Hagalaz translates to "hail stone," and connects to themes of disruption, bad weather, unexpected change, unpleasant (but ultimately positive) transformation, and the discomfort that accompanies growth and becoming. The hail falls, cold and harsh and even damaging at times, but when it melts the water nourishes the earth and encourages new seeds to grow. In its alternate form, Hagalaz appears a bit like a snowflake (as depicted in the card illustration shown below), and is said to contain the seeds of all other runes.
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| Power of the Runes deck by Voenix (US Games Systems) |
Hail is the whitest of grains,
it comes from high in heaven,
showers of wind hurl it,
then it turns to water.
An Old Icelandic rune poem* reads:
Hail is a cold grain,
and a shower of sleet,
and the destroyer of snakes.
Questions:
1) What other meanings do you attribute to Hagalaz?
2) How do you utilize this rune in your practice?
3) If Hagalaz has presented itself in your rune work or castings, how have you seen its energy manifested, or experienced its impact?
*translation from Runecaster's Handbook by Edred Thorsson
