Mythology around Runes: Mannaz

Mannaz

Mythology:


Although any myth that relates to the doings of humankind can be said to be relevant to this rune, the acts of Heimdall, the "god who stands between", are notable. During one of his periods of wandering on the earth, Heimdall, in the guise of Rigr, stayed overnight with three different married couples. In each case he slept with his host's wife before moving on. In the fullness of time, three sons were born to these women. The first was named Thrall, the second was called Karl, and the third Jarl or Earl. These tree men were regarded as being the ancestors of the three classes of Nordic society, Earl being the first of the nobles, Karl of the warriors and Thrall the progenitor of the peasants. Thus Heimdall, or Rigr, became the ancestor of humankind and was the first god to pass on the knowledge of the runes to his mortal offsping. Furthering this story slightly, Jarl was said to have been the father of Konur, the first king of Denmark.

Mannaz

"Madr is the joy of mankind and an augmentation of dust and adorner of ships."
                                                                  
                                                                  "The Icelandic Rune Poem"




This rune was also known as Mann or Madr and its pronunciation in the common alphabet is the letter "M".
Mannaz is the rune of humankind. Its variant name, Mann, should not be taken to mean that only those of the male gender are referred to, however. On the contrary, both men and women, all of the family of humankind, are in a sense governed by this rune. In runic tradition, one of the main traits of humanity is the faculty of foresight, thus the symbolism of Mannaz is enriched by its identification with the keen-eyed hawk. In terms of the vegetable kingdom, the rune is associated with the ash and the elm. This link is made because Norse mythology states that the very first humans were fashioned from the wood of the ash and elm trees.


Upright Meaning:
The appearence of Mannaz always relates directly to the person who has asked the question. It may signify your status and the way that others tend to perceive you. It also serves as a reminder that we are all products of our experiences and urges you to take a good look at your own conduct before criticising those around you. The rune may well have further implications: it can reveal that you have been deluding yourself and that you are not the person you thought yourself to be. So when this rune is prominent in your reading, it is time for a reassessment and an examination of your motives and aims. Equally, the motives pf others should come under scrutiny, and you should ask some searching questions before committing yourself to anything binding. Mannaz is not a rune of haste, so if important decisions are to be made and Mannaz appears in a reading, take your time, consult a trusted advisor who has no personal interest in the situation and wait to see what develops. Legal affairs and far-reaching decisions are likely when this rune is drawn, but this is no reason to panic. If you slow down and look within yourself, it is likely that you will find the right solution.


Inverted Meaning:

When this rune is inverted, you must be aware that someone close to you bears you ill will. In a negative position, Mannaz usually indicates an enemy, but this is not always so. For instance, some rune readers suggest that it can denote male homosexuality or the nervousness and lack of courage that is the result of a life blighted by  an overly strict figure. Look to the next rune in your reading for advice.





Body Part: Gonads. Hormone production. Puberty.
Associated Maladies: Hormone imbalances. Intersex conditions. Menopause.
Action: Affecting many other organs or body parts.
Solution: Hormone therapy of some sort.