The ALU Galstar

By: Steve Anthonijsz

 

 

Of all the runic formulas, the ALU galstar is probably the best known. Siegfried Adolf Kummer tells us, “ALU or ULA effects a defence, banning the enemy.” Edred Thorsson associates this galstar with “ecstatic psychic force,” and further theorizes that, “Alu comes from an ancient Indo-European concept of ecstatic power and the magic performed by means of that power.” But what is the true esoteric significance of this galstar?

 

There are a variety of ways one must consider a runic galstar in order to understand the full significance of the mysteries hidden therein.

 

Meanings Symbolized by the Staves

 

The first, and most obvious consideration is the meanings of the staves represented in the formula. In this case:

 

Ar is associated with Primal Fire, Well-being, and Protection (from woe-working entities). It is the rune of the Healer/Physician, as it is used to rejuvenate/strengthen magan.

 

“I know a tenth. If I see ghost-riders

sporting in the sky, I can work it

that the wild ones fare away

so their spirits fare home”

                   ~~Wuotan’s Rune Song (Hávamál 155)

 

Ar represents the confusion of destructive agents through the overloading of the magical stream in a willed direction.

 

Laf is the rune of both Water (both symbolic and actual) and Primal Law. It represents Life and Love. Laf is used to strengthen the atum (“vital breath”).

 

“I know a fifteenth, which Þioðrœrir the dwarf

sang before Delling’s door.

He sang might to the Æsir, power to the álfar,

And understanding to Óðinn.”

                 ~~Wuotan’s Rune Song (Hávamál 160)

 

Laf is used for sending power to the other worlds through an increase in vital power.

 

Ur represents Eternity, Consistency, Luck, and Primacy. It symbolizes an original state of being, the work of the wurtâ, and the cycle of regeneration. Like ar, ur is a healing rune, although it heals with a very different sort of energy—that which provides “godlike appearance” as manifested in the lichamo.

 

“I know another that is needed by the sons of men,

who want to be leeches.”

                         ~~Wuotan’s Rune Song (Hávamál 147)

 

Ur is used for the removal of disease and healing

 

Rune Tally

 

With a total rune-count of 3, the realm of working is represented by thorn. The number 3 is a well represented in the mythic lore. Consider the 3 races of gods (Ensi, Wanen & Alpâ), the scion of the 3 sons of Paru: Wuotan, Willo, & Wîh; the 3 “wells” of the underworld: Huergelmer, Mîmesbrunno, & Urdabrunno; the 3 wurtâ; and the 3 containers of poetic mead. All of these triads represent enforced and dramatic changes in the myths. Thorn is the rune of direct and focused force, and, in this case, force directed toward forced change.

A rune count of 3 multiplied by a tally key of 3 equals 9. 9 represents the way the ALU galstar functions. 9 is the holiest of all numbers, and the root of psycho-cosmic powers. 9 lends its might to any purpose. In this case 9 is the energy of defence. As 9 represents eternal life/death, it is an appropriate number in a working of healing or defence (of life/health). It is a number of transformative mysteries and is especially tied to the mysteries in the lore; cf. the 9 worlds; or Wuotan hanging for 9 nights on the Irminsûl and returning with 9 mighty songs. The ninth rune is is, symbolizing the Will, Activity, and personal power, and is frequently used for banishing.

 

Rune Totals

The total numerical value representing our aim of working for this galstar is 26 [(ar=10) + (laf=14) + (ur=2) =26]. 26 must be reduced to 8, represented by nod, the need-rune. The use of this is obvious. Multiplied by its tally key of 8, our multiple key comes to 208 > 10. The meaning of this rune 10 (ar) is described above, but in this case ar reflects the method of reaching our goal. The fiery, energetic force of ar overcomes the ill through change (also described above), just as an earthly fire may transform wood into ash and smoke. Our ancestors knew the force used in this process as magan. It is the energy both of inspiration and of fury, and might be compared to our modern concept of “passion.” As any force may be used for a variety of applications, this force—which is often considered to be sexual in nature, may be transformed--as in the ALU galstar--into one of banishing.

 

The Ancient System

As many Irminists today are more comfortable using ancient runes rather than moderns one, it may be interesting to compare the above to an interpretation of an ancient row. Considering that the ALU galstar is an ancient galstar, this provides another reason why such an investigation may prove to be helpful.

 

In the Gothic Fuþark the staves would appear as aza + laaz + uraz. Sadly, though, the lore associated with this row has been lost in time.

 

In the Standard Nordic Fuþork the galstar would appear as ar + lago + ur. The staves in the galstar may be interpreted thus:

Ar represents a Sovereign Force. It further represents Plenty, generally symbolized as a good harvest. Lago symbolizes Water, Life Energy, Cleanliness/Health, as well as  Organic Development. And ur embodies a Fertilizing Distillation and raw, primal energy.

 

Although our rune tally will appear the same as above, the ancients used rather different numerical attributions with regard to the staves. Both the thuris and tîu staves would answer to 3. Thuris is generally used as a breaker of resistance—which obviously may be turned around when in defensive mode. Tîu represents a manifestation or the maintenance of Order.

 

Our rune total using the ancient system would come to 21 [(ar= 1) + (lago= 6) + (ur= 2) = 9]. 9 is the Is rune in the ancient system. It makes perfect sense that the ancients would symbolize Protection through a rune such as is—more likely than people of today who live in a much different cultural climate. The ancient conception of is was one that would collect everything into itself and hold it in stillness—a solidifying factor in all things. Unlike today’s world, in which Stagnation is generally detrimental, in a more agricultural society this state might be viewed more as Stability. And sudden or dramatic change would have been one that overturned the established order and would have proven dangerous if not disastrous.

 

Conclusions

 

The ALU galstar is a most powerful runic galstar for defence against the attack by enemies—either human or by an illness-- through the use of magan. Because of the energies of ar, the thorn rune is focusing laf and ur, this “warding of enemies” can easily be focussed on the causes of un-wholeness. While the means of achieving such a state today might be very different from the way it was done centuries ago, the results are very similar.

 

To derive its healing/warding qualities, the ALU galstar invokes magan from a variety of sources in very specific conditions. It is not simply a means of drawing a large quantity of this force (although it accomplishes this very thing), but more importantly, attracts it under very specific conditions. These energies are the very gifts that Wuotan, Willo and Wîh gave to the first people, namely, life itself; or at least life as human beings know it.

It is wise to note that the sources of these particular runic energies are of a primal nature. Thus they are very powerful and difficult to control. Some runic energies may prove easier to control than others, but these are not of such a nature. The galstar itself acts as a control mechanism. This is not, of course, to say that the galstar does the work for the erulian, but that it provides him a means of increased containment.

 

 

Numerical attributions of the Armanen Futharkh

 

Numerical attributions of the Standard Nordic (Younger) Fuþork

 

 

 

Return to Cosmology folder

Return to Irminenschaft homepage