August 31, 2010 - Isa

Isa

Isa is the vowel “i” (pronounced “ee)

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 is the rune of Ice, cold and stillness. In the depth of winter, when it is record cold temperatures, living things are dormant or seeking refuge from ice, and snow that surrounds them. This is a trend that even appears in warmer climes, as the winter months in Southern California, often the streets are emptier at night, there are less people out, and everyone is gathered in their homes, or with friends. In that stillness there can grown contemplation, reflection and insight. Isa can be the stillness and silence of deep meditation, where everything exterior seems to fall away, leaving only a centered-ness where one can be an observer, and experience the oneness and detachment at the same time.

A part of me feels like that this is a call, to be silent, and bring stillness to the chattering of my mind, so that I can embrace the quiet strength of Spirit and my soul.

August 30, 2010 - Eihwaz

Eihwaz

Eihwaz is the long “i” sound, but is rarely used in script.

Anglo-Saxon Rune Poem (from ragweedforge.com)

The yew is a tree with rough bark,
hard and fast in the earth, supported by its roots,a guardian of flame and a joy upon an estate.

Eihwaz today signifies a coming together, that possibility of seemingly disparate things being linked, and a relationship being formed between them. That relationship might be benevolent, a conjuction that brings good things to both in harmony. It might also be difficult or malevolent, a stressful opposition, but it also involves balance, a dynamic tension that forces both elements into action.

August 26, 2010 - Ac reversed

Ac reversed

Ac is the long a sound (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 reversed signifies that deception, dishonor, and disingenuous dealings, usually with people. It is an unfortunate, but there are people who don’t take commitments seriously, who break contracts and agreements, and who area very irresponsible in a number of ways. Ultimately, it all falls upon that person, who failed to read the agreement he was entering into, who didn’t bother to keep track of to whom promises were made, and then when the collector comes calling, he seeks to break out of that commitment, claiming foul play and casting disrepute onto those with whom the debtor came into agreement. The commit-aphobic as it were.

August 25, 2010 - Khalk

Khalk

Khalk is the letter K

There is no rune poem for Khalk. It is a Northumbrian Rune.

Khalk, the cup, signifies that today is dreams, hopes, desires. It often serves to indicate how close we have come to achieving them, but also how far we have yet to go. It refreshes, but once drunk to the dregs, leaves one thirsting for more, seeking to be fulfilled again, or at least to have a new desire that can motivate and captivate you, as one dream becomes a reality, a new dream surfaces to take it’s place. Now that you have won, what will you do know?

August 24, 2010 - Hagalaz

Hagalaz

Hagalaz is the letter H

Anglo-Saxon Rune Poem (from ragweedforge.com)

Hail is the whitest of grain;
it is whirled from the vault of heavenand is tossed about by gusts of windand then it melts into water
The rune of hail, storms and disruption is the rune for this Tuesday, as Southern California experiences one of the few major heatwaves of the summer. It is one of my less preferred meteorlogical patterns, but when you leave in a Mediterranean desert, it is something you get used to. Interesting enough, Hagalaz seems more like a pattern break. Too long have things been going on in their usual routine, and now, *SNAP* it’s time to break out of that routine. The energies are present and available, and will act forth whether you are ready or not. Harness and channel that lightning strike of Hagalaz, grounding that energy into something useful

August 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

August 19, 2010 - Aethel

Aethel

Aethel is the dipthong “ae”

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 points to your home, and your ancestors, those people whose bloodline, you may be the current repository and passer of. I find the two ideas are often intertwined on a metaphysical level. Peace in your home, harmony, abundance, prosperity, and all good things can be seen as the blessings of your ancestors, the people who look upon you from photographs, and memorabilia, like grandma’s tea cup or tie pin that your great grandfather may have had, passed down from generation to generation. Giving respect and reverence to these people, both living and passed, often is a way that blessings will grow and accumulate in your own life

August 18, 2010 - Aesc reversed

Aesc reversed

Aesc is the dipthong “ae”

Anglo-Saxon Rune Poem (from ragweedforge.com)

The ash is exceedingly high and precious to men.
With its sturdy trunk it offers a stubborn resistance,though attacked by many a man.

The rune for today is almost comical to me, in light of my experience while doing my spiritual disciplines this morning. Moving from my meditation, I felt the strong desire to visit the Runatyr, mainly because I felt this intuition to pull out a red candle, carve the complete Futhorc into it, dressing with one of my all purposes condition oils, and light it. Wondering why I got this instruction, I sought out the Allfather, to ask, and see. Well, it’s always good to give the rune wights some love (and payment) but I also got a flash of inspiration as well, I think for paying a visit and my respects, and following the impulse I was given. In that sense, Aesc reversed speaks to power of the Gods and wights, coming down, making themselves known, and how to go about directing that power that they gift you with. As I think of the Aesc (the ash tree) as being a symbol of the Upper Realms, when it is reversed, it is the power of those realms being poured forth in very précise ways. It also points to that during the night I was having a series of vivid dreams, that occurred one after the other. This almost never happens to me, but when it does, it feels like a floodgate has been opened.

August 17, 2010 - Eihwaz

Eihwaz

Eihwaz is the long “i” sound.

Anglo-Saxon Rune Poem (from ragweedforge.com)

The yew is a tree with rough bark,
hard and fast in the earth, supported by its roots,a guardian of flame and a joy upon an estate

August 15 - 21, 2010 - Eohlx reversed

Eohlx reversed

Eohlx is the letters x or z

Anglo-Saxon Rune Poem (from ragweedforge.com)

The Eolhx-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

August 16, 2010 - Eohlx reversed

Eohlx reversed

Eohlx is the letters x or z

Anglo-Saxon Rune Poem (from ragweedforge.com)

The Eolhx-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

August 15, 2010 - Isa

Isa

Isa is the vowel “i” (but pronounced “ee)

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

August 14, 2010 - Eihwaz

Eihwaz

Eihwaz is the long “i” sound.

Anglo-Saxon Rune poem (from ragweedforge.com)

The yew is a tree with rough bark,
hard and fast in the earth, supported by its roots,a guardian of flame and a joy upon an estate

August 13, 2010 - Cweorth

Cweorth

Cweorth is the letter Q
There is no Anglo-Saxon Rune Poem for Cweorth. It is a Northumbrian Rune

August 12, 2010 - Khalk

Khalk

Khalk is the letter K

There is no rune poem for Khalk. It is a Northumbrian Rune.

Khalk is one of those runes whose exact name is unclear. Many translations given are cup or chalice. In my personal meditations on Khalk, that is the essence that sticks out the clearest. As I have often wrote about before, it is the Cup of desires, hopes and dreams, the goal that motivates, even though it is often unattainable. I am reminded of a saying that I read somewhere “If mans reach was not meant to exceed his grasp, what is a heaven for?” The highest ideal is meant to be unreachable, at least as long as we dwell in this mortal coil, as the journey, struggle, and endeavor to reach that place keeps us going, despite the hardship, and the path of thorns that awaits us. But mixed in with those thorns, are roses.

August 11, 2010 - Cweorth/Qweorth

Cweorth/Qweorth

Cweorth is letter Q

There is no Anglo-Saxon rune poem. Cweorth is a Northumbrian Rune.

As I sat contemplating this rune, the words of William Blake sprang to mind.

Tiger, Tiger, burning bright,
in the forest of the night.
What immortal hand or eye
Could frame thy fearful symmetry?

In what distant deeps or skies
Burnt the fire of thine eyes.
On what wings dare he aspire
What the hand dare seize the fire?

And what shoulder and what art Could twist the sinews of thy heart? And when thy heart began to beat, What dread hand and what dread feet? What the hammer? what the chain? In what furnace was thy brain? What the anvil? What dread grasp Dare its deadly terrors clasp? When the stars threw down their spears, And water'd heaven with their tears, Did He smile His work to see? Did He who made the lamb make thee? Tiger, tiger, burning bright In the forests of the night, What immortal hand or eye Dare frame thy fearful symmetry?

Atheism and Magic

Recently, on a elist that I am member of, in a discussion about magical ethics, the conversation turned to the idea of religion, faith, and their relationship to magic. In the discussion, the subject was brought up of how a friend was a declared atheist, but believed in ghosts, because in her twenties, she lived in a severely haunted house and experience that reality first hand. So, while she didn’t believe in God or gods, she did believe in ghosts, and spirits. This puzzled quite a few people, but it seemed perfectly reasonable to me. I also indicated that an atheist could also practice magic, and also not necessarily believe in God or gods. Quite a few people seemed puzzled by this.

The example I that used is my awareness of the magical practices belong to various Buddhists sects, while many Buddhists that I have met, have indicated that they are atheists. That is, they don’t believe in God or gods. To be perfectly honest however, I have never met a magical practitioner who is also a serious atheist. I also pointed out that someone can be an atheist, and belief in spiritual realities, while someone who only believes in material source, causation and reality, will most likely be an atheist as well, but being an atheist and being a hard materialistic empiricist is not the same thing.
As far as the Buddhist thing goes, I am a total outsider, and I really have no other claim then a few experience with friends and acquaitances who have identified as Buddhist. I have also never met anyone who was an atheist, and also practiced magic (of any kind per se). I myself, am not an atheist either, so for the most part, I am playing the devil’s advocate here. But this lead me to the thought and decision to ask the question. Is there anyone, or has anyone ever met anyone who was a declared atheist, but also practiced magic of some kind or another? I would really like to know, and I rather hope I can meet a person like this, because I really want to ask him and converse with him how he espouses his cosmology, and how magic works for him

August 10, 2010 - Berkana reversed

Berkana reversed

Berkana is the letter B

Anglo-Saxon Rune Poem (from ragweedforge.com)

The birch bears no fruit; yet without seed it brings forth suckers,
for it is generated from its leaves.Splendid are its branches and gloriously adornedits lofty crown which reaches to the skies

Berkana reversed indicates that there is a lack of nurturing, of growth, and gentle sustenance within the day. Perhaps some harsh internal criticism is being applied, or the environment that is moved through today is being particularly rough, with very little gentleness or kindness involved. As Berkana is the rune of the feminine, it might indicate a lack of female presence or influence. For women in particular, it might be indicating that there are problems had within, and a need to find feminine strength and power, but also to look at the well being of breasts, womb, ovaries and vagina.

August 9, 2010 - Tiewaz reversed

Tiewaz reversed

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
The dark moon comes with us this Monday, and today feels weird, or at least it felt weird this morning, moving into meditation. Of course, what occurs to me is the idea that the moon is being eaten by some cosmic beast, a wolf or a dragon that slowly devours the night candle, only to have it be reborn again, some how. In thinking about Tyr, I think of Fenris, and that somehow if he had gotten out, he would have devoured the moon, but perhaps the moon would have survived. The moon causes me to think again of the swastika, to think of the swastika as this celestial power, perhaps lightning or the sun wheel, or even the moon, identified by it’s turning and changing, over it’s 28 day cycle. A cycle where it is devoured, only to return again, a thin crescent that sheds just a glimmer of blue-silver light across the earth at night, which growns in strength, only to fade again, and be consumed by the wolf. Here I am in the belly of the beast, fully eaten, not a lick of morsel left that can sparkly or shine, and yet in these digesting depths the acids and bile are working a biological alchemy. Breaking down and perhaps emerge renewed, or at least to start as the prima material, so that the patterning, the weaving of who and what I am can be changed.

August 8, 2010 - Aesc

Aesc

Aesc is the vowel sound “ae”

Anglo-Saxon Rune Poem (from ragweedforge.com)

The ash is exceedingly high and precious to men.
With its sturdy trunk it offers a stubborn resistance,though attacked by many a man

August 8 - August 14, 2010 - Ac

Ac

Ac is the long a sound “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.

August 7, 2010 - Berkana reversed

Berkana reversed

Berkana is the letter B

Anglo-Saxon Rune Poem (from ragweedforge.com)

The birch bears no fruit; yet without seed it brings forth suckers,
for it is generated from its leaves.Splendid are its branches and gloriously adornedits lofty crown which reaches to the skies

August 6, 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, the rune of luck and chance, is shining for Friday. One of the things I notice, with the method I have made for creating bind runes (namely, doing a casting while focus on what I want to achieve, and put those runes together in an aethestically pleasing way (for myself), Peorth seems to show up a lot. It makes sense as the rune of luck, that from perspective of active shaping that magic is, one needs to seize upon luck, and direct it towards one’s desires, whatever those desires maybe.

August 5, 2010 - Eihwaz

Eihwaz

Eihwaz is the long “i” sound, but is rarely used in written script

Anglo-Saxon Rune Poem (from ragweedforge.com)

The yew is a tree with rough bark,
hard and fast in the earth, supported by its roots,a guardian of flame and a joy upon an estate

A day of connections, new possibilities, and new contacts is the indication of Eihwaz for today. I recently acquired a new book, “The Encyclopedia of Natural Magic” by John Michael Greer. He gives an entry for the yew tree, and I particularly like his indication for magical uses for Yew. Mr Greer writes “Use Yew for protection from spirits, especially spirits of the dead. It is particularly useful in exorcism, and laying ghosts to rest.” Definitely also a fitting use for Eihwaz also, although I would say for both, it would work equally well, both in driving spirits away, but also calling them forth.

August 4, 2010 - Eolhx

Eolhx

Eolhx is the sounds of “x” or “z”

Anglo-Saxon Rune Poem (from ragweedforge.com)

The Eolhx-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
Eolhx, the rune of protection, is the rune for this first Wednesday in August. It symbolizes protection, security, and sanctuary. Within the confines of an area marked by eolhx, one may find rest, peace, and quietness which allows one to cast off burdens momentarily, so that healing and regeneration, both physical and spiritual can occur

Reclaiming the Taboo

A symbol that I am currently contemplating deeply is commonly known as the swastika. It is a symbol that has a long history, mostly good, until the 20th century, where in the hands of Adolf Hitler and the National Socialist Party, it became associated with horrors and atrocities enacted in Nazi Germany. For that reason, many countries have banned the symbol outside of restricted usage for certain religions (primarily eastern, where the swastika has a much richer usage and benevolent symbolism that is much stronger then anything in Nazi Germany).

There are many variants on the swastika, mostly in stylistic depictions, and also vary depending upon the culture. It also has many names. Fylfot, Hooked Cross, Gammadion, Tetraskelion, Tursaansydan, manji, Mjolnir, thorshammr, Mundilfari, sun wheel, At one time, a Buddhist version of the Red Cross was called Red Swastika, and performed in actions similar to Red Cross of western countries.

One of the mistaken lore about the swastika, is that there is a reversed version, which symbolize evil. That is untrue however, as artifacts and usage up until mid 20th century used the swastika with it’s bent legs facing in both directions. Whatever way the legs are turned, the symbolism of the swastika, as a symbol of good fortune and luck, holds true. It was for the beneficial association that Hitler decided to use it, along with pseudo-philosophies about being Aryan, and the connection made by German nationalists both before and current with Adolf Hitler, which encourage him to use that symbol for the Nazi party.

Some of the two best sources I have found about the Swastika and it’s attributes are from Wikipedia, which had a detailed entry, with fascinating links at the bottom leading to other variants.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Swastika

Another interesting source was ms Catherine Yronwode and her Lucky Mojo website

http://www.luckymojo.com/swastika.html

It was from studying these websites that I decided to work with the swastika a little bit, embracing the it’s attribution of Good Fortune, and using it in a spell for myself to encourage and stimulate good luck. Not in any specific area of influence, but in the sense of any event moving odds in my favor.

To that end, I seek to reclaim this taboo symbol that has been rejected, at least for myself. While I don’t plan on showing it openly in any large way, because it seems like too much effort to explain to every person I see that I am not a Nazi, or Anti-Semetic, and it has nothing to with that, it is unfortunate that this symbols has been so tarnished by the misuse. I think with time and exposure, the idea can be taken back, and the symbol can be reclaimed and used openly again in the Western World, without misinterpretation.

Last moment addition

a blog devoted to images of the swastika

http://svasticross.blogspot.com/

August 3, 2010 - Aethel

Aethel

Aethel is the sound “ae”

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

Today is probably a good day to work on the home. Maybe doing some of those cleaning chores that need to get done, or organize those drawers you have been meaning to organize. Use your kitchen and cook something, or kick and back and relax with a good book for part of the evening.

August 2, 2010 - Thurisaz reversed

Thurisaz reversed

Thurisaz is the sound “th”

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

August 1, 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

As an interesting counterpoint to the energies of Jera, August first is marked by Dagaz, the rune of Day, change, and awakening. While the energies of Jera are slow, patient and methodical, Dagaz is quick to change, abrupt, and changeable. In their relationship, it could be seen that Dagaz is aggressive change that is being set in motion, to be followed through with Jera, to sustain, encourage and nurture it, so that those changes may become something new.

August 1 - 7, 2010 - Jera

Jera

Jera is the letter J

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, the rune of Summer, Harvest and the year, is the rune for this first week of August. A very propitious sign, as Jera equals well the with wiccan festival celebrated by many on the first, and over this week, the First Harvest known as Lammas. Fruits and grains are coming in now, some to be enjoyed, others to be processed so they can be stored away for the rest of the year. The day is starting to get shorter as we have moved away from the peak of summer. For some, the first chill of autumn may start to arrive in the evening, while others experience great heat waves, often called the “Dog Days of Summer” so named for the rising of the constellation Canis Major and its’ major star, Sirius.

August - Feoh reversed

Feoh reversed

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 reversed is the rune cast for August, indicating problems related to finances. It might come in the form of unexpected bills or expenses that need to be paid off. It might be that the time prior was spent in frivolous living, and now your savings is empty. Or it might just be worry, possibly necessary, over finances and whether you will have enough to meet your needs and your desires, to experience not just survival, but fulfillment. It may be other resources that are being expended too quickly as well, anything that can signify that wealth that you possess.

July 31, 2010 - Cweorth

Cweorth

Cweorth is the “q” sound.

There is no rune poem for Cweorth. It is a Northumbrian Rune.
Cweorth felt like an appropriate rune for Saturday. I was participating in ritual observance of holy days of the Wiccan tradition I belong to, and then in a totally twist of mildly ufortunate turn, I got a good sunburn, as I was on a beach near San Diego, CA for the observance. The sacred fires of Cweorth can burn you, if you are not careful.