Jeff Russell

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