Vegvisir - Viking Compass and Kristi Kors: A Tale of Rescue.
Vegvisir - Viking Compass and Kristi Kors: A Tale of Rescue.

Author: William Van Zyl

Publisher: Five House Publishing

Published: 2023-10-29

Total Pages: 10

ISBN-13:

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Have you ever found yourself in a life-or-death situation? Have you stood at a crossroads in your life, unsure of which path to take? Do you battle with despondency and mental health challenges? Has a grim health diagnosis left you reeling? Perhaps you've had to make a significant sacrifice? The Vikings possessed a remarkable symbol known as the Runic Cross, a variation of the Vegvisir, resembling a compass. This emblem served as a source of guidance and protection, intricately etched onto stones or rings, transforming it into a potent talisman. The Vegvisir, also called the runic compass or the Viking compass/Nordic compass, incorporated eight Viking rune staves, symbolising both protection and guidance. Vikings are believed to have relied on this unique symbol as a compass during their journeys. In Iceland, "vegvisir" translates to 'Wayfinder' and 'Signpost.' Also, I'd like to touch upon the Viking Sunstone, a practical navigation tool that indicated the sun's location when it was obscured from view, offering invaluable assistance to seafarers. My fascination with all things Viking leads me to draw intriguing comparisons between the Vegvisir and the Cross, adding an element of fun to the exploration.

Navigating Stormy Seas: The Runic Compass (Vegvisir) as a Guiding Light.
Navigating Stormy Seas: The Runic Compass (Vegvisir) as a Guiding Light.

Author: William Van Zyl

Publisher: Five House Publishing

Published: 2023-11-04

Total Pages: 10

ISBN-13:

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‘Call me Agnarok’. Let me tell you about that fateful day in the Winter of 1016. A primal tempest, a symphony of chaos, bellowed its fury upon the Viking longship, an ageing behemoth defiantly marked by the snarling dragon carved upon its bow. In their unrestrained wrath, the heavens flung bolts of lightning that violently shattered the abyss beneath, revealing a sea possessed by a maddened tumult. The ocean was fuming; its mouth frothing. Thunder rolls, lightning strikes, and the hammer flies across the sky. Somewhere on the violently unsteady ship, a Viking called to Thor.................... I have included the dramatic introduction to set the scene of a Viking ship in a tumultuous storm. The Viking seafarers were desperate to survive the elements. Did you recognise the similarity to the opening line of Herman Melville’s famous novel Moby Dick? ‘Call me Ishmael.’ (Moby Dick) The context of this article is the World of Vikings and navigation in life. Let’s look at the vegvisir in more detail. A true story: A work colleague of mine - who became a good friend over 2 years ago - was farewelled the other day (2023). He had recently tattooed a Norse name around his left forearm. Yes, you have guessed it: the Norse had an alphabet. This friend, let me call him Agnarok, has a passion for all things Viking and Norse. I made him a farewell card with a drawing of Runic Compass on the front and a couple of special words on the inside. Here are some of the words from the card. In Norwegian: Vi ønsker deg alt godt for fremtiden. *(godt = well) In English: We wish you all the very best for the future. This short eBook looks at the Viking's Runic compass - called a vegvisir - and navigation.