Divination Offering - Rune or Ogham Reading Through the End of the Year

[jprussell]

This offering is now closed for new questions, but if you have something pressing before I offer another, reach out by DM here on dreamwidth or through my email (linked at my webstead: https://jpowellrussell.com). Those of you who have already asked and not yet gotten an answer, I'm on it and will have those shared in the next couple of days. Otherwise, see you next time!

It's been a while since I've done this, so I figured I'd offer to do a divination reading on whatever questions you think I might be able to help with from now (Sunday, December 22nd) through the end of the year. Just post your question here or send me a dreamwidth message or an email if it's private. Just one question per person, please, but follow-ups should be fine, unless I get way more folks asking than I expect.

A few things on how I tend to approach this, though we can make adjustments on a case-by-case basis, if needed:

1) The two divination systems I'm comfortable with are the Runes and the Ogham. If you have a preference, let me know, but generally speaking, I prefer the Ogham for more magical/spiritual/psychological questions (unless they're specifically Heathen), and the Runes for most practical stuff or anything directly involving the Germanic Gods and Their worship. Not that they can't both answer a full range of questions, I just tend to find them easier to interpret that way in those situations.

2) For most questions, I find some variation of a three card/stave spread in the shape of (roughly) "Past/Present/Future" or "Situation/Action/Outcome" to be most helpful. Sometimes specific questions might call for something a bit different, but when in doubt, that's what I'll go with.

3) As a slight addition to the above, when cards or Runestaves draw attention to themselves in ways I didn't intend (popping out of the deck while shuffling, two cards drawn when I meant to get one, one of the lots bouncing out of the tray I drop them in, that kind of thing), I tend to interpret that as "you need this extra information, pay attention."

4) I'll do my best to convey both the specific cards/staves I got in what positions, and what their "generic" meanings are (at least to me), but then also to synthesize everything into a whole picture. This last bit is largely intuitive, and often is more precise at the risk of being less accurate (example of what I mean: "it will rain tomorrow" is less precise than "it will rain between noon and 1:00 pm tomorrow," but if it rains at 5:00 pm, the former was more accurate because it was less precise), which is why I give the choppier/less synthesized pieces as well as how I think they fit together.

5) I'll be doing family stuff for the holidays, including a bit of travel, so please allow at least 24 hours for me to respond with an estimate on when I'll answer your question. I anticipate being able to do the reading for most within 24-48 hours of posting, but again, if way more folks take me up on this than I expect, that might change.

At any rate, ask away, and a blessed (late) Solstice, merry (early) Christmas, and happy (early) New Year!

Jeff

Comments

Hi Jeff

[(Anonymous)]

I’d like a divination, please.

—Princess Cutekitten

Re: Hi Jeff

[jprussell]

Sure thing! Any specific question? Or just "What does Princess Cutekitten most need to know about [time period]?" or something like that?

Cheers,
Jeff

[(Anonymous)]

I'd like a divination please

FJAY

[jprussell]

Hi FJAY,

Any specific question? I suppose I should have mentioned that in the post! If not, we can always do "What does FJAY most need to understand about what happens in [time period]?"

Let me know what you'd like!
Jeff

Thanks & yes please

[(Anonymous)]

Many thanks for this generous offer - and all you've shared throughout the year! May you and your family enjoy a wonderful festive season.

It's a bit corny, but I'd love a divination on my prospects for love / intimate relationship in the near future... Would it help if I framed it as a more specific question (which I'm phaving trouble doing), or will that general theme do?
Thanks again, BJL

Re: Thanks & yes please

[jprussell]

Hi BJL,

Corny or not, it's obviously an important topic to most folks, so I certainly don't fault you for asking. In general, yes, the more specific we can get on the question, the better. Let me propose the following:

"What does BJL most need to understand about seeking love in an intimate relationship over the next 2-3 months?" For the answer, I'll draw "Setting," which is what's going on in your life and around you, "Work" which is whatever you might do to try to find love in this period, and "Outcome(s)," which would be what is most likely to come about if you do, in fact, actively seek love in the time period. Unless you have a preference either way, I'll likely ask the Runes about this.

Let me know if that works, and I'll go ahead, or if you have any tweaks or changes you'd like to make.

Thanks,
Jeff

Re: Thanks & yes please

[jprussell]

Runes
Asking - "What does BJL most need to understand about seeking love in an intimate relationship over the next 2-3 months?"
Draw
Setting: Inguz
Work: Isa
Outcome(s): Ehwaz (Murky)
Other (Slipped Out While Picking Up Runestaves): Nauthiz

My Take on It

Alrighty, to do this reading, I opened a sacred space, called upon the Wyrds (Norns) and concentrated on your question while shaking the Runestaves vigorously. I then dropped them in a dice tray, said a prayer to the Gods who help me with divination, and then drew three staves without looking, using the spread "Setting (context), Work (doing the thing you're considering), and Outcome(s) (whatever is most likely to come about if you do what you're thinking about). If I drew the stave right side up, it is "bright," and if I drew it face down it is "murky," which is roughly equivalent to drawing a card reversed in systems like Tarot. In the system of interpretation I use, "murky" means either that the forces represented by the Rune are manifesting in an unhelpful or harmful way, or else that they are somehow "blocked" - not manifesting fully or at all.

To get to the actual reading, man, the first three of this round, including yours, are not exactly cheery, and for that I'm sorry. I'd much rather be giving good news, but I hope that good, clear readings will be more helpful overall. For "Setting," what is going on around you or within you relevant to this question, we have Inguz, which means "Ing (the God also known as Frey)," which most often stands for the kind of strength or fertility found in a seed - waiting, possibly developing, but not yet ready to spring forth. For "Work," what you ought to do toward your goal in this time period, Isa came up, which means "Ice." If you read the answer to Princess Cutekitten's question, you might have seen some other sides of this Rune, but here, I think the "ego" side of It have the most weight (being the "I" Rune, it at times indicates the self, especially the conscious, self-aware part of the self). For "Outcomes," we got Ehwaz (Murky), which means "Horse" and stands for the kind of close partnership found between a horse and rider, and is often linked with romantic partnerships and marriage - the fact that it came up murky suggests to me that you will not be successful in finding a romantic partner in the next 2-3 months (again, very sorry to bear that news). Interestingly, we got an unexpected fourth Rune in this reading - as I was picking up the lots after casting and drawing them, the Nauthiz ("Need") stave popped out of my hand, which I have learned to take as a kind of overall commentary on the reading. Nauthiz speaks to a lack, often keenly, or evenly cruelly felt, that may act as motivation and source of strength if appropriately responded to.

If we put all of this together, though it is not so cheerful for the specific question, I think there is reason to hope in the longer run. This seems to say to me that you have been and are developing just what you need for a romantic relationship, that the work along those lines for the next 2-3 months will likely be turned toward yourself, but that they will not lead to the result you're looking for in that time period (going back to Ing, I'd stress patience). The "bonus" Rune of Nauthiz might simply point to the lack of love you are feeling, and how it is driving you to better yourself, or it might say that something crucial is missing in this time period that will be needed when the time is right. My last thought is that Ehwaz (Murky) might also be a warning - in your desire to find love, you might convince yourself that someone unsuitable will work. The other Runes in the reading suggest you should keep on cultivating yourself and heed your own needs and strength, rather than being pulled in by the allure of leaning on the wrong person.

Please let me know if you have any follow up questions, and if you're willing, I'd very much appreciate hearing whether this struck a chord or felt off, and if so, in what ways.

Cheers,
Jeff

Times before

[vitranc]

Hi Jeff,
I would like a divination please.
„What do I need to know about the times before me ( 2025 )?“

Best regards,
V

Re: Times before

[jprussell]

Will do! Unless you have a preference otherwise, I'll ask the Runes about this.

Thanks,
Jeff

Re: Times before

[jprussell]

Runes
Asking - "What do Vitranc most need to know about the times before me (2025)?"
Draw
Setting: Hagalaz
Work: Perthro
Outcome(s): Tiwaz (Murky)

My Take on It

Alrighty, to do this reading, I opened a sacred space, called upon the Wyrds (Norns) and concentrated on your question while shaking the Runestaves vigorously. I then dropped them in a dice tray, said a prayer to the Gods who help me with divination, and then drew three staves without looking, using the spread "Setting (context), Work (doing the thing you're considering), and Outcome(s) (whatever is most likely to come about if you do what you're thinking about). If I drew the stave right side up, it is "bright," and if I drew it face down it is "murky," which is roughly equivalent to drawing a card reversed in systems like Tarot. In the system of interpretation I use, "murky" means either that the forces represented by the Rune are manifesting in an unhelpful or harmful way, or else that they are somehow "blocked" - not manifesting fully or at all.

This reading is a bit complex, so bear with me as I put it together, please. For "Setting," what's going on around or within you this year, we have Hagalaz, which means "Hail" and stands for crisis - something unexpected and likely to be seen as negative at first, but perhaps containing the seeds of growth within it. "Work," meaning the kind of things you will/should turn your mind to in the coming year, came up as Perthro, which means (maybe) "Pear Tree/Wood" or "Game Piece/Cup" (their is no scholarly consensus on the meaning of the Rune, and the clues we have in the Old English Rune Poem are obscure), and is associated with the Heathen concept of luck/fate/the working of time Wyrd, but with a positive connotation when it comes up bright, rather than murky. Lastly, for "Outcomes," what is most likely to come about thanks to the happenings of the year as of this asking, we have Tiwaz (Murky), which means "Tiw" (the God known to the Norse as Tyr), which is associated with order, discipline, law, and self-sacrifice, and when murky, the downsides of these things.

Putting these together, as I said, we have a fairly complex reading. It seems this year will hit you with the unexpected, and in a way that might not seem welcome, but that your work, whether to ready yourself for this, or in response to it, will go well and be associated with the deeper flow of things and how they link together, but that if you are not careful, you might end up stuck in "analysis paralysis" - planning, weighing, evaluating, but not doing, or, alternatively, giving too much of yourself to the point of unhelpful self-sacrifice. Luckily, the Germanic conception of Wyrd is not so fatalistic as it is sometimes portrayed, and handling things well may lead you to happier outcomes than those indicated here, as with Ebenezer Scrooge desperately asking the Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come "Are these the shadows of the things that Will be, or are they shadows of things that May be, only?," we have a chance to change our ways, and so change what may come. So, to me, this reading indicates that you should heed what the world outside of you is trying to tell you, rather than getting caught up overly much in what comes from your mind - look for the opportunities in crisis, the happy accidents in your work, and trust more in doing than in planning.

Please let me know if you have any follow up questions, and if you're willing, I'd very much appreciate hearing whether this struck a chord or felt off, and if so, in what ways.

Cheers,
Jeff

Q

[(Anonymous)]

Greetings Jeff,

1) I wanted to ask a question about whether I should be in NYC in jan and perhaps feb, or stay somewhere warmer and more relaxing such as a carribean beach while I recover from my health issues (incl kundalini awakening). (I am currently in St croix, I was supposed to remain here for jan and feb but my sublessor cancelled so I have to cut my current holiday short and head back cos its too expensive).

If the answer is somewhere else for recovery, I ask for insights on where (some options are go back to st croix, pescadero in baja california sur, sri lanka, puerto rico etc), and whether I will be able to find another sublessor to rent my apartment in time to make this financially viable.

2) 2nd question I want to ask if whether there is potential for romance restarting with AC (we went out a year ago) in the near future, and if yes, what should i do to pursue it?

- Daedalus

Re: Q

[jprussell]

Hi Daedalus,

The 1 question rule was just to avoid getting swamped - if I still have some time over the next week, I can try to get to your second question as well.

For the first one, I propose the following:
I'll ask the Runes "What does Daedalus most need to understand about going back to NYC in January and February?" with an answer of "Setting" (what's going on around you and in your life that is relevant), "Deeds" (moving back to/being in NYC), and "Outcome(s)" (what is most likely to come about if you are, in fact in NYC). If that comes up unfavorable, I'll follow up with "What does Daedalus most need to understand about going somewhere else in January and February for recovery?" with a similar answer spread, and if it's still vague, I'll ask "What does Daedalus most need to weigh in choosing where to go in January and February?" I'm not confident I'll get an answer that clearly distinguishes (for me) between the options you're considering, but it's quite possible that I'll get insight into what you should weigh most heavily, which might make one of the options more obvious. If not, I can try asking "yes/no" questions about each option, like "Is X the best place for Daedalus to go to recover?" but I'm somewhat less confident in my ability to get good, accurate "yes/no" answers.

Let me know if that works for you, or any tweaks you'd like, and if it does, I'll ask soon.

Thanks,
Jeff

Re: Q

[jprussell]

Runes
Asking - "What does Daedalus most need to understand about staying in NYC in January and February?"
Draw
Setting: Ansuz
Deeds: Hagalaz
Outcome(s): Dagaz (Murky)

My Take on It

Alrighty, to do this reading, I opened a sacred space, called upon the Wyrds (Norns) and concentrated on your question while shaking the Runestaves vigorously. I then dropped them in a dice tray, said a prayer to the Gods who help me with divination, and then drew three staves without looking, using the spread "Setting (context), Deeds (moving back to/being in NYC), and Outcome(s) (whatever is most likely to come about if you do what you're thinking about). If I drew the stave right side up, it is "bright," and if I drew it face down it is "murky," which is roughly equivalent to drawing a card reversed in systems like Tarot. In the system of interpretation I use, "murky" means either that the forces represented by the Rune are manifesting in an unhelpful or harmful way, or else that they are somehow "blocked" - not manifesting fully or at all.

As for your reading, for "Setting," what is going on around you and within you relevant to the question, Ansuz, which means "God/Ancestor" (and is most strongly associated with Woden/Odin) came up, which stands for consciousness, synthesis, inspiration, and skill with language. For "Deeds," the act of staying in NYC, we got Hagalaz, which means "Hail" and stands for crisis and the unexpected, often with the possibility for growth to come from it. For "Outcome(s)," what is most likely to come about if you do, in fact, stay in NYC for this time period, we have Dagaz (Murky), which means "Day," and stands for light (literal and figurative), clarity, and hope.

Putting these together is a bit tricky. It would seem that your context somehow importantly involves synthesis or inspiration, or perhaps more literally skill with language of one kind or another - might it be that the reason you feel compelled to stay in NYC is linked to opportunities of this sort, or because you have brought together seemingly disparate insights about yourself or your life? This is the part of the reading least clear to me. If you do remain in NYC, it seems that you'll face "crisis" (or crises) of one kind or another, but not necessarily to your detriment in the long run, if you are prepared to take their lessons and grow from them. As it stands, it looks like that's not currently likely - instead, the most likely outcome is that these crises would leave you feeling hopeless or lost. To me, this says something like "proceed at your own risk," as the best case scenario is that you go through something(s) unexpected and likely unpleasant, but learn and grow from them. I suspect that figuring out what Ansuz is doing there might give the key to how best to be prepared and stave off the potential feeling of being lost or hopeless - Woden, after all, underwent hardship unto death to win the wisdom of the Runes.

Looking back over your question, I see that you asked for insight into where else to consider if NYC seemed contraindicated, and that I didn't answer that here (and it sounds like it might be helpful). If you still have time, I'll try to do another reading in the next couple of days on that, asking "what does Daedalus most need to look to for where to stay for January and February?" and drawing a single Runestave to answer, and then post that shortly after.

Please let me know if you have any follow up questions, and if you're willing, I'd very much appreciate hearing whether this struck a chord or felt off, and if so, in what ways.

Cheers,
Jeff

Q

[(Anonymous)]

My bad! I didn't read the 1 question only rule. You can ignore the 2nd question.

- Daedalus

Divination

[jeffinwa]

Hi Jeff,
I'm intending to make some changes to my will. Executer, disbursements, clarifications. I'd appreciate warnings and helpful hints.
Many thanks and "a blessed (late) Solstice, merry (early) Christmas, and happy (early) New Year" to you also,

jeffinWA

Re: Divination

[jprussell]

Hi Jeff,

Sure thing, I'd propose the following: I'll ask the Runes "What does jeffinWA most need to understand about making the changes he's considering to his will?" and for an answer, I'll draw "Setting" (what's going on around you and in your life relevant to the decision), "Changes" (what to know about actually making the changes), and "Outcome(s)" (what is most likely to come about if you do, in fact, make the considered changes).

Let me know if that works or any tweaks you'd like, and if it does, I'll ask soon.

Thanks,
Jeff

Divination request

[(Anonymous)]

Hi Jeff -

Thank you for offering this service. I've been wildly under-employed and stuck in my life for a long time. So I'm wondering: what does the next year look like in terms of getting some momentum going in my life?

All the best.
Dave

Re: Divination request

[jprussell]

Hi Dave,

Sure, I'll see what I can find out. I propose using the Runes and asking "What does Dave most need to understand about getting unstuck in the year to come?" with the spread: "Setting" (what's going on around you that affects the question), "Work" (what to know about the steps you might take), and "Outcomes" (what is most likely to happen if you take the considered steps/follow the advice in the reading).

If that works for you, I'll do the reading soon.

Thanks,
Jeff

[(Anonymous)]

Hello Jeff, thank you for your generous offer.

I would like to ask you for a reading on my current state of mind which is a bit depressed in the background - is it related to my age, relationship situation, the global situation or something else that I didn’t consider, and is there anything I can do about it?

Thank you and please get back to me if the question needs to be more/less precise!

[jprussell]

Howdy,

I think I can work with that, and I think Ogham might be best suited. I'd propose the following:

"What does anonymous most need to understand about his mental state?" with the spread "Setting (what's going on around you, whether locally or globally), Mind (your own patterns of thought and feeling), and Deeds (anything concrete contributing/to be done)."

Let me know if that works, and whether you'd rather I use a different handle than "anonymous" (it shouldn't make a difference to the reading, but happy to accommodate either way).

Thanks,
Jeff

A new course for the new year

[borealbear]

Hey, hope you had a blessed Solstice too, and a wonderful Yuletide celebration. And thanks for doing these. I'd love to offer something similar eventually, inspired by the likes of Kimberly Steele and you, but I need a lot more study and practice before I'm comfortable divining for others.

Anyway, my question. I'll keep it brief and vague, both to spare you a bunch of boring personal detail and to avoid interfering with the results of the divination. I've been looking for a new sense of direction in life for a while now, and next year I'll have the chance to embark on a study program that could well give me that. On the other hand, it's quite a long commitment, and it involves a field with some aspects I'm excited about, but others I'm deeply ambivalent about as well. So: what are my prospects if I commit to this program? If you don't mind I'd prefer the Runes over the Ogham, since I'm learning the same system, so comparing your interpretations to mine and seeing how they show up in my life might be helpful. Thanks again!

Re: A new course for the new year

[jprussell]

Thank you for the kind wishes, and for you and yours as well!

As for the divination, of course, it's good practice. I'd propose for yours asking "What does Borealbear most need to understand about committing to the study program he is considering?" with the spread "'Setting' (what's going on around you relevant to the question), 'Work' (actually doing the work of the program), and 'Outcome(s)' (what is most likely to come about if you do, in fact, do the program)."

I'm planning on trying to get to a bunch of readings today, but if not, certainly in the next couple of days.

Oh, and as for doing it yourself, I'd say it's good to develop some confidence, but also, you'll likely want to offer something like this (or do a reading for a friend or something, whatever's a good baby step past personal readings) sooner than you might feel comfortable. I was pleasantly surprised how helpful some folks found some of my first readings for strangers, and it helped to deepen my intuitive feel for the Runes and the Ogham as well.

Anyhow, happy Yuletide!
Jeff

[(Anonymous)]

Hey JPRussell, please delete my previous comment and respond to this comment. Thank you.

- Psychedelic_Raccoon

Greetings JPRussell. I have two questions I’m hoping to receive divinations on, but I cannot decide between the two. One question I feel a sensation in the gut to ask about, the other comes from maybe a more practical place. Perhaps you can coin flip and see which question to address. Since I don’t believe anything in this universe is random, which question you answer may be instructive.

1. A divination on what I should do or know this year with regards to working on myself as a human being such that I can find a suitable partner. I have followed advice from my parents and Ecosophians on what to do to make yourself into someone that attracts the right sort of partner. I have mixed intuition as to whether such a meeting of souls will happen this year, but I think focusing on the process is healthier than the outcome.

So to rephrase my question: “what should I be working on this year towards my goal of finding a loving partner?”

2. I’d like to enquire as to what sort of creative or recreational pursuit I should focus my time on in the new year. Indications seem to promote gardening or a similar grounding activity, but I am also picking up writing and learning a new language again.

Feel free to address or modify the question you answer in whatever way you think works best. Thank you so much, and a Happy New Year to you and your family.

- Psychedelic_Raccoon

[jprussell]

Hi Psychedelic_Raccoon,

Sorry for being a bit slow to get back to you. Taking your advice, I flipped for it and ended up with the first one regarding a suitable partner.

I'd propose asking the Runes "What does Psychedelic_Raccoon most need to work on this year toward finding a loving partner?" with the spread "Setting (what's going on around you and in your life relevant to the question), Work (whatever you actively do toward the goal), and Outcome(s) (what's most likely to come about if you work in the way indicated by the reading)."

If this works for you, I'll ask in the next couple of days and share the interpretation soon thereafter.

Thanks for the kind wishes, and a happy New Year to you and yours as well!
Jeff

[(Anonymous)]

In light of the New Year, I would like to get my spiritual life into some shape other than flat on its back wheezing. Which of these two JMG inspired branches would be the better for me to focus on: joining AODA, getting involved in the GCC, thus sticking with SoP based practices; or picking a version of the LBRP and using other materials to build a religious/devotional practice on my own alongside it?

[jprussell]

Howdy,

I've not yet worked out a good one-question way to handle either/or decisions, so I'd propose asking the Ogham (seems fitting, given the subject matter) the two following questions:

"What does anonymous most need to understand about joining the AODA and/or the GCC and sticking with the SOP?"

and

"What does anonymous most need to understand about building a spiritual practice based on the LBRP?"

For both, I'll use the spread "Setting (what's going on around you and in your life relevant to the question), Work (what to expect from actually doing the set of practices involved), and Outcome(s) (what is most likely to come about from picking this option)."

If that works for you, I'll ask in the next couple of days and share the interpretation soon thereafter.

For what it's worth, before doing the reading, I'd share that I faced a similar conundrum when getting started in spiritual work: I have a very strong affinity for the Heathen Gods and it seemed clear that was the direction my religious life should go, but when looking for magical training, nothing seemed "just right." Through prayer and meditation, I ended up deciding that it was important to follow JMG's advice to follow a defined course "by the book" for my first foray, and given the worth I found in his advice, I wanted it to be one of his. Due both to its flexibility in which Gods are called upon and the feeling that I needed a better balance of Solar and Telluric energies in my life, I ended up going with his Druid Magic Handbook, and then branching out into the Dolmen Arch when I had to put advanced rituals on hold for my second daughter. I would not have expected to walk the Druid path when first starting out, but it's been greatly valuable to me.

At any rate, as I said, I'll do the reading and let you know what comes up for you, as your mileage will almost certainly vary!

Cheers,
Jeff

[michele7]

Thanks for this, Jeff! My question is...what do I need to focus on in 2025? Thanks!

Michele

[jprussell]

Hi Michele,

Sounds good! I'd propose asking the Runes "What does Michele most need to focus on for 2025?" with the spread "Setting (what's going on around you and in your life that's most relevant to the question), Focus (whatever you need to pay most attention to), and Outcome(s) (what's most likely to come about if you do, in fact, focus on what's indicated)."

If that works for you, I'll ask in the next couple of days and share the interpretation shortly thereafter.

Cheers,
Jeff

[jprussell]

For all still waiting on your readings, my apologies! I've done the draws/casts for everyone who asked by the 26th, but haven't written up the interpretations yet (I'm scrambling to finish up the first draft of the book I swore to write in 2024 and wrangling kids over the holiday break). All of which is to say, I'll be posting them in the next couple of days.

Cheers,
Jeff

Job search

[mysteries_abound]

Hi Jeff-
Thank you so very much for all the writings you share; I especially enjoy your book reviews and have gotten a lot from reading your reviews of rosary books in particular. I don't comment on your writing, but get a great deal from it.

If it's not too late to get in on the action, I'd like to ask a question. Runes would be helpful as it's a practical question. I recently took an 18 month break from my primary career for elder caregiving. My elders died this year so it's now time to return to my regularly scheduled programming in the work world. I do have some apprehension about possible ageism as well as the length of time I was away from my main job as perhaps making my search a bit more tedious and difficult than it has in the past.

So my question is: What is the likelihood I will find a good paying job that I enjoy in my field in the first quarter of 2025?

Thank you,
MJ from MA

Re: Job search

[jprussell]

Hi MJ,

First, my condolences for your loss, that's rough.

Secondly, thanks so much for your kind words. It's gratifying to hear that my writing helps some others besides me.

And not too late at all, I'll be taking questions through midnight central time tomorrow (the 31st).

As for the question, I agree the Runes sound good, and I'd propose this slight modification: "What does MJ most need to understand about finding a good paying and enjoyable job in the right field in the first quarter of 2025?" with the spread "Timing (what to understand about the constraint of 'First Quarter'), Seeking (the work of the job search process, not called 'Work,' like I usually use for most spreads to avoid confusion), and Outcome(s) (what is most likely to come about if you follow the course you have in mind now/is described in the 'Seeking' part).

You may have noticed that I wiggled around the "likelihood" part of your question, which might be frustrating. On the one hand, I have not yet worked out a way to directly ask for likelihood of outcomes, so I didn't want to bake that into the question and possibly confuse the clarity of the answer. On the other hand, the answer almost always includes good information that gives some insight into likelihood, so I'll try to make sure to emphasize that in my interpretation.

If that works for you, I'll ask in the next couple of days and share the interpretation shortly after that.

Thanks,
Jeff

Keeping faith

[(Anonymous)]

This request is tricky to word well. I'm married with children, and the marriage has been very different from my picture of good for several years. I think my question is:

"What responsibilities do I need to realize are not truly mine?" or alternately "How can I keep faith with my promises?"

(I always read and find helpful your comments on Magic Monday, and thank you for this offer.)

SamChevre

Re: Keeping faith

[jprussell]

First, I'm sorry to hear about your challenges - marriage can be tough, and kids can make things tougher, despite how wonderful they are.

Might I propose asking the Runes "What does SamChevre most need to understand about his responsibilities and promises?" with a spread of "Setting (what is going on around you and in your life), Responsibilities and Promises (a way of looking at these things that will help you think about them more clearly) and Outcome(s) (what is most likely to come about if you act on the insights from 'Responsibilities & Promises')."

If that works for you, I'll ask in the next couple of days and share the interpretation shortly thereafter. If you want to change anything about it to better get at what you'd like to know, no problem.

Also, thank you for the kind words, I'm glad to hear I've been helpful.

All the best,
Jeff

Yes please and thank you!

[(Anonymous)]

Hi Jeff,

Thank you for this generous offer, and happy new year! I'd like a divination too, if I'm still in time.

I have a specific question about the MSc I'm studying for. I'll try to phrase it as best as I can.

"What do I need to know about my current university studies, and is it a good idea to switch curriculum?"

To give you some context (but not too much), I'm thinking whether I should just drop out, continue with the curriculum I'm currently enrolled in, or go for a third option of switching to a more theoretical cv.
Hope that's clear enough.

Again, my best wishes for 2025

Huske

Re: Yes please and thank you!

[jprussell]

By my timezone, in time with 22 hours to spare!

Here's the reading:
Runes
Asking - "What does Huske need to know about his/her current university studies, and is it a good idea to switch curriculum?"
Draw
Setting: Raidho
Change: Ehwaz (Murky)
Outcome(s): Perthro

My Take on It

Alrighty, to do this reading, I opened a sacred space, called upon the Wyrds (Norns) and concentrated on your question while shaking the Runestaves vigorously. I then dropped them in a dice tray, said a prayer to the Gods who help me with divination, and then drew three staves without looking, using the spread "Setting (what's going on around you and in your life relevant to the question), Change (how to think about dropping out or switching), and Outcome(s) (what is most likely to come about if you, in fact, make a change)." If I drew the stave right side up, it is "bright," and if I drew it face down it is "murky," which is roughly equivalent to drawing a card reversed in systems like Tarot. In the system of interpretation I use, "murky" means either that the forces represented by the Rune are manifesting in an unhelpful or harmful way, or else that they are somehow "blocked" - not manifesting fully or at all.

For "Setting," Raidho came up, which means "Ride" (whether upon a horse or a cart), and so stands for repeating motion that nevertheless moves forward - like a horse across the steppe, a cart along a road, or the Sun across the sky. For "Change," we got Ehwaz (Murky), which means "Horse" and stands for the kind of close partnership shared between a horse and rider. For "Outcome(s)," we have Perthro, the meaning of which is obscure, but likely means something like "Pear" and/or "Game Piece/Cup," and is heavily associated with luck/Wyrd, especially with a flavor of the joy and excitement of chance, as in a game involving dice or other randomization.

To break this down, Raidho for setting implies that you are in a set, orderly course, which seems fairly fitting for a known course of study. Coming up bright, rather than murky, implies that this course has its advantages, but it also suggests that some kind of "movement" or "change," with due consideration and planning, is in the offing. One possibility is that you have come to the end of where this road has needed to lead you, but that's not as clear as it would be with some other Runes, like Jera in its stead. Ehwaz (Murky) for the change itself is a little less positive - it implies something "off" about a close one-on-one relationship - either subsuming yourself to the will of another, lacking partnership, or a quarrelsome arrangement. If one of the motivators for your considered change is, say, going to study under a particular researcher, I'd take this as a red flag. Likewise if the change is motivated by a romantic partner. On the other hand, if something like this characterizes where you are now, that might be an indication of a reason to change. Perthro for "Outcome(s)" is generally a good sign, but it implies that you won't be able to predict precisely how it will go. In other words, if you make one of your considered changes, with the care called for by Raidho in "Setting," it will likely turn out well, but not in a way you'd expect.

Please let me know if you have any follow up questions, and if you're willing, I'd very much appreciate hearing whether this struck a chord or felt off, and if so, in what ways.

Cheers,
Jeff