The Barrow

Today is Tuesday. It is named for the English god of war, struggle, and victory, (and also somewhat paradoxically the law and peace) Tīw, whose name would render in Modern English as Tue.

Tuesday is a day to meditate on struggle and conflict, on virtue and the bravery to uphold it.

When it was time to bind The Wolf, he wouldn't agree to be bound without collateral that he would be shortly let out of his fetters. Tue was the only god brave enough to place his hand (his sword hand!) in the Wolf's mouth to assure him thus. Of course, Tue knew he would lose his hand the instant the Wolf discovered the gods did not plan to let him out. Tue was also perhaps the only god he would trust – having befriended the Wolf when he was but a puppy.

Another good story is that of Marcus Atilius Regulus, who, when allowed to return to Rome by his Carthaginian captors, returned to Carthage simply because he said he would. The Carthaginians repayed this honesty by having him ripped apart by dogs. He knew this type of fate awaited him, and yet, his word was his bond.

It is this type of wordbinding upon which the laws which bind humans together are built, as well. When these bonds are dissolved, so are our societies, our families, and our friendships.

Hail Tue