The Twentythird Rune

The land of the ancesters
holds the hearth of this home
and the heart of this life

Names - OTHALA - ancestral property, OTHAL - property, ETHEL - homeland property, ODAL - nature or inborn quality

Pronunciations - "othahlah" "othahl" "eh thel" "odahl"

Phonetic Value - "O"

Symbolism - The Ancestral Home

Keywords - Heredity


The symbolism of Othala can be found in the way this pictogram is said to depict a roofed dwelling and as such, is an expression of heredity and inherited wealth, property, or land.

It may be significant to note that the "roof" pictured in Othala rests upon the rune of Gyfu, which is the rune of an exchange of gifts betwen people. This perfectly conveys the message of Othala as something built upon mutual exchange and satisfaction. This is, of course, the foundation for all happy homes.

Phonetically this is another of the runes with almost no remaining root meaning preserved through centuries of language evolution in present day words. Perhaps the similarity in sounds betwen "Odal" and "hotel" may serve as a reminder of the essential meaning of this rune as a roof over ones' head, but certainly this comparison falls short of conveying the fuller meanings of heritage and inheritance essential to the understanding of this rune.

Othala is the rune of the sacred enclosure, the homeland, the village, the homestead.

It is the family group, its' customs, lands, and language as well as the duties and responsiblities that go along with maintaining family ties.

Othala is the "inherited" wealth that comes from ones' ancestors and their customs and way of life as well as any property or physical attributes that are passed down from one generation to the next.

Othala represents the wise management of family assets or the loyalty to ones' family or kin.

This rune also represents leadership in clan or family matters and may refer to an elder or patriarch/matriarch such as a grandparent, or in business matters, a founding father of the company.

Magically, Othala can be used to invoke a solid and peaceful family or group life, or to generate continued growth and prosperity. It can also provide a link to ancestral wisdom through inherited natural skills and abilities.

This rune may be worked to protect, increase, or establish an inheritence or heritage intended for future generations. With this intent many magical efforts may come under the purview of Othala including teaching, mentoring, or other methods of passing along accumulated wisdom, knowledge, and tradition.

In Divination it will reflect those things having to do with family inheritances or traditions and can represent any of the following forces.

OTHALA UPRIGHT:Heritage, inheritance, a house, a home, birthland or homeland, spiritual heritage, experience and fundamental values, spiritual and physical journeys, safety, increase and abundance.

OTHALA MERKSTAVE: Disinheritance, lack of customary order, moral decay, banishment, totalitarianism, slavery, poverty, homelessness, prejudice, clannishness, provincialism.


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