While meditating upon the runes, for the purpose of gaining wisdom through ancestrial spirit, one night, an interesting formula (bindrune) came into thought. I envisioned three Ansuz runes, bound together forming a trefot or triskelion, which were based from an Othala rune at its core. Let's take a look at these individually and then in the composites of their combinations. Many relationships will be examined. We'll start at its "forefront" mysteries, move onto its "hidden" mysteries and meanings, and then finish with symbols embedded within its core or roots. Firstly, we have the forefront runes of Ansuz and Othala.

There is only one "historic" rune poem for Othala from the Old English. But I will include two "modern" ones I find interesting and should be thought upon when encompassing the whole of this bindrune.

"(Estate) is very dear to every man,
if he can enjoy what is right and according to custom
in his dwelling, most often in prosperity."
--Old English Rune Poem

"(Odle) is ringed with oak and warded all-around,

in frith and freedom lives the folk,

riches follow what is right-

but if the ring is wretched woe will be the winnings."
--New Rune Poem, Edred Thorsson

"Othal is the sacred stronghold which the lord protects;

The atheling's blood is thicker than any water.

But each must assume his alloted place."
--Runa, Ian Read

Othala is the mystery embodied by the sacred enclosure of the clan or family. It is the fylgja, a hereditary force of spiritual and magical power. The wisdom of Othala also derives from the orlög of both past and present, ever seeking a higher order within ancestrial rebirth. It is immovable property both from the materialistic perspective and the non-materialistic perspective. The mysteries of Othala also encompass the tribal or natural laws that prevent total destructive chaos from ensuing. It is this power which our bindrune draws its internal power at its roots. Note that this rune appears in the center of the bindrune, for that in itself, tells much of the aim of its transformative intent.

For Ansuz, three old rune poems exist to show us the power of this mighty rune. The Old English, the Old Norwegian, and the Old Icelandic are these three poems. Again, I will include also a "modern" rune poem.

"(God/Mouth) is the chieftain of all speech,
the mainstay of wisdom and a comfort to the wise ones,
for every noble warrior hope and happiness."
--Old English Rune Poem

"(Estuary) is the way of most journeys:
but the sheath is (that for) swords."
--Old Norwegian Rune Poem

"(Ase/Odinn) is the olden father,

and Ásgarð’s chieftain,

and the leader of Valholl."
--Old Icelandic Rune Poem

"As rides nobly on the winds and breathes his song;

In the wood hides the kin's galdor.

But Gunnlod's booty bears a high price."
--Runa, Ian Read

Ansuz is the rune that speaks of two of the gifts that were given to mankind by the gods; ond, the breath of life, and odhr, mental activity and inspiration. It is the mystery of the power of words/sound, the communicator of those mysteries, and the inspirational understanding of them. It is the power of wisdom and consciousness itself.

As part of our analysis, we will look at "runic numerology" as an aspect of seeking deeper knowledge and hidden meaning within this bindrune. Firstly, we'll look at the number three, the number of Ansuz runes in our bindrune. Three seems to be a constantly re-occurring number in the mythology and lore representing a functioning process or to move things into action. Examples would be the three norns, Urdhr-Verdhandi-Skuld, Odinn-Villi-Ve, the three roots of Yggdrasil, and the three containers of the poetic mead, Odhroerir-Son-Bodhn.

As another part of the analysis, we'll utilize a type of "runic mathematics" consisting of a formula which multiplies the runes' numeric value determined by its position in the FUTHARK row and/or a numeral of importance to the overall runic bindrune. Then producing a sum of numerals from the product. So thus, using our mathematical runic formula, one example would be that we have 4 (the number place that Ansuz appears in the FUTHARK) multiplied by 3 (the number of times it appears in the bindrune) and reach a product of 12. Then when we make a sum of the product we arrive at (1+2=3) Thurisaz. With the knowledge of Thurisaz, we can see one of the overall powers possessed by this bindrune.

Thurisaz has three old rune poems which survive into modern day. I will also include a "modern" one for the seeker to ponder.

"(Thorn) is very sharp; to every thane

who grasps it; it is harmful,

and exceedingly cruel

to every man who lies upon them."
--Old English Rune Poem

"(Thurs) causes the sickness of women;
few are cheerful from misfortune."
--Old Norwegian Rune Poem

"(Thurs) is the torment of women,
and the dweller in the rocks,
and the husband of Vardh-runa."
--Old Icelandic Rune Poem

"Thurs will shatter foes and wreak much harm:
Hot sparks fly from Thunar's hone.
But a raging giant proves hard to pen."
--Runa, Ian Read

Thurisaz is the power of the awakening will into action. It is the extreme energies of fire and ice, merged and organized into form and direction. Through the phallic power of regeneration and fertility, it paves the way for the forces of creation to bring forth new birth and beginnings. Through this form of high tension and energy, the will and force to transform or develop the self manifests for the seeker.

Now, in analyzing the power within the aspect of the number of Othala runes, we see there is obviously only one. But, do not see this as simplicity. One is the number of beginnings and root causes of solitary force to be willed into action. Although rare in operative runecraft, we will see where this powerful figure leads us to. 1 multiplied by 24 (Othala) give us a product of 24. When we take the sum of the product we come to (2 + 4 = 6) Kenaz. And once again, as we'll see, it further gives us the realization of the power and creative force this bindrune encompasses.

Kenaz has again, three old poems associated with its runic mysteries. And again, we will follow the pattern I've listed beforehand.

"(Torch) is to every living person known by its fire,

it is clear and bright it usually burns when the athelings

rest inside the hall."
--Old English Rune Poem

"(Sore) is the curse of children;

grief makes a man pale."
--Old Norwegian Rune Poem

"(Sore) is the bale of children,

and a scourge,

and the house of rotting flesh."
--Old Icelandic Rune Poem

“(Keen) is kent by its fire and 'tis mild to all kin:

it heats the forge and hearth,

it gives light to the lords-

but 'tis a canker if wild and wounds the flesh."
--New Rune Poem, Edred Thorsson

Kenaz is the rune of willed creativity, the controlled fire, the torch. It's also the rune of willed dissolution by willed means to formulate a reshaping with a willed formula. More importantly, in the aspects of this very bindrune it is, as said in Runelore (pg 31), "Kenaz also is important to the concept of kin, and especially to that part of clanic tradition that professes a unity of the living and the dead member of the clan, existing in a syncretic form of the conscious life force."

But we cannot near our completion of the analysis of the forefront runes without the numeric analysis of both Ansuz and Othala together. Of course, 4 (Ansuz) multiplied by 24 (Othala) gives us a product of 96. The sum of that product equates to (9 + 6 = 15) the rune, Elhaz. Elhaz is a rune of protection. We'll look at the rune poems of Elhaz, of course.

"(Elk's) sedge has its home most often in the fen,

it waxes in the water and grimly wounds

and reddens with blood any man

who, in any way, tries to grasp it."
--Old English Rune Poem

"(Man) is the increase of dust;
mighty is the talon-span of the hawk."
--Old Norwegian Rune Poem

"(Man) is the joy of man,

and the increase of dust,

and the adornment of ships."
--Old Icelandic Rune Poem

"(Elks) are aweful in the ash of the world;

worrisome to untried warriors,

but winsome to the wise-

and red is the road that is hidden by the Runer."
--New Rune Poem, Edred Thorsson

Elhaz is the rune of protection, as previously said. It is also the link between man, his fetch, and his divine self. The Bifrost Bridge, which connects Miðgarð with the worlds above and below are also evident within this rune's symbolism. Another very important aspect to keep in mind is given by Edred, for the overall power of this bindrune, is that (Runelore, pg 126), "The loading with magical, numinous, or spiritual force effected through this rune implies a person or place with so much force that it becomes sacred, set apart, and protected by divine power." The hamingja and fylgja are such ancestrial elements which would encompass this kind of sacredness.

Another aspect concerning our forefront runes of Ansuz and Othala within our bindrune is the concept of runic dyads or the futhark pattern of manifestation. In accordance with theories of runic dyads, we find ourselves in the 9th and 12th spheres. (Please refer to Runelore pg 148, to refamiliarize yourself, if need be.) The 9th encompasses the sphere of Ansuz and Laguz in the powers and essences of transformation/growth. The 12th is the sphere of the powers and essences of mobile and immobile forces of Fehu and Othala. Nine, we should remember, is the number of the cosmic powers. The number of eternal life and unending death transforms all it embraces yet is also eternal in and of itself. Nine is the number of worlds of Yggdrasil, nine mightily songs are taught, for nine nights Odinn hangs, and valkyries are told to appear in the number of nine. Twelve is a number of wholeness and the aspect of power brought into one's earthly being and is subsequently strengthened by that power. Interesting examples of note is that the total number of the Elder Futhark (24) is a multiple of 12, there are twelve greater halls of Ásgarð, and that the Germanics used a quasi-duodecimal system for counting.

Next, we shall look at the "hidden" runes of the Ansuz-Othala bindrune. Within the bindrune, we can see other runes which have manifested themselves. One Ingwaz, four Wunjo and ten Laguz runes can be found. We will look at the individual runes: Ingwaz, Wunjo, and Laguz.

Ingwaz has only one traditional rune poem, so I will include two "modern" rune poems for our research.

"(Ing) was first, among the East-Danes,

seen by men until he again eastward

went over the wave; the wain followed on;

this is what the warriors called the hero."
--Old English Rune Poem

"(Ing) is the lord of the earth, who eastward fared

with his wain o'er the wave:

riches are his reward-

but fruitless are farings without the lord's frith."
--New Rune Poem, Edred Thorsson

"Ing bursting from the dark earth gives fruits to man:

New strength waxes in the Etin's guest.

But the unwary visitor may oversleep."
--Runa, Ian Read

The mysteries of Ingwaz are that of nourishment and gestation. Ingwaz teaches us the transformative properties of the aspects of Withdrawal/Gestational Transformation/Return. It goes into the "hidden" realms to absorb and exchange the energies and essences that leads to total transformation. Ingwaz also shows us how the "incomplete" can be gestated into the realms of the preconscious, the unconscious, and the hyperconscious to be later brought forth in a burst of inspiration as a perfected thought or concept. Going "to the East" alone, far exceeds the theories needed to unravel this mystery within a mystery. Note that this "hidden" rune is also in the center of our bindrune.

For the rune, Wunjo, there is only one traditional rune poem, but again, I will give two "modern" poems for our analysis and consideration.

"(Joy) is had by the one who knows few troubles

pains and sorrows, and to him who himself has

power and blessedness, and a good enough house."
--Old English Rune Poem

"(Wyn) is happiness and wonder for those without woes;

it is blessedness and a boon

to all kinsmen and cin the clan-

but without wisdom wyn becomes woeful."
--New Rune Poem, Edred Thorsson

"Joy comes easy to the man without a care;

Power will hallow a happy home.

But the wolfshead starves without his clan."
--Runa, Ian Read

Wunjo teaches us joy, but also the more important element of harmony. It is the harmony of the inner and outer self, the self and the environment, and the objective and subjective. Wunjo harmonizes entities of common origin and sacred heritage and the power for all of those elements to recognize and help each other in an evolutionary process and purpose. It is definitely the rune which is the "law" of bindrune creation.

Laguz is threefold in our traditional rune poems. As with the protocol, one "modern" one will be added for speculation and introspection.

"(Water) is to people seemingly unending

if they should venture out on an unsteady ship

and the sea waves frighten them very much,

and the brine-stallion does not heed its bridle."
--Old English Rune Poem

"(Water) is which falls from the mountain;

as a force; but gold are costly things."
--Old Norwegian Rune Poem

"(Wetness) is churning water,

and a wide kettle,

and the land of fish."
--Old Icelandic Rune Poem

"(Lake) is the water of life and the law of ordeal

ruled by the lord and lady,

in love grows the leek-

but the waves unheeded will drown the wanderer."
--New Rune Poem, Edred Thorsson

Laguz is the primordial essences of life-potential that came from the depths of Niflheim that crystallized, gestated, and then was energized and activated by the fire and sparks of Musphelheim. Laguz encompasses the laws of orlög and how it brings about the wyrd of the cosmos, and everything in it. It is the mysteries of the states of death's journey. When a child was born, it was sprinkled with water, and when we die, it is said that we travel waters to our journey into death. Along with white clay, water was the element which the Norns use to keep the organic life of Yggdrasil.

Now we will look into the "hidden" runes relationships by the same mathematical formula we've been using. First, using the number of times the rune appears with the rune number itself. Ingwaz appears once. As we said before, one is the number of beginnings and root causes of solitary force to be willed into action. 1 multiplied by 22 (Ingwaz) give us a product of 22. When we take the sum of the product we come to (2 + 2 = 4) Ansuz. Since we have already analyzed this rune, we will merely keep what has already been thought of in mind. Instead one must ponder, and take into consideration, upon the more "hidden" aspects of the Ansuz rune. Also we must note that it continues to appear within multiple layers of the mysteries of this bindrune.

Next, is the rune Wunjo, which appears 4 times. 4 multiplied by 8 (Wunjo) give us a product of 32. When we take the sum of the product we come to (3 + 2 = 5) Raidho. An interesting continuation, indeed.

"(Riding) is in the hall to every warrior

easy, but very hard for one who sits up

on a powerful horse over miles of road."
--Old English Rune Poem

"(Riding), it is said, is the worst for horses;

Reginn forged the best sword."
--Old Norwegian Rune Poem

"(Riding) is a blessed sitting,

and a swift journey,

and toil of the horse."
--Old Icelandic Rune Poem

"(Riding) is right for warriors along the road to wisdom;

for those in the hall 'tis good rede,

it rolls as a rowel on a wain-

but for the horse it is rough and hard."
--New Rune Poem, Edred Thorsson

The mystery of the rune, Raidho, teaches us that it is the vehicle of our mental abilities and the horse (or our hamingja substance) that allows us to journey the nine worlds of becoming. It is often rough and hard on our "horse" (hamingja). But it is also the cosmic law of right. In Runelore (pg 118), it says, "Raidho rules mathematical proportion, interval, and logical reckoning of all kinds. It is the rune of cognition. This is the might by which tally-lore works-active harmonization of forces appropriate to a willed end." This is definitely a "good omen" of our bindrune being in lines with the cosmic flux of orlög, wyrd, and right law.

Next is the analyzing of Laguz in our formula. 10 multiplied by 21 (Laguz) give us a product of 210. When we take the sum of the product we come to (2 + 1 + 0 = 3) Thurisaz. Again, since we have already analyzed this rune, we will merely keep what has already been considered of Thurisaz, in mind. We will again, take into consideration, upon the more "hidden" aspects of the Thurisaz rune. And again we will note the multiple appearances in the layer laid down in this bindrune.

Again, we will quickly take a look into the runic dyads, or the futhark pattern of manifestation for the "hidden" runes. In accordance with theories of runic dyads, we find ourselves in the 10th, 5th, and 9th spheres. The 10th encompasses the sphere of Thurisaz and Ingwaz in the powers and essences of the breaker/container. The 5th is the sphere of the powers and essences of Wunjo and Tiwaz in the sphere of harmony/order. The 9th sphere, again, is the sphere of Ansuz and Laguz which encompass transformation/growth. The numerical significance of 9 has already been alluded to, so we'll take a quick look at the numbers 10 and 5. The number 10 is seldom ever encountered in Germanic/Nordic lore. But perhaps by looking at the number five, that ten is a multiple of, we can see what we may be able to deduce. The number five is a number only really found in Anglo-Saxon charms as a component of four, a number of stability, wholeness, and manifestation. So, five may be considered a number of active order and control of space and time. The Germanic week was five days long, originally. Perhaps we can derive the number ten's secrets by 5 multiplied by 2. Five is active order and control of space and time. The number 2 is the duality of the power of compliments. Hugin/Munin, Frey/Freyja, Geri/Freki, Arvakr/Alsvidhr, and Njord/Nerthus are all elements of mythic symbology of this. If we merely instill this concept within the paradigm of order and control, its mysteries may reveal themselves to the seeker.

Finally, from a runic mathematical perspective we will look into the "inner" runes in which all of the forefront and "hidden" runes manifested through their runic mathematical analyzing! We will be going into the deepest depths of the "inner" runes themselves within the bindrune. First we had the "inner" runes of the forefront runes of the bindrune. Ansuz and Othala yielded the mysteries of Thurisaz (3) and Kenaz (6). Then we had the "hidden" runes of Ingwaz, Wunjo, and Laguz manifest their "inner" runes revealed to be Ansuz (4), Raidho (5), and Thurisaz (3). So when we take the product of Thurisaz, Kenaz, Ansuz, Raidho, and Thurisaz; it is 1080. When we take the sum of the product we come to (1 + 0 + 8 + 0 = 9) Hagalaz. So, we have found, that the inner-most, hidden rune that lies within our Ansuz-Othala Bindrune Formula is the seed rune itself! Of course, we shall take a closer look.

Hagalaz has three traditional rune poems, and lastly, I will keep with including a "modern" poem for research purposes.

"(Hail) is the whitest of grains,

it comes from high in heaven

showers of wind hurl it,

then it turns to water."
--Old English Rune Poem

"(Hail) is the coldest of grains;

Hroptr shaped the world in ancient times."
--Old Norwegian Rune Poem

"(Hail) is a cold grain,

and a shower of sleet,

and the sickness of snakes."
--Old Icelandic Rune Poem

"Hail falls coldly from on high and wreaks much harm;

Hroptr joins the twain to quicken all.

But for one who knows, it calls the Ve."
--Runa, Ian Read

Hagalaz is the mother seed rune of all. It is the underlying framework of the worlds. Hagalaz is the most complete, perfect synthesis of the ultimate cosmic forces of fire and ice manifested into perfect unity of neutral, potential crystallized matter. It is the complete cycle of birth, death, and rebirth. It is the complete synthesis of Withdrawal, Transformation, and Return. All of the runes can be found within the solid structure of the hailstone. Not to forget to mention again the symbolism of the number value of nine in Germanic/Nordic Paradigm. Nine worlds, nine nights, nine valkyries, nine mothers of Heimdhal, and nine songs of power all manifest this holiest number of our traditions.

Another aspect to consider in our analysis of the Ansuz-Othala Bindrune Formula that I bring forth is the symbol contained within the bindrune. The triskelion, or trefot, is the dynamic power from the three realms of being (birth/development/destruction) and evolutionary law force of arising-being/becoming-passing-away/ to a new beginning. Magical inspiration is whirled from the triskelion throughout the nine world's cosmos. It encompasses the worlds of Ásgarð, Miðgarð, and Hel. The triskelion encompasses the knowledge of inner knowledge/outer knowledge/understanding. But, one of the most important aspects to deeply envision is that this bindrune shares the triskelion as with the center of vaulknot. The Triskelion effect is intended to occur to the true seeker. Through this bindrune, is the intention of gaining ancestrial wisdom, power, and being. I have found that working with this bindrune, along with the ALU formula, helps one to find the 24 steps of the configuration of the triskelion as it spins and whirls. Once we look at this using the Nine Ways of Knowing, the mysteries and understanding of processing all of this analysis together solidifies further. This only makes the opening of such a manifestation of the vaulknot itself, one of our prime mysteries, inevitable.

Lastly, the Ansuz-Othala Bindrune Formula utilizes one more formula. It is called The Command to Look. The elements of the Command to Look which are utilized are Impact (using Diagonal & Triangle), Subject Interest (using Wonder), and Participation (in the aspect that it is a formula to be used by the viewer.). The factor of the runes themselves holding such sharp angles, thus holding a visual impact on their shapes which would, in turn, make an impression on the psyche of the viewer. The traditions, magical aspects, and philosophical aspects of the runes increase the intensity and power of it.

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