Know Thy Self

One of the first readings I did for a friend was a single Rune draw.  This friend is in his mid-20s and, at the time of the reading, had been in a relationship with the same girl for about a year.  He had just finished his Master's degree and started his first job as a "professional".  He had a weekend gig, too, that allowed his creative side to flow.

When he asked me to do a reading for him, he was struggling with all of these aspects of his life, but knew that he wanted to focus on himself for a while.  I asked him to tell me what was going on and he assured me that he wanted to be free to experience, more fully, the opportunities that were presenting themselves to him.  Essentially, he really cared for his girlfriend, but felt he was too young to be in a committed relationship and he wanted to build his career before he settled down.  Still, he was unsure what to do or how to address the situation.

After he explained everything to me, as his friend, I suggested that he did, indeed, already know what he wanted and needed to do.  He looked at me with a fear that said he didn't.  So, I had him reach into the bag and pull out a single Rune, which he fumbled in his hand and dropped.  He picked it up before it landed solidly on the ground and set it on the table.  Immediately, he realized it was upside down and, not realizing that Runes can be read from a reversed position, spun it very intently to its upright position.  I could feel my own eyes growing large, because I knew what he had just done.

Which Rune did he draw?  Mannaz - the Rune of the Self.  However, by switching it himself to its upright position, he also gave himself a very different reading.  More specifically, it struck me that, unconsciously or intuitively, he knew Mannaz reversed calls for unblocking of the self and being clear.  Reversed, Mannaz points to the self as the source of the problem, advising that he must look to himself to resolve his current issue.  By turning the Rune to its upright position, he accomplished just that.  Unknowingly, he was clear with himself and taking a step toward breaking an old habit - looking outside for the source of his troubles.

In its upright position, Mannaz serves as a starting point to build a correct relationship with yourself, which must happen before you can build one with others.  What did this mean for my friend?  It meant exactly what he told me, that he needed to sort out himself, get his career in order and gain some life experience before he could settle down.  By spinning Mannaz, my friend put himself at the starting point of change and gave himself the opportunity to fashion the next phase of his life into what he wanted it to be.  Mannaz says to live an ordinary life in an extraordinary way.  Still, he must balance what he knows (the Self within) with what he does and how he does it (the external self).

This moment represents the beginning of a time for major growth for him and I wish him all the best in accomplishing it.  Of course, if he approaches everything as intently as he turned that Rune for himself, he will be just fine.

Seasons Will Change

Sometimes we must do things that we don't want to do.  In situations like this, surrendering to it shows courage, not weakness.  Fighting what must be done will not help and does not demonstrate wisdom.  For times like this, think of Isa, the Rune of Standstill.

Isa tells us that, there are moments in time, when there is a freeze on what you consider useful activity; plans are on hold and your energy may drain.  Isa requires personal sacrifice.  There is no "I" in team, so to speak, and it is your turn to take one for the team.

Let go, submit, do what needs to be done.  However, through this process, remain mindful, but don't be stubborn in attempting to work your will on the situation.  From the seeming stillness of winter blooms a rich and vibrant spring.

Let's do Launch

Welcome to my blog!  I am so happy to be launching it today and to share the Runes with you.  By undertaking this blog, I have two main goals.  First, I want to improve and increase the understanding of what the Runes are, how they work and the ways they can offer us guidance through challenging times in our lives.  Heck, they can even help us with the mundane moments we experience.  Second, you can contact me for your own personal Rune reading or if you have questions about the Runes.  I am always happy to help.

To inaugurate this blog properly, I did a 3-Rune draw.  Until now, I have been doing single Rune drawings to give a sense of how Runes work and what they mean.  The three Rune draw provides an overview of the situation for which you are drawing the Runes, the challenge within the situation and the action to be taken around the situation.  My overview Rune was Inguz, my challenge was Thurisaz and my action was Hagalaz.

Inguz is the Rune of Fertility.  This Rune is timely, because this blog is my new beginning and Inguz requires the completion of new beginnings.  By launching my blog today, I am doing just that.  Besides, by doing this, I am clearing away the old, which serves as a stress reliever.

My challenge with this Rune drawing and my blog is Thurisaz, the Rune of Non-Action.  Interestingly, it is not suggesting non-action, rather contemplation before action.  It is a warning to look before I leap.  This is a challenge for me in most things, so Thurisaz is a good reminder to me to think things through.  This approach will aid with the success of this blog endeavor.

The Rune of Elemental Disruption, Hagalaz represents an awakening to change in the form of liberation.  The action that Hagalaz points to is breaking free from stagnation, a coming into my own, a time of required growth.  Though not always easy, growth must happen.

Please take some time to read the older posts.  Feel free to contact me with any questions you have about the Runes, how this oracle can help you or to arrange your own personal Rune reading with me.

Thank you for visiting.  You can follow my blog by email or become a follower.  Either way, I hope you'll come back again soon.