Runes 202 - Bind Runes - Priorities

I received some interesting feedback about last week's post, but one really stood out, because it was a nuanced aspect to the idea of dealing with change that relates to priorities.  The question was - how can you keep from losing track of your priorities, especially when change occurs?  The example was a personal project this person has been working on consistently for a few years.  However, her family is going through a big change right now and she wants to make sure that she manages to keep working on this project, which has come to mean a lot to her.

I asked the Runes her question and their response was simple, but I felt like I wanted to capture the strength that lies within its simplicity.  So, I made them into a bind Rune.  The Runes I drew were Nauthiz, Laguz, and Mannaz.

This is the way I chose to bind them, because, I felt that Nauthiz and Laguz were tied to Mannaz on the left, almost as if, even though Mannaz was last, it was actually first and they are responding to the foundation of the human experience.

Nauthiz, the Rune of need and necessity, came up about a year ago in a slightly different context, but its overarching meaning is still the same - the idea of need versus want.  Nauthiz acknowledges that it is easy to get caught up in the new things that come with change.  Whether they are good or bad, we can find ourselves dedicating far more time to them than we should or really need to.  As the first Rune drawn, it suggests that we need to create an awareness of the things we need and make sure that we keep them in our lives.  Too often we focus on a single aspect of 'need', such as money, but we need a diversity of things in our lives and that is what Nauthiz tells us.  For some it means time outside hiking or gardening, for others, maybe writing or reading, for example.

Laguz was second and also appeared in our last bind Rune about life's pursuits.  In that bind Rune, it told us that we must not get stressed out, but we cannot simply kick back and let our circumstances take control of lives.  We must move consciously.  Similarly, in this instance, Laguz says that part of moving consciously within the flow of our lives means that our hobbies or special projects or time with family and friends are not just going to happen on their own.  We need to make a commitment to them (maintain it) through the changes in our lives.  In essence, it is our responsibility to ourselves to engage in the activities that fulfill different parts of who we are.

That leads us to Mannaz, the Rune that came first last week and feels first today.  Last week's message was important, however brief.  We are human; we have strengths and weaknesses.  Beyond the self, Mannaz brings the larger human society into the picture.  When considering priorities, Mannaz reminds us to consider how we want our individual self to exist and interact with the society in which we exist.  How will it influence us and we it?  How do we want to be a part of it?

Joining these three Runes together as I have establishes us as part of a larger entity or force.  Placing Nauthiz lower and, in a way, closer to Mannaz allows us to acknowledge what we need to feel fulfilled, especially those things that we might be inclined to let slip away, because of some major change in our lives.  Laguz, then, helps us prioritize those needs and find a way to continue to honor their place in filling our lives with the things we need.

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.

A Window Opened

Two weeks ago, I felt frustrated, because a number of opportunities that I hoped would grow into bigger things were doing the opposite.  In fact, a lot of doors were closing.  I found myself rethinking almost everything I've done over the past year; then, a window opened.  The saying may be cliche, but it's true.  When a door closes, a window opens.  When I made the relieved comment that "a window has opened", one of my nephews said that he needs that to happen for him.  So, this draw is thanks to him and asks the question - how can I get a window to open?

The draw?  Algiz, Laguz, Mannaz  Here's what they mean.

 Algiz is the Rune of self-defense and protection and serves as the overview for this situation.  This makes perfect sense, because the reason we want the window open is to provide opportunity for ourselves, whether it be for happiness, relationships, or financial security.  It's self-defense and protection at its core.  Traditionally, part of the meaning of this Rune relates to the idea of letting an opponent create his/her own downfall.  In this sense, I think it is similar.  The message is do not compete with others or try to do things the way that they do them.  You are an individual and you must do things in your own way, without worrying about others.  Your time will come.  To complement this, contemporary interpretations note the importance of emotional control.  That is part of protecting or defending yourself - to maintain your cool.  It also allows for consistency in message and action, which is the best way to lay the ground work; for you see, you have to build your own window and it will open when you have completed it.

Our challenge here is represented by Laguz, the Rune of water, the sea, the intuitive side of you.  I could not survive without my intuition; I rely heavily on it.  However, I know that is not the case for everyone.  Why is intuition the challenge?  Because it is hard, sometimes, to trust that what we are doing is the right thing to do, especially if it is non-traditional or if we have a large contingency of family and friends questioning or criticizing what we are attempting to do.  The deep sea is a mystery and, for some this creates fear, while for others it creates a chance for discovery.  Perhaps that is what your sea does to others; where you see opportunity, they see unsafe risk.  Therefore, the challenge is to maintain your flow in the direction you see, in spite of the questions from others.

What action does this circumstance require?  It requires a quest to know and be true to yourself.  We are human; we are not perfect.  We all possess different strengths and weaknesses, and acknowledging what ours are is a huge step toward accomplishing our goals.  This is why Mannaz, the Rune of humanity and the higher self or true self is the Rune for this action.  There is a great line in the fourth Harry Potter movie, when Mad-Eye Moody is helping Harry to decide what he's going to do when he faces his dragon.  Moody says, "You have to play to your strengths."  If you want to open a window, you have to know your strengths and play to them.