Runes 402 - Rune Dialogues - Get out of the Funk

In the past few months, more and more people have come to me seeking guidance from the Runes about how to get out of the funk that is surrounding them, how to deal with the chaos that seems to be invading the world, and to simply get out of the rut that they're in.  In short, more than at any other time I can remember in the past few decades, people are feeling discouraged, sad, frustrated, and even angry most of the time.  This is true on multiple levels - the individual, community (regional, national), and global levels.

When a friend of mine told me that she just wants to be happy again, but can't seem to find a way, that prompted me to write about this general sensation through a dialogue with the Runes.

I began the conversation by asking a basic question: When we're in a funk, how can we get out?

Normally, the answer comes in a single Rune, but this time, the Runes gave me three - Jera, Gebo, Berkana - to acknowledge the situation and reframe our thinking.

Runes:  Jera is the Runes of the year, and there can be no doubt that the past year (past while) has been hard - the growing funk to which you refer.  This gives your question context.  Gebo also presents us with a challenge in two ways.  First, we have been giving of ourselves and not in the usual willing way (not out of choice, but out of circumstance), but we must find a way to change the tide of things.  That is the second part - the challenge.  How do we turn something that seems to be a negative into a positive?  Berkana affords that conscious beginning.  You are acknowledging that you want to change things.  That is the starting point.  Now, is the time to take action.

Me:  But how?  What is that step?

Runes:  Begin by acknowledging your funk and accepting the challenge it presents.  With that recognition comes the opportunity to begin to address it.  To take a first step. Let Raido set the path for that journey.  Raido falls under Jera (see image above), to remind you that the journey will take time.  Eihwaz, the yew tree, represents your inner strength; it is what will help you face the challenge of the funk that Gebo gives, and step away from it.  One of the easiest ways to find the strength to begin is to use Fehu find something that you value.

Me:  That makes sense, but it can't be that simple.

Runes:  It is true that some things are easier said than done, but sometimes humans make things harder than they need to be.  Mannaz, the Rune of Humanity, embodies this struggle, but it is also a reminder that humans are not perfect.  Mistakes will be made, but working to correct them and to ultimately make the change you want is all part of Mannaz.  Fehu, once again, reminds you that if you really want to make a change, focus on something that you value, something that is important enough to you that you are willing to do something about it.  Don't try to do it all or be everything to everyone or every cause.  When you are in a rut or funk or everything seems like it has gone to shit, you cannot keep doing things the same way.  Kenaz represents creativity and innovation.  Find a new approach, but don't give up.

Me:  Thank you.  That does help to clarify things.  It is important to remember that most of what we do is our choice and I think those Runes remind us of that.  It sounds like we have to focus on our individual actions.

Runes:  That is true, but individuals don't function on a singular level.  Within each of us are small daily things that we do that build on larger ideals that we continue to aim for.  For example, it is fair to say that people want to be happy, but happy is a broad, higher level way of being.  Wunjo represents that goal.  But how does one achieve it?  They achieve it by empowering themselves through those smaller daily activities.  There is a lot of power behind this simple statement.  Thurisaz, the thorn Rune, is a Rune of power.  As you build that power or empowerment, and channel it toward the things that you value, you will be able to manage the rut, funk, and chaos found in Hagalaz.  Remember, the hail Rune has two parts - the initial destructive force and the beginning that happens once the hail melts.  If you are working toward that higher level joy, and can remain focused on that, you will be able to deal not only with this funk and chaos, but the next round that may come your way.

Runes 201 - Individual Runes - Nauthiz

All I've been thinking about since last week, for reasons I won't go into here, is gluttony.  It is hard not to sound preachy or political when discussing the state of society, but society's gluttony strikes a nerve that saddens and concerns me.  I've been reminded first hand of mass consumption and waste, our complete detachment from the sources of the things we buy, and the stress our contemporary lifestyle creates.  Conversation after conversation ended with me questioning, "To what end?"

And, to that end, I found myself clinging tightly to Nauthiz, the Rune of need and necessity, because it seems to address this problem so well for me, by shifting away from the wants of a system long since broken.

Nauthiz presents a dual warning, of being aware of trouble and the importance of heeding its effects in time.  Interestingly, the trouble sighted in its Rune poem afflicts the heart and I believe, when it comes to gluttony, we have our second dual warning, warnings for the heart- one physical and one mental and emotional.  But, what can we do to heed the warning in time?  This is what I asked the Runes this week.

I was not surprised that Jera was the first Rune presented to me.  I appreciate the reminder that heeding the warning and addressing it will not happen over night.  It will take time, be a process.  Because I have such a strong affiliation with this harvest Rune, it did help to comfort me and, in a way, give me hope.  It also reinforces the idea that the process of change must begin.

Berkana was the second Rune, assuring me that, once we heed the warning, we do face a beginning. This beginning involves a new way of doing things and largely turning away from the current way of  consuming and wasting, detachment and stress.  This is a Rune that brings us back to nature and couples with Jera to remind us of nature's processes and the need to reattach ourselves to them; that a healing or time of healing must take place.

Of course, Thurisaz reminds us that this is a move of great power.  If we unite, our force becomes the giant that no one wants to challenge.  It is strength in numbers.  In essence, for this beginning to be successful, we have to move forward together and, if we do, we will be a force to be reckoned with.  Instead of trying to make life better for ourselves through gluttony, we have to look at the bigger picture and make life better for everyone.

This also explains why, in between each of these Runes, I drew Mannaz, the Rune of humanity, and kept returning it to the pile.  It wasn't time yet, but now it is.  The gluttony I've witnessed over the past week cannot be overcome alone, as the self, though the self must undertake the process of change.  We must unite and focus on needs not wants.  It won't happen overnight, but it affords society the opportunity for a thoughtful beginning.

As much as Nauthiz's Rune poem ends in hope, so I end this post in hope.  It is a quote from Ghandi, "Be the change you want to see in the world."  Let others know what you're doing on this front; share a comment here and let's begin to build our giant force!  Have a fantastic week!