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

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

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

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

Re: Times before

[vitranc]

Hi Jeff,
Thank you for this divination. And this most certainly struck several cords.

2025 is shaping up to be a crisis rich environment for me. There is the fallout of Covid19 to account for, a completion of a project, connected with a new job search. And as of late there is a baby on the way. Of course I live in central Europe, so there is that to account for. So much for "Hagalaz".
There is also a psychological problem to account for. Decades ago I had to undergo treatment due to burnout. and from personal experience I can confirm a self-sacrificing and self-destructive tendency in my personality. "Native Venus in 12. House Aries, as Ascendant" So this is certainly something to be aware of. Especially in times of stress. "Tiwaz (Murky)", two for two.
Now ever since the Covid crisis and before I have been doing druidry and in the mean time I have seen my fair share of TSW. There are omens/synchronicity pointing in the way, that events may be going their own way in a manner not apparent to me, but that One of Those I pray to deems good. And I have spent the last months working under the assumption, that I have to make it trough even if I do not see the end of it. I will tentatively say "Perthro".

Thank you, this most certainly rings true. 3 for 3; and an inspired analysis. :-)
And I appreciate your advice at the end.

For my part I did a parallel Ogham reading and got (situation), (self), (future): Luis(reversed), Mor(reversed), Straif.
"The situation is obscured, possibly because I am blinding myself, and something unexpected will sweep the feat from under me. But I just have to deal with it!"

Two questions if I may:
- Can you point me towards some lore regarding "the Germanic conception of Wyrd"?
- In situations like these, where a divination suggests a difficult road ahead, I like to ask a second question/advice: "How should navigate the path ahead?" (please only answer if you have the time after the requests bellow)

Thank you and best regards,
V

Re: Q

[(Anonymous)]

Thank you Jeff! This is interesting. Only reason to stay in NYC was to fundraise for my company, and start working full time, but I am not sure I am in any shape physically or mentally (or going to be any time soon) to do it well.

Yes, please do ask where else I could go/be?

Re: Thanks & yes please

[(Anonymous)]

Hi Jeff,

Many thanks for this! Yes, it does resonate... And I'm actually very glad you took a little while to write this up, as I don't think I would have coped so well with the result a few days ago (I had a sort of mental reset over the new year / new moon that's made me feel a lot calmer about the situation). That said, there's still tears as I write this.

So some thoughts on the reading - hopefully you'll find them useful...

Nauthiz "a lack, often keenly, or evenly cruelly felt" - yep, this is exactly how it feels, and has been for the last year or so. It has been oddly intense; I've had other periods of my life where I've been single and lonely but it's never had this quality of intensity before and I've often wondered what's behind it... I still don't know of course...

Inguz "the kind of strength or fertility found in a seed" - interesting. Immediately made me think of a quote that has been helping me in the last little while:
"For a seed to achieve its greatest expression, it must come completely undone. The shell cracks, it's insides come out and everything changes. To someone who doesn't understand growth, it would look like complete destruction" Cynthia Occelli.
It may not be strictly along the lines of what the Rune is portraying, but thought you might be interested that that's where my mind went first.

Isa - I did look at Princess Cutekitten's reading, and resonated with the "order" interpretation on a quite practical level. My biggest social barrier is a chaotic living space which gives me anxiety just thinking about having someone come to visit... obviously not a great situation for starting a relationship! So yep, work on that is in order...

Ehwaz (Murky), well I can't fault your interpretation there, disappointing as it is. I assume it is a simple not-going-to-happen message, but I will also keep your thought about the possibility of a warning in mind. I also wondered if it might be about the specific person I've been keen on for a long time now (I was wavering as to whether to get the divination about the complex situation with that person or go more general... still not sure I made the right call).

And your overall interpretation makes sense for me. I shall keep working on myself and my chaos and clutter (& cope with the intense feelings of lack)!

Thanks again, BJL

Re: Q

[jprussell]

I left my Runes at home when I went to visit family for the New Year, but now that I'm back home, I did this follow-up reading.

I asked "what does Daedalus most need to look to in choosing where to live for January-February?" and drew Wunjo, which means "Joy," most of all the kind of joy that comes from harmonious fellowship and stable, secure circumstances (bit on the nose, right?). Given all that, it sounds like you should choose based on where you think you will have the best chance for friendship and harmony, rather than, say, somewhere that would challenge you or be miserable, but practical.

Hope this helps!
Jeff

Re: Q

[(Anonymous)]

That's funny cos NYC is my best shot of that, at first glance. I can't go back home (half way across the world) cos that's where all the stress and health stuff originated, and I don't have friends left there anymore.

Other options would be another beach town type thing to aid recovery, but I wouldn't have friends/social life really.

I'll mull over this. Thanks Jeff!

Re: Divination

[jprussell]

Runes
Asking - "What does jeffinWA most need to understand about making the changes he's considering to his will?"
Draw
Setting: Raidho (Murky)
Changes: Tiwaz (Murky)
Outcome(s): Jera (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), Changes (what to know about actually making the changes), 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.

On to the reading itself. For "Setting," that which is going on around and within you related to this question, we have Raidho (Murky), which means "Ride," and refers to the act of riding across open space on horesback or in a cart, and in readings it stands for order, especially of a repetitious kind (cycles of time, set rituals, that sort of thing), and right action, especially in accordance with rules, rhythms, or otherwise "fitting yourself" to circumstance. For "Changes," the act of making the thought-of changes to the will, we got Tiwaz (Murky), which means "Tiw (the God, known to the Norse as Tyr)," which stands for law, justice, analytical thinking, planning, and self-sacrifice for the greater good. "Outcome(s)," what you can expect if you do, in fact, make the considered changes, came up Jera (Murky), which means "Year," and especially implies the harvest at the end of a long season of growth - things that have needed time to develop and come into being finally coming to fruition.

My initial reaction to this is that it's a pretty strong "don't do it!" All three Runes are rather obviously linked with the idea of a will (right order, law, and outcomes long in coming), and all came up murky. To put them together, it seems that something in your situation is characterized by somehow being "out of sync" - maybe being too rigid, maybe falling out of useful patterns, maybe even bad advice (whether it is you, someone around you, or the situation imposing upon you isn't clear to me). Tiwaz murky implies some combination of being overly analytical, planning rather than doing, and perhaps unhelpful or overly-much self-sacrifice. It might also blatantly mean "not just," but not necessarily (I'm certainly not trying to accuse you of such, just putting it out there in case that's a worry that you've had - it might be accurate). Lastly, Jera (Murky) implies something wanted and worked for not coming to pass, or perhaps getting caught up in the wrong kind of cyclical/repetitive action (such as doing something that no longer makes sense "because it's always been that way" or falling into an established negative pattern of behavior or habit or the like). So, it sounds like your feeling/being out of alignment with "higher order" is leading you to try to compensate with these changes, maybe by giving up too much ("giving up" here likely means taking away from something important to you, rather than you literally giving it up, since it is a will we're talking about), to an unsuccessful end that may or may not be a repeat of some pattern in your life or around you.

This crop of questions has resulted in rather a lot of harsh answers so far, so again, I apologize, but I hope it's at least useful, even if unwelcome.

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

Re: Divination request

[jprussell]

Runes
Asking - "What does Dave most need to understand about getting unstuck in the year to come?"
Draw
Setting: Kenaz
Work: Raidho (Murky)
Outcome(s): Thurisaz
Other (Landed Outside of Tray): Tiwaz
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.

Okay, for the reading itself, for "Setting," what's going on around you and within you relevant to the question, we have Kenaz, which means "Torch," and stands for creativity, passion, and will. For "Work," what you need to focus on for the work to get unstuck in the coming year, Raidho (Murky), which means "Ride," as in upon a horse or cart across open ground, and stands for rhythmical or repetitious movement, and thus for things like ritual or the passage of time. For "Outcome(s)," we got Thurisaz, which means "Thurs," the always bad kind of giant in Norse myth (/jotnar/ are more ambivalent), and stands for aggressive, violent strength or passions. Interestingly, when I opened my eyes to look at the three staves I had drawn, I saw that one stave had landed outside of the tray when I cast them, and I've learned to take such "coincidences" as part of the reading, providing some kind of overall flavor or commentary, and this time, that Rune was Tiwaz, meaning "Tiw (the God known to the Norse as Tyr)," which stands for law, justice, careful thinking or planning, and sacrifice for the greater good.

Putting these together is rather interesting - we have two Runes linked with passions, even dangerous passions, and two linked with restraint and order, which implies that the overall thrust of this reading is about learning to harness and turn your creativity, drive, and passion to worthwhile ends. It seems that the reason you're feeling "stuck" at all is due to creative drive, either within yourself or around you - without that drive, you wouldn't feel "stuck," you'd be fine with the lack of change. Raidho (Murky) is kind of on the nose for the work - basically, it says that you are not "in rhythm," which, if you're feeling stuck, yeah. What might help here is that in my experience, Raidho often has connotations of religion and ritual - not just rhythmical/repetitious movement, but movement in sync with a "higher order," the way the sun rides across the sky each day, and to different parts of the sky through the year. As such, this suggests to me that your work for getting unstuck might center on building rituals into your life - maybe literally religious/spiritual rituals (especially given that you found me via Magic Monday!), but perhaps more mundane - daily routines, incremental goals, scheduling your time, that kind of thing. Thurisaz in the "Outcome(s)" is interesting here, and a bit tricky given all that - at Its most basic, this Rune means something like "force" - used for good or ill. Think of both trolls and Thunor (Thor) - both mighty, but the one using his force for violent, grubby ends, the other to protect and make safe. I think what this suggests to me is that if you resolve the murkiness of Raidho in your life, you will find it a source of strength and drive, but that you'll need to be careful what you do with it - it is likely to be strong enough to "unstick" you, but where will you go? All of this is then tied together by Tiwaz, which further reinforces the idea of discipline, and especially discipline in service to "higher" goals or good. As you set out into the year, and throughout as you do your work, reflect on "what is this for?" If the answer is something "low" or "selfish," you might not be aiming right, and you're less likely to have the result you're looking for.

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

[jprussell]

Ogham
Asking - "What does Anna most need to understand about her mental state?"
Draw
Setting: Huath
Mind: Straif (Reversed)
Deeds: Tinne

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 shuffling the Ogham Cards. I then drew three cards, using the spread "Setting (context), Mind (your own patterns of thought and feeling), and Deeds (anything concrete contributing to your mental state/to be done about it). I then said a prayer to the Gods who help me with divination, before looking at the cards. If I drew the card right side up, it is "upright," and if I drew it upside-down it is "reversed." For interpretation, I use my own intuition based on the Upright and Reversed meanings given by JMG in his Druidry Handbook.

For the reading, for "Setting," what's going on around you relevant to this question, we got Huath, which means "Terrible," and stands for patience, waiting, and not yet having what you want/need. For "Mind," what patterns in your thoughts and feelings you should pay attention to, Straif (Reversed) came up, which means "Sulphur" and stands for necessity and inevitable change. For "Deeds," what might be contributing or what might be done about it, we have Tinne, which means "Iron," and stands for courage, conflict, or opposition.

Putting all this together implies a difficult, but not at all hopeless, situation. It seems that you are in a time of "not having" what it is you want, and that it's not in your power to change that, at least right now. It might simply be a matter of patience, or maybe about growing, developing, or getting the tools you need to get it. This is leading you to feel pain and suffering, and very likely like you are trapped. You might in some sense believe you deserve this suffering, which may or may not be accurate. The way out of this is some kind of bold, decisive action, very likely with an element of conflict or in opposition to someone else's will. Putting Straif (Reversed) for your mental state and Tinne for deeds together implies to me that your desire to avoid this conflict/doing something scary is precisely what's "trapping" you in your unwanted position. All of that said, one aspect of Huath is patience, which implies that it might not be best to go do something drastic as soon as you finish reading this - there may be a certain amount of preparation or waiting for the right time to act, but no amount of that will remove the need for courage in doing something likely to be unpleasant, possibly with the direct opposition of someone or many someones who don't want you to do it.

As a last, more speculative note that I felt compelled to share given Straif's placement as "Mind" and coming up reversed. Through my own spiritual work, I've come to associate Straif with the Jungian Shadow - those parts of your psyche that you reject as "not really me" or refuse to engage with/acknowledge. This implies to me that part of what might be making you feel "stuck" or "trapped" is a lack of integration of some parts of yourself. Most folks who talk about the Shadow tend to focus on the kinds of things that seem obviously "bad" to most of us - aggression, hatred, inappropriate lust, and so forth. And it's possible that one or more of those are at play here! Very often, writers on the Shadow equate it with "evil," which can be helpful and useful, especially for those who have not much wrestled with their own tendencies towards evil (we all have at least some!). On the other hand, I have found some of the hardest, and seemingly most worthwhile, "Shadow work" to be around things that are less obvious - the kinds of things that you wouldn't fault someone else for, but for whatever reason, you can't face in yourself. For me "helplessness" has been one of those things that I've had to dig up and confront, and I'm still working on that one (it turns out, I really don't want to accept I'm ever truly helpless). So, if any of this about the Shadow resonates with you, consider not only the "obvious" things you might be hiding about yourself from yourself, but maybe some of the more subtle ones.

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

Re: A new course for the new year

[jprussell]

Runes
Asking - "What does Borealbear most need to understand about committing to the study program he is considering?"
Draw
Setting: Kenaz
Work: Mannaz
Outcome(s): Tiwaz

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.

For the reading, "Setting" came up Kenaz, which means "Torch," and stands for creativity and passion. For "Work," we have Mannaz, which means "Man," and stands for the lot of mankind, for good or ill - our intelligence, potential, and fellowship, but also our suffering and mortality. For "Outcome(s)," we got Tiwaz, which means "Tiw (the God known to the Norse as Tyr)," which stands for justice, careful thought, planning, and sacrifice for the greater good.

Putting this together seems like a fairly, possibly extremely, positive, reading. For one thing, it's the only one so far that was all bright, with no murky Runes. Kenaz implies that something in your situation is characterized by creativity, willpower, or passion - what seems most likely to me is that you see this program as a way to strengthen and/or express your own creative drive, but it's also possible that you're in a situation characterized by it (maybe surrounded by creative/driven folks?). Mannaz for the "Work," and turning up bright, suggests that the work would, indeed, make use of your intelligence and help you along your path to individuation, it would increase your "humanity" in the old-fashioned sense of bettering and broadening yourself. Tiwaz for "Outcome(s)," is where I'm not sure if the interpretation is "good and worthwhile, but at a cost" or "victory," both of which are legitimate readings consistent with my experience. Tiwaz is also associated with a fixed point for navigation, speculated to be the North Star, via the "Old English Rune Poem." Given the rest of the reading, and my own intuition, I'm inclined to lean toward "this will take you where you want/need to go," but I bet that the undercurrent of discipline/sacrifice is at play as well. In other words, the program will indeed take you where you want it to, but along the way you may have to give some things up or make some changes that will be hard to get there.

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

Re: Q

[jprussell]

Huh, well, if after thinking it over, that still feels like the right bet, it might be that you're being encouraged to lean into the "learn from crises, and try to not to let yourself get hopeless or confused" reading I gave for NYC (or, of course, that that more complex interpretation was off, somehow).

One further thought that came to mind - you mentioned "fundraising for your company," and Woden was interpreted by the Romans as Mercury, and the kind of combination of cleverness and will to power He embodies seems quite fitting for entrepreneurial endeavors to me, so that might be what Ansuz was doing in your reading. If that's right, combined with this follow-up, one possible interpretation is that the fundraising might not go so well over the next couple of months, and might tend to make you feel hopeless, but that NYC is still your best bet for other reasons, but I'm going out on a bit of a limb here.

Anyway, best of luck whatever you decide, and I'd welcome any updates you'd be willing to share down the road.

Cheers,
Jeff

Re: Q

[(Anonymous)]

Appreciate your help! I'll keep you posted on any significant developments.

Re: Divination request

[(Anonymous)]

Many thanks for this. It has a lot of resonance with what is going on in my life, and with changes that I'm feeling called to make.

Re: A new course for the new year

[borealbear]

Thanks for this, appreciate the reading! Much to chew on here. Interesting that you use an upright/reverse system (like the names for them, btw). I've been wondering whether I should do the same, even if most of the sources I've seen don't seem to do so. It does add a good sense of balance and more meanings to the palette.

Since you did ask, I'm happy to share some thoughts on the interpretation. Like most people, I have a bad habit of getting too verbose once I start talking about myself, so I'll try not to bog you down with too much detail.

First off, the program in question is for a teaching degree. Specifically grades 5-10 in our system, which should be roughly equivalent to the American ones. The ambivalence comes from the fact that I had a miserable time during much of my own tenure in public school, and I don't relish the idea of representing that system and forcing students who really shouldn't have to be there to conform to it anyway. Then there's how the school system is a sort of "ground zero" for socializing young people into thinking many of the absurd and dysfunctional things we do in industrial civilization are good and normal. As another long-time JMG reader, I know you know how that works.

I've settled on two important long-term goals for this incarnation: becoming a published fiction writer, including fiction for younger readers, and becoming a foster parent. Getting into teaching would obviously have direct bearing on both goals.

For the reading as a whole, Mannaz and Tiwaz make a lot of sense to me here. I'm a little more uncertain about Kenaz. It does actually fit rather well with my own interpretation of Kenaz, which is more based on Groa Sheffield's reading of the rune poem as "pale, otherworldly fire/grave mound/dwarves/the dead", and which I've extrapolated to a meaning of "liminal meeting ground, temporary crossroads" (see the shape of the rune itself too). That is, I'm at a point where I need to make a choice, and to get out of the liminal, in-between stasis I've been in for a while.

Still, this is your reading, not mine, and I'm not sure it's helpful or appropriate to try to overlay my meanings on it. So working with your take on Kenaz, I think it might point to my need for an outlet for creativity and willpower, to use it to change myself and ideally to do something halfway meaningful for other people.

While I'm comfortable in my own company, I'm not a misanthrope. Deep down I do appreciate people a lot, and for various reasons I've become more of a loner than I really want to be over the last few years. One of the things I wanted out of this program was to be forced to interact more with a variety of people and get more out into the world again, and I take the appearance of Mannaz as a sign that I'll probably get this wish if I do it. On another level, helping young people develop their intellect and potential (and humanity?) is of course the ideal of the teaching profession, and a worthwhile goal. I'm a bit tired of only doing things for myself, and this reading might say this is indeed one of the remedies I seek for that condition.

Again, the Tiwaz rune here seems pretty clear to me. Doing this will take a lot of work, both in terms of facing a bunch of demanding young school inmates and going back to do more academic writing, which I hated the last time around. It'll also force me to adjust myself more to other people and institutions and their rhytmhs, meaning I'll have to give up some of the freedom I have now. That's fair, since that freedom is probably unsustainable and undesirable anyway long-term. I want a firmer position in life, more stability and security, and doing this might get me there. I'll also have to face some of my prejudices against the school system, as well as all the things it does that I genuinely think are harmful. Maybe I need to know the system from the inside to really fight the negative aspects of it? That would also be a Tyr-like discipline and sacrifice thing, I think.

There's also another interpretation, even if it might be wishful thinking: by following this course I might be able to help some young people find justice in the face of a system that doesn't work for them, as it often didn't work for me. Ideally I'd want to do something like support homeschoolers or alternative education like Waldorf, so maybe I can get there after some time in the public system.

Hopefully that's not oversharing too much, but there you have some of the context. Again, thank you for the reading, and overall it seems on-point. I was already leaning towards applying for the program, if nothing else because I don't have too many other good options, but this is another useful point to consider.

[jprussell]

Runes
Asking - "What does Psychedelic_Raccoon most need to work on this year toward finding a loving partner?"
Draw
Setting: Othala
Work: Isa (Murky)
Outcome(s): Gebo

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), 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 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 this reading, "Setting" came up Othala, which means "Homeland" (either the homestead or the wider land of your folk) and stands for the wealth, stability, and prosperity that comes from being embedded within a social and physical context. For "Work," we got Isa (Murky), which means "Ice," and so stands for fixedness (good or bad), and by being the "I" sound, for the ego bit of the self (again, for good and ill). For "Outcome(s)," we have Gebo, which means "Gift" and stands for everything wrapped up in mutual gift-exchange culture - hospitality, reciprocity, and the interchange of power/wealth.

To put these together, this seems like a fairly positive reading (for once this go-round, huzzah!). It seems you are embedded within a supportive context of some kind - the obvious reading would be a literal community of friends and family, but maybe something more symbolic. In any event, this seems to imply you don't need to go off to a far land to find someone. It doesn't necessarily mean your loving partner will come from within your community, as one aspect of this is how you can more productively interact with the "outside" when your "inside" is well-ordered and properly functioning. The "Work" part is a bit harder - it says that what you most need to work on is yourself. Something about yourself, and specifically the (self-)conscious part of that self, your own conception of who you are and what you're about, is out of whack from where it should be. Murkstaves can mean either a blockage/lack, or else an unhelpful expression, so in this case, it might mean either that you're too wrapped up in yourself and need to "check your ego," or it might mean that you aren't giving proper attention to yourself and may be overly swayed by others - I suspect you have a feeling of which is more likely, but if not, journaling and/or meditation might help. Either way, your goal should be to recognize and respect your self and your independence, but not at the expense of others. Combined with Othala for setting, it might indicate that you should aim to be a recognized and valuable member of whatever community/communities you count on for strength. Lastly, Gebo for "Outcome(s)" strikes me as very positive in this reading, as one of its many connotations is the "exchange" of sexual relationships, especially the energetic side of that. The precise interpretation of this likely will depend on the nature of what you most need to do for Isa (Murky) - if what you face is a lack of clear self-definition, Gebo may indicate that you get a "gift" of recognition or power, whereas if you are overly focused on yourself as is, Gebo may indicate that you will find strength and honor in giving, rather than receiving. Either way, both Gebo and Othala speak to a wider context of give-and-take, but Isa (Murky) implies you need to better understand your place in it as an individual.

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

[jprussell]

Ogham
Asking - "What does anonymous most need to understand about joining the AODA and/or the GCC?" (cut out the bit about the SOP)
Draw
Setting: Onn
Work: Mor
Outcome(s): Coll

Asking 2 - "What does anonymous most need to understand about using the LBRP as his/her banishing ritual?"
Draw
Setting: Onn
Work: Ailm
Outcome(s): Coll (Reversed)

My Take on It

Alrighty, to do this reading, I opened a sacred space, called upon the Wyrds (Norns) and concentrated on each of your questions while shuffling the Ogham Cards. For each question, I then drew three cards, using 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)." I then said a prayer to the Gods who help me with divination, before looking at the cards. If I drew the card right side up, it is "upright," and if I drew it upside-down it is "reversed." For interpretation, I use my own intuition based on the Upright and Reversed meanings given by JMG in his Druidry Handbook.

Question 1 - "What does anonymous most need to understand about joining the AODA and/or the GCC?" (cut out the bit about the SOP)
For the first question, for "Setting" we have Onn, which means "Gorse," and stands for attraction, creative power, and passion. For "Work," we got Mor, which means "Sea" and stands for beginning, endings, and the changes that come from the deeper forces of the cosmos. For "Outcome," Coll, which means "Hazel" and stands for knowledge, creativity, and inspiration.

Putting these together, it seems clear that there's something in your context attractive and powerful about AODA and/or the GCC, but Onn also carries connotations of "opportunities with potential problems or challenges," so it's no surprise that it sound good, but you have your doubts. Mor for work is interesting, as it implies there might be something deeper at work here than just you and your preferences/strengths, but I read as generally favorable. Coll implies learning and skill, to the point of a new phase in life. So, all together, this sounds fairly promising.

Question 2 - "What does anonymous most need to understand about using the LBRP as his/her banishing ritual?"
Now, isn't that striking? Two of the same cards, in the same steads, but one reversed. I swear I shuffled thoroughly in between! At any rate, for thoroughness, for this second question, for "Setting" we have Onn, which means "Gorse," and stands for attraction, creative power, and passion. For "Work," Ailm, which means "Elm" and stands for vision, understanding, and eminence. For "Outcome," Coll (Reversed), which means "Hazel" and stands for knowledge, creativity, and inspiration.

For this question, it again seems like you see the appeal, but also the potential problems, with going this way (no surprise, I'm sure). Ailm for work is interesting, as I tend to associate this few with "seeing the forest, not only the trees" - in other words, this work would help in some ways to gain a wider or higher perspective - one thought that comes to mind is the great body of work available for GD-derived systems, arguably the most developed ceremonial magical system in Western traditions, if not the whole world. On the other hand, Coll (Reversed) speaks to creative blockages and falling back on the familiar, often out of a fear of the failure that might come from trying something new. This implies to me that while the LBRP would open up certain spiritual perspectives for a while, you'd end up missing out on some of the places spiritual work might take you.

Putting Them Together
The fact that these two came up so similar seems so striking that it has to be significant, especially with the directly opposed upright/reversed Coll for outcomes. To me, this looks pretty clearly like it's saying that despite your lack of feeling for the AODA/GCC related work, that might be the better path. Perhaps this is a case of needing to push through what's difficult. As I mentioned in one of my earlier replies, there are other SOP-based systems that might work out better for you than the AODO/GCC, so maybe that would be worth exploring more.

You'll have to settle all of this yourself, of course, and if other things point against something based on the SOP, then my reading might be off. It might also be that the key difference is in "joining an organization" versus "going your own way/rolling your own," in which case the specific ritual basis might have less bearing.

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

[jprussell]

Runes
Asking - "What does Michele most need to focus on for 2025?"
Draw
Setting: Isa
Focus: Mannaz (Murky)
Outcome(s): Laguz (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 (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 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," we have Isa, which means "Ice" and stands for firming, fixing, "orderly" (in a neutral sense) forces, but also, being the sound for "I," for the self, most of all the (self-)conscious part of the self (the Ego, again, in a neutral sesne). For "Focus," Mannaz (Murky), which means "Man" and so stands for all the characteristics of man, as distinct from animal or God - good and bad - came up. For "Outcome(s)," we have Laguz (Murky), which means "Lake (Really any wide, deep body of water)" and stands for all that deep water archetypically does - mystery, life and death, and the subconscious.

Putting these together, it seems that for this year, something about your context speaks to your self/Ego. Another possibility is that "Ice" acts as a bridge over what would otherwise be impossible - a slippery and dangerous bridge, but one that is not without beauty. Either way, it seems that what you should be heeding may be known to you, but hidden from or resisted by others. As for focus, Mannaz (Murky) speaks to a lack of connection to "humanity," both in the abstract and in the particular, whether due to hopelessness or depression, or from not seeing things as they are, maybe thanks to your own lack of perception or delusion, or maybe due to active deception by others. So, this implies that you should focus on the kind of intelligence/learning fostered by the "humanities" - connection, perspective, wisdom, and what is "higher" rather than merely book learning, and most of all how it ties you to others, alive and dead. For "Outcome(s)," Laguz (Murky) implies that failing to focus on clearing up Mannaz would lead to a lack of engagement with the "deeps" - whether of your own self, or given the rest of the reading, the collective psyche. Laguz (Murky) implies not going to/doing what you need to for growth and lasting, deep strength, and Mannaz (Murky), as mentioned can carry connotations of deception, so one aspect of this seems to be "beware 'going with the flow'" of the folks around you, "going along to get along" as it were. Instead, focus on deeper truths and connections as a guide, and be willing to "take the plunge" even, if not especially, if it's scary.

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

Re: Job search

[jprussell]

No worries - I agree that probabilistic thinking is very useful, but I haven't figured out how to ask specifically for likelihoods, instead having to settle for "reading them in" based on what Runes/Fews come up in what steads in the spread.

That said, on with the reading!

Runes
Asking - "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?"
Draw
Timing: Nauthiz (Murky)
Seeking: Sowilo
Outcome(s): Berkano (Murky)
Other (Fell Out While Picking Up Runestaves after Reading): Fehu (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 "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)." 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.

Putting this together, I'm sorry to say that it doesn't look so hopeful for your specific question, but that said, it indicates that maybe your goal is somewhat misplaced. Let me break down why I think so. For "Timing," we have Nauthiz, which means "Need" and stands for lack of necessary things and the drive to overcome that lack. For seeking, Sowilo, which means "Sun" and stands for the Sun as a source of guidance and life. For "Outcome(s)," we got Berkano (Murky), which means "Birch Goddess," and stands for birth, death, and rebirth. While picking up the Runestaves, Fehu (Murky) fell out of my hand, and I've learned to treat such "coincidences" as an overall commentary on the reading.

Nauthiz (Murky) says that you are feeling constrained by circumstances and unable to exert your will (no surprise there, I imagine). Sowilo for the seeking says that you will find a goal and/or your way to it, especially if you heed "higher" signs in that direction. Berkano (Murky) for "Outcome(s)," however, speaks to stagnation or getting caught up in the mundane. maybe due to surface attractions. Lastly, for a question related to money, getting Fehu (Murky) is extremely unfortuante - Fehu literally means "cow," but at the time the Elder Futhark was put down, cattle were the principle measure of wealth, and the modern word "Fee" comes from the same word, so it basically means the kind of power gained through exchange and generosity made tangible in wealth. In other words, getting this Rune Murky for a money question says "not going well."

What all of this suggests to me is that you might be overly (if entirely understandably) focused on the money side of things, and especially making it in the way you have done so before and know you can succeed at. It seems, though, that this obvious/safe path might not be the best for you, but you have an opportunity to find an unlooked-for way forward. Paradoxically, the advice seems to be that you should shoot for generosity as much as you can, despite feeling like you can't spare anything, and that a clear way forward will come out of the process of looking, but it won't be what you expect, and it might not come in the first quarter. As I said, unfortunately very likely not the answer you're looking for, but hopefully not without some consolation.

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

Re: Keeping faith

[jprussell]

Runes
Asking - "What does SamChevre most need to understand about his responsibilities and promises?"
Draw
Setting: Ansuz (Murky)
Responsibilities & Promises: Isa (Murky)
Outcome(s): Tiwaz

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 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 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 the reading, we got Ansuz (Murky) for "Setting," which means "Holy Ancestor/God" and is most closely associated with Woden (Odin), and so stands for His strengths - consciousness, synthesis, skill with language, and inspiration. For "Responsibilities & Promises" Isa (Murky) came up, which means "Ice" and stands for both the self, especially the self-conscious part of the self (the Ego) since it is the Rune for the sound "I," but also for that which tends toward fixedness (good or bad), stability/immobility, and "order" (again, good and bad). Lastly, for "Outcome(s)," we have Tiwaz, which means "Tiw (Tyr)," and stands for discipline, law, planning, self-sacrifice, but also, victory.

So, altogether, this is a somewhat harsh, but not wholly unfortunate reading. It seems that the setting relevant to this question is characterized by the blockage or misapplication of Woden's gifts - maybe you are applying intelligence or learning inappropriately, or someone persuasive is manipulating you, or else you feel confused and lacking agency or inspiration. For your responsibilities, Isa (Murky) implies that you may be overly or inappropriately focused on yourself, or alternatively, that you are not enough focused on yourself - in some way, your ego is out of balance with the situation. Another alternative is that you are "frozen," feeling stuck or maybe even lifeless. All of which sounds pretty bleak, but Tiwaz in the "Outcome(s)" gives some reason for hope, as it is, as I said, the "victory Rune." For this question especially, Tiw is literally the God of promises and responsibility, so that seems rather significant to me.

Putting this together, it seems that your sense of self is somehow out of whack with your responsibilities and promises, perhaps due to some outside influence, or perhaps due to pursuing the gifts of Woden (for example, you might have had some kind of initiatory or learning experience that brought previous promises or responsibilities into question). Tiwaz, however, suggests that if you stick with them, you will "win," but perhaps at a cost (He did lose His hand to the Wolf, after all). One possible reading of this is that the hoped-for benefits of keeping your word will not come, but staying true to it will benefit you in the long run somehow. Again, I'm sorry this is not a happier reading, but I hope it proves helpful nonetheless.

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

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

Re: Thanks & yes please

[jprussell]

Hi BJL,

I'm glad the timing worked out, but sorry to hear that it was difficult to read, even if useful.

Thank you very much also for your thoughts on the reading. The seed quote is especially fascinating and seem synchronicitous. As for whether you made the right call on which divination to ask for, let's both hope that something steered you this way for good reason, but if I offer more divinations soon, feel free to ask again! I might also suggest from afar that reflecting or journaling on what this reading has to say about that situation might be fruitful.

Glad it makes sense, and good luck! Loneliness is rough, but this reading suggests there are some opportunities in it, however bitter they might be in the moment (which I'm sure is plenty bitter!)

Jeff

Re: Times before

[jprussell]

Well, I'm glad to hear that my analysis seems to fit, though, of course, sorry for it to be such an unpleasant prognosis. Also, that's fascinating on your parallel Ogham reading, and that's about how I'd read it as well. The one element there that I didn't pick up much of in the Rune reading is the confusion/deception side of Luis (Reversed), but Mor (Reversed) seems right in line with Hagalaz, and I could see Straif matching some aspects of a murky Tiwaz, though the Rune I most closely associate with Straif is Nauthiz.

As for your questions:
1) The single best-liked source among today's Heathens is Paul Baschatz's The Well and The Tree, which I wrote up here: https://jpowellrussell.com/#thoughts_on_the_well_and_the_tree

It's very hard to find for a reasonable price outside of libraries these days, but apparently Bauschatz has said he's fine with folks getting bootleg electronic copies, as the publisher has refused to reprint it. I'll let you decide how to weigh the ethics and legality of that one, if you want to track down a .pdf.

Also, Winifred Hodge Rose has a short collection of essays called Oaths, Shild, Frith, Luck & Wyrd: Five Essays Exploring Heathen Ethical Concepts and their Use Today, which is described here (and which includes a link to where it can be bought from her Lulu store): https://heathensoullore.net/oaths-shild-frith-luck-wyrd/ She's apparently working on a more extensive book on Wyrd, and some of that might be available on her website, but it's not out yet (I'm eagerly awaiting it, myself).

Other than that, it's mostly something I've picked up in bits and pieces from mostly magically-oriented heathen writings. I'd say Galina Krasskova and Edred Thorsson have likely done the most for me there. If you wanted to check them out, I'd start with Krasskova's A Modern Guide to Heathenry and Thorsson's Big Book of Runes and Rune Magic, which collects and slightly updates most of his earlier Rune books.

2) Sure, I'll be happy to do a reading on this as well, though obviously it's taken me a bit of time to get through the other requests. I'd propose asking "What does Vitranc most need to understand about navigating the path ahead in light of the earlier reading?" and drawing one Runestave for focus. I'll try to do so over the next day or so.

Cheers,
Jeff

Re: Times before

[jprussell]

Further on 2):

Runes
Asking: "What does Vitranc most need to understand about navigating the path ahead in light of the earlier reading?"
Draw: Isa (Murky)

Hmm, this one has been coming up a lot this go-round. Isa means "Ice," and so stands for the force which holds things still or brings them together - stasis vs dynamism, order vs chaos, fixedness vs fluidness, whether for good or ill. On the other hand, as the Runestave for the "I" sound, it also stands for the Ego (again, for good or ill), and the fact that it came up murky suggests something "not right" about these things - whether turning too far into yourself or not emphasizing your own identity and independence enough, or whether things being too "frozen" or else a lack of stabilizing influence. Coming up for this draw, that implies that what you need to navigate this is a healthy sense of yourself and/or stability - enough, but not too much, in either case. Given what you said about earlier encounters with overmuch self-sacrifice and burnout, my best guess would be that your challenge will be asserting boundaries/your own interests without becoming overly cut off or rigid.

Hope this helps, and again, any feedback or thoughts are much appreciated!
Jeff