Learn the Viking Runes: Isa
Isa is the Viking rune for ice, a substance that was a very large part of the Vikingโs world. Symbolic of winterโs cold beauty, Isa represents stability and purification.ย
Understanding Isa: References in the Historical Literature
Ice dominated the Vikingโs landscape for much of the year. Not surprisingly, there are many references to Isa in all three rune poems. These poems speak both of iceโs beauty and its many dangers.
In the Old Norwegian Rune Poem, we read:
Ice is called the broad bridge;
the blind man must be led.
In the Old Icelandic Rune Poem, we read:
Ice is bark of rivers
and roof of the wave
and destruction of the doomed.
In the Anglo-Saxon Rune Poem, we read:
Ice is very cold and immeasurably slippery;
it glistens as clear as glass and most like to gems;
it is a floor wrought by the frost, fair to look upon.
What Does It Mean When Isa Appears in a Rune Reading?
By addressing the harsh nature of life, Isa encourages us to build our strength, stability, and endurance. Isa reminds us of iceโs many dangerous qualities. Ice is treacherous, causing the unwary to fall – or worse, break through to the watery depths below. Isaโs appearance in a rune reading can mean you need to pay attention to avoid potential hazards.ย
Ice is also frozen. Isaโs influence can help you exert control over a situation thatโs getting out of hand, and it can also help calm excessive emotions. Isaโs appearance can also be a warning that youโre getting too frozen in your mindset or attitude. Itโs not good to be set in your ways. Remember that even ice moves eventually. Glaciers, which are composed of hundreds of thousands of tons of ice, move slowly indeed – but when they do, they shape the face of the world.