The Weekly Rune – Othala

Othala is the half-month stave through 14 June. Ehwaz reversed is the intuitive rune, and Fehu indicates the Earth Guardian’s message to us. Read right to left is Othala, Ehwaz reversed, then Fehu.

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. The runes provide one way we can create ourselves as fit elders, so that we can become well Ancestors upon death.

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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.
• 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.

What does it mean?

Othala is the rune of inheritance, which covers the territory of death, assets and estate planning, Ancestors, and descendants. Its own rune of inventory, it serves as time to note status of estate affairs and get them in order, as well as how aligned we are with our Ancestors’ needs, thus if we’re accomplishing what is required for our descendants. In my vernacular, Othala is the core rune of eldering well. It is the ultimate embodiment of adulting.

Othala embraces all the things we’re most terrified of, the most frightening of which is death. Of course to the Old Norse culture, death isn’t separate from life, so seasonally visiting Othala as a reminder to get affairs in order and dig a bit deeper into the Ancestors’ needs wouldn’t have been a huge departure from everyday perspective or effort. For us, though, it is. It forces us to face our own mortality, which is completely counter to our anti-aging cultural oath. It makes us consider that if we get the option to live long, we have to plan out how to prosper. We can’t just wing it. That kind of life assessment calls to the fore every inequity we’ve faced at a personal level regarding finances, authority, social standing and mobility, opportunity, education, etc., that cultural biases have imposed upon us. Nothing spells out limitation like culling through what we stand leave behind in treasure and torment.

Othala represents a late life stage, or at least the mindset of late life, where we realize this is the only life we have.

Ehwaz reversed as how to cope with Othala this week tells us up front that we need to tread carefully into this territory. We will feel offtrack and clouded as we delve into inheritance matters. What’s important is that we honor the source of those feelings. It may not even be that we need to assess or change anything about the dynamic; rather, that we explore the feelings and be realistic about what they tell us about our lives.

Fehu, from the voice of the Earthly Guardian, assures us that there is wealth in mundane healing. A new presence to TWR, this being isn’t the Earth spirit. This being has detachment from the everyday machinations of Earth, yet has every investment in its wellbeing, its growth and evolution. To that end, its message of wealth is about Earth, itself. Fehu in this position reinforces that our best insight into Othala will be at the mundane leve, right now. Examine assets that must be tended, though remember to include among them the value of Middle Earth, the spiritual aspects of all that we are among, and the animistic community we move through all day–every day.

Indeed, the value of this week is about what roots us here, so that we are the anchor to do the Ancestors’ work, to create our descendants’ future.

For suggestions on how to weather the season gracefully, subscribe to my private runes community on Patreon.

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