Sometimes it's hard to find the courage to do things that we don't want to do. I'm talking about big things here, like standing up when you know others will do their damndest to tear you down, to discredit you; to share a life altering experience in the face of ridicule; and to relive trauma. I asked the Runes to offer insight into how to not only find that initial courage, but to get through the entire process. The Runes were spot on in their guidance. They gave me Tiwaz, Perthro, and Hagalaz.
I really like the order in which these are presented, because rather than give me Hagalaz first, which would have started us off on a low note, the Runes offered empowerment in Tiwaz. Tiwaz is Týr's Rune and it has three strong aspects to it - Týr as a warrior, Týr as a sky god, and Týr's sacrifice. Starting with the latter, in this instance, a sacrifice was made once (in the past) and now a different kind of sacrifice must happen, one that is tied directly to the first. This is the requirement or decision to take a stand. As a sky god, we have a bird's eye view of the situation. This means that we can see how all the various parts of the situation come together. It gives us an understanding of things so that we can be strategic, prepared. Finally, as a warrior, we are reminded that we can persevere, because being a warrior is about far more than hand to hand combat. Through this single Rune with these three different, but connected aspects, our individual courage is brought to light.
Perthro, in second position, reminds us that we are not alone. While our friends may challenge us at times, true friends support us through hard times. In fact, it is often said that in hard times, we find out who our true friends really are. I would take this a step further to say that beyond friends who support us, there are strangers who share our experience, who understand what it means and the courage it takes to stand up, and they support us as well. When we have a wavering moment, we can remember that not only do we have our own courage to rely on, but that we have the support friends and unknown others.
This is important to remember, so that when the hail storm of Hagalaz hits, we can weather it and come out on the other side knowing that we did what we needed to do. This is why Hagalaz is in the third position; the first two Runes prepare us to be hit by the hail and to not only survive, but come out on the other side with new potential. Remember, when hail melts it provides nourishment from which new things - ideas, perspectives, opportunities, etc. - can blossom.
Showing posts with label courage. Show all posts
Showing posts with label courage. Show all posts
Sunday, September 30, 2018
Monday, October 1, 2012
Empowering Ourselves
This week, I'd like to address an issue on which I am working, but one that I realized, through conversations and posted comments, that many people I know are facing too. So many people feel powerless today and are living lives, doing things that do not make them happy, that do not make them feel fulfilled or satisfied in any way. In such circumstances, we don't feel like we have a choice, which is wrong. Within each of us resides the power to stand up and take control of our lives. So, I asked the Runes how we can do that. What do we need to know to do it? How do we approach it? After drawing the first Rune and thinking, 'Of course. I should have realized that,' I knew what the other two Runes would be and, honestly, I was a bit freaked out when I was right.
I drew Uruz first. Do you see why it makes perfect sense that this Rune is first? Uruz is the Rune of the wild ox, of strength, courage, and determination. This is exactly what we must find in ourselves to begin our empowerment. We must find it and trust it. We are full of potential and strength and, as soon as we realize and accept that, we are taking the first step toward empowerment. We are strong!
But, how can we do this? Especially when the world around us is beating us down? One of the things I love about the Runes is that they don't offer easy, quick fixes; they are honest and present nothing more than the truth. The truth is that our own empowerment is a process, which is why Jera, the Rune of the harvest and process, came second in this line of questioning. Empowerment is never easy; it is always a challenge and it will test our strength. That is why Uruz was first, to remind us straight away that we are strong. We can make it through this process of regaining our power. But this would be so much easier if we knew what was coming, right? If we knew why we're working so hard to empower ourselves. What is the point?
Funny you should ask, because the third Rune this week is Wunjo, the Rune of joy, a thankfulness for the basic essentials of life. If we, in our strengthened position through Uruz, realize that there is a significant difference between a want and a need, assess what we allow ourselves to believe is a want versus a need, and act on that, our perspective changes. The more we decide what we need to be happy, instead of letting outside sources dictate that for us, the more we realize that what we want or need is not the same thing that everyone else may want or need. We must focus on ourselves, instead of trying to force our values or convince others of our beliefs (when we act as the outside force trying to dictate to others), the happier we will be. In other words, if we want to be happy, we need to focus on us and not worry about what others are saying or try to tell others what to think.
Here is our path to empowerment - Uruz reminds us that we have the strength we need to empower ourselves; Jera tells us that the path to empowerment is a process that will take time and will be as smooth as we make it, that is part of our empowerment, that we dictate the path; and that, if we want to be happy through this empowerment, as Wunjo offers, we need to focus on ourselves, not at the expense of others, rather to make us more aware of what constitutes our own happiness.
What is the first step you will take toward your own empowerment?
I drew Uruz first. Do you see why it makes perfect sense that this Rune is first? Uruz is the Rune of the wild ox, of strength, courage, and determination. This is exactly what we must find in ourselves to begin our empowerment. We must find it and trust it. We are full of potential and strength and, as soon as we realize and accept that, we are taking the first step toward empowerment. We are strong!
But, how can we do this? Especially when the world around us is beating us down? One of the things I love about the Runes is that they don't offer easy, quick fixes; they are honest and present nothing more than the truth. The truth is that our own empowerment is a process, which is why Jera, the Rune of the harvest and process, came second in this line of questioning. Empowerment is never easy; it is always a challenge and it will test our strength. That is why Uruz was first, to remind us straight away that we are strong. We can make it through this process of regaining our power. But this would be so much easier if we knew what was coming, right? If we knew why we're working so hard to empower ourselves. What is the point?
Funny you should ask, because the third Rune this week is Wunjo, the Rune of joy, a thankfulness for the basic essentials of life. If we, in our strengthened position through Uruz, realize that there is a significant difference between a want and a need, assess what we allow ourselves to believe is a want versus a need, and act on that, our perspective changes. The more we decide what we need to be happy, instead of letting outside sources dictate that for us, the more we realize that what we want or need is not the same thing that everyone else may want or need. We must focus on ourselves, instead of trying to force our values or convince others of our beliefs (when we act as the outside force trying to dictate to others), the happier we will be. In other words, if we want to be happy, we need to focus on us and not worry about what others are saying or try to tell others what to think.
Here is our path to empowerment - Uruz reminds us that we have the strength we need to empower ourselves; Jera tells us that the path to empowerment is a process that will take time and will be as smooth as we make it, that is part of our empowerment, that we dictate the path; and that, if we want to be happy through this empowerment, as Wunjo offers, we need to focus on ourselves, not at the expense of others, rather to make us more aware of what constitutes our own happiness.
What is the first step you will take toward your own empowerment?
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