February 28, 2010 - Wunjo

Wunjo

Wunjoy is the letter W

Anglo-Saxon Rune Poem (from ragweedforge.com)

Bliss he enjoys who knows not suffering, sorrow nor anxiety,
and has prosperity and happiness and a good enough house

Wunjo is often translated as Joy, Bliss and sometimes happiness. Etymologically, it is related to a german word for wishes or wishing.

Wunjo creates a category of it’s own, known as gamaruna or Joy runes. As I am typing this entry, each time I type Wunjo, I keep adding the letter y to the end. Esoterically it is the rune of Harmony, showing all things working together, being in the right place at the right time, reverberating and resonating in a kind of cosmic tuning. It shows that harmony is filling the day (although not necessarily Peace or calm) and that anxiety, sorrow and suffering is temporarily alleviated. It is also a heidrunar or bright rune, as there is a quality of light that seems to permeate contemplation of Wunjo, which is different from the light of other runes. It is rather like the light that fills the sky before sunrise, or just after the sun has set, where if you stop and watch and be with that moment, everything just seems to fall into place.

Rune of the Week Feb 28 - March 6

Ehwaz reversed

Ehwaz is the vowel sound e (like get)

Anglo-Saxon Rune Poem (from ragweedforge.com)

The horse is a joy to princes in the presence of warriors.
A steed in the pride of its hoofs,when rich men on horseback bandy words about it;and it is ever a source of comfort to the restless.

Ehwaz translates as the word horse. In it’s reversed form, it indicates that things are moving slowly. It can also show that what is needed is a slow movement, marked with methodical and thoughtful action, instead of haste and seemingly thoughtless action. Nothing is necessarily holding it back, but it just cannot proceed quickly.

February 27, 2010 - Ac

Ac

Ac is the vowel a (ah)

Anglo-Saxon Rune Poem (from ragweedforge.com)

The oak fattens the flesh of pigs for the children of men.
Often it traverses the gannet's bath,and the ocean proves whether the oak keeps faithin honourable fashion
Ac means oak. It is endurance, stamina and a kind of longevity, much like the oak tree itself. It tells me that I will have the energy to survive the day, or at least I will find that energy and work through it. After the change of things brought about by the action of Inguz earlier this week, I have found a new stability, and with that, new sources of energy, and places to act from, is also part of the sense I have for myself.

February 26, 2010 - Dagaz

Dagaz

Dagaz is the letter D

Anglo-Saxon Rune Poem (from ragweedforge.com)

Day, the glorious light of the Creator, is sent by the Lord;
it is beloved of men, a source of hope and happiness to rich and poor,and of service to all.

Dagaz means day. The changing of day is my sense about this rune today. The changes people experience in their day to day lives. The small things we are told not to sweat. You still don’t need to sweat them, but be aware of them and embrace them. Move with them, and find new opportunities to change yourself. Often times the smallest thing could be a key that unlocks a great door or the small light that sustains you until you reach the new dawn. This sounds really vague and mystical to me, but yet, that is part of the experience of Dagaz. Sometimes it is really mystical and vague, because the light that has just risen upon us is not fully understood yet.

February 25, 2010 - Peorth

Peorth

Peorth is the letter P

Anglo-Saxon Rune Poem (from ragweedforge.com)

Peorth is a source of recreation and amusement to the great,
where warriors sit blithely together in the banqueting-hall

Peorth is a rune whose name is not exactly translated. After some research into the subject, and reading what many people have had to say, I believe the meaning is the Afterlife and the continuation of life after death. Not based upon this translation (as there are many) but reading from others.

The esoteric meaning however, is one of fortune, chance and luck. Nobody really knows where you will end up when you die. You might go to the Feast Hall of the High Gods, or you may end up with everyone else, in an underworld that, while it is not perhaps an awful place of torment, is not nearly as great as other places. There is this mixed meaning of chance and life after death, I think, expressed by the mystery of Peorth.
Today, it feels more like a rune of Fortune. Things will just work out today. What seems like a unwanted occurrence, will turn to my benefit. And the wanted, well maybe not so much, but it won’t necessarily be concerning me because it will be away from me. Perhaps I need to go play a scratcher or something.

February 24, 2010 - Inguz

Inguz

Inguz is the suffix –ing

Anglo-Saxon Rune Poem (from ragweedforge.com)

Ing was first seen by men among the East-Danes,
till, followed by his chariot,he departed eastwards over the waves.So the Heardingas named the hero

The return of Inguz. There must be a lot of things happening I guess. I opened up Inguz further with some additional runes to get a clearer picture of what was happening and the indication was that previous instability (remember Ac reversed not too long ago) is being transformed into dynamic mobility and connection. In a sense that lack of solid foundation, was just needing to happen in order to move forward and enter into something that allowed more to enter into your life, through connection and actively reaching out. It is the actions and energies of today that will trigger this transformation (or have already triggered it) and help to change the situation.

Standing at a Crossroads

Right now I am standing at a crossroads and I am looking at my options about what direction to go, in terms of spiritual exercises and focus. A few weeks ago I completed an extensive meditation/trancework practice with the runes, spending a week (or more) with each rune. I began this in 2009, and while my original goal was to finish in 33 weeks (for the Anglo-Saxon Futhorc and Northumbrian runes) it did take much longer because of little bumps in the road of life, like colds, moving, or just not being able to get into the trance state I felt was needed. But I stuck it through to the end, and I finished. It was awesome and when I was done I felt great satisfaction and completion. That lasted for about a week.

The new question is “Where do I go from here?” It is the challenge of being mostly self-directed in one’s personal spiritual/magical practice. There is no teacher saying “study this next” and honestly, while I do love books, for me I need to move beyond them. They too easily become a crutch and a distraction, instead of propelling me ahead into my next thing. I have an extensive library already. The only things I would like to add to it are rare and expensive contemporary books from the Cultus Sabbati and a few things that I have sitting on my wish list at Amazon. That being said, I do need to be thrify and plan my expenditures in that direction more carefully.

That being said, I wonder, where do I go from here? There is no wrong direction, I just need to choose. My usual problem is that I like to my cake and eat it to, and a few other cakes from everyone else as well. Some of the options that have presented themselves to me are:

1) Elemental Mastery – I have a relationship with the elements, Persian and otherwise. But I wouldn’t say I have mastery or a deep and well-established relationship. I have been told that Earth is where I need to begin.
2) A friend and guide along the path has directed me towards working with another magical alphabet, and to unlock meanings from those. While at first I have to say I was not thrilled, after some thought, it seemed interesting.
3) Ancestor Veneration – while I already do this on some level, I would like to take it to a deeper level and put together a more complete ancestor altar, with items of my family and other lineages that I am connected to. This would eventually lead to practicing necromancy and developing that skill set.

So, that is some of the options I am considering. There are others, but I haven’t quite figured them out exactly what they are. I have recently been reading “The Master Book of Candle-Burning” by Henri Gamache and contemplating the working presented there. I have also been working with Biblical Psalms, which might lead to something else, but I am not sure where that might lead, other then my interest in prayers and incantations. I have also been desiring to move forward with my Reiki studies, and become a Reiki Master, but I am not sure if that is what I am ready for yet.

So, I stand at the center of the crossroads, and I contemplate which direction I should head in now. I know eventually I can return and pursue the other objectives, but for now I need to choose and follow that direction.

February 23, 2010 - Os

Os

Os it the vowel O

Anglo-Saxon Rune Poem (from ragweedforge.com)

The mouth is the source of all language,
a pillar of wisdom and a comfort to wise men,a blessing and a joy to every knight

We have returned to Os and this time, it has been righted. Communication flows, people make wax eloquent, and you may find that more people are listening to your words then normal. You may also find other vocal activities are easier, and even being able to talk your way out of a difficult situation.

February 22, 2010 - Aethel Reversed

Aethel Reversed

Aethel is a very difficult sound to describe. I don’t think there is a modern English equivalent.

Anglo-Saxon Rune Poem (from ragweedforge.com)

An estate is very dear to every man,
if he can enjoy there in his housewhatever is right and proper in constant prosperity

Aethel translates to the word “estate”. It has meanings of owned property, especially property that has been passed down through family. A word that is connected to is the word for land owning nobility “athlings”.
The esoteric meaning of aethel is about family, home and lineage. Keep in mind that family is also in a larger sense. Not every persons family is people they are related to by birth or blood. Sometimes family is created when people intentionally come together and create a familial unit. When it is reversed, it indicates discord or lack of harmony within those things. Perhaps you are having a fight with family members, or there are problems in the home which are keeping it from being a peaceful environment. Maybe you have caused offense to your ancestors and need to make amends.

February 21, 2010 - Cenaz reversed

Cenaz Reversed

Cenaz is the sound K, like cat.

Anglo-Saxon Rune Poem (from ragweedforge.com)

The torch is known to every living man by its pale, bright flame;
it always burns where princes sit within.

Kenaz or Cen, is the torch. The torch of course is the most basic of portable light sources, a simple branch with a burning end that can be used to illuminate dark areas, and can travel with the person, unlike a bonfire which is stationary. It represents the casting of light and illumination, which can signify knowledge, inspiration or just the revelation of that which was hidden or concealed.
In this case, it is Kenaz reversed. It is darkness, and perhaps ignorance and lack of inspiration. The use of concealment and deception is present. Some might consider this a bad thing, but that really depends upon the question. Darkness does have its benefits and uses. Sometimes even knowledge may come in darkness. Often times, that is when knowledge comes. Darkness, silence and stillness are the modes that are often used when seeking knowledge and wisdom. It is in that mode that the knowledge comes, and only afterwards, when that revelation is acted upon does light come from it.

February 21 - February 27 Thurisaz

Thurisaz Reversed

Thurisaz is the sound “th” (like think or thorn)

Anglo-Saxon Rune Poem (from ragweedforge.com)

The thorn is exceedingly sharp,
an evil thing for any knight to touch,uncommonly severe on all who sit among them

This weeks rune is Thurisaz, ie the thorn. In this case, the thorn is reversed, in a sense pointing outward rather then inward. My own meditation on this indicates that it is that power, severe, dangerous, sharp and deadly which is acting on events outside of myself. Rather then me having to deal with the thorns that I have gotten myself into, I am one of the few sitting in a safe place, perhaps surrounded by them, but distant, not among them. Rather, it is my sense that I am watching others struggle with challenges and rough times as they work their way through the briar patch.

February 20, 2010 Inguz

Inguz

Inguz is the suffix –ing.

Anglo-Saxon Rune Poem (from ragweedforge.com)

Ing was first seen by men among the East-Danes,
till, followed by his chariot,he departed eastwards over the waves.So the Heardingas named the hero.

Inguz or Ing is another name for Freyr, a Vanic god associated with fertility, who was the twin of Freya. The name Freyr translates as Lord.

The meanings of Inguz are linked with Freyr. Inguz is a rune of fertility, whereas Berkana represents the growth of living things, Inguz is the forces that catalyze that growing power. So it is in a reading, a catalyst, that which sets forces in motion. Without the catalyst, the separate forces would just exist, never coming together and reacting to create something new. What are the forces that have been united? What is the fruit of this reaction? Open up Inguz and have the information revealed to you, or you can just ride the reaction and see what changes come forth.

February 19, 2010 Ior

Ior

Ior is the sound io

Anglo-Saxon Rune Poem (from ragweedforge.com)
Ior is a river fish and yet it always feeds on land;
it has a fair abode encompassed by water, where it lives in happiness

Ior is a rune of boundaries and liminality. Liminality, from the word liminal, has a definition of being an intermediate state, phase, or transition. It is when you exist between two things. It is taken from the latin word for threshold. If you stand on the threshold of a door, you are liminal because you are neither inside nor outside, but intermediate, between those states. The river fish is a fish, but it feeds on land. It exists in a constant liminal state because it encompasses both of those features. Ior is speaking to that liminal state. You might be a liminal person yourself, or transitioning between two states, and are at an intermediate phase, where you are taking of both, but beholden to neither.

February 18, 2010

Ac Reversed

Ac is the vowel A (like far)

Anglo-Saxon Rune Poem (from ragweedforge.com)

The oak fattens the flesh of pigs for the children of men.
Often it traverses the gannet's bath,and the ocean proves whether the oak keeps faithin honourable fashion.

Again we return to Ac reversed. While I was making my entry in my working journal, which only has quick notes and a running entry so I can write it down and then make this entry later, a word came to me. Un-rooted. In the sense that Ac is the Oak tree, and to me the expression of Yggdrasil as it exists in the Middle World, if it appears reversed, it suggests that you aren’t being present in the Middle World. The here and now is where you have bills, a body, and a life that needs to be lived. Without that rooting, that grounded-ness you will lack the enduring strength that will help you through the challenges of life both in physical and spiritual realities. It tells me I need to work on that today, and deal with the practical challenges that are before me.

With a further stroke of insight I had as I was posting this, ignoring your material responsibilities is also dishonorable, as your are breaking your commitments in doing so.

February 17, 2010 - Os reversed

Os Reversed

Os is the vowel O (like show)

Anglo-Saxon Rune Poem (from ragweedforge,com)

The mouth is the source of all language,
a pillar of wisdom and a comfort to wise men,a blessing and a joy to every knight.

Os translates to the word Mouth. You know, that thing you speak with and put food into and stuff.

Esoterically it is a symbol of communication, and in this case, difficulties with communication. Messages are garbled, expression is vague, maybe you will or have lost your voice or have a sore throat. One could also see this as affecting communications technology as well, but it could also point to challenges communicating with the other worlds as well, in both directions. Perhaps the words are not coming to you, or you aren’t feeling the inspired speech flow because there is temporary spiritual blockage

I also see it as the rune of Odhinn. Of course, this is a kind of a big thing to me, because last week I finished an extended meditation and working with the runes, one that took me more then half of a year (about 40 weeks) and so during that time I was making simple offerings to Odhinn, for aid and for gratitude. I thought I was done. Apparently not. So I went and bought more beer for All-father. I know I will come back again, asking for more, but for the time being, I need to focus on something else.

February 16, 2010

Uruz

Uruz is the vowel u (as in spoon)

Anglo-Saxon Rune Poem (from ragweedforge.com)

The aurochs is proud and has great horns;
it is a very savage beast and fights with its horns;a great ranger of the moors, it is a creature of mettle.

Uruz translates to auroch, a undomesticated bovine whose ancestors are our cattle. As I believe I indicated before, their horns were greatly prized (to the point that they were imitated after they were extinct in metal, wood and bone) but while they were alive it was a great deed to successfully hunt and kill one.

Esoterically, Uruz symbolizes primal strength, the physical body but also the subtle body strength. In a reading it shows that strength is being accessed, that the potential is being shaped, While the final result may not come into being yet, the process has begun. In my case, the strength is being tapped because I am having two consecutive long days, and I am going to need the power to keep going until I can finally stop, rest and recover.

Uruz is also considered one of the main runes used for healing and health, focusing subtle energies in supporting and maintaining vigor and vitality, which helps in healing and maintaining health.

February 15, 2010

Yr

Yr is the letter Y

Yr is a source of joy and honour to every prince and knight;
it looks well on a horse and is a reliable equipment for a journey

Yr is often translated as bow or yew bow. Yew wood is often used in making bows, both historically and currently.
Yr symbolizes skill, ability and proficiency. It is the expression of the hunter (which in the past as it was done with bow and arrow, was very much a method of skill) but also of the craftsman, whose skilled hands created the bow, arrows, tools and other items. In a reading it is an expression of that skill, or having skill and the application of it. It also implies finesse and efficiency, whether material or spiritual. In being able to achieve results, sometimes using all of your might can overdo it. If you can just apply the right amount of force, influence or leverage, you can achieve your desires gently, but successfully.

February 14, 2010

Ac Reversed

Ac is the long a sound like far

Anglo-Saxon Rune Poem (from ragweedforge.com)

The oak fattens the flesh of pigs for the children of men.
Often it traverses the gannet's bath,and the ocean proves whether the oak keeps faithin honourable fashion.


Today the rune of Ac reversed is governing the day. Instability, lack of endurance and fortitude is the meaning of Ac reversed for todays reading. How literal minded, considering I am operating on 5 hours of sleep, and my joyous expression of Saturday night has left my legs feeling tired and exhausted from over-exertion, which I haven’t had appropriate rest to recover from. Of course I confirm my own fortune but not resting and relaxing, but still going forward with all the vigor I can muster for the day.

February 14 - 20, 2010

Sowelo

Sowelo is the letter S

Anglo-Saxon Rune Poem (from ragweedforge.com)

The sun is ever a joy in the hopes of seafarers
when they journey away over the fishes' bath,until the courser of the deep bears them to land

Again, we return to the sun. Wow, that clearing away from the past two weeks has really worked some wonders. From the depths of the grave, light, hope and joy fill this week, as the radiant energy of sowelo shines through.

February 13, 2010

Sowelo

Sowelo is the letter S

Anglo-Saxon Rune Poem (from ragweedforge.com)

The sun is ever a joy in the hopes of seafarers
when they journey away over the fishes' bath,
until the courser of the deep bears them to land.

Sowelo (or Sol) is the Sun. I believe we have seen this rune before. It’s the Sun. Bright, shining, and warm, it is solar disc that has long been associated with life, power and greatness.

Looking back over the past week, each day has been filled with benevolent runes. Sun, Wealth, Harvest, Generosity. Yet the rune of the week was Ear, expressing decay and death. I believe it was the slow decay of old things passing away, clearing and preparing the week for this good to enter in. I also think of Ear as an expression of the slight change to my daily practice I have made. Following the cycle of the moon, as most followers of the this blog know, the waxing to full is the period that brings increase and growth, while the waning to dark lessens and degenerates. Since the full moon, I have been working more with the powers of the waning moon. It is interesting to see how that influence seems to clear the way for good things to come. Yet, what does all this moon and lessening have to do with Sowelo? Sowelo came about as a result of the darkness passing away.

February 12, 2010

Gebo

Gebo is the letter G

Anglo-Saxon Rune Poem (from ragweedforge.com)

Generosity brings credit and honour, which support one's dignity;
it furnishes help and subsistenceto all broken men who are devoid of aught else.

I guess I didn’t enter into a new phase, or maybe the continuining lesson, challenge and blessings of Gebo are presenting themselves to me. Amusing enough, last night a friend posted a link to a video interview of a man known as Hakim Bey. It was filmed in May 2009, but he was extrapolating on the disintegration of community and connection, particularly within the United States, and therefore the creation of intentional communities as “communities of resistance.” A very Gebo related concept on the large scale, where many people come together, form a compact of obligation and commitment to each other, exchange their gifts to build that community and continue to work and live in it. He had some other interesting concepts that he put forth, but it was very in tune with the Gebo.
I also get a daily sun sign horoscope delivered to my email, more for fun and the occasional insights then anything actually have to do with serious astrology. It has a buzz word that popped out to me, of relying on my “generous” open-minded optimism. Generous huh?

February 11, 2010

Gebo

Gebo is the letter G (as in go)

Anglo-Saxon Rune Poem (from ragweedforge.com)

Generosity brings credit and honour, which support one's dignity;
it furnishes help and subsistence
to all broken men who are devoid of aught else

Gebo is translated as generosity or as gift. A significant part of the social structure of northern European peoples was based upon the giving of gifts between men. It is essentially, the social contract that bound people together into communities.

Esoterically speaking, Gebo is this exchange on any level. It is a rune of relationship and parternership, whether it is romantically, economically, intellectually or spiritually. Depending upon the context of the question it shows a give and take that is necessary for the coming together. Sometimes you get to be in the receiving position, sometimes you need to be the one giving and showing generosity. By coming into this exchange, you can gain in honor and dignity, values which have a metaphysical impact as well as social one. It is a complex subject, but in general, living your life with honor and integrity gives a person spiritual force and power born of respect because they do what they say, and keep their word. This can even be developed in complete isolation from other people, and the spiritual realms will recognize it. Dignity, however, does require people. It is not being dignified, but rather having the appreciation of the people who are close to you. While there will always be (and always has been) people who will gossip, and engage in rumor and innuendo, they don’t matter here. The people who are close to you, close friends, close family, who know they can depend on you (or not) and that you can depend on them (or not) creates that dignity. Raven Kaldera calls this hamingja. Gebo is the rune of hamingja and honor (which Mr. Kaldera calls maegen) both, and the benefits of that that value exchange between people. The gift of this results in what people might call luck.

February 10, 2010

Rune of the day February 10, 2010

Dagaz

Dagaz is the letter D

Anglo-Saxon Rune Poem (from ragweedforge.com)

Day, the glorious light of the Creator, is sent by the Lord;
it is beloved of men, a source of hope and happiness to rich and poor,and of service to all.

I am feeling rather blissful right now, after having a very rewarding morning meditation, which is part of my regular practice. It seems very appropriate that would I draw this rune as my rune for the day, showing the glorious light, hope, and happiness. This is the day the Gods have made, be glad, give thanks, rejoice.

February 9, 2010

Jera

Jera is the letter J, but it’s name it’s pronounced more like a yah sound.

Anglo-Saxon Rune Poem (from ragweedforge.com)

Summer is a joy to men, when God, the holy King of Heaven,
suffers the earth to bring forth shining fruitsfor rich and poor alike.

Jera (or Ger) translates as Year or Summer, and also as Harvest. The stanza indicates the that quickening of the earth during the warmer months, that brings forth fruit that is available to everyone, before there was the rampant idea of enclosed property and ownership of plants or seeds.

Jera is a rune that I both love and find annoying. On one hand, it represents the fruition of effort (particularly from effort exerted over a long period of time) and bounty. It is the harvest of your work. On the other hand, it shows the need for patience. This boon doesn’t come quickly or easily, but is gained from discipline and dedication, especially when it shows up in a future position of a reading. The harvest isn’t here yet, but it is coming, so keep working. It is also an audh-runa (wealth rune) that relates to steady work, solid, beneficial employment. It is more about the career and long term investments, then immediate finances, and definitely not something to take risk with.

While Jera is non-reversible, and so it always shows the fruition of effort, depending upon a reading, this can be a undesired sign. A definite reminder that you reap what you sow. While I don’t necessarily believe in Karma, I do believe in ethics, and so, be ethical.

February 8, 2010 - Feoh

Feoh is the letter F

Anglo-Saxon Rune Poem (from ragweedforge.com)

Wealth is a comfort to all men;
yet must every man bestow it freely,if he wish to gain honour in the sight of the Lord.

Feoh translates as Wealth. Other Rune Poems indicate Gold. For some reason, a lot of contemporary authors say Cattle, but that is NOT the original translation of this rune. While it could be taken there through a kind of abstraction of pastoral ideal (the men in past traded cattle for wealth, while has roots in historical accuracy, is not the whole substance).

I think Feoh is one of the many runes that people really enjoy. Why? People can’t seem to have enough wealth, money and stuff. I can’t blame them. Money itself, is not a bad thing, and if that is what you want, go for it. Feoh of course, can help you with Wealth, Money, finances. It is the audhruna (wealth rune) of all Wealth Runes. Feoh shows wealth and abundance, and is especially favorable in readings related to money and finances. But it can show that wealth in other types of readings too. The immaterial wealth of love, family, social acclaim and fame, are often sought after by people and can grow in abundance. Like the poem indicates, by sharing that wealth, you can gain honour and dignity, and that wealth will often grow with it.

February 7, 2010

Nauthiz

Nauthiz is the letter N

Anglo-Saxon Rune Poem (from ragweedforge.com)

Necessity is oppressive to the heart;
yet often it proves a source of help and salvationto the children of men, to everyone who heeds it betimes.

You should all be familiar with this rune. It seems to come up a lot lately, I think. Need. Necessity. The troubles of things that must be done, that can be challenging, and oppressive, yet can bring great help and succor when it is acted upon. An interesting sign for Superbowl Sunday.

Week of February 7 to February 13

Ear

Ear is the dipthong of ea

Anglo-Saxon Rune Poem (from ragweedforge.com)

The grave is horrible to every knight,

when the corpse quickly begins to cool
and is laid in the bosom of the dark earth.
Prosperity declines, happiness passes away
and covenants are broken

ear is translated as grave or tomb, which is what the stanza of the rune poem indicates.

Esoterically, Ear is the Death, the grave and decay. In a reading, it shows that the quesited has reached it’s end and it is time to move on from that subject. However, in this case, it is a slow end. Much like the process of natural decay, it takes time. While it can be hurried up a little, it is still a slow and steady process. Raven Kaldera indicates that this is beneficial, for when an end needs to come, but if it came quickly, it might destroy or destabilize things that are still of benefit. So instead, things slowly rot away. Like the process of decomposition, it does return things back to the environment, that will nurture new things to replace what is and has passed away. However, Ear is the first part of that process.

February 6, 2010

Eohlx

Eohlx is the letter Z or X

If you want the stanza from the rune poem, look at February 5.
So we have a repeat, and maybe that is a good thing. Being in a protected space definitely has it’s advantages. Since today is Saturday, which is also a day that maintain the protective magic that I have in place, this seems like a double blessing to me, as it will be more strongly supported because of it.

February 5, 2010

Eohlx

Eohlx is the letter Z and X

Anglo-Saxon Rune Poem (from ragweedforge.com)

The Eolh-sedge is mostly to be found in a marsh;
it grows in the water and makes a ghastly wound,covering with blood every warrior who touches it.

Eohlx is commonly translated as Elk-sedge, a type of marsh plant with fine edges that can cut you, like a paper cut. Definitely not fun to be stuck in, and would probably serve well as a protective measure in terrain.

Esoterically, Eohlx is a rune of protection. Harmful and unwanted forces are kept away with this rune. But it also brings the user awareness and alertness, qualities which help one to stay out of trouble. That flash of intuition which says, don’t go that way, or not this taxi, or, go get your car checked. It also works the other way as well, which is to say, rather then informing you, it flashed to others, back off, don’t mess with me, I am not one to be trifled with. Eohlx is probably one of the most used runes, and the best remembered.

Thursday February 4, 2010

Inguz

Inguz is suffix –ing

Anglo-Saxon Rune Poem (from ragweedforge.com)

Ing was first seen by men among the East-Danes,
till, followed by his chariot,he departed eastwards over the waves.So the Heardingas named the hero

Inguz , or Ing, is the name of hero and God of Northern Europe. You might be familiar with this god by another name, Freyr. A lot of information about Inguz often speaks a lot about Freyr and various ritual practices involving Freyr, which is all fine and good. It will better explain the poem stanza and the event that it refers to. I am not.

To me, in a reading, Inguz signifies a force that sets other things in motion. A catalyst, if you will. That catalyst makes the possibility for other changes to happen, as it brings together the various elements and sets them in motion, which then creates something new from what was present before. When it does come up in a reading, you should expand on Inguz with other runes, to see the forces involved, and what will spring forth anew from this result. Suffice to say, I find the presence of Inguz to be very interesting, and something of note in any reading. When it does show up, it should get due attention.

February 3, 2010

Dagaz

Dagaz is the letter D

Anglo-Saxon Rune Poem (from ragweedforge.com)

Day, the glorious light of the Creator, is sent by the Lord;
it is beloved of men, a source of hope and happiness to rich and poor,and of service to all

It is a new day, and the return of Dagaz. I am feeling that today, this rune is about change. My personal work (on top of this while daily rune cast thing) was pretty intense today, especially as I have reached the end of 4th aettir of the anglo-saxon futhorc. The next rune, doesn’t belong to any of the aettirs, but seems to stand alone, which is Gar, the rune for this week. Strangely synchronous and appropriate, I think.

February 2, 2010

Ac

Ac is a vowel sound of A, I am just not sure which one (sources are sketchy)

Anglo-Saxon Rune Poem (from ragweedforge.com)

The oak fattens the flesh of pigs for the children of men.
Often it traverses the gannet's bath,and the ocean proves whether the oak keeps faithin honourable fashion.

Ac translates to Oak (as in the tree). The rune poem illustrates two benefits of the oak tree, a source of food for domestic animals (acorns used to feed pigs) and also it’s benefit as a wood used in making seafaring vessels.
Esoterically, Ac partakes of the many symbolic qualities of the oak tree. It is a une of longevity, much as oak trees can live for a very long time. It is nurturing, as it supplies food (like acorns which can be fed to pigs, but also can be worked and made edible for humans as well). It is strong, as Oak wood has a very dense structure, and is often used in construction for it’s strength. It was also used for doors for this reason, as they were often the first defense against unwanted intrusion. Oak trees also show their strength in their ability to survive lightning strikes because of the wood density, which keeps them from being blown apart. I remember visiting an old oak tree in Indiana, which had been struck by lightning once, and had survived for many years after that. So, the strength of Oak is also about endurance and fortitude. A relationship can be seen between Ur and Ac as runes of strength, with Ur being active strength, like muscle and force, where as Ac is more passive and subtle strength, that has tenacity, and doesn’t yield or give up easily.

February 1, 2010

Tiewaz

Tiewaz is the letter T

Anglo-Saxon Rune Poem (from ragweedforge.com)

Tiewaz is a guiding star; well does it keep faith with princes;
it is ever on its course over the mists of night and never fails.

As the stanza indicates, Tiewaz (or Tiw) is a guiding star. Other Futharks give it to be the god Tyr, a god of justice and war, but not savage war, but tactics and planning. Tyr has a very famous story about him sacrificing his hand to the Fenris wolf, as an agreement between the Fenris and the gods, that the gods would release him from this duergar crafted ribbon if Fenris could not escape from it. When Fenris was fully bound, the gods did not release him, and so Tyr, keeping his word, let the wolf bite it off and devour it. In that sense, Tyr is also about honor and integrity, keeping your word and responsibilities, even when doing so is probably undesired. Amidst the judgment, war, and honor, is a sense of pervading Wisdom. This is the Wisdom that can be expressed in correct judgment, the wisdom of correct tactics in battle, and the wisdom born from living a life of honor and integrity.
In a reading, Tiewaz represents all of those things. Which exact expressions comes out through discernment of the reader or the greater context of the reader. For myself, I am reminded of responsibilities I have to see to for today. Responsibilities that I am not terribly fond of, that I need to keep. It is also a call to wisdom, and trusting in guidance that I have access to.

February 2010

Isa

Isa is the vowel sound ee (a long e like seize)

Anglo-Saxon Rune Poem (from ragweedforge.com)

Ice is very cold and immeasurably slippery;
it glistens as clear as glass and most like to gems;it is a floor wrought by the frost, fair to look upon

Isa means Ice. That is probably the most consistent rune in the all the Futharks, as it means ice in virtually all of them. The Anglo-Saxon stanza refers to the beautiful quality of ice, although it does give a brief indication of its dangers (cold and slippery).

Esoterically, it is cold, frozen, slippery, yet also static and unchanging. Things that are frozen at very low tempatures, don’t decay or change. That is why we have modern day freezers, to help us preserver our foodstuffs longer, because as long as they are frozen, they won’t decay as quickly. With Isa, you can freeze energies, entities or whatever, stopping them from reaching you. You can also use it to freeze yourself, giving time to reflect, be still and calm. Eventually though, things will thaw and when the ice melts, it can bring a gentle renewal or a mighty flood.
In a quite literal interpretation for the month of February, I think winter will hold on a bit longer then normal. But that is just my hypothesis. Also, don’t expect a great deal of change in this month, which can be both good and bad. Everything will probably just seem to take extra effort, unless you apply some heat to get things moving along.