Oh, the Possibilities

When Ehwaz is the overview in a questions about how to deal with possibilities, you have to smile.  Three weeks into 2012, I am feeling very fortunate to have so many opportunities coming to me.  To be fair, most of these these opportunities are the result of a lot of leg work, but others are simply word-of-mouth or being in the right place at the right time.  Still, I don't want to get ahead of myself with these possibilities, so I asked the Runes what should be made of them.

What makes Ehwaz such a good overview for this situation?  Ehwaz is the Rune of the Horse, sacred to many Germanic tribes.  It represents a pilgrimage of sorts through the lens of a horse-rider relationship.  This is a partnership.  Moreover, as any rider will tell you, there is a special bond between horse and rider, especially when you find the right match.  Contemporary interpretations suggest progression and transitions when this Rune is drawn.  Coupled with the comfort of undertaking a journey on horseback, rather than on foot, this moment becomes one where you can feel a slight sense of comfort or confidence in moving toward the future.  Just make sure it doesn't turn to overconfidence.

Perhaps that last bit about confidence is why our challenge with the possibilities that lie just in front of us is Nauthiz, the Rune of Need and Necessity.  While we must not create obstacles for ourselves, our own hubris can become the greatest obstacle we face in accomplishing goals or turning possibilities into realities.  Even though we may move forward with confidence, we must still move forward with discipline.  No matter how badly we need (or want) something, we must remain focused and calm if we expect to bring it successfully to bear.

Gebo, the Rune of the Gift is the required action to address this challenge.  This draw gave me pause for a moment, but I realized that what the Runes are saying to me is that we must offer our ideas (the things we see as possibilities) without expectation, for that is the truest gift.  By offering it in this manner, the gift (possibility) will attract its own benefits.

This week, I have at least three major undertakings in the works, two that are just beginning and one that I hope to expand/extend.  I must be confident in the gifts I give (possibilities I put out there), but put them out there without the expectation of anything more than taking them from theory to practice.  What possibility will you move forward this week?

The Path to a Career?

Two weeks ago, I talked about having a lot of balls in the air and how to prioritize them so that they can all get done.  With November, comes a slight shift in priorities, because I am taking the NaNoWriMo challenge.  For those of you who don’t know, that’s short for National Novel Writing Month.  The challenge is to write 50,000 words toward a novel in the month of November.  While I’m not doing too badly, given life’s little circumstances, I am a bit behind.  So, today I ask the Runes what I need to accomplish this task.  This is what they said.

Isa, the Rune of Standstill or Ice.  I’m not sure I like this overview on first sight, but I can accept what it represents, because it doesn’t mean that nothing is happening.  Instead, it can be a sign of caution or it can indicate, as the idea of ice brings to my mind, a sense of calmness or, instead of a standstill, stillness.  Of course, if I am traveling an icy path and must be cautious as I traverse it, the only way to succeed is to submit to it, give in and realize that this is the way I have to go.  Now I know I must find time to do this.  To be fair, this is true.  If my time were all my own, I would spend it writing.

No situation is without its challenges and my challenge in finding time is Ehwaz, the Rune of Movement and the Horse.  The theme of a journey continues with this Rune, likening to a close relationship such as that between a rider and her horse.  Ehwaz signifies things such as travel for pleasure and a new attitude about life.  In many ways, as I shift more toward writing as a career and not just a hobby, the journey does become more pleasurable and, with that, my attitude improves.  If I am the rider and my writing is the horse, then my challenge is to guide the horse where I want it to take me both within the story I am telling and in my career as a professional “rider”.

It seems as though my action has been established for me in the two previous Runes – I am on an icy path and I must guide the horse over it carefully to make sure I get where I want and need to be.  It is probably precisely because I think I have it all figured out that the Runes bestowed Mannaz, the Rune of the Self, Humanness on me.  What does this mean?  Every journey we undertake begins with the self.  As humans, we all possess strengths and weaknesses.  We are wise to inventory those aspects of ourselves before climbing into the saddle.  Therefore, while my path may be clear and I know I am in charge of reaching the destination I have determined, the only way I will accomplish this journey is by facing who I am, good and bad as I start out on this path.

Isn't it interesting that I asked the Runes about completing a single task and they presented it as a step toward something much more satisfying than finishing a project. NaNoWriMo may be only a month long challenge, but it is one of the important stops on my path to a career as a writer or rider if you prefer.  Giddy-up!

I Don't Wanna!!

Many times in life, we must do things that we don't necessarily want to do.  Today, I asked the Runes for counsel in such circumstances.  The guidance they offer is an approach to make the process more bearable and, quite possibly allow you to enjoy it and learn from it.

Eihwaz, the Rune of Defense provides the overview of the situation.  Defense means simply that now is not the time to go on the offensive, because it will not bear fruit.  You cannot influence the situation at the moment; you must move within it, be patient.  Do not try to force an outcome or bully or push your way through what is blocking your path.  For now, look listen and learn.  Begin to recognize potential consequences, so that when you make your decision to act, it comes easily.

The challenge within this type of situation is the desire for forward movement, which is why the second Rune of this draw was Ehwaz - the Rune of Movement and Progress - reversed.  In its reversed position, Ehwaz reminds you that, what is yours will come to you at the right moment in time.  Although you may not want the opportunities that are presenting themselves right now, be grateful that you have opportunities to address.  The opportunities you truly desire may not be appropriate right now, but you can gain knowledge and insight from the ones that are available.  Perhaps they must help to better prepare you for the opportunities you do want.

Interestingly, the action for this drawing is Dagaz, which is the Rune of Breakthrough and Transformation.  Perhaps by accepting and pursuing what is within your reach at the moment, even though you "don't wanna", you set your direction toward your desired outcome, despite that fact that it may not be apparent to you from your current perspective.  Trust that what you can see will help guide you to what it is you want to see.  Stay focused.  Work hard.  Do it happily and put the darkness behind you.