King Solomon and Odin (Ecclesiastes 3)

Ecclesiastes 3 (King Solomon, 620BC)

The Roman historian Cornelius Tacitus (58-120AD) records a Germanic tribal Runemal in some detail in Chapter 10 of his ethnographical work Germania from about 97AD when he was Consul to the region:

"To divination they pay much attention. Their method is a simple one: they cut a branch from a fruit-bearing tree and divide it into small pieces which they mark with certain distinctive signs and scatter at random onto a white cloth. Then the priest of the community (if it is done publicly) or the father of the family (if it is done privately) after invoking the gods and with eyes raised to heaven, picks up three pieces one at a time and interprets them in accordance with the signs previously marked on them."

Some modern experts allege that stones were commonly used for the Runemal, and the most popular passage in the Bible (recorded by The Byrds) most assuredly, in my humble opinion, reflects this well-known practice:

Ecclesiastes Chapter 3

1 There is an appointed time for everything, and a time for every affair under the heavens.
2 A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to uproot the plant.
3 A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to tear down, and a time to build.
4 A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance.
5 A time to scatter stones, and a time to gather them; a time to embrace, and a time to be far from embraces.
6 A time to seek, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away.
7 A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to be silent, and a time to speak.
8 A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace.

The fact that the Roman historian Cornelius Tacitus uses the word "scatter" to describe the process of runic divination is a reflection of common terminology carried over from the Hebrew tradition to describe the actual practice of divination itself. In addition, just as Tacitus describes the process of scattering and gathering the runes in 97AD, this dual-action is clearly and explicitly described by King Solomon in the scattering and gathering of stones in Ecclesiastes 3.

King Solomon was a great poet, philosopher, diplomat and communicator known for his "unparalleled wisdom in all the land". It is described many times how he, himself, practiced divination by Dreams, Visions, and other intuitive practices to gain him the reputation of being a Prophet-king. Many historians have documented that King Solomon was even known to speak "the language of the animals and the birds". In this respect, I believe that it is no coincidence that King Solomon's most infamous biblical passage, Ecclesiastes 3, relates to the number 3.

To study the life of King Solomon is to observe the very persona of Odin, the triple-god, incarnate-- as King Solomon was the physical incarnation and embodiment of Odin himself. It is said that Solomon wrote Ecclesiastes when he was old, tired and approaching death (probably sometime around 920BC); hence, the 'tone' of the passage. I propose that the verses 1 thru 8 of Ecclesiastes 3 are a cryptic message from Solomon which reveals to the world the "source", albeit the “secret”, of his infinite wisdom, power and prosperity. It is his 'departing' gift to his people. As follows:

1) 8 lines representing the 8 runes within each of the 3 Aetts.
2) 8 lines describing the 8-fold Wheel of time; the passage of time
3) direct reference to the scattering and gathering of stones
4) 8 lines which describe the 'essence' of the Heathen/Pagan code; walk of life
5) 8 lines which describe the inversed/reversed aspects of the Runes themselves:

* I believe further analysis could reveal that Solomon was actually describing specific runes in lines 1 through 8 of Ecclesiastes 3. In fact, Solomon may have been detailing the 24 Futhark runes in his signature poetic fashion-- as only he could do.

** I believe lines 1 through 9 of Ecclesiastes 3 were authored by Solomon; while the remaining passages in Ecclesiastes 3 were undertaken and completed by an unknown author. This explains the Odinic 8 + 1 dynamic to complete the magical numeric sequence of 9 & 3... with 9 representing the 9 realms/worlds of Yggdrasil and 3 representing the triple-god Odin (Odin, Vili, Ve). With the understanding that the book of Ecclesiastes was penned by two separate authors, the constant debate among theologians as to "who wrote Ecclesiastes" can finally be explained.

*** As it is believed that Solomon could literally talk/speak to birds, this represents Solomon's Odinic-affiliation (hamingja, wyrd) with the ravens Hugin and Munin ('thought' and 'memory') which accompanied Odin at all times. In addition, I believe that it is no coincidence at all that the band/group that recorded lines 1 through 8 of Ecclesiastes 3 was none other than The Byrds. As a poet and songwriter himself, this is sound evidence (proof) that Odin and the runes continue to converse with the world in magical ways that we could never imagine possible.