The automatic translation is necessarily imprecise. This translation does not replace the reading of German or English original texts.

Or: A Kingdom for a pocket calculator

The five panels show six emblematic scenes and four commenting inscriptions. They are designed to guide a hero's life from birth to death and thereafter, Valhalla according to Germanic tradition.

Four pictures on three panels (F, R und T) and three texts, introduced by Fisc, Romulus, Titus , refer (luck wishing) to the hero's life (F for wealth), aid on the way to war(R for ride and fight), eventually towards success (T for triumph by victory).

Death and thereafter are the topics of the remaining pictures. The H-Panel tries to determine fate by securing death in action, by averting the realm shades and by proving resurrection for the hero (H for ill fate, A and E for protection, S for life). The Lid (Æ-Panel) finally promises communion with Woden's heroes, a promotion from needing protection (H-Platte) to granting it (Æ-Platte). A Germanic apotheosis, so to say.

The programme of the casket seems to correspond with the initial five runes of the fuþor(c):

f for wealth (F-Panel), u for divine strength in battle (R-Panel), Þ for triumph granted by Thor (here: Tiw/Tyr ) (T-Panel), o for the homecoming to os, to the Aesir Woden/Odin (H-Panel). If, finally, the five dots (Æ-Panel) identify the archer as a protector in the sense of , the carvings reflect the structure of the fuþorc. This could explain the meaning behind the sequence of the runic row, which is totally different from the alphabet.

The magic formula follows a regular pattern: On the left edges ofthe Panels F, R, T we have phrases, which we comprehend as incantation or charm. These are always composed of 9 runes, the value of which is divisible by 3.

(123 + 102 + 105 = 330; 330 : 3 = 110)

The total value is 330, a product of 3 x 110. A analogous formula 9 runes is presented on the right edge of the H-Panel. The runic value there is exactly 110, which makes 440 for all the four incantations. Chance?

All these incantations are followed by thematic runes - - - , plus (Æ-Panel). The sum of all the charm promoting runic values, 1 + 7 (F,G) +5 (R) + 17 (T) + 16 (H) + 26 (Æ), adds up to 72 (3 x 24). Chance? Very unlikely, if we consider that the probability for appearance of the four thematic runes (F, R, T, H) on the left upper edge, and the fifth (G due to the second picture on the right-hand side of that panel) on the right edge, corresponds a chance of 1 : 7,962 624; i.e. almost one to eight million!

Then there are the stressed i.e. alliterating runes, for which we have got the following runic values: 24 (F), 48 (R), 50 (T), 110 (H). Remarkable values in themselves, but without an evident total.

If we turn to the runic number we find that the three luck procuring panels base on a product of 24, while the harm averting H-Panel bears 74 runes. These 72 (H) along with the 22 (P) runes in the pictures result in 96 runes (= 4 x 24). The total of the runic numbers 72 (F) + 72 (R) + 48 (T) + 96 (H+P) = 288, which is (12 x 24) altogether. Chance?

The runic value of all picture words (like: mægi etc.) amounts to 300, the same, by the way, as the value of the 24 runes of the fuÞark. The F -Panel has the value 720 (!), R the (only assumed) value 960, T the value 612 and H the value 1008. All these values are divisible (without rest) by their thematic runes. The F-Panel as an example: 720 (runic value) divided by 8 (value of f + g) = 90. Chance?

The value of runes added up (300 + 720 + 960 + 612 + 1008), we get the total 3600, (the product of 12 x 300) as the overall runic value of the box.

The number of runes added up (see above) is 288 or 12 x 24 [We remember: the old fuÞark numbers 24 runes, which have the value 300]. If we understand 288 as equal to 12 times the runic row, that is 12 x 300, we get the 3600 as its product. That way we have a text equal in number and value. Chance again?

We now remember the 13-leaved rosette in the picture of the Magi and assume that it has calendar function. As we know, the Old Germanic week numbered 5 nights (O.N. fimmt). 72 such weeks made one year of 360 days, in our case a cycle of 720 weeks, that is 10 years with 3600 days. Remember the F-Panel: 72 runes produce the value 720.

Moreover, this too: A lunar month comprises of 28 nights, in fact, not quite 28. If we relate 28 to 3600, we have a period of 10 years each with 13 months of 27,7 days. That is 27 days, 17 hours und 48 minutes. The sidereal month, actually, numbers 27 days, and nearly 8 hours.

The validity of the charm war probably not limited to a period of 10 years. Those people used to think in terms of cycles. Not unlike 100, the number 10 may have been regarded as a cycle, followed by an endless row of other cycles. The casket was meant to determine their course. Did the spell work? Did our hero live through a victorious and glorious life? Did his Valkyrie take him to Woden's celestial battlefields and Asgard's beer gardens? The records of Valhalla will hold the answer, - surely kept in runes.