Last Updated on October 10, 2024
Blóðughadda, whose name means “Blood-Haired,” is one of the nine daughters of Ægir and Rán, rulers of the sea. Her flowing red hair resembles waves stained with the blood of those who perish at sea. As waves crash and storms rage, her presence becomes more powerful, particularly during battles on the water. Warriors who fall in naval warfare find themselves entangled in her bloody waves, drawn into her domain beneath the ocean’s surface.
Blóðughadda’s role is not just destructive. She also embodies the cyclical nature of life and death in the sea. Blood, which often signifies death and violence, also sustains life within the ocean’s vast ecosystem. Fishermen, sailors, and coastal communities recognize her as both a force of danger and a source of sustenance. They offer her respect and tributes, knowing the ocean gives and takes away. Some say she carries the spirits of those lost at sea, guiding them to their final resting places beneath the waves.
When storms rise, her red hair appears in the waters as warning signs. Some brave souls claim to have seen her from the decks of their ships, her gaze both terrifying and captivating. Blóðughadda is often invoked before major sea voyages, especially those involving warfare or trade across dangerous waters. The Vikings respected her presence, understanding that the blood-stained sea is as much a part of their fate as the land beneath their feet.
The Rune of Blóðughadda
Blóðughadda is associated with the Elder Futhark rune Laguz, the rune of water, intuition, and the unconscious. Laguz represents the flow of life and its connection to deeper, unseen forces. Just as water can nourish or destroy, Laguz embodies the duality that Blóðughadda herself personifies. Those who invoke her may carry the rune to channel the ocean’s power and harness its intuitive and transformative properties.
Blóðughadda in Asatru
Within Asatru, Blóðughadda holds a respected place as a force of nature that reflects the unpredictability of life. Modern practitioners honor her during blóts or rituals at sea, asking for protection on the waters and for the safe return of loved ones. They understand her fierce energy and her connection to life’s deeper mysteries, embracing her dual nature of both life-giver and taker. Blóðughadda reminds them of the need for balance, respect for the sea, and the inevitability of change. Practitioners may also call upon her during times of personal transformation, seeking her guidance as they navigate life’s emotional and spiritual depths.