Sunday Runecasting

 

Runecasting has been a part of my life forever. I draw them from a bag and observe the influences they suggest. Sometimes patterns emerge on their own, or I use an existing spread to see what the runes have to offer. Although I typically purchase my rune sets made of stone, I make all the others either from wood or clay. I was able to find some small flat stones at the beach a few months ago that I created a set from. I made the set in the first runecasting from clay. They’re thin and delicate and they have a nice feel.

In this casting, I drew Hagalaz as significator for the spread. Influences below include Ehwaz, Othala and Berkano. As a witch there are several runes that resonate, but I confess that Hagalaz, the witch rune, is my favorite. I wear it as a talisman. Its simplest definition is hail, or the cosmic ice egg. But in truth, Hagalaz is destruction before transformation. Hagalaz, like the witch, provides protection,  blesses partnerships and creates positive outcomes. It also facilitates a witch’s hedgeriding or shamanic passage.

Influences affecting the witch begin with Ehwaz. Also known as Sleipner, Odin’s Eight-legged horse, Ehwaz facilitates safe travel and partnership. Progress or motion bringing about swift change is favored with Ehwaz. Safe travel also applies to travel experienced astrally, so it suggests that riding the hedge will be a positive experience for the witch. The hedge symbolizes the barrier between physical and nonphysical realms. Riding the hedge for the witch is a transformative experience of shamanic journeying where anything can happen. Drawing Ehwaz suggests protection will be provided during that state.

Othala is next as the rune of sacred space, inheritance and kinship. Clearly, ancestral influences will assist the witch in her hedgeriding experience. As the Blessed Conduit, the witch stands in the inbetween, between the order of Source Energy and the chaos of the physical realm, supported by the influence of Othala. It is said that all runes are present in Othala, as is all truth in the inbetween.

In the final position influencing the witch sits Berkano, the Earth Mother. Invoking the energies of Gaia, Berkano brings things into being, representing new life and new beginnings. She is the witch as healer, as Mother of creation.

The full moon is in a couple of days. I guess the Goddess wants me to ride the hedge. And the runes would suggest that I’m going to have a wonderful time.

∞

This second runecasting uses some Hawthorn runes I made. The hawthorn is sacred to witches and fae folk, and I use its wood for wands and runes. The thorns I carefully remove for ritual and spell work, with emphasis on carefully. The Hawthorn commands respect. There’s a reason hawthorn trees make excellent living fences. The thorns blend and you don’t see them until you need stitches, which the fae folk find hilarious. The least they could do is offer a bandaid.

Eihwaz, not to be confused with Ehwaz, sits in the significator position, providing the link between worlds. Redundancy be damned, it’s another witch runecasting. Goddess is really getting my attention these days. Eihwaz reflects the energy of as above, so below, the connection between seeming opposites.

Looking at the influences, Mannaz is positioned in the middle, balancing the receptive and projective influences of Ehwaz and Uruz, with Gebo providing foundational influence below. I prefer the terms receptive and projective in lieu of feminine and masculine. Energy isn’t gender-specific, so it makes no sense to limit the discussion to gender qualities. Energy moves. It either repels or it attracts, hence the terms projective and receptive.

Mannaz represents mankind and the rational mind. Social integration, and the individual’s role in society is reflected in the energy of Mannaz. The role of the witch in society is as a healer, whether in her time as Maiden, Mother or Crone. Mannaz illustrates the synthesis of rationality and our intuition, creating successful outcomes. With Mannaz’s influence, the witch learns to balance her duality within.

Receptive influence is reflected in Ehwaz, which we know from the first runecasting, symbolizes partnership and safe travel. Allowing is an element of true partnership, for true partnership is remaining aligned in one’s own space while allowing your partner that same grace and respect. That respect fosters unfettered growth in the relationship instead of the typical tug of war that can happen. Trust between horse and rider is reflected in the willingness to remain on your own path, trusting that your partner will do the same.

Uruz, with its auroch’s horns pointing downward, is our manifesting physical presence in life. It’s interesting that Mannaz, a rune of Elemental Earth is surrounded by Elemental Water runes. Water has a profound effect upon the earth, whether gentle or extreme. Our emotional presence is represented by Water, and it would seem that the message for the witch is to balance her receptive and projective emotions for the greatest creative effect. Uruz is creative energy manifesting into form. It represents the will of the witch, removing all doubt as desire is made manifest.

Gebo, the rune of balanced energy exchange, is the crossroad on which the witch eternally stands, where decisions are made and spells are cast. It is her foundation, her balance, creating an equilibrium from which her magick flows. A Water rune as well, Gebo assures that the witch will be a force for both change and balance.

Synchronous runecastings are so interesting. The first defines the witch, the second reflects her life at the crossroads, and how she successfully navigates those waters in balance and grace. How cool was that!

The Full Moon on Wednesday is in Gemini, leaving me only two full days to prepare. Known by various names, I prefer the Celtic or English names. In Celtic tradition, November’s Full Moon is called the Full Dark Moon. And I’ll be there, wand and athame in hand, drawing down Goddess blessings, merging with Her Blessed Presence. The last time I rode the hedge, I spent time with a reflection of my Higher Self. We sat mostly, together by a pond, and again at a wooden table inside a stone cottage. No words spoken, but a conversation all the same. I had never had an experience like that before, and I was profoundly affected by my time with her. My tears flowed freely, unabated for what seemed like hours, secure in the knowing that she would always be with me, surrounding me with loving resonance.

So maybe that’s who has been tapping me in the shoulder for the last week or so. Either way, the weather looks clear and the labyrinth is ready. And by the light of the Full Dark Moon, I’ll cast more runes, an offering to Odin who, according to Ancestry.com is either a great-grandfather or an uncle. Although I’m not sure what I think about all of that, I figure if it’s really true, then it might be my way in to ride Sleipner. Because who among us can resist an eight-legged horse?

~Blessings to all and blessed be the runes! And Grandfathers with eight-legged horses!