God of the Week - Máni

God of the Week - Máni
--
The sun from the south, the moon's companion,
her right-hand cast about the heavenly horses Arvak and Alsvid.
The sun knew not where she a dwelling had,
the moon knew not what power he possessed,
the stars knew not where they had a station.
Völuspá, Thorpe Translation
The man on the moon is a common image in Western folklore. Some distant, isolated figure that fascinates the minds of children. When it comes pre-Christian Nordic beliefs, the moon is pulled across the sky by Sól’s brother, Máni, who perhaps inspires as much fascination for heathens of all ages.
Like many deities in the heathen sphere of things, there are multiple potential origins. From the Poetic Edda and the Völuspá more specifically, Máni and Sól are created in the early days of the universe. In the Prose Edda we have a different origination - that the siblings are the children of Mundilfari, named for their beauty and brilliance. The gods, angered by this supposed arrogance, punished Mundilfari by placing his children into the heavens to act as their namesakes.
Called ‘Shiner’, ‘Hastener’, ‘Waxer’, ‘Waner’, ‘Gleamer’, ‘Lune’ and, fittingly, ‘Year-Counter’ in the Skáldskaparmál by Snorri, Mani undoubtedly played a crucial role to Viking Age Heathens - after all, the moon was their way of marking festivals, of time, of the passing of the year. While the sun was crucial in other ways, the moon played an integral part in their culture and beliefs. It is surprising then (although comparative) that Máni himself remains such a mysterious figure. He apparently has a power that he cannot know, has some role in the manipulation of Wyrd or association with the Norns, and will meet his end - like his sister - at Ragnarök.
Many of our gods play a singular role until their apparent death, unable to act in ways that can halt its coming. A freedom that Odin enjoys more than most. Máni and Sól, though crucial to prospering life, cannot avoid that which is to come. It’s an interesting recurrent theme within our stories and our gods.
But, do you worship Máni? What role does he play in your practice?