Ægishjálmur: How to Create Your Own Helm of Awe
The Helm of Awe, also translated Helm of Terror, is one of the more well known symbols in Norse and Icelandic Magick. It’s origins can be traced to Fafnismal, the story of the slaying of Fafnir, the dragon, by the hero Sigurðr. Sigurðr speaks with Fafnir as he’s dying, and refers to his helmet of terror that has allowed him to protect his treasure by driving fear into all those that beheld it.
Fafnir’s helmet can be seen as a metaphor for magickal workings of protection, as well as for driving fear into one’s enemies, for which the Ægishjálmur is commonly used. The helm was drawn on the forehead, between the eyes of its caster, and as such, it had been connected with the Hugauga, or third eye.
The most common design (pictured above) is a masterful composition of the runes Hagal, Algiz, (one could also argue Is) and Thurisaz (the three lines on each arm before the terminal Algiz represent Thurisaz, the 3rd rune of the first aett). All of these runes are powerful forces on their own, but when combined, form a formidable talisman of strength and protection for the caster, and of ultimate destruction for his/her enemies, be they literal or figurative.
But the power of the Helm of Awe is not limited to this, nor is its design limited to the one shown above. Simpler and more complex designs exist, and different runes/symbols can be incorporated into the helm depending on the Caster’s intent. There are many different ways to do this, and like most things, once you understand the basic concepts, strategies, and give it some practice, the operation will begin to seem very intuitive.
But the Ægishjálmur may also be used for purposes of self-transformation, gaining power or control over a situation, getting a promotion at work, driving new initiatives in your life, whatever your desired intention, the helm will aid you in becoming an unstoppable force of power. That is, if you imbue it with the right purpose at least. But how does one do this?
There are four main elements to the Ægishjálmur: the arms, the objective sphere, the subjective sphere, and the center sphere. For simplicity’s sake, these main elements can be thought of as follows:
1. The arms-
The caster should imagine the arms as a three dimensional shape, as if existing within a sphere as opposed to inside of a flat circle. They should be thought of as currents, emanating from the core of your being (Miðgarðr) and flowing out to the terminals branches of each arm. The number of arms may be imagined to represent the following:
4 arms- represent the four cardinal points of the mundane universe
6 arms- represent the four cardinal points and the vertical column of Yggdrasil
8 arms- represent all 8 divisions of the sky and earth (example shown below)
In this way the helm is cast across all the nine realms, and the will of the caster is impressed upon the entire multiverse.
2. The objective sphere -
This represents the world, the environment, or even the Multiverse (depending on what you’re casting the helm for). This is the world that the terminus of each arm will touch, and therefore, the caster should choose symbols that will exert the intended force on his/her environment. In the case of the conventional Helm of Awe, the rune Algiz extends out to this outer sphere, exerting a threatening offense on all elements of the environment that may wish to bring harm upon the caster.
3. The subjective sphere-
This represents the caster’s inner content: immediate surroundings, body, mind, soul, and all things contained within. This area of the circle should be comprised of symbols meant to have a particular effect on you, or to exert some effect on your behalf. For example, the three lines representing Thurisaz are charged with destroying those who dare enter the sphere of the caster.
4. The core-
This sphere represents the caster themselves, or alternatively, the purpose or spell being cast. Using the same example, at the center of the Helm of Awe lies Hagal, the rune for protection (amongst other things), intented to protect and keep the caster safe.
This is a grossly oversimplified formula, but one that works quite well, and will serve as an introduction into a working that promises to continually shed new and introspective light on the worker. I hope it serves you well.
Svo skal það vera!
Credits to Stephen Flowers for images. For further reading on Ægishjálmur, see Icelandic Magic: Practical Secrets of the Northern Grimoires, by Stephen E. Flowers.
