Sunday Runecast – Elemental Spread

 

 

I’ve been working with an elemental spread lately, both with Tarot and runes. I like viewing the runes in light of each element. When elemental energies combine in a balanced fashion, life flows smoothly. Relating the runes to these energies adds a different dimension to the interpretation. Ansuz is the significator, or focal point, of the casting in the middle. The runes placed in the elemental positions flow from that focal point.

Earth elemental energies ground us and provide us with strength. Air elemental energies focus upon communication, intuition and knowledge. Fire instills in us passion and courage to be successful in life. And Water brings us cleansing, healing and love.

Earth is represented by Gebo in the Northerm position of the spread. To the right, in the Eastern position, Ehwaz represents the Air element. Below, in the Southern position, Fire is represented by Nauthiz. On the left, in the Western position, Berkano represents the Water element.

Ansuz centers around communication and our use of language to create order in our lives. How we accomplish this in light of elemental energies to achieve balance is the focus of this casting.

Gebo, or gift, in the Earth position suggests maintaining balance through purity of motive and choosing for the greater good. It stresses an attitude of reciprocity and gratitude as a basis from which we communicate our appreciation for the gifts we receive. Altruism for altruism’s sake is favored by Gebo.

Ehwaz, or horse, in the Air element position, focuses upon partnerships that grow from love and trust. Intuition and instinct go hand in hand as we communicate our needs in a loving manner.

Nauthiz, or need-fire, is in the Fire position. It’s the doing what must be done rune. It reflects hard work and necessity, and with the Fire element influence, the passion it takes to accomplish the task at hand.

Lastly, Berkano, in the Water element position, creates sanctuary for cleansing and rebirth as we heal.

Beginning from One Energy, as we incarnate into physical form, we appear to do so individually. We forget that we are still part of the collective energy field which is formless. We forget our immanence. We forget our true reality. Ansuz suggests that through interaction, we can experience this reality again. Symbols, language all create awareness and understanding. How we communicate with each other can also determine the outcome of that exchange. Are we aggressive or hostile, or are we loving and kind? Gebo seems to indicate that our ability to see beyond the surface at the divine light within, is the real gift we possess, anchoring us to our true reality. Remembering that the other we see is in fact a piece of our own self allows judgment to disappear, replaced with love and harmony. If each of us is an extension of Source, how do we then judge another? If we do, how are we not judging Source?

Ehwaz continues this harmony with building partnerships using Air elemental energies that breathe love and trust into our interactions with others. We intuitively know a brother and a sister for who they really are, focusing upon the divine light within all. Nauthiz, inspired by the need-fire and passion of the Fire element, shows us the necessity of going forward together. This results in Berkano, emergence from the sanctuary of, and cleansed by, elemental Water as we experience our reawakening into collective consciousness.

The blending of elemental energies with rune meanings enriches the casting. It reminds us that we are connected and that we must remain in balance, with each other, ourselves, with Gaia. As above, so below.

~ Blessed Be the Runes!