The day of judgement – the horn

Heimdall is an interesting and mysterious figure in Norse mythology, and is associated with the Rune Algiz because of his role as protector and guardian. He is the watcher at the gate who guards the boundaries between the worlds and who charges all those entering and leaving with caution. He is best known for his famous horn, but his sword is also important in the consideration of this Rune.

Snorri mentions that the poetic name for a sword is ‘Heimdall’s head’, and the poetic name for a head is ‘Heimdall’s sword’. This is particularly significant if we consider that one form of his name was ‘Heimdali’, meaning ‘ram’.

Through the image of the ram, Heimdall’s sword and his horn can be seen as two different sides of the same image. Both the sword and the ram’s horns (or the elk’s antlers) are symbols of power that may be used for either offense or defense, depending on the situation.

In the Book of Revelation, seven trumpets are sounded, one at a time, to cue apocalyptic events seen by John of Patmos in his vision of the Revelation of Christ Jesus. The seven trumpets are sounded by seven angels and the events that follow are described in detail from Revelation Chapters 8 to 11. According to Revelation 8:1-2, the angels sound these trumpets after the breaking of the seventh seal.

These seals secured the apocalyptic document held in the right hand of Him who sits on the main throne. The trumpets are referred to in Koine Greek as salpingos, salpinx; this was a straight, narrow bronze tube with a mouthpiece of bone and a bell; they do not resemble modern trumpets. The final three trumpets are sometimes called the “woe trumpets”.