Önd , Löyly, breath of life
Odhin gave to Ash and Elm;
Spoken word and willed intent,
Sauna bear to Urdhrbrunnr
This was written for use in a Sauna Sumbel ritual that was co-authored by Ivo Domínguez Jr and Gróa Sheffield. This recording has some background noise as it was recorded in 2006 at a post ritual feast.
Note from Gróa: Önd is the Norse word for the breath of life that was Odhin’s gift to the first man and woman, Ask and Embla (= Ash and Elm). Löyly is a Finnish word for breath of the sauna (steam). Óð, the gift of Hoenir/Vili to Ask and Embla, means most literally speech, and more metaphorically the active will as expressed in spoken language. I see it as the faculty we use in Sumbel and oath-taking. Urdhrbrunnr is Old Norse for “Well of Wyrd” – I used the Norse for the sake of alliteration and rhythm.
