orlay
nounEtymology Learned borrowing from Old English orlæġ (“fate”), from Proto-West Germanic *oʀlag, *uʀlag, from Proto-Germanic *uzlagą (“destiny; fate”, literally “that which is laid out; out-lay; plan; design”). For more, see Old English or-, English lay.
- There laws they laid, there life chose, To men's sons, and spoke orlay […]2004, Nathaniel Harris, Witcha: A Book of Cunning:
- I am fully aware of how Oaths affect my Orlay and my Wyrd. I am Oathed to no one, save the Holy Ones and my Wife.2006, An Heathen Reader: Some Thoughts on the State of Things I Think, anheathenreader.blogspot.com/.../some-thoughts-on-state-of-things-i.html
3 more examples
- You could think of your own orlay as the source or seed of your “personal wyrd.” A newborn infant initially inherits its orlay from its parents and ancestors. This initial orlay is its heritage, compiled from the words and deeds of those ancestors.2009, Alaric Albertsson, Travels Through Middle Earth:
- These deeds done within the innangard of the tribe by its tribesmen are its law, its orlay.2011, Swain Wodening, The Sacred and the Holy:
- Remember how I wrote at the beginning of this chapter that the Norns 'shape' orlay. Orlay itself gives a person 'shape' within the dimensions of Time and Wyrd.2021, Winifred Rose, Heathen Soul Lore Foundations:
- Related terms
- wyrd