbol linked to the slain, isn't the only possible interpretation/explanation. This symbol is also caled Hrungnir’s heart, based on the descripion found in the Prose Edda. 

It isn't clear the true function and meaning og the Valknut. However we do know that it is also linked to the slain and taht the number three is a very common magic symbol in many cultures. In Scandinavian context three multiplied by three might designate the nine worlds, which are united by the Yggdrasil tree. In modern times, the Valknut, such as the Triquetra and also the Horn Triskelion whih I have written before in another post, is often interpreted as a symbol pointing to heathen convictions.

Thor’s Hammer

Speaking of Norse symbols, Thor's Hammer or Mjölnir is one of the most used symbols of all time, I dare to say that it is more used nowadays than during the Viking Age, unfortunately most people use it and don't know its true meaning, they just use it because it is cool and most bands they like also use one of those.

Mjölnir is the weapon of the Thunder God Thor, which initially was thought to be made of stone, but in truth it was made out of iron, forged by the Svartálfar or black elves, along with the help of the dvergar or duergar (dwarves) named Sindri and Brokkr. 
Thor's weapon in the myths is a magical axe or hammer when thrown with the objective of destroying its enemies, it comes back to Thor's hands like a boomerang, it has also the capability of becoming so small that can be carried under the clothes. Mjölnir is to Thor what Gungnir (the spear) is to Odin, it is the very symbol of the god of thunder and his power, it is a weapon that all the enemies of this great god fear the most, especially the Jötnar, the giants of the Norse mythology. Most enemies try to lure Thor into their territories and somehow steal his hammer and Megingjörð, Thor's belt of strength and power. During the Viking Age, miniature pendant replicas of Thor’s hammer were very popular and often used by all in Scandinavia. In Iceland its variant was cross-shaped, while Thor’s hammers from Sweden and Norway tended to be made with an arrow or T shape. According to some researchers, the swastika shape found in East Anglia and Kent before Christianization, may be a variant of the same symbol. In Old Norse the name of Thor’s hammer is spelled either mjǫlnir or mjǫllnir. It is thought to be etymologically related to the English word mill and meal "to crush". Another version states it is related to the Russian word молния and the Welsh mellt, both meaning ‘lightning’. Mjölnir is usually interpreted as meaning "That which smashes", derived from the verb mölva "To smash". "Moer" which is one of the Portuguese words that survived the Germanic and Norse influence in the country also means "to crush" or " "to grind" and also "mill".
Many modern Thor’s hammer pendants try to feature the word Mjollnir in the Elder Futhark runes, simply replacing each letter with a corresponding rune. The procedure is incorrect. Mjolnir is an Old Norse word. Old Norse developed in the 8th century. Due to its difference as compared to its earlier form, Proto-Norse, Vikings were to reform their runic writing system. As a result, they adopted the Younger Futhark. By the end of the 8th century the Elder Futhark was not in use any more. If we were to write the name of Thor’s hammer in the Elder Futhark runes, we would have to reconstruct it in Proto-Norse. 
It is important to know that this symbol is a symbol of power, protection and fertility, most people who aren't heathens, or anyother pagans who practice the old Norse beliefs tend to label Thor's hammer as a symbol of hatred, racism and fear, which obviously isn't.

I always wear a Mjölnir made of Ox bone, it was a gift given to me by my girlfriend.

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