Odin and Raido graced my day.
Odin is a mysterious rune. I never know what is in store for me when I draw the all-knowing. I spent the morning reading until I decided to take a drive to see the water running over a dam face. Next, I decided to take a side trip up to a ghost town, which is where things got... well, interesting. I admit it, I like cemeteries.
One of my memories growing up was sitting in a cemetery, at the grave site of a girl that a friend knew, with (at that time) my best friend and talking. I don't remember the subjects, but it was peaceful. My family is scattered in a variety of cemeteries and one family cemetery. I walked in the cemetery of this town and it struck me that these people had no one anymore. The fences were in disrepair. Headstones were tilted. Plants were growing in the plots (we aren't talking little plants, we are talking shrubs that can grow into trees). A walk like this makes one think of one's family and who would be around to visit and care for the family plot. I have no "line" at the moment to take care of me. What's a person to do? Creation? Okay, who will keep the urn or scatter the ashes? I suppose I can be buried in whatever cemetery is available to me when I die and be taken care of by some nameless and faceless grounds keeper. That has no appeal. Instead, I am going to buy a plot in the family cemetery and let the prairie grasses and prickly pear watch over me.
Raido advises a person to surrender when one's health is concerned. Surrender to what? Today, I surrendered to the need to do some thinking. Nothing specific, really. Just whatever came. The trip to the cemetery was an interesting tug for me. I know I am alone. I know there is the potential for me to be alone when I leave this world. I am okay with that. I surrendered to that. I may not like it, but I met it and agreed to life's terms. We come into this world alone, on our own. We leave this world the same way. It is the in betweens that matters the most.
When it comes to relationships, in particular with yourself, Raido advises Harmony. What better way to find harmony than to consider your end? And the results after all of yours has gone. Having considered both, I am able to better enjoy and make sure the between isn't wasted. Be it helping a friend with one of his relationships and gaining insight into mine or sharing the tiny little things that make up the rest of the day. Harmony within is a key factor in being able to have harmony without.
Eihwaz is the rune for tonight. Defense, denial, and respect. Defend yourself from yourself and others. Address your own denial. It isn't your place to address the denial of others. Address your own. Own it. Respect it. Respect yourself. Respect others. Respect the world around you.
