Vegvisir - a runic protective compass

 Vegvisir - a runic protective compass

A symbol we know little about - the Vegvisir talisman is shrouded in mystery, which makes us even more eager to use it - on paper, in talisman form or tattooed on the body. From the sources, all we know is that it existed and that it was a runic compass for those who were returning home. Will the contemporary Vegvisir help in finding the spiritual path home? Does having a runic symbol in any way affect one's perception of life's purpose? Does it strengthen the connection to the soul?

Vegvisir (pronounced: Vegg-vee-seer) is a signpost symbol. Vegvisir is said to be "that which shows the way." It was supposed to help one reach his destination despite unfavorable weather phenomena. In addition to the symbolism of the runic compass, it also had a deep spiritual meaning. It is a symbol that comes from the Icelandic 19th-century manuscript Huld on folk traditions. This talisman, was mentioned there with just one sentence: "he who has the Vegvisir symbol with him will not get lost despite a storm or bad weather, even if he does not know the way." The symbol is associated with the Vikings, but it has not been proven that it was recognized by them. The fact that information about Vegvisir is found in the Huld manuscript is no guarantee that the pre-Christian people and Germanic peoples knew anything about it.
Another source where we can find information about it is the spell book Galdrabok, which contains randomly compiled spells, as well as knowledge about Germanic gods and cosmology.
We should carry the talisman with us when we need protection and guidance. In Icelandic it means: wayfinder and destination point. Similar to the Huld manuscript, in the book of spells, the Vegvisir symbol allows you to find your way home and not get lost, despite adverse weather conditions. According to the information in the book of spells, the symbol was drawn on the forehead with blood.
We can understand the talisman in two ways - as an actual tool for navigation, a so-called compass, and as a symbol that, through runic support, surrounds us with protection and shows us the way on an energetic level.
If we look at Vegvisir as a compass, the runic staves symbolize the primary directions: north, south, east and west, as well as the intermediate directions: northwest, northeast, southwest and southeast. Theoretically, the nail that sits in the center of the compass indicates directions by casting a shadow according to certain times of day, which was supposed to help navigate sea travel. This allowed its user to accurately estimate the time, as well as the distance from the equator and the direction of the course.

Legends say that this symbol was drawn on ships to help sailors safely return straight home. In addition to being part of Icelandic culture, it has spiritual significance - those who need spiritual guidance and to reach their life goal should stock up on this talisman.
This unique symbol has become an egregore - it is mysterious and can actually mean something different to everyone. Vegvisir was an ancient Icelandic stave with magical properties and was a folk symbol. It is a visual spell of protection against losing one's way and metaphorically - against getting lost in life. It signifies holding the right course on a spiritual journey and finding your way by going through the sine wave of life: the ups and downs or twists and turns that accompany us every day.
Each arm of the compass repels a different kind of danger: starting with betrayal, through theft and ending with accidents. In the center of the talisman you can inscribe a goal - what you are striving for, so that the compass can guide you through all the hits of life. Holding the symbol in your hands, in full concentration, you can get clear guidance on the direction you should take. Vegvisir should be signed by the owner, so that the spell serves only him and under such conditions as he has set - the signature will be a seal.
Vegvisir is a symbol of care. It gives a sense of security to anyone who wears it. It calms, especially when the person holding the symbol loses his sense of space and gets physically lost. It brightens the mind and allows one to think logically. The conglomeration of runes strengthens faith and trust, and avoids panic in situations that at first glance seem to be without a way out.