Stav is often described as a martial art, but it's better understood as a Scandinavian system of education, personal development, and embodied philosophy. This book presents the first in-depth exploration of Stav in English, and stands among the most comprehensive works in runosophy.
Rooted in the younger futhark, the 16-rune script introduced prior to the Scandinavian Viking age, Stav offers a cohesive framework where mythology, movement, and meaning converge.
Inside, you'll discover:
- A reintroduction to Heimdall from a Stav perspective
- The Norse castes as archetypes, offering insights into life and conflict
- Rune associations with deities, trees, herbs, and body postures
- The true meaning and authentic name of the symbol known as the "Web of Wyrd"
- Bindrunes and runic divination as practical tools
- Runestances, a meditative practice reminiscent of Tai Chi, forming the foundation of Stav's martial art
- Stav's martial arts in both practical and philosophical context
- Stav's runic calendar, counting years outside the Christian chronology
- The festive year and its connection to the deities
- Stav's unique view of Norse cosmology
- Sejd and Galder as spiritual practices
- Healing modalities including bodywork, energy work, herbs, and shamanic elements
- The traditional Stav poem, preserved through generations
- An animistic worldview and interpretation of Norse mythology, including the afterlife
- Insights to support mental well-being and personal growth
- Comparative analysis with other Nordic movement traditions
- Stav's mythological history, cross-referenced with historical sources
- A thesis on the logic behind the younger futhark and dating the Stav tradition
- A biography of Stav's current tradition bearer
Whether you're drawn to martial arts, runic wisdom, or embodied spirituality, this book offers a rare gateway into the philosophy of Stav, a tradition both ancient and alive.
Once you encounter Stav, your perspective on runes and Norse mythology will never be the same.