This day was an excellent end to the 30 Day Talisman Challenge. The work started off with extra cleansing work: a traditional beer bath. I drew up a hot bath, entered it, and prayed to the Gods and spirits of Water, thanking Them for cleansing me inside and out. I had the bottle of Hofbräu Dunkel opened already, and brought it into the bath with me. Standing in the bath, I prayed thanks to the brewers, and to the spirits of beer itself. Then, I poured three times into the bath, thanking the spirits of Water and the beer as I did, and then poured the beer three times over my head, the beer flowing down my back and front. The effect was immediate: I started to feel physically, mentally, and spiritually clean from the inside out. I then poured the beer over my shoulders, my hands, genitals, and down towards my feet. I then drank a little and left the remainder of the bottle outside the bath.
I expected to be very sticky but I was not. Quite the opposite; I felt better than if I had used soap. As I cleaned myself in the bath, I plunged my head into the water and came out feeling as though all the cobwebs were gone. I then galdred Midgarð’s Name, calling upon it to help me ground, center, and shield. I then called upon Ansuz and Gebo, as I usually do, to continue the cleansing work with Ansuz, and finish the grounding and centering with Gebo. I then let out the water, feeling very clear inside and out, and waited until the water and beer had completely gone down the drain before stepping out.
I dressed in fresh clothes, then cleaned out the offering bowls to Runátýr and the Runevaettir, then offered blood, and my last bottle of Hofbräu Original to Them. When this was done I went to the Rune altar. I thanked the Gods and spirits of Fire for blessing, cleansing, and protecting the area and I for the 30 days of work. I prayed thanks for the 30 days of work Runátýr, the Runevaettir, and I had done together, for the blessings, power, and grace They had bestowed upon the talismans. Then I did the empowerment work with Them for the last time before the sealing work.
I picked up a copper-bottomed pot and an aluminum pot from the local PTO thrift store for doing sealing work with these talismans, and other pieces I have done. First I had copper-bottomed pot come to a boil on the stove, and placed the aluminum pot on top of it. There were still some of the beeswax in the bottom of the pot from the test I had done with an Ægishjálmur talisman that I made some time ago, so I did not have to cut up too many chunks from the beeswax slab.
Both talismans were done the same way: When the beeswax became clear, I placed the talisman in with small tongs and swished it around the aluminum pot, and then flipped it, coating both sides. I took the talisman out, and placed it on a ceramic plate I had next to the stove. While the beeswax cooled and hardened, I galdred the Runes of each talisman, moving it sunwise as I did. When both were totally sealed I brought them back upstairs to lay on the Rune altar until the wealth talisman is given away, and I determine where the communion talisman needs to go.
This has been a great experience. These 30 days of discipline and work have gone by well; the talismans hum and feel good to the touch. I am eagerly awaiting giving the wealth talisman away at the Wandering Owl, and continuing to work with the communion talisman. Thank you for starting this Challenge, Andrieh Vitimitus. Thank you, who have watched this work progress, and thank you to all my fellow Challenge workers. Blessings on each of you in this, and all Challenges ahead. Thank you to the Gods, Ancestors, and spirits who have been directly involved, and supportive of this work. Hail to you all. Ves ðu heil!
Sarenth Odinsson 