Stav : runes, martial art, philosophy

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.