So often, we let life happen to us and feel we are helpless in a given situation, but what if we say, "No more!" What if we take control of the situation or, better still, of our own destiny, of our own happiness? In general, I am a take-charge kind of person, but lately, I have given in to views that we must follow a mundane path, work for "the man", waste away in a job or multiple jobs that make us miserable and take us away from the things that should be our priorities, things that make us happy. I decided to ask the Runes what would happen if I decided to take back control of my path. They did not disappoint in their guidance.
I could draw no better Rune to represent the overview of this line of questioning than Raido, the Rune of Riding, taking a journey. If we expect to progress, we must move, preferably forward. That is part of the traditional meaning behind this Rune. It also highlights a change from where we are either physically or mentally. New age meanings say this journey is one of healing and removing obstacles. Both interpretations play a role here. We are, as traditional meanings suggest, on a mental journey, which is complemented by new age meanings of healing and removing obstacles. After all, we are seeking a shift in our mindset from doing what we are told we should do to one where we are taking control. We must remove the ideas that others have placed in our minds to get a fresh perspective and consider new possibilities. To do that, we must be strong in this commitment.
That is why Tiwaz/Teiwaz, Týr's Rune is our challenge. We know this Rune well, having drawn it now four times in the last three months (State of the World, Opportunities in the New Year, The Role it Plays). This is the Rune of Strength and, though it serves as our challenge, by challenging us, Týr's Rune lends us strength, because we love a challenge. We will take control of the situation, each of us in our own way, and we will be strong through this process, because we must be to break the cycle of frustration that we live in trying to fulfill someone else's image of what our role should be. We are warriors in this pursuit.
Othala/Othila, the Rune of Inheritance and Home gives us our required action. This Rune is interesting in that its traditional and contemporary interpretations don't seem to align, yet they do and very well. You see, while traditional interpretations focus on appreciating the gifts we receive from our ancestors, whether property or skill, contemporary ones lean more towards acquiring a benefit after giving up something to which you're accustomed. In other words, to reap the benefits from and truly enjoy the gifts bestowed on us by our ancestors, sometimes we must give up something else. In this case, it is being strong with Tiwaz providing us with the strength we need to break away or separate from the path we are on currently and find the path that will make us happy and allow us to make the most of our inherited gifts.
Don't get me wrong. I am not suggesting total abandonment of your current life in one fell swoop, unless you have the capacity to do it. I am suggesting conscious rerouting in such a way that, if disruption occurs, it doesn't negatively impact your family or livelihood. Sometimes slow breaks require more strength than immediate ones, but they are worth the struggle to get to a place where you are in control of your own life.
Showing posts with label Othila. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Othila. Show all posts
Monday, February 13, 2012
Monday, November 28, 2011
Do You Understand?
My Occupy Valhalla post from the end of October has received more hits than any other post I've written. It is an amusing picture and provides some levity to an important issue. Before I go any further, let me say how impressed I am that this movement has become an international one and that I follow many of these movements (from Occupies across the US and Canada to those in Europe, such as Sweden, Denmark and Britain). It is a wonderful sign that millions of people "get it". However, as evidenced by the police actions and media comments, the underlying point of the Occupy Movement is still grossly misunderstood.
This situation made me wonder what can be done to help people to understand better not just the movement but opposing or seemingly opposing views in general. So, I asked the Runes what we can do to help others understand and I got a very interesting draw - Hagalaz, Thurisaz, Othala/Othila.
Hagalaz, the Rune of Hail is perfect for describing the overview of this heated issue. I am quoting directly from Sweyn Plowright's book "The Rune Primer", because its interpretation of this Rune fits so well. "An interesting combination of destructive and creative forces. The second aett begins here with a change of mood." Adding to this sentiment is the new age interpretation which calls for change, freedom, invention and liberation. This is the situation we are trying to get others to understand, whether it's Occupy Wall Street or another difference of opinion or perspective.
The meaning of Thurisaz, our challenge in this question, varies from traditional links to giants and thorns to new age attributions to Thor and gateways. Either way, Thurisaz is a Rune associated with great power. Historically, the power has been focused to breakthrough obstacles, which is an appropriate challenge when trying to get someone to open their mind to a different perspective. Modern interpretation suggests that this Rune, in this instance, requires contemplation before action. Once the contemplation is complete, we are ready to make our voices heard. It is challenging, indeed, to channel the power of so many into a single message when that message encompasses such a variety of issues.
With Othala as our action, we have the Rune of Inheritance. Here, I quote from the new age interpretation in Ralph Blum's "The Book of Runes". "Old skins must be shed, outmoded relationships discarded." Traditional meanings support this idea claiming that we have a right to enjoy our inheritance, that which we have worked for, that which our ancestors fought to ensure we would have. To be able to take this action, we must face the challenge and channel our power around what the Occupy Movement represents on a larger scale.
While this draw focused on the Occupy Movement and how to get people to understand its goal a little better, this draw is applicable in getting people to understand you more generally. Remember, different perspectives are not always openly or immediately accepted and require a change in thinking. How do we get others to change their thinking on a given subject and how do we do it ourselves? We use our voice and present well-thought out information, realizing that the path to understanding requires us to offer the same openness to others that we expect in sharing our perspectives with them. How do we do that without becoming confrontational and argumentative? By keeping in mind that our perspective is based on history and learning from both its mistakes and successes.
This situation made me wonder what can be done to help people to understand better not just the movement but opposing or seemingly opposing views in general. So, I asked the Runes what we can do to help others understand and I got a very interesting draw - Hagalaz, Thurisaz, Othala/Othila.
Hagalaz, the Rune of Hail is perfect for describing the overview of this heated issue. I am quoting directly from Sweyn Plowright's book "The Rune Primer", because its interpretation of this Rune fits so well. "An interesting combination of destructive and creative forces. The second aett begins here with a change of mood." Adding to this sentiment is the new age interpretation which calls for change, freedom, invention and liberation. This is the situation we are trying to get others to understand, whether it's Occupy Wall Street or another difference of opinion or perspective.
The meaning of Thurisaz, our challenge in this question, varies from traditional links to giants and thorns to new age attributions to Thor and gateways. Either way, Thurisaz is a Rune associated with great power. Historically, the power has been focused to breakthrough obstacles, which is an appropriate challenge when trying to get someone to open their mind to a different perspective. Modern interpretation suggests that this Rune, in this instance, requires contemplation before action. Once the contemplation is complete, we are ready to make our voices heard. It is challenging, indeed, to channel the power of so many into a single message when that message encompasses such a variety of issues.
With Othala as our action, we have the Rune of Inheritance. Here, I quote from the new age interpretation in Ralph Blum's "The Book of Runes". "Old skins must be shed, outmoded relationships discarded." Traditional meanings support this idea claiming that we have a right to enjoy our inheritance, that which we have worked for, that which our ancestors fought to ensure we would have. To be able to take this action, we must face the challenge and channel our power around what the Occupy Movement represents on a larger scale.
While this draw focused on the Occupy Movement and how to get people to understand its goal a little better, this draw is applicable in getting people to understand you more generally. Remember, different perspectives are not always openly or immediately accepted and require a change in thinking. How do we get others to change their thinking on a given subject and how do we do it ourselves? We use our voice and present well-thought out information, realizing that the path to understanding requires us to offer the same openness to others that we expect in sharing our perspectives with them. How do we do that without becoming confrontational and argumentative? By keeping in mind that our perspective is based on history and learning from both its mistakes and successes.
Monday, November 14, 2011
Leap, Jump, Step... Just Move
Last week, I had tea with a friend of mine. She is struggling through some personal issues right now. On top of that, or possibly because of it, she is very troubled over what to do with her life, what she really wants to pursue, and where her life, especially her professional life, is going. She seems stuck, not knowing which way to go and afraid to step in any direction. I assured her that I have been there more than once. I shared with her three major hurdles I've come up against in my adult life and realized that, in each instance, I jumped blindly into the next phase of my life. However, while I am prone jumping off cliffs in leaps of faith (and I should point out that my faith in this instance lies within myself, my abilities and the kindness of others; it's tangible even if unseen in the present), I know that not everyone can do that. Some people need to strap on ropes and special climbing shoes and ease their way down the cliff. That's okay. We all take different paths to get where we need or want to go. The point is that, whichever way we go, we go.
My questions for the Runes this week, then, are what advice works for everyone in this circumstance? How can we look at this overwhelming situation and be willing to jump off a cliff or strap on as much safety equipment as we can find and lower down its side? The answer they gave me - Kenaz/Kano, Othala/Othila, and Eihwaz.
Kenaz (Kano) demonstrates perfectly how the situation should be perceived. It is the Rune of Light, represented by a torch. This Rune indicates a time of enlightenment. The more light we shine on something, the easier it is to see. In a sense, it offers us a moment of clarity in which we can see the right path. Now, we just need to acknowledge it. Once we do that, we need to be willing to set aside any fear or doubt we have and step onto that path. Our instincts know it's the right one for us. Of course, that doesn't mean it's going to be an easy path to follow, but it is the one that will get us where we want to be.
No situation is without a challenge, but some seem more difficult to surmount than others. When we are struggling and find ourselves in a really tough place, Othala (Othila), the Rune of Benefits and Inheritance, helps us in two directions. Before moving forward, Othala reminds us to look back and be grateful for the things we do have in our lives, for the accomplishments we've made so far and for the sacrifices made by others (our ancestors and those around us). Being grateful is not always easy, but once we start to recognize all of the good things in our lives, dealing with the hard things becomes a little easier. The other direction this Rune helps us with is as we move forward. We walk down the path we choose by trusting our instincts so that we can receive benefits. However, although this Rune represents benefits, with those benefits may come personal sacrifices. That is to say that, to get what we want or where we want to be, we may have to give up something else.
To accomplish this leap of faith (or to scale down the cliff side) and follow a new or enlightened path requires a bit of toughness and stability. These aspects are demonstrated by Eihwaz, the Rune of Defense and the Yew tree. We've already established that, just because we choose the correct path, it doesn't mean the path will always be easy to traverse. Still, we have to stand our ground, demonstrate our faith in ourselves on this path, the correct path. Eihwaz reminds us that, not only do we have the strength or toughness to do this, but that through the challenges we face on this road we will grow.
No matter how we enter the next phase of our lives, whether by leaping or taking small steps, the process is the same. Trust yourself to choose the right path. The light shining on it comes from you. Be grateful for the things in your life and the sacrifices of others. Realize you will have to make sacrifices. Finally, be strong.
My questions for the Runes this week, then, are what advice works for everyone in this circumstance? How can we look at this overwhelming situation and be willing to jump off a cliff or strap on as much safety equipment as we can find and lower down its side? The answer they gave me - Kenaz/Kano, Othala/Othila, and Eihwaz.
Kenaz (Kano) demonstrates perfectly how the situation should be perceived. It is the Rune of Light, represented by a torch. This Rune indicates a time of enlightenment. The more light we shine on something, the easier it is to see. In a sense, it offers us a moment of clarity in which we can see the right path. Now, we just need to acknowledge it. Once we do that, we need to be willing to set aside any fear or doubt we have and step onto that path. Our instincts know it's the right one for us. Of course, that doesn't mean it's going to be an easy path to follow, but it is the one that will get us where we want to be.
No situation is without a challenge, but some seem more difficult to surmount than others. When we are struggling and find ourselves in a really tough place, Othala (Othila), the Rune of Benefits and Inheritance, helps us in two directions. Before moving forward, Othala reminds us to look back and be grateful for the things we do have in our lives, for the accomplishments we've made so far and for the sacrifices made by others (our ancestors and those around us). Being grateful is not always easy, but once we start to recognize all of the good things in our lives, dealing with the hard things becomes a little easier. The other direction this Rune helps us with is as we move forward. We walk down the path we choose by trusting our instincts so that we can receive benefits. However, although this Rune represents benefits, with those benefits may come personal sacrifices. That is to say that, to get what we want or where we want to be, we may have to give up something else.
To accomplish this leap of faith (or to scale down the cliff side) and follow a new or enlightened path requires a bit of toughness and stability. These aspects are demonstrated by Eihwaz, the Rune of Defense and the Yew tree. We've already established that, just because we choose the correct path, it doesn't mean the path will always be easy to traverse. Still, we have to stand our ground, demonstrate our faith in ourselves on this path, the correct path. Eihwaz reminds us that, not only do we have the strength or toughness to do this, but that through the challenges we face on this road we will grow.
No matter how we enter the next phase of our lives, whether by leaping or taking small steps, the process is the same. Trust yourself to choose the right path. The light shining on it comes from you. Be grateful for the things in your life and the sacrifices of others. Realize you will have to make sacrifices. Finally, be strong.
Monday, July 18, 2011
Learning from Communication
Sometimes, we are side-swiped by events. When things catch us off guard, instead of being reactionary, we should try to pause and consider the situation. This happened to me last night - a communication went awry and left me feeling frustrated, hurt and disrespected. I went for a walk... a very long walk to cool off. After composing myself, I did one of my usual 3-Rune draws around the idea of communication or, better still, miscommunication and how to address it in a mindful way.
Nauthiz, the Rune of Constraint, provided the overview for this situation. I found this Rune particularly interesting, because, although it is the Rune of Constraint, it also tells us not to take things so personally. In essence, if we don't take things so personally, there will be less cause to have to show constraint. Beyond that, Nauthiz reminds us to check our shadow behaviors, those areas on which we need to work. For me in this instance, it was projecting what I believe to be the correct way to handle the situation that arose last night. While I still believe that my approach to the situation is the correct one, I accept the fact that not everyone shares this view. Sometimes the best communication is observation and consideration.
The challenge for me in this circumstance is to realize that everything has a process, including the way people communicate in any given situation. Jera, the Rune of the Harvest, was the perfect Rune to draw second. It is important to remember how much progress has been made in this area and realize that there will be bumps, some bigger than others, in the road to improving communication. It will come if we are patient.
Of course, as we are talking about learning from and improving communication, we have to appreciate the final draw, the action, Othila reversed. This Rune of Separation offers a tantalizing dichotomy in that it suggests that, "We do without doing and things get done." This indicates that I should let the incident pass and it will work itself out without my interference. However, it also suggests that total honesty is required. If I am to be totally honest, I can't sit by and do nothing. Addressing the issue directly with the other person not only makes me feel better, but, if done tactfully, helps the other person to grow and realize that what they did, although unintentional, was not cool and left me feeling pretty crappy. So, which is it tell or don't tell?
Nauthiz, the Rune of Constraint, provided the overview for this situation. I found this Rune particularly interesting, because, although it is the Rune of Constraint, it also tells us not to take things so personally. In essence, if we don't take things so personally, there will be less cause to have to show constraint. Beyond that, Nauthiz reminds us to check our shadow behaviors, those areas on which we need to work. For me in this instance, it was projecting what I believe to be the correct way to handle the situation that arose last night. While I still believe that my approach to the situation is the correct one, I accept the fact that not everyone shares this view. Sometimes the best communication is observation and consideration.
The challenge for me in this circumstance is to realize that everything has a process, including the way people communicate in any given situation. Jera, the Rune of the Harvest, was the perfect Rune to draw second. It is important to remember how much progress has been made in this area and realize that there will be bumps, some bigger than others, in the road to improving communication. It will come if we are patient.
Of course, as we are talking about learning from and improving communication, we have to appreciate the final draw, the action, Othila reversed. This Rune of Separation offers a tantalizing dichotomy in that it suggests that, "We do without doing and things get done." This indicates that I should let the incident pass and it will work itself out without my interference. However, it also suggests that total honesty is required. If I am to be totally honest, I can't sit by and do nothing. Addressing the issue directly with the other person not only makes me feel better, but, if done tactfully, helps the other person to grow and realize that what they did, although unintentional, was not cool and left me feeling pretty crappy. So, which is it tell or don't tell?
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