For the week of 8 August 2021
The Moment

Thurisaz is the half-month rune through 13 August. Nauthiz is the intuitive rune, Ansuz reversed indicates Reconnaissance’s message to us, and petrified wood occupies summer. Read right to left is Thurisaz, Nauthiz, then Ansuz reversed.
Be sure to check out the new series of runework classes I’m teaching on Patreon at the $8 level or higher to participate in a new series of runework classes aimed at working with the runes for guidance and support in pandemic life. These classes will focus on lesser-taught aspects of working with the runes, such as how they are keys to humaning well, how they situate into Old Norse myth and culture–which is still relevant today, working with the runes for energy hygiene, deathwalking with the runes, shadow aspects of the runes, and eldering well with the runes. For more information, contact me.
The Weekly Rune Free Version - Thurisaz for the Week of 8 August 2021
The Elder Futhark runic calendar provides to humanity keys for how we live in season with All Things. Through #theweeklyrune I share the Futhark’s insight on how to live better as animists, to make better choices based on keen insight into the present, and to help each of us be more active in creating a better life for us all. That realization includes living with All Things as family, learning to tend what can’t just be fixed, and using every tool at our disposal to do so. 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 that we can create ourselves as fit elders, so that upon our good death, we can be well Ancestors.
This is the free version of The Weekly Rune. Get the full benefit of the ad-free, detailed version every Sunday, by joining my private runes community at Patreon.
The paid runecast includes:
- more detail
- ad-free
- the current runes’ impact on human life force
- insights on how to best manage the curves and twists therein
- introspective prompts to nuance and tend self-work
- galdr of the runecast, with sound files and instruction on how to use each sound
- live video sessions
- runic insights, book excerpts, release news, free classes
- optional services with me
- discounts on soul tending services
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, each half-month rune is one of the 24 runes of the Elder Futhark, and governs for a tad over two weeks (14 and 1/4 days, or a fortnight).
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 have been 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.
The Runecast
Our time with Thurisaz has been focused on making the most of the moment. As it is the point in the progression that we have brought awareness (and skills) to tending our unconscious (Uruz), we are now prepared to act from that unity. This fusion could be the stuff of magick, the best of thoughtform brought into being. Conversely, if we haven’t given mindful attention to our unconscious, the unity is still happening. We will still bring thoughtforms into being, they’re just likely to be coming in sideways wrapped in barbed wire.
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?
Our unconscious pulls our strings all the time, as is its job. It is our Uruz, the wild part of us that realizes the intoxicating power of being in form. As we have progressed into Thurisaz for a second time in the pandemic era, we are reminded to make the best use that we can of our power. Where we were standing in it last year to acclimate to a rapidly changing normal and navigating one systemic blow after the other, this year we stand in the rubble of who we were then, trying to discern who we can be among still hurtful systems. This week’s runecast takes it down to the studs, which in unconscious terms are needs, and the framing runes have much to say about them. Read more…
For more insight into the runes, tending your unquiet dead and Ancestors, and cultivating a strong spiritual path
join my community Runes for Change.
For suggestions on how to weather the season gracefully, subscribe to my private runes community on Patreon.
#beyourcommunity

S. Kelley Harrell, M. Div.
I’m an animist, author, deathwalker and death doula. For the last 25+ years, through Soul Intent Arts I’ve helped others to ethically build thriving spiritual paths as fit, embodied elders, who upon death become wise, capable Ancestors. My work is Nature-based, and focuses soul tending through the Elder Futhark runes, animism, ancestral healing, and deathwork. I’m author of Runic Book of Days, and I host the podcast, What in the Wyrd. I also write The Weekly Rune as a celebration of the Elder Futhark in season. Full bio.
#beyourcommunity ~ #youareecosystem
elder well, die well, ancestor well
Elder Well
To bear your unique gift to the world.
Die Well
To leave the planet better than you found it.
Ancestor Well
So that your descendants never elder alone.