Runes 202 - Bind Runes - Time Alone

We all need time to ourselves, some need it more often than others and some struggle to find the opportunity at any sort of regular interval.  I fall into the latter category, but this week, I will have three evenings all to myself.  Because I rarely have time for myself, I wanted to make sure that, only do I make the most of this time, but that it starts me on a path of finding it more often.

I had a bit of a conversation with the Runes on this topic and considered making this post a Rune Dialogue, but I realized that I was searching for more than insight.  I needed some extra strength, a reminder to make time for myself and that, when I have that time, to make the most of it.  After quite a lengthy discussion with the Runes, I was ready to pose my question: How do I make time for myself and use that time wisely?

The Runes gave me three thoughtful reminders that are important on their own, but even stronger together.  That is why I decided to make a bind Rune.

Nauthiz was perfect as the first Rune, because it asks me what I need.  What I need is time… time to write.  Some of you may say that’s a want, but writing is like a third lung for me; I need it to breathe.  Sometimes, we may need time to take a nap or read a book or garden.  The larger point is that we need time to do things outside of our routine and, maybe more importantly, we need to figure out how to make time for ourselves a regular part of that routine.

Ehwaz came second.  This reinforces Nauthiz in a really direct and positive way.  Remember, Ehwaz is the horse and it represents, among other things, loyalty.  For those of us who struggle with finding or taking time for ourselves, the message here is that loyalty to our own needs is okay.  This Rune echoes the idea of incorporating time for ourselves into our routine.  Be loyal to it.  Take that time.  Make a commitment to yourself... for yourself.

Ingwaz is the final Rune, the Rune of Freyr and fertility.  It is said that timing is everything.  If that is so, then Ingwaz, in this position, is telling us that now is the time to do this.  This moment is fertile so to speak.  This is our moment, our chance, to begin to set aside some time for ourselves.  Though it's a bit of a stretch, I might also add that by taking time for ourselves, we are creating a more fertile situation for ourselves, in general, because, when we take time to do something that we enjoy or that we need to do, we feel better and that good feeling transfers into other things, other aspects of our lives.

Given how well these three Runes reinforce and support each other, it is almost as if they are already bound.  So, turning them into a bind Rune was not only the obvious thing to do, it was easy.  Now, I think I may just redraw this by hand and set it by my desk to remind myself to do this.

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.