Norse Calendar Days

Ostla Stone, SE

Days of the Week

The association of the days of our week named, as many of them are, for the old Norse divinitites, after the god whose hour started the day, is a fairly recent adoption. The Romans observed a nine-day market week and most ancient peoples reckoned time in months. The Jews and Christians observed a seven day week coinciding with the seven days of creation and the four seven day phases of the moon. Our day names are after the Anglo-Saxon useage. These Gods have, in addition, identification with a letter in the Runic Alphabet. Often carved on wood staves or stone, runes were in general use by the fifth century c.e. and were regarded as representing mysteries or secrets. In Norse mythology, Odin was able to discern the meaning of the runes only after a great sacrifice.

Sunday
The S-rune sowilo represents the Sun and may be associated with the solar serpent.
Tueday
The T-rune tiwaz represents Tyr and is associated with Polaris the Pole Star. His association with the rules of battle and legal contracts makes Tyr the divine being who presides over communal agreements.
Wednesday
The O-rune othala is associated with Odin and the sites sacred to him. Originally associated with the fury of the stormy night, Odin was later viewed as lawgiver as the lord of the runes and their magic power, he is the god of transformation.. Odin's sacrifice for knowledge is recounted in the Havamal where, after giving up an eye, Odin tells us that "For nine nights, wounded by my own spear, consecrated to Odin, consecrated myself to myself, I remained hanging from the tree (Yggdrassil) shaken by the wind, from the mighty tree whose roots men know not."
Thursday
The TH-rune thurisaz is the sign for Thor and the power wrought by his hammer. Always ready for combat, Thor's hammer never misses its mark in battle. His is the sound of thunder and he knows no fear.
Friday
The F-rune fehu is associated with Frigg, Earth-daughter and consort of Odin ("beloved spouse") who shares in his wisdom, presides over marriages, and was invoked by women in labor. Frigg, in one tale, travels through nine worlds in order to win eternal life for her son Baldur ( who is, nevertheless, slain by a dart made of mistletoe, a plant which grows neither in water nor the earth ). His death is associated with the Summer Solstice.
Day
The D-rune dagaz is the sign for day. It is a rune of beginnings and endings. The Teutonic peoples reckoned the week as consisting of fourteen nights - a fortnight - or two of our weeks.

Translation of Anglo-Saxon Rune Poem

"A sign to seamen, symbol borne on high, gives them the way, over the fishes bath, brings them to land."
"Tir is a sum token, held well in confidence by nobles; ever he moves over the dark night: never resting."
"Os is the shaper of every speech, wisdom's wrap, and the comfort of the witan, and gives every man gladness and confidence."
"Thorn is very sharp to every man, bad to take hold of, immeasureably severe to every man that resteth with him."
"Money is a welcome comfort to every man; so shall every man liberally give what he will for the honor of God."
"Day is God's messenger, dear to men, the glorious light of God, joy and comfort to rich and to poor, useful to all." Joan Andersen (translation) of the Old English version of Hickes' Thesaurus in J.M. Kemble, Anglo-Saxon Runes , Anglo-Saxon Books, 1993, pp.28-35.