Odin’s Discovery of the Runes

Odin, chief of the Aesir gods, stood atop a branch of Yggdrasil, the tree that supports the nine realms of existence. He stared down into the Well of Urd from which the tree grew.

Within this pool were the Norns, the three guides of fate, and Odin sought the ability to change the future by carving a rune onto Yggdrasil. Control over creation lay in understanding those shapes, and Odin knew of just one way to learn them.

He drew his spear; he had told his fellow gods not to doubt he was worthy. He flipped himself over the branch and stabbed his spear into his side.

Pain was nothing in the grand pursuit of knowledge; Odin had already given up an eye for understanding. He hung for nine days, searching.

On the ninth night, as the torture crescendoed, his body, muscles burning, delirious from loss of blood, he saw shapes with tangible power. He shouted, releasing his spear and ending his torment. He had seen the runes!

Odin left Yggdrasil, returning to Asgard as the most powerful creature in all of creation.

Knowledge and power is rewarded only to the dedicated.

Orpheus and Eurydice

Orpheus wasn’t supposed to have seen hell yet. The exit to Hades’ palace was in front of him, his wife’s shadow beside him. He held under his arm the lyre he had just played to petition Hades for his wife’s life. He silently thanked Apollo for giving him the instrument before stepping out of the doors.

The conditions for leaving Eurydice were simple: walk out of the underworld without looking back at his wife. Upon seeing the sun, her life would be returned to her.

Orpheus mulled over the challenge, comforting in the sound of his treasured wife’s footsteps. He was excitedly waiting to exchange words with Eurydice once again. They continued traveling, protected by Hades, until the end was in sight. Orpheus walked through the border between Elysium and the surface.

Suddenly, Eurydice’s footsteps ceased.

Fear shot through Orpheus’ heart. He was so close. He kept his eyes forward, waiting. Her footsteps never returned. Maybe she had already crossed; maybe she was hurt, stuck, unable to leave the underworld. The thoughts chewed up his mind.

He turned around.

Orpheus saw Eurydice leave his life, one step away from escape, consumed in shadow, and dragged back to the Underworld.

Not trusting in those you love can have dire consequences.