jprussell | Divination Offering: Ask the Ogham or the Runes

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.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Hi Jeff, many thanks indeed for offering this service!

I recently had a divination done that advised me starting a devotional practice to Loki would be beneficial to me. This was done by a respected Heathen diviner. I'm not Heathen myself so the choice of pantheon (and, particularly, divinity!) was very surprising...

So I wouldn't mind a second opinion, something along the lines of whether taking up some sort of devotion work with Loki would be beneficial to me. I guess Runes would be more appropiate given the context, but I leave it to your discretion.

Many thanks again!

Huh, now that's an interesting one! I'm going to have to get my daughter up from her nap soon, so I'm not sure I'll be able to get to this one today, but I will do the reading soon and post when I have the chance to write it up.

First, a caveat: I know that for one diviner to ask a "second opinion" from another oracle or just to ask again can lead to some less-than-ideal results, and I don't know if the same rule applies in asking another diviner, so take anything I come up with more salt than usual.

Secondly, I propose asking "What does anonymous most need to understand about starting a devotional practice to Loki?" with a spread of "Setting (context), Worship (how the worship itself will go), and Outcome(s) (what is most likely to come about if you do start the practice)." I agree that Runes seem more appropriate here, so I'll go with those.

Cheers,
Jeff

In all earnest, the initial divination was a generic one, with no question, so I'm not sure if the same rule would apply here, but caveat accepted! and thanks again!

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), Worship (actually doing the devotional practice), and Outcome(s) (whatever is most likely to come about if you do begin such a practice). 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 anonymous most need to understand about beginning a devotional practice to Loki?"
Draw
Setting: Eihwaz (Murky) - "Yew"
Worship: Berkano - "Birch Goddess"
Outcome(s): Ansuz (Murky) - "Ancestral God"

My Take on It
Hmm, this reading is something of a mixed bag, perhaps unsurprisingly, given the subject. For "Setting," I drew Eihwaz (Murky). Eihwaz is the Rune of the World Tree, of the vertical unifying pillar of the universe that brings together the darkest depths with brightest heights. It is a Rune of initiation, inspiration, and disciplined striving for enlightenment. Drawing it murky implies either that this Rune is manifesting inappropriately, perhaps too early, or in the wrong directions, or else that it is somehow blocked, leaving you cut off from deeper/higher sources of meaning. Given the question, my guess is that this indicates some dissatisfaction with your current spiritual life, and a desire to take up some practice to deal with that. For the worship itself, I drew Berkano, which is the Rune of Birth, Death, and Rebirth. It is associated with the "Mother Earth" archetype. Personally, I especially associate this Rune with spiritual or religious awakenings/rebirths, as it played an important role in my own. So it seems that this devotional practice would indeed be a kind of renewal for you, though "rebirth" of course implies some amount of "death" - parts of yourself that need to be let go and left behind, and that's not always fun. As for Outcome(s), I drew Ansuz (Murky), which represents Woden, and most especially his skills with language, intelligence, and magic. To draw it murky implies lies and manipulation (surprise!) or else dullness and and an inability to speak.

I'd like to draw your attention to the fact that the Runes drawn for both "Setting" and "Outcome(s)" are closely associated with Woden, and are murky. This is perhaps fitting for Woden's murkier blood-brother. It suggests to me that such a devotional practice might sour any relationship (or potential for one) you might have with Woden, so consider that possibility as you make your decision.

Altogether, I would synthesize this as saying such a devotional practice would indeed address the spiritual dissatisfaction in your life and would lead to your "rebirth" as a new person in some way, but down the line you would be subject to some kind of manipulation or control through deceit. As I said, a maybe unsurprisingly mixed bag, given the subject matter of the question, which I think you'll have to decide on for yourself.

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

Many thanks Jeff!

Interesting that you got Berkano, with its associations with Loki!

More to ponder yet, I think... I´m certainly not one willing to end on the wrong side of the Allfather, though my original divination was made by a long-standing devotee of both Loki and Odin, and Odin was not in the picture (though Frey was).

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