#### [[Fehu]] --- # ᚠ - Fehu [[Fehu|ᚠ]] was *Mobile Wealth* - In the times of the old [[Norse]], wealth came in many forms. - Commonly thought to imply cattle - This could also imply worn hack silver arm rings. - The ability to carry your wealth and influence with you wherever you go - The common turn of phrase is *"Well you cant take it with you"* - But in the Heathen tradition that is precisely what you can do - You can bury a "hoard" of gold to take with you after death - this is why there are so many hoards and filled burial mounds found in Europe - One aspect of wealth is that if hoarded it invites envy and ruin - [[The Havamal]] frequently talks about the transience of wealth and gift giving - One may secure their fortune in the afterlife but musn't forgo the giving of gifts and the circulation of wealth and power amongst their peers ^4019b1 - The circulation of wealth and power means more than just economic transactions - Gift giving, freely mobile gifts, and gold can create obligation between leader and subject - This can come in the example of a Jarl gifting gold to their subjects after a successful raid - The warriors gain wealth and reputation for their efforts - That new wealth is circulated in the local economy and bolsters the economic well-being of the people - The giving of a gift is a reciprocal act. - Many social aspects of human nature are a dance. - By giving the gift and creating a social debt that the recipient now owes. - The recipient would perhaps now be less likely to challenge the leader, to break [[Frith|frið]], to not follow the Jarl into battle and raids. - Circulation of mobile wealth can also be thought of in the context of the food chain as a metaphor - Cattle consumes plants, water, and grains. - Cattle are then consumed and eaten and their bodies used (Skins, Bones, Tendons) - What's left returns to the Earth to nourish it for the next Cattle that consumes the grass - Without this constant circulation the food chain / cycle of life would cease and stagnate. There would be death. - Wealth is also the *"Bane of kinsmen"* - Where it can build bonds of [[Frith|frið]] and fellowship - In matters of family such as the division of estate of a passed family member - Everyone could be content with an equal share - But it only takes one person to cause strife by being greedy and wanting more than their share - Even if that share is more than what they had yesterday and everyone is benefiting equally - Skogarmaor *"Forest Men"* - Combining elements form the Old Norwegian and Anglo-Saxon rune poems - **The wolf lives in the forest** - **Wealth is a comfort to all; yet must everyone bestow it freely,** - I Interpret this as, wealth should be bestowed freely lest you breed enemies - If there are those who are ostracized then this can breed contempt and resentment - If shunned by society, man becomes a beast. **The wolf will live in the forest.** - Wolves are pack animals who will hunt and kill together to take down larger prey - The Jarl and their people might be the next big game to hunt --- | Type | Rune Poem: | English Translation: | |:--------------- |:---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |:--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | `Old Norwegian` | *ᚠ Fé vældr frænda róge;<br> føðesk ulfr í skóge.* | **Wealth is a source of discord amongst kin;<br> the wolf lives in the forest.** | | `Old Icelandic` | *ᚠ Fé er frænda róg <br>ok flæðar viti <br>ok grafseiðs gata <br>aurum fylkir.* | **Wealth is a source of discord amongst kin <br>and fire of the sea <br>and path of the serpent.** | | `Anglo-Saxon` | *ᚠ Feoh byþ frofur fira gehƿylcum; <br>sceal ðeah manna gehƿylc miclun hyt dælan <br>gif he ƿile for drihtne domes hleotan.* | **Wealth is a comfort to all; <br>yet must everyone bestow it freely, <br>if they wish to gain honour in the sight of the Lord.** | --- - Tags: - [[Norse]] - [[Nordic]] - [[Galdr]] - [[Magic]] - [[Viking Age]] - Reference: - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fehu - Related: - [[Money Is Concentrated Time and Energy]] - [[The best way to incentivize the investment of time is with an equal exchange of value]] - [[Vote with your dollar]]