The Hávamál - Stanza 2
“Gefendr heilir!
Gestr er inn kominn,
hvar skal sitja sjá?
Mjǫk er bráðr,
sá er á brǫndum skal,
síns um freista frama.”
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“Hail to a good host!
A guest has come inside,
where should he sit?
He is impatient,
Standing on the threshold,
ready to try his luck.”
Dr. Jackson Crawfords - “The Wanders Hávamál”
In the past, leather wasn’t just a craft—it was a crucial part of the daily life of Norse and Celtic cultures. Leather was used for pretty much everything: from clothes and armor to tools, weapons, and even books. It’s kind of like the guest in the Hávamál—standing at the threshold, ready to step into something new. A leatherworker starts with a raw piece of leather—untouched, full of potential—and begins a journey of craft, transforming it from a natural resource, into a highly functional, and often beautiful piece! Just like the guest, it's a moment of opportunity, where decisions are made about what the material will become and what purpose it will serve.
In those ancient cultures, craftsmanship wasn’t just about getting things done; it was a form of art. A skilled host, much like a skilled craftsman, knows the importance of balance. The ancient leatherworker would work with the natural qualities of the material, its grain, texture, and even imperfections, much like how a host senses the energy of a guest entering their home, and acts upon it. Both leather and people have unique qualities, and a good craftsman (or host) has to know how to work with those traits. Whether it's shaping a leather bag or setting the right atmosphere for a guest, it takes skill and understanding.
The impatience of the guest, eager to “try his luck,” mirrors the feeling many leatherworkers had when working with raw materials. There’s an anticipation as the tools come together on the workbench, and the process begins. Every cut, every stitch, feels like a calculated risk, especially as the process goes on! It’s like making decisions in life, you take a step, not always sure of what will happen, but trusting that your skill and experience will guide you. Leather, like a guest, arrives with endless potential but needs careful handling, patience, and understanding to reveal what it can truly be.
Modern Leathercraft:
Leatherworking today still carries echoes of that ancient tradition. Sure, some of us have more advanced tools, like sewing machines and dyes, but the core principles remain the same. A modern leatherworker still begins with raw material, just like a guest entering a new space, full of potential but with a bit of uncertainty. choosing the leather, checking its temper and flexibility, is a lot like welcoming someone into your home: you carefully evaluate and make decisions on how things should proceed, one step, one decision at a time.
The impatience of the guest, eager to try something new, also resonates true with the world of modern leatherworking. Whether it’s crafting a custom wallet, a belt, or a detailed piece of tooling, there’s always excitement, like diving into a new project with enthusiasm and a bit of risk. Leather remains a living material that requires respect and attention, much like the careful thought a host gives to where they look after their guest. There’s an art to knowing when the leather is ready to be dyed, when the stitching is just right, and when it’s time to stop and let the project be. It’s about balance and knowing when to let go.
Leathercraft and Life in General:
The Hávamál also offers us a thoughtful look at life itself. Life, much like leatherwork, is full of moments where we stand at the threshold, waiting for the next step, trying to decide how best to stumble our way to the next experience. Like the guest, we sometimes feel that urge to try our luck, uncertain of what’s ahead, but driven by curiosity, want or need. Welcoming a guest into your home can be compared to welcoming new opportunities into your life. There’s always potential for something beautiful or meaningful, but only if we approach it with the care and intention needed.
In life, as in leatherworking, we all face those moments of transition, times when we’re standing on the threshold, unsure of what’s next. The guest in the Hávamál reminds us of that impulse to move forward, to embrace new experiences and take risks, but being uncertain of how to act. It is also important that we also recognise the need to remember that life, requires time, care, and skill to shape. It’s a delicate balance between acting too quickly, and taking on extra risk or taking the time to think things through and being more risk adverse. Whether it’s a new project, a new relationship, or a new chapter in life, we always have a choice: do we rush ahead, unprepared, or do we pause and reflect before moving forward?
As a leatherworker, I can’t help but see the parallels between my craft and my journey through life. Each piece of leather I shape serves as a reminder that, while potential is everywhere, it takes time, care, and patience to live a truly special life.
Ultimately, the Hávamál teaches us that the threshold is a place of both opportunity and reflection. Every moment, whether in life or craft, holds the potential for something new, if we have the courage to step forward and the wisdom to shape what comes next with patience, respect, and intention.
I believe that we never truly leave the threshold in life. Every decision made brings forth another, every risk taken leads us to another!