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

Will my arts and crafts society be successful?

[betwixtworlds]

Hi Jeff,

Thanks for doing this. I can see you are already swamped!

I want to take all of the old, unused buildings in my town (and other towns in my state) and get the civic leaders to help me make them available for struggling craftspeople: weavers, glassmakers, blacksmiths, etc. Sort of a "hotspot" for crafts and art. It's a state with lots of old mill towns with run down buildings.

So my question is, will creating this society of arts and crafts be successful?

Re: Will my arts and crafts society be successful?

[jprussell]

Well, before doing the reading, that sounds like a lovely idea! I'll do the reading today and post it once I get the chance to write it up.

That being said, here's what I propose to ask: "What does betwixtworlds most need to understand about the plan to create an arts & crafts society?" I'll use the spread "Setting (context), Work (following through on the plan as currently conceived - creating the society, convincing civic leaders to get on board, securing the spaces, and so forth), and Outcomes (what is most likely to happen if you pursue this course of action).

This seems more like a Runes question to me, so unless you'd prefer otherwise, I will ask them.

Re: Will my arts and crafts society be successful?

[betwixtworlds]

Thanks, Jeff. I will leave it in your very capable hands on how to properly approach and ask the question.

Re: Will my arts and crafts society be successful?

[jprussell]

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 betwixtworlds most need to understand about the plan to create an arts & crafts society"
Draw
Setting: Hagalaz (Murky) - "Hail"
Work: Laguz (Murky) - "Lake"
Outcome(s): Kenaz (Murky) - "Torch"

My Take on It
Ooof, a whole lot of murkstaves with this second batch of readings. For your Setting, I drew Hagalaz (Murky). Hagalaz is the Rune of sudden change or difficulty, but also the growth and opportunity that comes out of it. To get it murky implies either a sudden difficulty for which you are not prepared, or else an undesirable amount of stasis. Either way, things are not growing/developing around you as would be ideal. For the work itself of creating the society, I drew Laguz (Murky). Laguz has been coming up a for a lot of the questions on this post, often murky. It is the Rune of "the deeps," so any Jungian-style archetypal images or forces that go with deep, dark water apply here, but especially the idea of a journey into/across that water. To get it Murky implies that there might be some challenges in the work that you balk at - maybe wishing for it to go smoother, or certain aspects of the work you find unpleasant or distasteful, or perhaps even simply the fear of possibly failing. Unluckily, the Outcome also doesn't look great, especially given the question, as Kenaz is the Rune of craftsmanship and creativity, so to get it murky is not ideal. It implies either an unwanted breakup/dissolution of some kind, or else a stifling or blockage of creative energy.

As with dabilahro's question above, I am sorry to have such a bummer of a reading for you! What I might offer is that all of the Runes were very relevant to what you're trying to do - the crisis/opportunity of derelict buildings, the difficult journey of trying to make something happen, the torch of creative handicraft. This suggests to me that you are looking at the right problem, but that your current plan might not be the best solution. Maybe the focus on civic leaders is wrong, or the focus on physical spaces, or on forming a society rather than some other approach to bring people together and help them find opportunities.

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: Will my arts and crafts society be successful?

[betwixtworlds]

Thanks, Jeff! Ouch, for sure. It makes a heck of a lot of sense though and I wonder if it means my plans are not very exact yet.

I have approached two city officials and I never get a reply. I always get their voice mail and they never follow up. I'm learning as I grow older that people in government (and in most institutions, private and public) really do not want to put any effort into anything, even if it is for their benefit. So this reading strongly reflects that.

I don't want to give up on the idea, though and I'll let you know if anything happens. But you may not hear from me for a year or two!

Thanks again. I really appreciate the time you took to help me.