[Vilturj] 15 - Sowelu

[moonvoice]

Sowelu (SO-wool-oo) - (also known as: SOL, sigil, saugil)

Value - S

Numeric Order - 15 or 16

Traditionally Represents - The Sun. A Half-Ray. Lightning.

Represents - Power. Will. Self-Confidence. Health. Vitality. Clarity. Hope. Optimism. Fire. Overcoming 'Cold.' Overcoming Hostility. Success. Greatness. Renewal. Lighting Up Illusion. Inner Light. Divine Beauty. Solar Personality. Karijiana.

'Karajiana lights the land with
her health and stands on the earth
bright, willful, vital.
The brilliant Queen.'

- Vilturj Rune Poem

This lightning-shaped rune is associated with light and the sun (hence the shortened name SOL). It represents the time in Winter where days start to lengthen and Spring storms are common. Positioned in an Aett, it tends to represent things beyond human control.

This rune is associated with the sun-goddess Sunna and Baldr (Baldur). In correspondence charts, it closely attaches itself to Leo and The Sun (tarot card). In Vilturj, this rune is connected primarily with the sun deity Karajiana, who is a warrior goddess, and a goddess of the earth and the skies, concerned with all aspects of wealth, abundance, prosperity and warmth.

In the Elder Futhark, this rune is at times characterised as a masculine or feminine rune depending on the loyalty of the person to the Norse pantheon. In Vilturj, this rune is primarily feminine, with a masculine undercurrent. Karijiana, our sun deity, comes to bring the growing Spring into anyone's life, and this rune does the same. However, when this energy connects with Hrum, the thunder god, lightning storms begin and we see other manifestations of light. So Hrum also comes into our life with this rune to bring dynamic change.

This is largely a positive rune, and represents good health, vitality and endurance. It is the light of understanding, clarity as well as energy, hope, optimism and confidence. It is a good rune for those with low self-esteem. It is the positive application of power and represents success.

It is also the flame that burns for a short time, and can often represent the dangers of narcissism and over-confidence. In fact to those over-confident it can represent a cruel destruction of such confidence, symbolised in Baldr's life being cut short. It can represent break down to those who overwork themselves, and burnout to those who abuse their creative powers. Sowelu in this sense can represent the cleansing, destructive effect of fire, just as a lightning strike can begin a devastating process.

Some people believe the reason that Hitler's reign was so effective for such a short time was because of the symbol, the Swastika, being two Sowelu runes bound together. Indeed, Hitler was personally interested in runes, and used symbols like Teiwaurz and other power symbols to represent different sections of his government. Before the Nazi perversion of the swastika, two Sowelu runes represented life, warmth and beauty.

Sowelu can represent our magical will, and successfully projecting it to form our world. It is for those who DO use spells and rituals on a regular basis, and believe in active mind power to change our quality of life. In a rune cast it can represent a time to shine, or to start trusting in your own abilities to create success.

Merk - Sowelu has no distinct reverse position, but if reversed tends to represent over-confidence, and the destructive aspects or cleansing aspects of fire. It can also represent opposition when reaching for a goal if in conjunction with other reversed runes.

In Ritual - Can be used for healing, strengthening of will, confidence and self esteem. It also magnifies the powers of other runes. It is quite universal, and can be signed over the body during tough times (exams, interviews etc.). It combines well with Isa, and represents Fire and Ice bonding.