Runes 402 - Rune Dialogues - Transitions

Transitions create curves, inclines, bridges,
and crossroads on our life paths

One of the most often asked about situations from people who ask me for readings has to do with transitions.  The largest percentage of transition questions are work or career related, but romance and moving are close seconds with a similar number of inquiries each.

No matter what kind of transition you're going through, it seems there should be a standard set of tools that will help you navigate those transitions and get you through the twists and turns, hills and valleys, and over those dreaded bridges.  That was my line of thinking when I began my latest dialogue with the Runes.

Me:  What tools do we need to help us through transitions?

Runes:  Hagalaz, Raido, Perthro.  Hagalaz serves to remind you that transitions are part of the ongoing process of life.  When they begin, they upset the normal processes that have been in place, but going and getting through them is essential for growth.  Raido reinforces life's journey.  Life is a series of transitions of different duration and intensity.  Perthro offers insight on two fronts to manage transitions.  First, Perthro alludes to challenges, games of chance.  These are key parts and the point of any transition.  Transitions challenge you; transitions provide opportunities to take risks (games of chance).  Second, transitions are easier when you have support.  Perthro speaks directly to support from friends, community.  Don't do it alone if you don't have to...and chances are that you don't.

Me:  This is very helpful.  Can you offer more insight into each?  Being aware of the tools is one thing, but how can we best use them?

Runes:  For Hagalaz, you can find help with Othala, Ansuz, and Thurisaz.  When you face the hail Rune, it is important to remember Othala, for it is fluidity in time.  It represents not only your heritage, but your current family and your legacy.  When these two Runes face off, a lot is determined.  Othala informs how you approach the transition and what you gain or lose by going through it.  Ansuz is simple.  Throughout the transition, communication is vital.  You will gain and use knowledge, and learn lessons.  Growth.  Thurisaz is strength, the power you need to get through.  Call it drive or determination.  Your intention is to not only survive the transition, but thrive.

Me:  That is a lot more depth into how to manage the onset of and get through the transition.  What about Raido?

Runes: Raido is more about navigating when you are in the throes of the transition.  This is when you can use Ehwaz, Laguz, and Gebo.  In this instance, the aspect of Ehwaz that is used is loyalty.  Loyalty is a foundation and, loyalty here is to the intent of the journey.  It means staying true to successfully completing this phase of the journey.  Laguz is another Rune that has two parts that oppose each other, but that are equally important.  You have to know when to relax and go with the flow and when to go into the depths to gain greater understanding, because sometimes its a push and sometimes you just have to ride portions out. That can be hard, but Gebo's gifts can come from unexpected places.  A challenge successfully met is a gift.  The underlying message in Gebo is to look for the positive and build on that.

Me:  That is important guidance for managing the twists and turns and even the unexpected when going through a transition.  And Perthro?  What deeper information can you give us on that?

Runes:  I give you Wunjo, Jera, and once again, Ehwaz.  As always, the ultimate goal is joy - Wunjo.  When you go through a transition, you do it either for the joy that awaits on the other side, essentially because going through the transition is going to make you happy, or because you hope to find joy somewhere along the way.  In the case of the latter, sometimes the best first step is the perspective that Gebo offered with Raido.  A challenge, which is part of Perthro, that is a real struggle usually turns out making us feel a lot better in the end.  Jera is always a good Rune to have.  It serves as a gentle reminder that everything is a process.  How do we get to a bountiful harvest?  Sometimes things are sunshine and butterflies and sometimes you have to spread a lot of manure (and not the deceitful bullshit kind, but rather the actual get your hands dirty, smell it in the air stink kind).  Things aren't always going to be easy, but if you do what needs to be done for good or bad, and don't try to cut corners, it will be worth it.  And, last is Ehwaz.  In this position, we focus on partnership and relationship, even the teamwork aspect of Ehwaz and transitions.  As much as you might think you're doing something alone, you don't live in a vacuum.  What you do affects and impacts others in ways you may not realize, so when you're going around a particularly sharp bend or up an steep incline, remember, you are not or do not have to be alone.  There is always someone there who will help.

Me:  Thank you for this wonderful advice.  Jera reminded me that sometimes transitions take longer than we expect, but we have many tools at our disposal to manage them.  So, whether we are dealing with romance or trying to decide our next career move, we should take stock in those tools and utilize them as best as we can.

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 402 - Rune Dialogues - Equinox and Managing Balance

Since January, many people have contacted me to say that they cannot seem to find their equilibrium.  The passing of the equinox on Monday gave me pause and for perhaps the first time, I really contemplated balance and whether or not it can be attained and, if achieved, how it can be managed.  I decided to consult the Runes on the matter to see what insight they could offer to help me think this through.

My first question was whether such a thing as balance exists in life and the Runes gave me Gebo, which suggests that balance in life is a gift.

Me:  So balance is possible.  What is the secret to achieving it?  And, can it be maintained?

Runes:  Achieving balance requires work and Berkana signals the beginning of that effort.

Me:  How does one begin?

Runes:  It is a process.  Thurisaz reminds you that you have to be strong and focus your energy on this, but Perthro also reminds you that you cannot do it alone.  Do not be so rigid.  Forcing structure into your life is not that same as finding balance.

Me:  So, you're suggesting baby steps?

Runes:  You chose Sowilo as your Rune for this year.  It is a strong supporter of balance.  This is the first step - feminine qualities, self care.  In order to be successful, it is Sowilo that will see you through, provide comfort during those times when your attempt to find or maintain balance fall to the wayside.

Me:  Doesn't Sowilo stand in contrast to Thurisaz?

Runes:  Where the contrasts meet is where balance lies.  You are doing this for yourself, so Algiz represents a form of protection; do what is within your means.  If you extend yourself to far, you will lose your balance.

Me:  Thank you for that clarification.  You also mentioned that balance cannot be accomplished on your own.  Can you elaborate on that?

Runes:  Just as Dagaz shines light on problems and fears and makes them easier to manage and overcome, so do loved ones when you are in distress (and that includes feeling out of balance).  This also means that, occasionally, you will fall out of balance.  Balance is not a constant; it is cyclical at best, but finding and managing it as best you can will empower you and help you progress.

Me:  I see.  Thank you for explaining that piece.  So, once we find balance, will we or how can we manage it?

Runes:  It sounds contradictory, but managing the cycle of balance requires commitment.  Tiwaz explains that.  Tyr made a commitment to saving the gods and goddesses from Fenrir the wolf and that commitment required a sacrifice.

Me:  So, we must be sacrificed if we are to commit truly to finding and properly managing balance in our lives?

Runes:  You cannot think of a sacrifice as a bad thing.  Tyr's sacrifice was small in comparison to what it saved.  It is less about sacrifice and more about commitment.  Ehwaz demonstrates the complexity of commitment. It is a symbol of the horse and represents loyalty, teamwork, relationships, and even ways of moving through life's journey.  All of these things require commitment to flourish, but they also offer rewards for the commitment that you make.

Me:  Thank you for your insight and wisdom.  Recognizing balance as cyclical is important in managing those times when life feels out of balance.  So too is realizing that we are not alone and that we must do manageable things to get back on track.

Runes 402 - Rune Dialogues - Struggle

We all deal with a struggle at some point in our lives.  Some are big and some are small.  Sometimes the small ones pile on top of each other and can feel like a big one.  For me it's the time of year.  The end of July to the end of August is a tough time of year for me for personal reasons and I find myself struggling more than any other time of the year.  The bright side is that, once September arrives, I hit a productive time that lasts more or less through the end of the year.  Although my period of struggle is nearly over, the last month to six weeks has been more of a struggle than usual, so I turned to the Runes and asked them for guidance to get me through the next week or so.

Me:  I am having a really hard time right now.  What guidance can you offer to help me approach this struggle?

Runes:  When this year started, you chose the Rune that can help you.  You chose Thurisaz for its power.  That power can overcome the angst you're having right now.

Me:  Thank you for that reminder.  Right now, I am not sure how to harness that power to move me forward.

Runes:  Raido can help you on your journey.  Your journey actually requires you to focus that power so that you can move forward.

Me:  I appreciate what you're saying, but I am feeling very overwhelmed by everything that is required of me, all that I have to do before I have any time to do what I really want to do.

Runes:  You must find time to do the things that make you happy.  You were not intended to live a life without it.  Wunjo reminds you of that importance.

Me:  I am confused.  Are you telling me to do what makes me happy and forsake that which doesn't?

Runes:  No.  It is something to strive for though.  Remember your guiding Rune - Jera.  It is the Rune of the year, a complete cycle, which can represent balance.  Perhaps the best way to avoid or minimize these struggles is to find a balance that allows you to consistently engage in the things that you want to do for yourself.

Me:  In other words, when I am going through a struggle, if I focus on doing something for myself regularly, that will help?

Runes:  When you focus some of your power on the things that are fulfilling for you, it can make the things that weigh you down more bearable.  If you focus on them long enough, your struggle will lighten and things will become clear again.  That is the message Dagaz gives you.  The day Rune symbolizes the return of a lighter time in the cycle of your year.

Me:  So, you are saying that I need to set aside time to do the things that I enjoy for myself?  Part of my struggle is that my other responsibilities eat into that time and when that happens at this time of the year, I lose focus.

Runes:  That is exactly what I am saying.  When you are struggling, it is even more important to focus some of your power on the things that make you happy.  That is what you need to get you through the struggle.  That is why, for your last Rune, I give you Nauthiz.

Me:  Thank you for your guidance and wisdom.  This was very insightful and has helped me to relax, take a step back from my struggle, and take a breath.

Runes 402 - Rune Dialogues - Managing the Truth

The truth can be a challenging aspect of life.  More specifically, it can be problematic when it is entirely evident, but must be handled carefully so as to obtain the desired outcome.  In this case, the truth becomes the elephant in the room; it is obvious that everyone knows it is there, but they choose to ignore it and, as a result, life sputters on as it always has.

Well, I say, "Nertz to that!"

I cannot sit idly by with a giant elephant in the room.  However, also as an adult, I realize I cannot simply blurt things out.  The situation has to be handled with tact and care and finesse.  So, I engaged the Runes to help me manage it.

Me:  What can you tell me about this truth?

Runes:  Thurisaz represents the situation well.  It shows us that truth is power and, if the power is unleashed haphazardly, it can wreak havoc and make the situation worse.  However, if it is focused and guided, it can bring great rewards.

Me:  Thank you for your wisdom.  Thurisaz does align well with my current situation.  The question is how do I roll out the truth?

Runes:  Laguz has two aspects, one of following the flow as it rolls out; the other looking deeper at the mysteries or secrets being kept.

Me:  So these are the paths from which I must choose.  Do I follow the flow of the others involved and the other information that is being provided?  Or do I expose the secrets?

Runes:  The time is fertile, as Ingwaz shows, for you to guide the flow of things as they are unrolled.  But it also reminds you to be careful.  You will reap what you sow.

Me:  Reaping what I sow could be good or bad.  I don't want to put bad energy into the mix, but I see what is best for the big picture in the long run.

Runes:  If you do nothing, things will not change.  If you do nothing, there will be no beginnings for moving forward.  Berkana will keep appearing to address this fear.  If you want things to change, to begin anew, the truth is the path that leads in that direction.

Me:  Yes, I know the truth must come out.  I am just not sure how to expose it without creating collateral damage.  I don't want to simply be a finger pointer.  I need to be able to say, "This way no longer works.  We must step onto a new path."

Runes:  Raido is the journey down that path.  Raido tells you to be the change, to stand up.  Live life!  You cannot help but guide the big picture onto a new and productive path.

Me:  I have missed engaging with you in this way.  Thank you for your guidance and insight.  What is the last word on this?

Runes: The last words are the words you have already written.  Remember Algiz and Heimdall.

Me:  The words from my novel excerpt.

Runes: Yes.

Me:  Thank you.  I needed this conversation with you tonight.  Tomorrow I will begin writing the words that will reveal the truth.

Runes 402 - Rune Dialogues - Learning New Tricks

I've never been a fan of the saying, "You can't teach an old dog new tricks", especially when you're talking about teaching a human new tricks... or skills.  I think, in most cases, if you are committed to learning something, "you can learn whatever you set your mind to".  It's a much more empowering line of thought anyway.

I entered into a dialogue with the Runes about the idea of learning new tricks, because I wanted to know what drives us to learn new things, what barriers we put up for ourselves along the way, and how to overcome them.

Note the sword shape of the Runes as
they were laid out during the dialogue

Me:  Do you believe that people can learn whatever they set their minds too?

Runes:  Sowilo is a good place to start.  It gives cause for hope.

Me:  Thank you for starting us on this positive note.  Sowilo does lift the spirit.  It is a very positive and empowering Rune.  So, does it give us incentive to try something new?  That is to say it important to have the incentive if we want to be successful?

Runes:  You must have a desire to accomplish it, for it is akin to undertaking a journey.  Raido tells us that.  Raido also reminds us that such journeys are not always easy.

Me:  But, once we complete them, the results are satisfying.

Runes:  That is not always the case.  Tiwaz shows us that there is always some sacrifice that must be made.  As the warrior Rune, it is also good to have here, because you need to remember that you are capable of completing the task, that it will not necessarily be easy or as easy as you hope, and that there may be times when you want to quit, but those are the times you need to be strongest to see the journey through to the end.  If nothing else, you can say you completed the task before you.

Me:  That is an important reminder; thank you.  When things become challenging or we consider quitting, what can help us to continue?

Runes:  Fehu is the reward.  It is wealth in some form, whether it be financial riches or something else.  Sometimes we think you undertake new things for some sort of financial compensation, but, in the end, the actual reward can be a friendship that develops along the way.  It can be discovering a new way to do something, it can help you to better understand an aspect of who you are or make you realize that the mental, emotional or spiritual growth from the experience is what matters the most.

Me:  That is a great way to view the experience and to remind us to keep our expectations open.  I appreciate that guidance.  Along the way, we may come up against barriers.  I think we are more determined to overcome the barriers placed in front of us by others than we are those we place in front of ourselves.  What can we do to overcome internal blocks?

Runes:  For this, I give you three Runes - Wunjo, Uruz, Isa.  When you undertake something new, it is because you believe that by mastering it or gaining a better understanding of it, you will be more content.  It is important to remember that ideal.  When you set out on Raido's journey, you feel empowered by Sowilo's light and that energy carries you forward for a while.  Part of what drives you forward is Uruz.  Uruz is strong and free; in some ways fearless, but sometimes a pause is required to examine the steps you are taking on the path to make sure you are going in the right direction and how quickly you should move forward.  Isa gives you the time you need, the pause.  You must remember that it is okay to sit and contemplate before taking another step.  The trick is not to sit for too long.  Hesitation for too long can prove to be the biggest barrier to completing a task; it allows fear to develop and creates a snowball effect that can stifle the entire process.

Me:  That is great advice; thank you.  Will you show me Jera now to remind me that learning something new is a process.

Runes:  No, but it is good that you realized Jera is part of it.  Learning something new takes time and Jera is definitely about that.  What I give you here, though, is Ehwaz, to remind you of a few other equally important things.  No matter what you are doing, you are not alone and Ehwaz symbolizes relationships and partnerships.  Do not be afraid to ask for help.  It is also about loyalty and how you get from point A to point B.  At its most basic, Ehwaz is the horse, an extremely important mode of transportation and a loyal companion.

Me:  I appreciate your wisdom.  Is there any final information you would like to share?

Rune:  Ansuz.

Me:  Of course, wisdom, communication.  All important things to bear in mind as we endeavor to learn new tricks.  We gain wisdom through these experiences and the benefits and experience will be greater if we communicate through the process.  Thank you for your wisdom.

Runes 402 - Rune Dialogues - Dealing with Change

Change is a part of life.  In fact, some say that the only thing that is constant in this world is change.  Still, that does not negate the fact that some people really struggle with it.  Someone very dear to me does not deal well with it, but his life is about change in a fairly big way.  Despite it being a positive change, his aversion to change hasn't changed.  So, I decided to engage with the Runes to ask for their guidance in managing it.  How can we deal with change, whether good or bad, for our own well-being without reacting negatively to it?

The Runes make it clear from the onset that this is truly a personal issue.

Runes:  Mannaz reminds us that humans possess both strengths and weaknesses.

Me:  That is true.  Thank you.  So, this tells us that it is okay to not like change; that it is a natural part of who we are.

Runes:  It is, but so is how you deal with it.  You may not like it, but it is going to happen, so perhaps the best way to approach change is the way you approach a new day.  That is why Dagaz comes second.  Each day begins as an opportunity.  What you accomplish and how you feel during the cycle of one day depends on your choices and your perspective.

Me:  You are saying that we need to be more conscious of the things we do, right?

Runes:  I am saying that by being more conscious, you can have a better effect on your day.  Berkana represents birth and beginnings.  When we are born our opportunities are unlimited.  Change presents beginnings too; sometimes not in ways we would like to receive them, but when a beginning presents itself to us, it holds nothing more than potential and you can choose how you engage that potential and what direction it takes.

Me:  Of course.  Thank you.  This makes it seem much easier.

Runes:  Do not misinterpret my intention.  The way you approach change is important, but that does not necessarily mean it will be easier or even pleasant.  However, I place Uruz here, not only because dealing with discomfort requires strength, but also to remind you that it requires you to think freely and critically about such a situation.

Me:  How will we know if we are succeeding or what can we do to ensure that we are thinking freely and critically?

Runes:  Perthro takes this struggle outside of you (Mannaz) and into a social component.

Me:  So, we need to find the fun in the situation.

Runes:  That is only part of it.  It is important to find the lighter side, but more importantly, you must engage socially,  If you withdrawal from the inevitable change, you make everything a struggle.  It is in your best interest to participate in the process of change.  It helps forge new relationships, build loyalty, and it affects your wyrd.  That is where Gebo comes in, for when you give, in this case to a situation, without expectation of an end result, the gift within the situation will reveal itself to you in many ways.

Me:  Your insight has been very wise.  I understand that it is okay to not like change, but that the way that we engage with and accept it will have profound impact on the experience we have with it.  If we resist less and work on building relationships, the outcome is far more likely to be a positive one.  Thank you.

Runes 402 - Rune Dialogues - Motivation

I don't know about you, but last week has a few high points in crappiness for me, so I decided it's time for some changes, time to take some initiative and get the ball rolling in the direction I want and need it to go.  So, I turned to the Runes and on one quiet morning late last week, and asked them for some guidance, which, of course, turned into an important dialogue about motivation.

Here's the question that was lingering in my head - why is it that, too often, we have to become fed up with the crap before we do anything to make effective, positive, and long-lasting change?  Once I realized that this was my problem at the moment, I was able to begin to change my perspective and ask about the positive motivation I need to move forward on the things I want to do.  It was this shift that led me to talk with the Runes in an effective way.

Me:  Some crappy things happened this week that are weighing on me and I need some positive motivation.  Where should I focus?

Runes:  It sounds as if you have experienced that first half of Hagalaz - the hail storm.  But, remember the other half, the nourishment that hail storm leaves in its wake.  The negative experiences you've had are leading you to the creative solutions you hold within you.  It is a shame that the negative experiences must occur, but you are correct in your recognition that becoming "fed up with the crap" motivates us to make changes.  The trick is going to be ensuring that you bring these changes to fruition, so that the crap or, at least, this crap doesn't happen again.

Me:  That is an excellent point.  Thank you for helping me see this perspective.  Although it would be nice to not have to deal with the crap, through Hagalaz, it can be a great motivator for change.  So, now that I feel ready and motivated to make serious change, how do I know it is time.

Runes:  Ingwaz assures you of that.  This Rune represents Ing, the hero, but it also refers to Ingvi Freyr, the fertility god, a god of peace and plenty.  This is where you should focus your attention, on these attributes - fertility, peace, and plenty.  Like Hagalaz, the characteristics of this Rune indicate a process.  Where Hagalaz's hail storm provided the motivation you needed to shift your focus to your true goals, Ingwaz reminds you that you stand on fertile ground and that fertile ground will bring you peace; through accepting that peace, you have the potential to achieve positive gains.

Me:  You are right, of course.  Thank you for reminding me that I am standing on fertile ground and that it is my choice in how I proceed.  I must decide the challenges I face.  I know the general direction I want and need to go, but how can I ensure that I follow that path as I need to?

Runes:  Begin with careful contemplation.  Create a plan before simply jumping in.  Isa can help with that.  The ice Rune requires not caution, but care.  Tread with care. Be still.  Listen.  Think.  Those are the first steps your motivation should take.

Me:  But what if I lose my motivation?  I am prone to leaping and figuring things out, in large part, as I go.  How do I curb my enthusiasm without losing my motivation?

Runes:  Jera.

Me: (giant grin appears on my face as I kiss this Rune).  That was sneaky; giving me my Rune.

Runes:  Yes, but you know what it means.  It will even motivate you more, I think.

Me:  You are right about that.

Runes:  Jera is your Rune because you need this prompt to keep you moving in your process.  No Rune, more than Jera does that for you.  This Rune, the Rune of the year and the harvest screams out time to you.  You must take the required time to bring your forward motion to fruition so that you end up where you want to be.  Encompassed within it is the process that Ingwaz showed you.  You are starting on fertile ground and you will find peace through Isa's wisdom and unleashing the creativity of Hagalaz's second half.  Do you see the interlinked processes?

Me:  I do.  Thank you.  One last question.  What tool do I need to assist me along the way?

Runes:  You must use the greatest tool you possess on this front - Ansuz.

Me:  Of course.  Ansuz incorporates not only communication, which will be indispensable, but the gods and the idea of the mouth of a river.  I am standing at the mouth of the river after a rough journey over open seas.  Now, the path narrows and leads to my goals.  The gods will be with me on this journey as they always are and I will use one of my greatest assets - communication.  Thank you.

Runes 402 - Rune Dialogues - Following Two Paths

Through my most recent dialogue with the Runes, the importance of posing a question just right so that you can understand the answer the Runes offer and so they can understand the true intent of the question being asked, became very clear.  In other words, you have to ask what you want to know.  Don't be vague.

After about twenty minutes of engaging with the Runes over the weekend, I realized we were dancing around the actual question that I needed to ask.  More importantly, perhaps, I was waiting for the Runes to present themselves when what I needed to do was put forth the first Rune myself. Once that was sorted, I laid down Jera as the starting point.

Jera is the year Rune, the Rune of the harvest and the implied cycle or process to achieving a bountiful one.

As I set down this Rune to restart my conversation with the Runes, I asked how I can manage my time over the next year to 18 months as I follow two paths forward - one for my current situation and one that leads to a different future.  Essentially, how can I maintain the path I am required to be on right now, while ensuring that it will lead me to the path I want for the future?

The Runes responded by showing me Laguz, the water Rune.

Me:  Ah, Laguz.  But, you see, part of the problem is that I cannot relax and go with the flow.  I understand that I cannot push the river (control where and how water moves), but I need to define some sort of course to help me move forward.

Runes: Mannaz reminds you of who you are.  What are your strengths and weaknesses?

Me:  I don't understand.  What is the link between Laguz and Mannaz that you are wanting me to see?

Runes:  Fehu is a bad focus for making your plan.  Laguz is more than flow.  Many mysteries lie below its surface.  If you wish to focus on exploring those mysteries, you must be aware of your weaknesses.  Right now, that weakness is focusing on money.  You showed me Jera to start this, so focus on the process.  Even if money is the ultimate goal (or one of them), your focus should be on the next step, not on the final one.

Me:  Oh, I see now.  Thank you for that clarification.  You are correct and I do tend to jump ahead; that is why I laid Jera.  How do I stay focused on taking a single step at a time?

Runes:  Thurisaz will guide you.

Me:  But Thurisaz is a very powerful Rune and, if not managed well, the power unleashed by it can turn to chaos and create even more trouble.  That would not be good.

Runes:  You are a warrior, are you not?  Tiwaz shows you the warrior you are. Remember that one of the key aspects of a warrior is her strategic ability. You can manage your own power unleashed through Thurisaz.  Channel that power.  Do not be afraid.

Me:  That is true; I am a warrior, but I am also weary of letting my power get way from me, but you are right, I should not be.  And, what will happen if I do unleash it and maintain it?  If I can stay focused on each step and not jump ahead?

Runes:  These are the Runes you want to see in the future - Raido, Dagaz, and Wunjo.  If you trust in your abilities, and unleash them with focus and direction, this is the path that will reveal itself to you in the future.  Raido is your travel on  all aspects of this path.  It will lead you to a point where you can see things clearly, though they may not be so clear right now.  Once you can see things clearly and have a sense of where things are, you will be happier.

Me:  These are good Runes.  Thank you.  That is what I need to do - see opportunities clearly.  I am nervous about how good these Runes are though.

Runes:  You know the Norns.  Raido is your past (Urd) and path, the one that has led you this moment (Verdandi), where you are beginning to see shimmers of light from Dagaz, an end to an arduous journey.  Wunjo is what should be, according to Skuld.  It is still up to you to bring it to fruition.  Realizing that happiness is within your power can be overwhelming, but if it is what you truly seek, you will find a way to guide this path to it.  What you must decide is whether or not this is the path that will get you to Wunjo.

Me:  Thank you for your wisdom.  You have shown me how to follow two paths to secure my current situation and ensure my future one by looking simply at the next step and not focusing on the ultimate goal.

Runes 402 - Rune Dialogues - Time

Last week's post about releasing disappointment included two Runes related to time - Jera the year and Dagaz the day.  That, obviously, got me thinking about time, its various durations and how we use it.  In considering time, I also decided it was time to start a new series, Rune Dialogues, which relays the conversations I have with the Runes about certain topics. 

I began this time dialogue with our two time Runes from last week.  And, I can assure you, this conversation went nowhere near the subjects I imagined.  Instead, the Runes provide us with a foundation for the way we spend our time, rather than telling us specific tasks. 

Me: Last week, you gave me Jera as the second Rune of three, when I asked about releasing disappointment, and followed it with Dagaz.  These struck me as two very important Runes dealing with time, so I want to learn more about it.  Can you give me more details about time and how we use it or should use it?

Runes: In using time, making the most of it so to say, Dagaz is a good place to start.

Me:  Yes, last week, Dagaz told us to move out of the shadow and into the light.  Metaphorically, I took this to refer to our capacity to think critically, instead of responding emotionally.  Is that how we should begin, by thinking critically?

Runes:  Think of it in a more positive way.  Your ability to think and weigh situations is a step, but finding the positive aspect in this process is a true gift.  That is why I give you Gebo here, so that you can strive to find the positive aspects of the good and bad on your path.  It is also possible that others will see your ability to find and move forward in a positive way and reflect it in their actions too.

Me:  What is the best way to do that?

Runes:  Wunjo belongs here, because it works in two positive ways.  First, it simply reminds you to be happy.  Coupled with that, if you are true to a path that makes you happy, you will find a way to do things that not only make you happy, but that lead you to sustained happiness.

Me:  But this is all rather obvious.  I know I asked you how we should use time and your response - that we should use it to make ourselves happy and share that joy with others - is sage advice.  Thank you.  However, most of us, how ever well-intentioned, find it more difficult than it probably should be to follow that path and I believe it comes down to how we use our time.  So, can you be more specific about how we can follow your advice and use our time on things that make us happy?

Runes:  Fehu, Jera, and Othala.

Me:  I think I understand Jera as planning and process, and Othala as time with friends and family and building a happy home, but why Fehu?

Runes:  Remember, Fehu measures wealth. Cattle is not the only way to measure it, neither is money. Wealth is more than possessions.  How you measure your wealth and the things to which you assign value plays a great role in determining whether or not you are happy.  For some people, that translates into money (generally gained by working).  But work takes on many forms.  Growing a garden is work; it may not pay you much money, but it may give you peace of mind that you are growing your own food or beautiful flowers; it may just give you some quiet time to relax or time to reconnect with Earth.  So, as you are planning how to proceed on your path through time, keep in mind that money is not the only form of wealth and, once things are given their true value, the direction of your path or how you spend your time may change.

Me:  What if that which makes us happy is not very productive?

Runes:  Thurisaz will give everything its place.  You must realize that happiness unleashed through something that empowers you is very positive.  However, with Thurisaz comes great power, the kind you do not really want to mess with unless you can manage it.  The message here is two fold.  First, don't let the things that make you miserable control you - don't give them this great power - and, second, being happy does not mean being completely reckless either.

Me:  So you're saying that what makes us happy can also be detrimental to us, like the negative things in our lives, if we don't give it context within everything else and if we don't manage it?

Runes:  You must let your natural joy be free.  Think of it as Uruz, a wild ox, not cattle.  Approach it with caution.  Be aware of its power.  And realize that, if you work with that free energy, your time will be well spent and will benefit you and others greatly.

Me:  Thank you for sharing your wisdom with me today.