I have long read the words of the Norse Sagas and Edda's around the fire in the long hall whilst sipping mead from a horn-cup and seem always to find relevant meaning so thought I'd share some with you; The quote and my interpretation. Naturally my interpretation or understanding may vary to your own, as it should be, so feel free to add your own thoughts in the comments section below if you like.
I don't actually have a Viking long hall, but I have a fire and mead so I'm mostly there. Either way, the reading is valuable.
Where wolf's ears are, wolf's teeth are near.. - Völsunga saga
This is an interesting one as I see different meanings the first of which is the importance of awareness and preparedness and the second the merits of securing information.
In the first case I read the importance of being aware of one's surroundings, be it in one's day to day personal life, a social situation or even a work scenario. Understanding the lay of the land so to speak is vital in being prepared to deal with it, adjust, overcome or amend one's actions, thoughts or emotions.
Danger, be it physical, emotional or even of a professional nature isn't always the easiest thing to perceive which is why vigilance is required.
In the second instance the mention of wolf and ears hints to me about security of information. One of the most powerful things a person can have over another is information so keeping it secure and away from eager ears can be of benefit. For instance, allowing a work colleague to know your negative feelings about the boss could be used to one's detriment. That sort of information is best kept private. The term loose lips sink ships comes to mind. [A quote made popular during World War Two].
Unguarded talk can be detrimental, provide competitors or rivals an edge and can often make one seem foolish or look like a gossip - I think the quote above could relate to this aspect as easily as it can the awareness aspect.
That's what I see in this quote today anyway. What about you
Here's some background on the Norse Edda's and Sagas including what they actually are. They were not written originally, the words I read have since been recorded of course though, and thankfully so.
An Edda is a collection of poems based around Norse legends held within two Icelandic books of the 13th-century called the Poetic Edda and Prose Edda. Much of the understanding around Scandinavian mythology derives from them.
A saga is a story focused on Norse, Icelandic and Viking history, folklore and heroic achievement - Mostly recorded around the 12th and 13th century.
It's interesting to note that Vikings were much more than violent raiders who revelled in battle and conquest, that they had a culture rich in story-telling and poetry; The Viking poet was one of the most respected among their society and in the mead-halls throughout the Viking world they could be found retelling stories of conquest, the gods, heroes, lovers and history in general. Sagas and Edda's were also passed from father to son and mother to daughter - The collective history of the Viking people passed by word of mouth, not written and recorded.
They had runes and glyphs however these were reserved for ceremonial purposes - They didn't write their history, they told it through the Edda's and Sagas.
Without those two elements they are just words. Quotes are the wisdom in words of those who came before us and a wise person will seek that wisdom, determine how it may relate to them and embrace it.
Feel free to interpret the quote above, to apply it to yourself, and let me know what you think in the comments below; I'm interested to know what you see and feel based on this weeks quote.
Skol.
Design and create your ideal life, don't live it by default - Tomorrow isn't promised so be humble and kind
Discord: galenkp#9209
