Stav Graham Butcher Interview

Stáv is a Nordic style of martial arts based upon runic postures, using the 16 runes of the Younger Futhark. Stáv (pronounced st-arv) is a traditional European system that is designed to improve the mind-body and spirit. It has been maintained and developed for over 44 generations by the Norwegian Hafskjold family. "Although based on ancient philosophy, Stáv is a dynamic and evolving system that can be adapted to meet the requirements of the individual in today's world. The principles have now been made available to a wider audience in order to preserve and enhance the system for future generations". "This martial art has, for want of a better term, always been referred to as simply "Stáv" within the family. However, as most of you will be aware, there is rather more to the Hafskjold's martial art than just weapons play. The basis of the martial art is the use of five principals which are related to the five "classes" (Trel, Karl, Herse, Jarl, and Könge) and five elements (Earth, Water, Fire, Ice, and Wind) but in addition to this the use of sixteen postures and associated breathing techniques and "incantations" (called "galdor"). The sixteen postures are used to make the body form the shape of the 16 runes of the futhark (in the variation used by the Hosting). When a rune is formed, be it carved in wood, written on paper, or formed with the body, it is both the rune itself (the "mystery") and a symbolic depiction of the rune - a rune-stáve.