12 Dec 2010 New Beginnings

This morning I drew the following runes: Ehwaz, Raido, and Odin. 

Ehwaz is the rune of movement.  In my case, there was a lot of movement in my day.  I did a lot of baking for a party that I am hosting tomorrow night, I visited with two friends whom I haven't visited with in a while, and I caught up with my boyfriend.  One of the conversations I had involved this blog.  I have encouraged this friend to explore runes, tarot cards, and other oracles to help her deal with some rough patches in her life.  My experiences with the runes has helped me with trying times.  She encouraged me to write so she can gain familiarity with the runes.  The other phone call involved catching up with a very close friend.  We commented about the strangeness of me not being at home and how this time of year is just plain weird in that respect.  Typically, we bake pies together and host a Christmas party together.  Not this year.  As you can see, there was lots of movement in my day!

The second rune, dealing with my health, was Raido.  Raido traditionally dealt with journey, communication, reunion/union.  In the Healing Runes, it also addresses surrender.  I haven't talked to my boyfriend in almost a week.  This may seem strange to you, however, it is normal (when things are going well) for our relationship.  We have always communicated well with each other.  Today's conversation addressed some shared interests and I gained understanding about some happenings in the last 5 months.  As a result, I was able to voice my frustration and hopefully surrender that past experience.  I understand why it happened and recognize that it may happen again.  He's aware of my reaction to the event and hopefully will keep that in mind.  Things are right in the world again.

The third rune, addressing my relationship with myself, was Odin.  Odin is the rune of mystery, "blank is the beginning; blank is the end."  Deciding to write this blog and explore the questions I have about the runes combining to be a three or a four-rune spread is definitely a beginning and an end.  The beginning in that I have never written about my experiences privately, let alone publicly.  And the end of the old.....

Tonight's final rune is Nauthiz reversed.  Nauthiz represents pain, constraint, and necessity.  I am reminded that in its original sense it meant to udergo something.  I am also reminded to practice restraint and to not take this world personally.  As a healing rune, Nauthiz addresses shame.  Perhaps I am at a place where I can heal my feelings.  Which may be the case, remember I voiced my frustrations?  You have to recognize what is wrong before you can right the wrong.  In light of my relationship with myself, Nauthiz reminds me to acknowledge my limitations and those of others.  These are not set in stone, we can learn from them and turn them into strengths.  Of course, new limitations will follow behind the old.  That is okay.  We have to have limitations to keep us in check.  And, sometimes, the things we see as strengths are our limitations.

Perhaps the take home message for me today is that I don't live in a vacuum and every person I come into contact with will present limitations that I can choose to accept or ignore.  I should not take every little thing personally, especially when it hurts but was not intended to hurt.  Pretty big message...........

The Process

Each morning, I sit on my bed with my bag of runes.  I am using the set of 25 that are referenced in the books written by Ralph Blum.  They include the 24 runes of the elder and younger Futharks and Odin, the mystery rune.  I ask a question, in this case, "What do I need to know to live life today?" and draw which ever rune that "sticks" to my hand.  I am very careful about looking at the rune so I don't alter its presentation; either upright or reverse.  I write it down in my calendar and place it back in the bag.

I repeat the process with two other questions:
"What do I need to know about my health for today?"
"What do I need to do for my relationship with myself?"

After writing the runes down, I consult Mr. Blum's books.  The Book of Runes for the first question, The Healing Runes for the second, and the Relationship Runes for the third.  Presentation is not important for the Healing and Relationship runes as they have no reversed form.

I read each entry before continuing on in my preparations for the day.  I have not noticed any difference in drawing runes based upon having a shower or not.  I have not done any meditations in the morning in quite a while, so this could change.  The journaling process is outlined in The Artist's Way by Julia Cameron.

The last rune is drawn right before going to bed.  I ask "What do I need to work on for tomorrow?" and draw a rune.  This rune is written down, maintaining its presentation, and I consult all three references.

Purpose

I have been studying runes for 10 years, or so.  I have kept a rune journal, drawing one in the morning and one at night.  Recently, I have been drawing more in the morning, asking questions in more specific areas.  The purpose of this journal will be to see if what I suspect is true: that the runes I draw in the morning not only answer the three questions I ask of them ( what I need to know to live life today; what do I need to know for my health today; and what do I need to work on for my relationship with myself) but is also a three rune spread which is the Overview, Challenge, and Action.  Of course, asking the fourth question, at night, what do I need to work on for tomorrow, may also be the Summary rune of a four-rune spread. 

There are other spreads I have worked on, as well.  Those spreads may appear here as well.

Names will be changed, of course.   I am curious to read the thoughts of others, feel free to comment.  If you think you "know" who I refer to, please have the courtesy to maintain the changed name.