In this blog, we explain what the Web of Wyrd is, its origins, meaning, and the indispensable role of fate within the cosmic order.
Norns, Fates, and Destiny
The Norns, the fate goddesses of Norse mythology, determine the fate of both humans and gods. They are associated with the well of the World Tree Yggdrasil and possibly symbolize the past (Urðr), the present (Verðandi), and the future (Skuld). Their task is to spin the threads of life and weave the "web of fate," which influences both individual and collective destinies. Similar ideas appear in other mythological traditions, such as the Greek Moirai and the Roman Parcae, who also control fate by spinning, measuring, and cutting life threads.
The Norns are part of a broader group of female deities, including the dísir, Valkyries, and Matronae. These beings are associated with fate, protection, and fertility. In Germanic and Celtic traditions, they often function as protective spirits and symbols of cosmic balance. Rituals like the dísablót emphasize their significant role within the community.
Fate Goddesses and Cosmic Order
The Norns and similar fate goddesses in other traditions safeguard the cosmic order, a universal principle that maintains natural balance in the universe. In Indo-European traditions, this concept is expressed as Rta (in Vedic tradition) or Kosmos (in Greek philosophy), where all elements work in harmony. Ignoring this order leads to chaos (adharma), while following the right path (dharma) ensures harmony and well-being.
The fate goddesses embody this principle by ensuring that every being fulfills its destiny and the natural balance is preserved. Their mythological role reflects a deeply rooted belief in the inevitability and justice of fate.
What is Wyrd?
Wyrd is an early medieval Anglo-Saxon concept comparable to the European pagan view of fate. The Old Norse equivalent of wyrd is urðr, which has the same meaning but is also personified as a goddess: Urðr (often anglicized as Urd), one of the Norns in Norse mythology. The term also appears in the name of the well where the Norns convene, the Urðarbrunnr (Well of Urðr).
Web of Wyrd
The Web of Wyrd is a modern pagan symbol representing the web of fate. In life, it is often challenging to discern one’s destiny, and the path followed is not always clear. The threads of fate are like an interconnected web, linking everything together.
Variants
The Web of Wyrd appears in two primary forms. The first form (A) resembles a structure of threads or branches, while the second form (B) is a geometric representation of the first. Both variants consist of three sets of three lines, emphasizing the number nine. The numbers three and nine play an important role in historical Indo-European religious traditions.
The Web of Wyrd was first depicted in Jan Fries' book Helrunar: A Manual of Rune Magick (1993) without explanation. The symbol reappeared in Stav: The Fighting System of Northern Europe (1995) by Graham D. Butcher, who referred to it as "the web" and linked it to the fundamental structure of reality and the runes. The symbol also became part of the martial art Stav, developed by Ivar Hafskjold in the 1990s, although this art has no historical Old Norse basis.
The term "Web of Wyrd" seems inspired by Brian Bates’ novel The Web of Wyrd (1983) and modern reinterpretations of Germanic themes. A potential link is the Old English Nine Herbs Charm, where "nine glory-twigs" (wuldortanas) play a role. Whether Fries consciously made this association is unclear, but the symbol reflects modern adaptations of Germanic traditions.
Conclusion
It appears that the concept of the wuldortanas and other references to "weaving fate" contributed to the creation, dissemination, and popularity of the symbol. Although its precise development remains unclear, the symbol has become associated with the threads of the fate goddesses over time. Today, the symbol holds significant importance in modern European pagan traditions.
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