Meetings on the Way

I met a man upon the road
Red of beard and bold of eye
Who taught me of the mad storm´s wrath
And boldly strode away

I met a man upon the road
One cold eye and face of stone
He told me I had far to go
And swiftly rode away

I met a woman on the road
Her face was kind and smile warm
She told me I had time to grow
Then set me on my way

I met a man upon the road
With laughing eyes and smile cold
He taught me how to lie and hide
When I looked he’d gone away

I met a man upon the road
One hand gone and striding bold
He taught me how to seek the right
And sent me on my way

I met a maid upon the road
With laughing eyes and hair of gold
She taught me love and laughter too
When I woke she’d gone away

I met a man upon the road
Whose keen eyes sought the hidden truth
He taught me how to stand the watch
And I knew this for my way

I met a man upon the road
His one eye flashed, his smile bold
He welcomed me to with him bide
And together we marched away

John T Mainer 2007

There are different lessons that need to be learned at different times in your life.

Thor taught me how to free the storm within, how to keep getting up no matter how many times I got knocked down, and how to laugh in hard times.

Odin gave me the hunger to know myself, but turned from me until I was ready to walk with him.

Frigga taught me to love my family, to hold hard to that love even when not caring promised an end to pain.

Loki taught me how to wear masks, to show others what they wanted to see, how to choose what part of myself I would let others know.

Tyr showed a young man how to stand up for what he believes, that honour is not found in expedience but fidelity.

Freya taught a young man how to love, how to be loved, and how to laugh again.

Heimdall showed me how to look deeper, to find the lie in the easy smile, the gift in a friends honest criticism.

When Odin found me again, I was ready to learn from him. It was the lessons of the gods, wights, ancestors, friends, family, and more stupid mistakes than I can remember that made me ready for his lessons. There are no steps that aren't important, for you will not reach your destination without each of them.

I had a conversation a couple weeks back with a christian who commented to me how sad it was that I have many Gods, each specializing in their own area of expertise, and being imperfect.
My reply to him was something to the effect that I didn’t find being a polytheist sad at all, that it made for a large spiritual family. Where better to stumble, pick yourself back up, and learn from those mistakes, than amongst ones family?

I’ve walked many miles with Thor over the last 8 years or so, and if I could sum up what he’s taught me in a few words, it would be that he’s taught me to “stand”. Head held high, ready to tackle whatever may come.
But here lately, I’ve been feeling like Odin has been tapping my shoulder. Like I’m ready to delve deeper with him than I have in the past. I’ve honored him, and many others for years, but have always seemed to keep him at a respectful distance. Or maybe it’s been him who has kept me at arms length. Either way, I’ve been feeling a drawing near of a sort, and have been readying myself for a bit of a bumpy ride.

Anyway, just thought I’d share.