Divination Offering: Ask the Ogham or the Runes

[jprussell]

Doing divination with the Runes was actually the first occult thing I learned to do, and since then I've also picked up the Ogham. I do a daily reading for myself with one or the other, and as needed for specific questions where I'm looking for guidance. But I've never done a reading for someone else, and I think it's time I give that a shot.

So! Do you have a question that some additional information might help? A decision you're contemplating? If so, let me know in the comments and I'll do my best to answer. Fair warning, as I said, this is my first shot at other folks' questions, so I can't guarantee how helpful or accurate I'll be! That being said, I wouldn't be offering this if I didn't think I could help.

In your comment, let me know your question, any details or context you think might be relevant that you're willing to share, and whether you'd like me to consult the Ogham or the Runes. For what it's worth, I tend to go to the Ogham for spiritual or magical questions and the Runes for life-direction or practical questions, but I've used both for all sorts of questions. If you have a simple "yes/no" question, I find that easier with the Runes.

With all that out of the way, fire away!
Thanks everyone, but this offer is now closed! Next time I'm offering readings, I'll post here again.

Comments

Re: Divination

[candace_k]

Thank you! I left a job working in the county family services office working as a child support officer due to burn out. I will keep the ideas you have given me in mind especially while contemplating the areas I’m submitting my resume. I’ll also make sure to give you an update as I go through the process.

Thank you so much for taking the time!

Sent from my iPhone

Re: My relationship

[jprussell]

Sure thing. Archetypes are a major part of a Jungian understanding of psychology, and folks of a more occult/esoteric bent have also found them tremendously helpful. Basically, an archetype is a pattern that you see over and over again in human psychology, stories, and behavior. Occultists argue that you see them in non-human places as well. These archetypes are very deeply rooted in the subconscious. If you have more of a materialist way of looking at things, you might say they are evolved instincts of the kind evolutionary psychology talks about. If you are more esoterically-minded, you might say that they exist in some state outside of any given human mind where they can be reached by all of them.

So, what does this mean in this situation? It might mean literally the archetypes Jung talked about, or it could mean the kinds of behavior we expect from ourselves and each other in certain roles. Here, since you mentioned being more disciplined financially, that could be linked to "archetypal" (now using the term more loosely) behavior, such as if you're a man, your partner might expect you to provide resources, and financial discipline is seen as part of that. On the other hand, if you're a woman, your partner might see your spending as part of the "frivolous with my money" stereotype some folks have about women partners.

The archetypes don't only have to do with gender roles, and not even every gender-related archetype applies equally to every member of a gender. For example, Robert Moore and Douglas Gillette in King, Warrior, Magician, Lover talk about how each of these four archetypes is an important component of healthy masculinity, but each brings different qualities (and pitfalls) to understanding the world. I've emphasized them here since gender is so likely to have a lot to do with relationship questions.

So, basically, in this reading, it suggests that you, your partner, or both, are in danger of getting caught up in one or more patterns of behavior that feel extremely compelling or even automatic in the moment, but are not to the good of the relationship. An example: have you ever known someone who is interested and engaged with some topic or behavior in private, but belittles it or pretends not to know about it in public because it doesn't fit who they're trying to be in public? Think of a guy who cries during Steel Magnolias but then makes fun of the movie to his guy friends, or a gal who cheers passionately for a football team and then acts like she knows nothing about sports in front of the guys. Those examples aren't perfect, because there's likely a conscious element to them, whereas getting caught up in an archetype is often unconscious. A man who doesn't realize his way of "being masculine" is wrapped up in what his abusive dad was like. A woman whose way of "being feminine" includes nagging and belittling her partner, despite her desire to be fair and rational.

Does this help any?

Re: Divination

[jprussell]

Ah! Thanks for this, and I will certainly appreciate hearing how it goes.

I might be over-stretching here, but learning that you're leaving a job due to "burnout," and one that is so likely to be associated with the "mission" or "cause" it is meant to fulfill gives me a few ideas. (Again, I could be way off, but my assumption when I hear "quit working as a Child Support Officer due to burnout" is that you believe deeply in helping vulnerable children who are the most in need, but that some combination of bureaucratic nonsense and families/children that refuse the help they so clearly need is what led to the burnout).

Anyhow, what this new information makes me think is that perhaps the goal, ordered change, and use of synthetic intelligence that came up in the reading are saying that it might be best for you to reflect on what led you to become a child support officer and what about the job did you find rewarding/believe in, and then ask "how can I achieve these things in a totally different way?"

[open_space]

Thanks so much for this!

I really liked the reading you gave me. It felt good. And also, I like the "rune feeling" of it. Somehow I feel the Heathen side of it warm and wise. I don't recall exactly how much I told you about my situation last time but either way, I feel that you tapped into the situation really well.

I have a few questions if that is okay, particularly about the first question. I definitely do feel like I am "bottled up" and holding still. I feel stagnant and that I am not moving much. These past weeks I've felt like I've trickled but it is still not a lot of movement. Just like the feeling of depression, like things are stagnant. For me this comes from the fact that my life right now doesn't motivate me a thing and walking it feels "wrong", like I am wasting my time and I don't want to do it. What I am faced with is, what should I do about this feeling. Might it be that I am not in the right place and that is what makes me feel like that or is it that I need to outgrow something are things that I ask myself. I know something is off, and I know that something needs to change but I am stuck with knowing if it is me that needs to change and suck it up with the situation or I need to change the situation into something that is more congenial with me.

when you should be either gathering strength or moving forward, or else "moving" in a way that doesn't actually accomplish what you're after. I'm getting a sense of "hiding" from something rather than either facing it or truly resting/recovering from it.

It is the moving in a way that doesn't actually accomplish what I am after what I find challenging in the extreme. It feels like I am wasting time of doing something with my life that I actually like or enjoy. "or else moving in a way that doesn't actually accomplish what you are after". Is something like that what you mean with the quoted bit?

I want to revisit this more closely later again as I think there is much in here but, even though this was more a brain dump than actual questions I hope it is useful for the conversation.

Moving to Mexico in the way that I am thinking right now, or back when I asked, definitely feels like the easy way forward... What I think I am avoiding is well, just facing life by myself and going back to my parents home, even if it is helpful, shouldn't be from a mindset of getting back in time but with a sense of responsibility. I think that is what the runes are trying to tell me. Here I feel scared, definitely --very-- and the test and lessons that I need to learn I can do them here or there so perhaps that is some of that.

[jprussell]

Thank you, I'm glad you liked it!

1. On what to do about being "bottled up": well, without drawing further runes (which I can look to as a follow up, if you like), what comes to mind is taking some definitive action, preferably with a tangible outcome, that is for you. It sounds like right now you are alternating between being busy with crap you don't care about or "doing nothing" and feeling depressed. For example, maybe carve out half an hour, or even just 10 minutes, daily to enjoy some art, or work on a personal project. If you're not already, maybe you could pursue your daily magical work as part of a larger program - for example, instead of "just" doing the LBRP+MP, Meditation, and Divination daily, maybe follow the course of instruction in CGD. I have found that even when I'm struggling with motivation or feeling like I'm accomplishing anything, it helps that my daily habit I've stuck pretty doggedly to is toward a worthwhile goal (finishing DMH and the Dolmen Arch).

Oh, and the other super common piece of advice here, one that I've found pretty helpful as well, is don't focus on making yourself happy/feeling meaning - focus on helping someone else/others in a way consistent with your values. Not "be a doormat" or "only care about others," but rather, maybe look for some ways you can use your skills, expertise, or even just resources to help others get more of what you think they ought to have. Teach, volunteer, donate, invite friends to do something you'd both enjoy, surprise someone with a gift, whatever it might be.

2. On "moving in a way that doesn't actually accomplish what you're after": Yes, exactly. Have you ever put off tackling a real problem at work by answering emails, or organizing your files, or updating some software? That's the kind of "movement, but not toward your ends" that I mean. Of course, in a wider sense, if you are in a job that you feel is meaningless, or that doesn't align with your higher goals, you might feel that way even about the "real" work of the job.

3. On going back to Mexico: Fair enough! There's a lot of scary stuff in life in general, and especially right now. I think here, Gebo coming up twice might also be speaking to the mystery and fear of sacrifice - you give up or share something now, with no guarantee you'll get something back for it, but with the faith that it's worth the effort. Whatever is scary in your situation, I think you have something valuable to share.

Question family future

[(Anonymous)]

Hello with the current changes in politics and government control I find myself endlessly anxious about the future of my family. Particularly growing children.
My question is about my family situation over the years to come, what to look out for and what's likely

Re: Question family future

[jprussell]

Alrighty, I propose asking the runes "What does anonymous most need to understand about what his family will deal with over the next few years?" with the spread: "Setting (context), Happenings (the stuff your family is likely to deal with), and Outcome(s) (what is currently most likely to come from those happenings).

I'll try to get your reading done this weekend and post it by early this week.

Re: Question family future

[(Anonymous)]

That's amazing I'm very grateful Ann onimous :) 😀

Re: Question family future

[jprussell]

I'm very sorry for taking so long to get this written up for you!

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.

Asking - "What does 'Ann' most need to understand about what her family will deal with in the next few years?"
Draw
Setting: Sowilo
Happenings: Tiwaz (Murky)
Outcome(s): Ehwaz (Murky)

My Take on It
Okay, this reading indicates that you may be picking up on some likely challenges. First off, for "Setting," which is your general context, I drew Sowilaz, which is the Sun Rune. It is very positive - it indicates the goal you strive for and the guidance to reach that goal. So, something in your life is, or will be, showing you the way forward, if you can keep your eye on it. Think of a sailor fixing his route on the sun despite the wind and waves he's dealing with. For "happenings," I drew Tiwaz (Murky), which is the Rune of the God Tiw/Tyr, best known for putting his hand in Fenris's mouth as a pledge so that the Gods could bind the wolf. Coming up murky here, this suggests that you are at risk of "giving too much," going for self-sacrifice beyond where it is helpful. It also might suggest "analysis paralysis," where you spend more time working out what to do/how to do it than on actually getting things done. In other words, you are likely to deal with situations where it will be hard for you to identify the right action to take and then execute. I think Sowilo suggests how to deal with this: keep your eye on "higher" guidance - maybe your beliefs, maybe a long-term goal, maybe moral or ethical standards. If you do not thread this needle, the Outcomes indicated are Ehwaz (Murky). Ehwaz means "horse," and it is the Rune of partnership, so coming up murky means either too much partnership, such as losing yourself in the identity of someone else, or else a blockage - disharmony, strife, and so forth. Given the murky Tiwaz, the former seems a bit more likely to me.

So, to sum up: it looks like you will face challenges that tempt you to give too much of yourself, maybe in service of a partnership or marriage, which could lead to a loss of self in that partner, but if you keep your eye on higher goals, you can find a way through.

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

[candace_k]

Hi Jeff, Update on my job search. I have gotten a job the is “provisional”. Initial appointment was through December 29, 2023. That has been extended to December 31, 2024. So fits with what you were seeing. Thought that might be useful feed back for your future interpretations.

Thanks for your help! Hope you have a good holiday season. Candace

Sent from my iPhone

Re: Divination

[jprussell]

Thanks very much for the update, always useful to get feedback!

And I wish you a happy holiday season as well!
Jeff