A Rune for 2019

For the past few years, I've chosen a Rune to guide me through the year.  I've approached it as an individual Rune (Thurisaz) and I have performed some rituals (Sowilo and Ansuz) to make my determinations.  This year was different.  It didn't fee like a ritual so much as a whittling down of choices.

Unlike 2018, where my Rune for the year came to me clearly at least a month early, 2019 has been incredibly indecisive.  At least six Runes presented themselves as potential candidates, and each one has a reasonable case, starting with some of the Runes that I burned into my wand at the end of December.  Sowilo and Ansuz have already been Runes for the year, so I removed them from consideration.

That left Tiwaz, Eihwaz, Ingwaz, and Kenaz from the wand.  Beyond that, Berkana has been presenting itself far more often than usual as has Algiz.  What it came down to was what each Rune represents versus what I know about and will need in the coming year.

Tiwaz, Tyr's Rune, has always been a good Rune for me, representing three important aspects of Tyr - sky god, warrior god, and sacrifice.  They are often interconnected in any given circumstance.  The sky god has a bird's eye view to create strategy for the warrior who will persevere, but sacrifices will be made along the way.

Eihwaz, the Rune of the yew tree, is a Rune I use for specific moments.  It reminds me of my inner strength and helps me to overcome challenges.

Ingwaz, Freyr's Rune, surprised me as an option and was the first one that I ruled out.  This is a fertility Rune.  While I believe some things that are in play are moving forward, I would not say that the time is ripe for much at this point, though I could see Ingwaz coming into play in the next year or two.

Algiz came in third.  The Rune of self-defense and protection offers an important reminder that I extend from the idea of having to defend yourself to the idea of taking care of yourself.  Self care is a good idea, but not always easy to accomplish.  Plus, it means different things to different people.

The last two were almost impossible to choose between.  At one point, I began doodling potential bindrunes, joining Kenaz and Berkana.  It just didn't feel quite right though.  In the end, I had to choose one.

Berkana fits very well into where things are in my life at the moment, representing beginnings and the birch tree.  I believe this year will be a year of beginnings for me on many fronts, and I have a strong affinity for birch trees; in my mind, they are inextricably linked to Heimdall, the watchman of the gods.

Kenaz, the torch Rune wins out though, because it constitutes the way in which I must approach all of the beginnings that are coming my way in 2019.  Kenaz, the torch, is human made fire, which embodies human ingenuity and creativity.  Mine has never really been a traditional path, though it's had glimmers of it.  It has required out of the box thinking, making something out of seemingly discreet parts, and getting up every time I get knocked down.  In short, I've had to get creative a lot in my life.

Choosing a Rune for the year can be a very useful tool.  Whether you go through a ritual to choose one or it simply comes to you naturally, it can serve as a great reminder that helps you accomplish a lot of things or stay focused on a single overarching issue over the next twelve months.  I draw Runes every morning and having my Rune for the year come up is especially powerful.  Plus, when it doesn't come up, it encourages the question: How does