Havamal and the Nine Noble Virtues

Much is made of the “Nine Noble Virtues” within Heathenry today. They are obviously fit for purpose and represent worthy principles to guide us in our daily living. Sadly, there are some who will look no further when looking for guidance to daily living, thereby missing out on a greater source of wisdom that can be found in the Havamal and other sources.

What is the Havamal?

The Havamal has been handed down to us from an old Icelandic text known as the “Codex Regius” which is believed to have been committed to the writen word in approximately 1270ce. Havamal translates from the Old Icelandic as "Words of the High One". It is an epic poem made up of a number of stanzas that relate to conduct. Generally guidelines for life and living. Also, within its pages will be found some of the exploits of Odinn.

The title homes it to Odinn, and it is regarded to be a recounting of his advice and guidance to mankind for honourably living, and it is certainly worthy of study and scrutiny today. also within its pages will be found retellings of some of the deeds and acts of the Allfather. As with many tomes that are committed to writing such a very long time ago there are parts that will appear “of their time”, and possibly dated by our standards today. Yet there is plenty that will stand up and would ring true and sound in todays’ society.

When drawing up the Nine Noble Virtues, the Havamal was one of the source works that was drawn upon by John Yeowell and John Gibbs-Bailey. They were initially presented at either the Asatru Free Assembly or Odinic Rite in America in approximately 1974ce. Soon they spread across Heathen communities around the world and were adopted by many as a definitive set of ideals and guide to life and living. Perhaps this can be considered a good thing that there was a code available that could be seen as uniting all of the diverse factions of Heathenry, but I believe that this was at a cost. Some never looked beyond for guidance and insight, resulting in many Heathens today who have never heard of the Havamal. Many have never studied its pages and discussed or pondered upon its content, and to me this is very sad.

The Havamal is most certainly worthy of study and discussion, don't be put off by the number of translations from the original tongue that are to be found. this alone can inspire your experience as if you are up for the challenge you can spend time comparing translations. Or if you just want to "cut to the chase" just spend some time finding a translation that resonates with you and spend time exclusivley going through it and pondering its words.

Within Wuffacynn we have in the past spent many a session comparing translations and pondering and discussing its stanzas and words. Looking for pertinence, if it is to be found within our lives today. I promise you if you do spend time studying the Havamal you will be surprised how much of it still does have meaning as wise advice, that we can all aspire to.

Nine Noble Virtues

Courage
Truth
Honour
Fidelity
Discipline
Hospitality
Self-reliance
Industriousness
Perseverance

A number of different sources will provide slight variants on the above but they will be in sympathy with their respective meanings. Whatever you do or choose to follow it is never a bad thing to follow honourable values in the life you live. It is also worthy to study and question those values, whether you chose the greater work of the Havamal or are drawn to the simpler structure of the Nine Noble Virtues, familiarise yourself with them and know them, and most importantly understand what they mean to you and why they are integral to your being.