The Valkyrie's Rune Wisdom

Where should runes be carved?

Sigurd asked Sigrdrifa to share her wisdom with him. She taught him how to use runes to win in battle. They were to be carved on a sword's hilt. She also told him to speak Tyr's name twice.

There were ale runes to keep another man's wife from deceiving him. These were carved on a drinking horn or the back of the hand. Runes to help with childbirth were carved on the palms. Where you carved runes depended on what you wanted them to do.

Next came 11 pieces of advice. She told him never to swear that something was true when it was not. She also warned him against arguing with a drunken warrior. Drink, she explained, robs many people of their good sense.

She also taught him to bury the dead if he found them. Before laying the body in a coffin, he should wash its hands and head, comb its hair, and wipe it clean. Then he should pray that the person might rest in peace.

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