For the week of 10 February 2019
Informed divinity
Algiz is the half-month stave through 13 February, at which point Sowilo (Sowilu) moves forward. We experience that transition mid-week, so both runes are included in this cast. Algiz is above right, with Sowilo beneath it. Ehwaz reversed is the intuitive rune, and Fehu reversed indicates the Growth’s message to us. Read right to left is Algiz above, Sowilo below, Ehwaz reversed, then Fehu reversed.
I truly believe that #theweeklyrune includes the keys to making better choices based on keen insight into the present, to help each of us be more active in creating a better reality for us all. That realization process includes learning to tend what can’t just be fixed, and using every tool at our disposal to accomplish that. The runes are such a tool, and in the Old Norse tradition, this process is wyrdweaving at it deepest potential.
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What’s a half-month rune?
“Half-month” is an astronomical concept in which each month is divided into two parts: days 1-15, then 16-month’s end. In terms of the runic calendar, the half-month rune is based on the Elder Futhark, and governs for a tad over two weeks (14 and 1/4 days, or a fortnight).
As we experience a shift between the half-month runes this week, the energies subtly reflect a change in focus.
Learn More
The Weekly Rune is a three-rune cast. Those runes are the half-month, the intuitive rune, and the overview. The half-month is a set rune, which for the most part follows the traditional ordering of the Elder Futhark. The intuitive stave (meaning, I draw it blind) indicates the life force most available to us, to the focus of the half-month rune into sharper focus. It suggests how we can best handle the half-month energies. The final rune (also drawn blind) provides a high overview of the current time, and speaks from different voices. These voices are usually Nature, Earth, Creation, though are sometimes others. I note who’s speaking each week, as it is revealed.
New to The Weekly Rune?
- Catch a couple of my IGTV videos, which explain the intention and process behind the runecast, and what makes it different from other ways of casting.
- Listen to my What in the Wyrd podcast, which is available across all popular podcast platforms, including Google Play and iTunes. The latest episode discusses the nuances of Raidho.
- A few people have asked the reason that I switch between different rune sets for TWR. The short answer is: because. The more nuanced answer is I ask which sets wants to speak each week. I don’t assume the same elements are in play according to the timing of the runes; I also don’t assume the same elements of my runes are appropriate to speak each week. I did a podcast on this subject, so there’s more info there. (See above)
- Also, for deep work on coming into relationship with the runes in season, check out my book, Runic Book of Days.
The Runecast
Where transitions between some runes are more challenging, the shift from Algiz to Sowilo is fairly smooth. This week we move from the protective stance of Algiz into the broader vantage point of Sowilo.
Learn more about this seasonal progression, and how to draw its insights into the personal spiritual path in Runic Book of Days.
What does it mean?
Sowilo is the rune of the sun, which is why we’re all here. Specifically, it’s why we modern humans have been able to stay here, on Earth, for the last two hundred thousand years. We have revered the sun for so long as a divine force that many of our ancient gods and goddesses are associated with it. We look at it and know it’s why we’re alive.
From a spiritual standpoint, that’s a profound kinship to have. We are related to the sun–as we are Earth’s own elements. We understand that it gives us life, and our charge in that relationship is to be life-givers. To that end, Sowilo carries this caveat of realizing our middle-role in divinity: the sun shines on us so that we may shine on others. It is the quintessential rune that reminds us we aren’t blessed for no reason. It’s our duty to do something with it.
Curious to have Ehwaz reversed as the informational rune, when last week it came in the same role, upright. I talked in-depth about why Ehwaz is the rebel rune in Episode 52 of What in the Wyrd. I talk about it being the animism rune, and how it challenges us to go deeper into our spiritual experience of everyday life. Reversed, its message isn’t about not going deeper. It’s about scope creep, which is when we stray from preliminary plans. That kind of tension is what’s dredged up by Ehwaz reversed, yet of a spiritual variety.
This week our challenge is to realize where we’re out of the groove, which in this case is animism. Where we’re out, explore what’s actually doable to be more engaged. This isn’t wishlist-type stuff, but grounded, actionable stuff we can and will do. Once we know that sweet spot, do it, and keep doing it.
Fehu reversed speaks through a voice that’s never visited #theweeklyrune before. Growth was the system that came when I asked, and it very clearly indicated that Fehu reversed can be a point of growth. When we’re willing to put down what we think we have, we open our possibilities for what we really can gain. This doesn’t mean we put ourselves in dire straits to test the gods or just to see what happens. It means we, to borrow a newly minted phrase, see what ‘sparks joy.’ We deal with all our holdings and drop what isn’t meeting actual, thrilling, elated, HELLS YES needs.
In the context of Growth, Fehu reversed isn’t about loss or poor tending habits. It’s about tending what’s not needed. Letting go of what no longer works. Purging.
I struggle with it as much as anyone, and hope to find us all a bit lighter next week, and a lot more connected.
For suggestions on how to do that gracefully, subscribe to my private runes community on Patreon.
