Rune Study : Ansuz
Ansuz, Ansur : Áss (Aesir, Divine Ones,); Mouth of Odin
Ansuz is representative of divine inspiration, and manifestation through breath or speech. I really love Tyriel’s take on this rune. (Check it out here.) The creation of our thoughts is something we as beings have the capacity to do. Many of us do this subconsciously. Every moment, we create our thoughts. A lesson of Ansuz, is to bring that creative force into our conscious mind, and use that force to create our hearts desires.
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Rune Study : Thurisaz
Thurisaz : Thorn; Giant
Thurisaz represents the giant, the thorn. A deep wounding or seemingly impossible challenge. It brings to mind a thicket that tears at our skin, and makes it almost impossible to move. A giant in our path, blocking the way forward. The energy of Thurisaz is powerful and dynamic, and can signify a need to center oneself in consciousness. This rune is about ordering chaotic forces, and honing one’s own force of thought.
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How I met the runes… A vitki’s story.
I have been asked alot recently about when and how I started practicing or learning about the runes. So I decided to write down my story, and share my experiences.
Once upon a time, I was 13 years old, and in the library at my highschool. While surfing the net, (I honestly have no idea what I was looking at before!) I stumbled upon a page about the runes. Immediately captivated by them, their use as a divinatory tool, and their potential use in healing and magic work, I printed off everything I could find.
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Rune Study : Uruz
Uruz : Aurochs (Old Norse)
The aurochs is a now extinct breed of wild oxen. To the peoples of Northern Europe, this animal held a sacredness similar to the Buffalo to the Indigenous people of North America. This beautiful, powerful animal was a source of food, hide, and all parts were used. The aurochs was deeply respected, and a rite-of-passage for young men was to overcome one in the wild.
The runic energies of this rune speak loudly of tenacity, endurance and raw power. The vital life-force of these animals was recognized, and Uruz shares this energy. Looking at this rune in the context of the inner journey, this runic energy represents the spark of life within all of us. The drive to grow, learn, and survive. It is a primal force, and immensely strong. Uruz reminds us that we all carry this fire within us, and we must choose to use that when it is needed. If we face a challenge that seems insurmountable, we can remember we carry the force of creation within us.
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On Consecrating Runes…
“A tree is the most perfect of spiritual beings, with its roots buried alive in Mother Earth and its limbs alive and growing in Father Sky.
According to the Song of the Sybil, when the earth was young, Odin and his two brothers found two trees: an ash tree and an elm, faint, feeble, with no fate assigned to them. Breath they had not, nor blood, nor senses, nor language possessed, nor life-hue. Odin gave them breath. Hoenir gave them senses (shape). Blood and life-hue was given by Lothur. We are the forbears of the trees.
One does not just carve runes, one recreates this ritual. By chanting the name of the the rune, one give the rune breath, the energy of its name. By carving it, one gives the rune senses (shape). By coloring the rune red (blood is optional), one gives it life’s hue. When you carve runes you create life.”
-Russ the Runester
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Hammer Rite : Hammarsetning
THE HAMMER RITE
This example is written in a northward orientation, and appropriate changes of course should be made in the order of galdrar in rites of an eastward orientation.
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Rune Study: Berkana
Berkana: Birch
This might be one of my favourite runes…Her energies are so beautiful, protective and powerful. This is the rune of becoming; embodying the maternal goddess energy. The shape of the rune speaks volumes, taking the form of a pregnant mother’s breasts and belly. The peoples of the North experienced the cleansing and protective powers of birch trees. Groves or circles of birch were viewed as very sacred and safe place; a secret sanctuary when one needed it most.
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Introduction to Bindrunes (Bandrùnar)
When working with runes, harnessing the energies of more than one rune to apply them to a specific task, is sometimes very desirable. We can accomplish this by making what is called a bindrune. In Old Norse, this is called a bandrùn.
One can use any combination of different runestaves and bind them together into a single symbol. When doing this, it is important to be in your vé, a sacred space for magic work. This can be any sacred space to you, and can be indoor or outdoor. It is really up to you. When you have decided what rune energies you want to accomplish your goal, sit down with a pencil and paper and draw out the runes. Then, put them together in a way that looks good to you. They do not need to be put together in any specific way, as long as they are connected, they will become a bindrune, after they are consecrated.
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Rune Study: Isa
Isa: Ice (Old Norse)
It is winter here, and the lesson I am focused on right now is Isa. Isa’s energy is quiet and pensive. It represents a time to be still, focusing inward, and patiently awaiting the right time to act. Patience is hard for me. Really hard. But I know that good things come to me when I wait patiently for the right timing to present itself. I am planning a garden this year, and Isa is teaching me much as I begin this process. Patience as I wait for the right time to plant a seed, and as the seed begins to grow in its own time.
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