Mannaz

Mannaz is the intellect, the rational part of our being, and the active principle. It encourages us to move beyond our history, beyond our emotional reactions, and to step into the role of the leader, setting goals and objectives and reaching for them.

Mannaz represents the need to keep oneself busy, as well as the need to be independent while reaching mutual agreements. Mannaz challenges us to analyze the facts and learn how to make things happen.

Go with the Flow

The challenge of laguz is to "go with the flow", embracing contradictions and challenges, not struggling against them. Laguz symbolizes the element of Water, and embodies many of the same characteristics: emotions, dreams, rest, and the subconscious. It represents Love in all its forms, including the knowledge that "I am loved for who I am." It is also Trust and the need to "open up" to receive and to give. It is Clan also, the hunger for family and blood ties and companionship.

Laguz tells us to let go, to ride the tide wherever it takes us, no matter how strong the waves.

The Journey

Raidho reminds us that it's all about the journey, not the destination. We must have a goal in mind, however, to help us choose the paths along our journey. As we journey, we create our reality through the choices we make. Raidho is the rune of the Traveler and the Seeker and gives us a sense of purpose. Raidho can represent travel, restlessness, or a spiritual journey, but it also teaches us that as we search for Wisdom, we must find the Truth within.

Trust and Share

Ehwaz is the symbol of the mare, feminine intuition, strength and grace. It is the reminder to "trust your gut", explore the inner mysteries, and know a sign when you see one. The pieces fall into place, and you open unto Her gentle ways.

The challenge is to learn to open up, to share your thoughts and feelings.

In some traditions, the Mare is the shaman's steed to/within the Other World. She carries us where we need to go, but we must trust our safety to her.

Beginning again

Berkano is the rune of personal transformation, of birth and rebirth, of fresh starts. It is about shedding old skins, and learning that life is a series of endings and beginnings. When labor pains come, we take a deep breath and focus. It is the bringing of a new sense of purpose, of revitalization, creativity and flexibility. We cannot learn another soul's lessons, only our own.

Message from the Great Blue Heron

While driving down a main road yesterday, we spotted something surprising in an open field: a great blue heron slowly stalking lunch.

There were a couple of unusual things about this particular sighting: seeing a heron so far away from the water (although the field may have been a little marshy after the rain), and seeing one so close to so much traffic.

As we sat at the red light, we watched the heron take step after deliberate step, never taking his eyes off of his goal.

Great Blue Heron is a messenger of the spirit world. Some connect the heron with the ancient Egyptian benu bird, which represented the ba, or manifestation of the soul of Ra, the sun god (making it particularly fitting that we saw it only days after the Winter Solstice).

The message Heron brought to me yesterday was clear:

"Be patient while stalking your prey."

Prey in this case means anything I have set my sights on. What is my goal? What am I seeking?

Stalking is an action word. This is not about sitting and waiting, but about moving forward, slowly and deliberately.

I hope the heron caught his lunch, and I know that I too will catch my prey if I follow his example.

Spiraling Back to Center

It has been quite a while since I've posted to this blog. The mundane world has consumed me for a while, but I am beginning my journey back to center.

The Lady of Mystery has been with me while I've walked in the shadows, and there were times that I neglected to see her there. This isn't the first time we've danced this dance; She is the mysterious one, the shadowy one, the one who waits. I dance away from the center and get distracted and lose myself, and misidentify what it is I have lost. She waits until I'm off balance and then gives me a little shove that sends me spiraling back to myself.

This year's passage from Samhain to Yule has been one of releasing for me. Releasing of that which no longer serves me, of that which is toxic to me, but has been with me for so long that I ache to part with it.