Laguz, the Rune of Water

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Meaning: water   Phonetic equivalent: 'l'

Anglo-Saxon Rune Poem

The ocean seems interminable to men,

if they venture on the rolling bark

and the waves of the sea terrify them

and the courser of the deep heeds not its bridle.

Norwegian Rune Poem

A waterfall is a river which

falls from a mountainside,

but ornaments are of gold.

Icelandic Rune Poem

Water

eddying stream

and broad geyser

and land of the fish.

Laguz

Cala Gobraith, 2009

Laughing laguzi, the babbling brook, drifting through

life with lazy ease, healing with

light-hearted laughter, washing clean

lanced wounds and liberating the

love locked deep within.

Lacking in brute force, laguz helps one

learn to go with the flow of things.

Galina Krasskova sees this rune as representing water, all the ways we consciously use energy, power and attraction, as an element of sexuality, as how emotions and mental state affects one's consciousness when working magick, flowing energy, shape-shifting and the manifestation of desire.

To Aswynn, Laguz represents water, the waters of life, feminine energy, associations with the goddess Nerthus, healing, initiation, love, hidden ebb and flow of the currents of life, the deepest currents of the collective unconscious and emotions.

Francis Melville sees in Laguz such aspects as journeys across water, fluidity, imagination, intuition, artistic creativity, soul journeys, psychic power, dreams, especially of the initiatory type, emotions and the psyche. Associations: deity- Njörd, tree- willow, plant- leek, animal- seal, bird- duck, astrology- moon, color- green, element- water.

For Oswald, this rune is one of water in all its forms, cleansing, flow, the unconscious, intuition, and psychic abilities. Associations: deity- Njörd, Nerthus, tree- Osier willow, plant- leek, astrology- moon, color- dark green, element- water, stone- pearl.

Paxson associates this rune with the goddess Nerthus, the waters of the earth, femininity, new life, creativity welling from the unconscious and fluidity of being.

I associate Laguz with water, subconscious, intuition, emotions, and the ability to be mutable and adaptable, to 'go with the flow' of life.

Meditation associations: Water, underworld, emotions, can be peaceful or torrential, intuition, music, especially peaceful music; ocean waves, calmness, rocking sensation, light-blue glyph, darkness, twilight, caverns.

Runes: Theory and Practice, Galina Krasskova

Power and Principles of the Runes, Freya Aswynn

The Book of Runes, Francis Melville

Discovering Runes, Bob Oswald

Taking up the Runes, Diana Paxson

Mannaz, the Rune of Identity

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Meaning: man    Phonetic equivalent: 'm'

Anglo-Saxon Rune Poem

The joyous man is dear to his kinsmen;

yet every man is doomed to fail his fellows,

since the Lord by his decree

will commit the vile carrion to the earth.

Norwegian Rune Poem

Man is an augmentation of the dust;

great is the claw of the hawk.

Icelandic Rune Poem

Man

delight of man

and augmentation of the earth

and adorner of ships.

Mannaz

Cala Gobraith, 2009

Mannazi- essence of identity, of

mien and character, shaping mannerisms,

maintaining outer appearances and

misconceptions of the inner nature.

Man is many things- that which is boldly shown

married to that which is shyly hidden,

merged to create that which we think we know.

Krasskova sees Mannaz as social interaction, balanced partnership of give and take, relationships of any kind and, to some extent, healthy social boundaries.

Aswynn sees this rune as representing man, humanity, cooperation of people sharing the same environment to the benefit of the tribe or community, the human condition, social structures and social responsibility.

To Melville, this rune's aspects include the self, family members, friendship, rational intelligence, race memory, transcendental consciousness, the individual as a microcosm, spiritual healers, and concepts of identity. Associations: deity- Heimdall, tree- holly, plant- mandrake, animal- man, bird- hawk, zodiac- Aquarius, color- red, element- water/air.

Oswald associates Mannaz with humanity, the Self, the inner being, the soul, man or womanhood, people in general, tolerance, broad-mindedness, devotion, kindness, charity, and a willingness to change. Associations: deity- Heimdall, Odin and Frigg, tree- holly, plant- madder, astrology- Jupiter, color- deep red, element- air, stone- garnet.

Diana Paxson sees Mannaz as humanity, what it means to be human, dependence of humans upon each other, mankind as divine and animal, and the identity and function of a person.

Mannaz is another rune dear to me, this time because I associate it with anthropology, which is one of my loves. Anthropology is the study of man whenever and wherever he has existed. Mannaz, to me, is the rune of humanity and of identity.

Meditation associations: DNA helix, binary code, label tag, loss of identity, Latin naming, identity of people, self or object, loss of individuality as one 'cell' in a social beast's body.

Runes: Theory and Practice, Galina Krasskova

Power and Principles of the Runes, Freya Aswynn

The Book of Runes, Francis Melville

Discovering Runes, Bob Oswald

Taking up the Runes, Diana Paxson

Ehwaz, the Rune of Status

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Meaning: horse    Phonetic equivalent: 'e (e with a line over)'

Anglo-Saxon Rune Poem

The horse is a joy to princes

in the presence of warriors.

A steed in the pride of its hoofs,

when rich men on horseback

bandy words about it;

and it is ever a source of comfort to the restless.

**This rune has no Norwegian or Icelandic rune poems.

Ehwaz

Cala Gobraith, 2009

Ehwaz is status,

earned carefully, though an

encumbering responsibility at times.

Essence of esteem, of elevation,

entrusted with wealth, with power,

Ehwaz is the essence of the

elite and a target for the envious.

Galina Krasskova associates this particular rune with Sleipnir, Loki's son and eight-legged steed of Odin. To her, this rune is a rune of journeying, forward movement to a better situation, communication in the temporal world as well as with spirit allies, totems, ancestors and deities and rapid change. In addition, Krasskova associates Ehwaz with possessory work, as the relationship between the possessing deity or 'rider' and the receptive 'horse'.  

Aswynn sees Ehwaz in terms of horses as sacred creatures, the persona, marriages/partnerships, persuasion, status, cooperation and adjusting to a situation and making the best of it.

For Melville, Ehwaz represents travel, partnership, marriage, self-control, inner journeys, astral projection, cooperation and mutual trust and respect. Associations: deity- Odin, tree- ash, plant- ragwort, animal- horse, bird- albatross, zodiac- Gemini, color- white/yellow, element- air.

Bob Oswald sees Ehwaz as representing horses, speed of movement, momentum, speed of thought or deed, quick-wittedness, purposeful motion, confidence and loyalty. Associations: deity- Frey, Freya, tree- ash, plant- ragwort,  zodiac- Gemini, color- white, element- earth, stone- Iceland spar.

Among the associations Paxson has for Ehwaz are horses, connotations of 'horse' as channeler and 'rider' as a possessing spirit/deity, harmonious partnership, change and movement of relationships/situations.

I consider this rune one of status in all its forms, partnership, and an association with channeling and shamanic journeying.

Meditation associations: Associated with the Celtic god Arawn, warrior elite, status, horses, vykyr warriors, peace and protection, color grey, pounding hooves on the broad plain, fog, howling wind and grey earth.

Runes: Theory and Practice, Galina Krasskova

Power and Principles of the Runes, Freya Aswynn

The Book of Runes, Francis Melville

Discovering Runes, Bob Oswald

Taking up the Runes, Diana Paxson

Starstuff and the Essence of Nauthiz

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So many varied traditions say we are the stuff of stars, that we are all connected, that we all have a spark of divinity. I had this brought home to me the other day in a way that I never have before. The lessons are still with me, days later.

Most of the time, for me, meditation means journey-work, guided by me and with a firm development goal. As we progress along this method of working with runic energies, I'll give you several such journey type meditations to work with, should you choose.

The other day, though, I chose to try 'observing' the Observer by visualizing looking at myself as I am here. Once that image is firm in mind, I tried to move a step out, to see the one who was observing that. Usually, I cannot get more than three removes or so from my physical body. This time.... this time was rather different. I found other 'observers', such as my Shadow, a young cub-self, and several more. I slid back and forth between these viewpoints for a while. The further removed I tried to go, the more difficult it became and the more impersonal feeling things became. Not in a bad way, mind. Just very different from the way I am used to feeling.

I became aware of two of my runai companions, two belonging to Nauthiz, and they seemed quite amused. Since I started this work, they have told me that I 'belong' to them, to the nauthizi. I'd never seriously questioned it. That is where I ended up... that next 'observer' stage was within the collective of Nauthiz. They said that was where I belonged. They'd always meant it literally. I belonged there. I managed a further remove, becoming more immersed in the collective and there was such a feeling of connectedness, of love and safety, and an assurance of purpose.

When I wound the meditation down, I took the time before fully ending it, to ask my runai companions what it meant and their response was that everything is of the One and they (or the energy of the Collectives) is what comes after the One. That all things derive from the One through them and so, all things 'belong' to the collective they manifested through.

I've always seen the runai as something greater than even deities, and this explanation makes so much sense to me. It brought a whole new meaning to the notion of being connected to all things and of carrying that spark of divinity within. I now find myself studying people, trying to figure which collective they belong to, and trying to touch that connection shared by all things.

*amused look*  And I am doing a poor job of trying to convey the true wonderment of it all!  That's what I get for being sleepy and feeling shy sharing, but.... the runai can be pushy.

Berkana, the Rune of Fertility/Creativity

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Meaning:  birch    Phonetic equivalent: 'b'

Anglo-Saxon Rune Poem

The birch bears no fruit;

yet without seed it brings forth suckers,

for it is generated from its leaves.

Splendid are its branches and gloriously adorned

its lofty crown which reaches to the skies.

Norwegian Rune Poem

Birch has the greenest leaves of any shrub;

Loki was fortunate in his deceit.

Icelandic Rune Poem

Birch, leafy twig

and little tree

and fresh young shrub.

Silver fir, protector.

Berkana

Cala Gobraith, 2009

Berkanai, earth mothers,

barren land calls to the Inguzi; seeds

bond with earth and in time bear shoots and

bloom- ideas seeded in the mind, the

Berkanai bring into being that which

beats within the heart; forged of

belief, a great bounty is served.

To Krasskova, Berkana is all about creating favorable conditions. She also sees in it new beginnings and opportunities and suggests using Berkana energy for cleansing, integrating change, aiding in creating solid foundations and to help things grow.

For Freya Aswynn, this rune means birch tree, birth/gestation processes, healing, recuperation, rejuvenation, purification, feminine energy, motherly energy, growth and a 'bringing forth' and rites of passage through life-stages.

Melville sees the rune Berkana as representing nurturing, nourishment, mothering, fertility, beauty, healing, growth, earth mothers, spiritual growth, and sustenance. Associations: deity- Nerthus, Freya, Frigga, tree- birch, plant- motherwort, animal- bear, bird- swan, zodiac- Cancer, color- green, element- water/earth.

Oswald considers Berkana a rune of growth, fertility, rebirth, new life, renewal, regeneration, purification, healing, recovery and new beginnings. Associations: deity- Nerthus, tree- birch, plant-lady's mantle, zodiac- Virgo, color- dark green, element- earth, stone- moonstone.

Paxson sees Berkana as a rune of healing, birth or becoming, femininity, rootedness and women's mysteries. She associates this rune with Frigga as a motherly and queenly figure

For me, this rune is one of nurturing, fertility, and creative incubation. I strongly associate Berkana with what it means to be 'female'.

Meditation associations: Association with the goddesses Dana and Dôn, loving warmth, spring and summer, woodsmoke, fertility, creativity, deep crystalline music, freedom, green growing world.

Runes: Theory and Practice, Galina Krasskova

Power and Principles of the Runes, Freya Aswynn

The Book of Runes, Francis Melville

Discovering Runes, Bob Oswald

Taking up the Runes, Diana Paxson