Tonight, I light a candle, and say farewell to Levanah, my faithful dog, friend, partner, hunting buddy and, well, as close to a familiar as I shall ever have.
First of all, I say thank you for saving my life, for backing me up in tough situations, for always being there when I needed you. thank you for your companionship this last thirteen years. Thank you for your loyalty. I hope that during this lifetime I have done the same for you.

May the Lady welcome you, may your spirit soar, may your soul find the Real World, and may you wake up happy from your dog-dream.

I pray for this tonight, my old friend. Through many tears, I also smile, remembering the good old days.

Through my tears, I laugh, knowing that you are freed from the aches of old age.

Though I am crying now, I am also laughing, for I know that where you are right now,

you hunt rabbits again.

I recently had myself a run in with the law. The new firearm legislation came crashing down my door at a time when I was unemployed, a soon father-to-be, and generally out of luck.

Now, years later, I was being summonsed to appear in court for my late re-application for my firearms. For quite a lot of people, something like this would be no big deal. For me, however, it was, and still is. In order to understand this, I have to share a bit about my background.

I grew up in a family of law enforcers, lawyers, attorneys, magistrates and prosecutors. I am more the exception than the rule of following a career outside of the law. I remember at the age of six, when I questioned my father on a certain issue he enforced in the house, he did not give me the answer"because I said so". He pulled out a book as big as my head, opened it and told me to read."The law says so"' was his answer. That was ALWAYS his answer, for despite being a farmer, he had a Doctorate in law.

Needless to say, I was brought up with a healthy respect of the law, and to be a definite law abiding citizen. Thus great was the shame I felt at having to appear in court. It is difficult to describe just how ashamed I was. Despite the usual worries about the outcome, it was the shame of it that was eating away at my intestines.

Now, to make a long story short,(no names, no pack drill,as they used to say) I had the opportunity to "persuade" the prosecutor financially. This opportunity made itself available through an old acquaintance of mine. I did not ask for it, the opportunity just presented itself. Believe me, I was sorely tempted.

However, the one thing that stopped me from opting the easy way out, is the Virtue of Honesty. My argument was a simple one:"Who would know?" The answer easy, and devastating: "ME". That was all the answer I needed, and I went to court.
I shall make the long story even shorter, for I feel like I am raving. After long procrastination, lots of money and a lot of sessions in court, I walked out free of charge.

The question is this: what have I gained through this whole ordeal, except for spending a lot of money, and putting myself in the red big-time?

I shall tell you: Honor. Out of this whole humiliating, shameful business, falling back to the Nine Noble Virtues my Gods gave me to live by, I managed to walk out of that court room with my honor intact. Thinking of this humbles me immensely, for to my way of thinking, there is no price tag on a man's honor.

Hail the Gods of old for their infinite wisdom,
Til ars ok frithar,
Humbly in Ostara's light.

H.W.

From the darkest depths of Ginnungagap, back in the beginning of the world,from the myth of all Nordic myths,right at the beginning, we are given the answer to a great, great secret: What do we need to cause change to occur?
At Ginnungagap, the universe provided for the Prima Materia in the form of Ymir, the primate giant. It was the three Gods, Odin,Vili and Ve who created from Ymir's body the worlds as we know it. Herein lies the basis of magic for the Vitki.

It took three Gods to create, and it required all three their respective talents. From Odin came inspiration, From Vili, came Will, and from Ve came Sacredness...three qualities to ensure the success of creation.

When we step forth to cast a spell, to carve the runes, or even cook a meal, we must always remember that we are repeating the original process of the Tripartite Gods, the fusion of inspiration, willpower and sacredness onto the very fabric of the universe.

However, let us first look deeper into the concept of sacredness. The ancient Germanic concept of sacredness, was one of separateness. The Proto Germanic word Heillaz, from which the Norse got their word Heill,or Holy, means completeness. This was to be of one Hugr, Hamr, and Hamingja.(Mind body and spirit). In this holy state, one of body, mind and spirit, separate yourself from the natural world, like casting a circle within, and experience the sacredness of Ve!

From Odin came inspiration. Not the kind of inspiration of the Muse, singing softly and lingeringly in your ear, but the inspiration of wild ecstasy. It is the furious,exiting inspiration of Odin, which hits you like a caffeine rush. It is the inspiration that forces you to commit two hundred percent to what you are doing, the ultimate creative energy.

And then, thirdly that old favorite of all wicca 101 handbooks...Willpower. From Vili(Wiljon,in Proto-Germanic)we see the necessity of employing willpower. Pure, undiluted will.

These three qualities are essential in performing Rune magic...or any form of creation, for that matter.

So whatever you do, be it casting a spell, carving the runes, or doing your laundry.Incorporate will,inspiration and sacredness into your task, re-enact the Tripartite Gods of Old, and see the success of your accomplishments. Revel in them, and never take for granted the wisdom of the Gods, who saw fit to give us this great secret, right back in the beginning of time.

Ars ok Frithar,
Ever in Ostara's light

Son of Wotan

In darken night of rain and sleet
hail the call of wolven-kin
as of long before to meet-
once more

They still remember
they still long
they still call out on the nightwind song
to the fearsome Allfather of old

Wolfbrother, son of Wotan
I hear your woe
every night when you call to Him
I share your sadness
in the shadows of my soul
H.W.