The Road Goes Ever, Ever On

Today's runes: Uruz & Laguz

Strength and Flow. Uruz finds its foundations in endings and new beginnings, in outgrowing our current existence and needing to start over as something new, something more. Laguz acts as the ebb and flow of life, from the movement of emotional needs and attachments to the intuitive nature of our spiritual self. Uruz calls for us to be born anew, to allow the death of our old life to be fertilizer for the new. Laguz asks that we reflect and study our preparedness for this transformation of our self.

Life is not stagnant; it moves and changes, much like a river wears down rock and forms new pathways and sediments. We are not meant to remain stationary. Allow life to carry you where it may, regardless of the hardships you will find yourself in. Pain and failure help us learn, help us to become more. Do not fear the despair because it cannot hold you.

Today's rune: Raido

Raido, a rune preoccupied with communication that results in a union. It is the rune of journey, journey toward healing and change of the self that ultimately manifests into the union between the physical and transcendent, i.e. our physical body and our inner self.

Raido calls for attentiveness, that we carefully observe our relationships with the world and others. Our response to the situations we face in life are very telling of our journey itself. Our actions are on us, a symbol of our autonomy. Show care in how you move through life, as it conveys that you are paying attention to what you deem important.

Remember: joy resides in this rune as well. It shows that the end of our journey is on the horizon, that we should not dwell on the burdens we've left behind us. Our awakening into our self is upon us.

Today's runes: Hagalaz & Thurisaz

Disruption and the Gateway.

Hagalaz is sudden change, something that interrupts our lives but places us on the path of epiphany, encouraging us to understand our place. Hagalaz is the rune of hail and like hail, it disrupts us is a way that simple rain does not; hail is loud and hard and has the power to harm. However, the severity of Hagalaz's impact helps us understand the depth of growth we need to undertake.

Thurisaz is non-action in the form of contemplation. It represents the gateway between reality and the transcendent, acting as a threshold between our physical being and our spiritual self. Thurisaz calls for us to contemplate our journey, to reflect deeply on how we may achieve true understanding of our self, before we take our next steps.

Life will throw sudden changes upon us, some good and some bad. Reflect on them and determine how these changes will benefit your growth.

Today's runes: Algiz & Teiwaz

Protection and the Warrior. Algiz expresses our need to observe, knowledge of our situation and our self granting us protection. Teiwaz alerts us to our battles with and for our self. Algiz keeps us aware, Teiwaz keeps us mindful. There is protection in bearing witness and knowing. There is patience in understanding that we only control some of our self and that which is beyond us will always move us in ways we may or may not expect.

Take note of what is happening around you. Is your situation safe and nurturing? Do the people around you make you feel secure in your identity? Is how you are living your life bringing you fulfillment and joy? Answer these questions through observation. Let Algiz guide you to knowing. Then, whatever does not fit or is creating an infection stunting your growth, utilize the sword of the warrior and cut yourself clean from it. Teiwaz demands we remain true to our self.

Today's rune: Algiz

Algiz is a rune of protection, protection in the form of knowledge via witness. Emotions run high during transitional periods, especially periods involving growth and self-change. Algiz is our mirror to help us see our internal struggles, to bear witness to the emotions we are experiencing in this time of drastic change. It is imperative that we allow ourselves to remain open in our observations, to know where our self is and know that we are ensuring the growth of our self.

Algiz calls for us to be thoughtful in how we handle our growth. Algiz is mindful of right action that is timely, knowing full well that there is a time and place where we must rise up and accept that which we see before us. We must not hide, for deluding ourselves by veiling the transformation happening to and around us will do us no favors. Progress is inevitable.

Today's runes: Othila & Sowelu

Separation and Wholeness. Othila calls for radical severance from that which does not benefit the growth of our self. Sowelu guides us to the path of self-realization that comes from our core self. Sowelu is an expression of the very life force within us. Othila asks that we retreat from the aspects of the world that we have attached to ourselves and determine if they are truly representative of our self.

Do not allow the world to limit you, especially based in that which is attributed to you that is not reflective of who you are. Life is about discovering our self and building its strength and potential to be more. Othila and Sowelu encourage us to choose our own path and not rely solely on the path that society lays before us.

Today's rune: Mannaz

Mannaz, the rune of the self, the starting point of our journey. Mannaz is the reminder that our relationship with our self comes first, allowing positive relationships with others and the transcendent.

Mannaz instructs us to be open, to be receptive to what the world has to share with us in a way that promotes our self healing, that encourages us to choose growth through the rectification of our shortcomings. No one is perfect and Mannaz identifies that this is a moment of righting wrongs, of fixing that which is broken in order to progress forward.

Choose to work for its own sake, rather than seek out praise. We are more than the words of others. Be cautious of carelessness and do nothing in excess. Mannaz knows what we need to change, but changing for show--simply to prove ourselves to others--does us no favors.

Today's rune: Dagaz

Dagaz is the rune of breakthrough, of radical change. It is a transition to such a degree that it is no longer feasible to live life in an ordinary way. Dagaz is not predictable, but its outcome is assured. Trust is necessary in order to achieve the kind of radical change prompted by Dagaz. It's a life altering moment and it may demand that we move forward with only the clothes on our backs.

Do not fall into recklessness. Dagaz tends to indicate times of great achievement and prosperity, but we should never be arrogant with our time. Be present and diligent in these new changes. Hard work and awareness are necessary for complete and fulfilling change.

Today's rune: Raido

Raido is a rune focused on communication that results in the union of two sides following the conclusion of a journey. Raido unites that which is beyond and that which is tangible. This rune is a journey of self-healing and change, a soul journey that connects our humanity with the transcendent.

Raido reminds us to take the time to meditate, reflect on our self and find its connection with the unknown beyond. Rejoice, for the end of our journey is in sight. Raido shows us where we are going, allowing us to celebrate where we have come from.

Today's rune: Berkana

Berkana, the Birch Tree, Growth. Berkana is the cycle rune denoting symbolic--and sometimes actual--growth in our lives. Whether that growth manifests in how we view ourselves, our relationships, or the world around us, Berkana is there to remind us that it is a natural part of life.

Be wary of that which prevents you from growing. Are putting too much stock into what others want from you? Are you hesitant to step out of your comfort zone? Are you feeling outside pressure to ignore the opportunities prompting you to change? Whatever it is, work through it. Be diligent and steadfast in achieving the path guiding you to grow.

Today's runes: Isa & Sowelu

Ice and the Sun. Isa is a rune of waiting, reminding us that we are not I'm control of every aspect of our lives. Sowelu is the wholeness that comes from self-realization, of coming to terms with our core identity. Isa reminds us that we must rely on our own strength at times and Sowelu encourages us to open ourselves up to world.

While both almost seem contradictory, they work in tandem. Isa allows us the time for self-reflection when trapped in situations outside our control. Sowelu is the sun breaking through the cold of winter, bringing epiphany to what we need to know of our self.

Today's rune: Ehwaz

Ehwaz, the rune of transition, movement, steady progress. It denotes slow and gradual change, making way for growth and improvement. While remaining as you are provides a sense of security, stagnation only keeps us from developing into our full selves. Ehwaz encourages acceptance of change as it comes into our lives, whether it be large or small.

Act when life demands it and abstain when the self feels it necessary. The movement of Ehwaz is timely, demonstrating the most valuable course of action in the face of opportunity. Listen with your gut. If it tells you to move, then move. If it tells you to wait, then wait. Take life in stride.

Today's rune: Berkana

Berkana is the birch tree rune, the rune of symbolic and actual growth. This growth may be social--involving relationships with friends, family, or the world at large--or spiritual--relationships with the self, the transcendent divine, or the natural world.

Berkana is a rune of blossoming, indicating a time of rebirth into a new life, a new form. It is gentle, but pervasive, much like the roots of a tree. It is important that this growth is fostered through diligence and awareness. Resistence toward growth can cloud our judgment and limit ourselves in a way that makes it difficult to achieve our goals. Be diligent and disperse the characteristics that cloud your judgment.

Today's rune: Inguz

Inguz is the rune of fertility in new beginnings. It indicates that crucial moment in which we are ready to break free from our chrysalis into a new state of being. Inguz is the strength necessary to find completion in order to begin again. It is imperative that we nurture the ground in which we root our paths.

Inguz clears away the old, providing the freedom in which to become new. Tension and uncertainty fade away in the face of this beginning. Inguz is a timely movement, one leading to security of the self. It advises a preparation of self, ensuring that we are centered and grounded in our core being.

Today's rune: Sowelu

Sowelu is the rune of wholeness. It demonstrates the human impulse toward self-realization rooted in a person's core identity. Sowelu avoids outside influence, rejecting the ulterior motives of society and focusing on individuality.

Sowelu is all about striving to bring out our core individuality, our true self. It is an expression of the essence of our purest being. Open yourself up to the light within you.

Protect yourself from outside influences. Only you know who you truly are. Retreating to protecting your individuality is a sign of immense strength.

Today's rune: Uruz

Uruz is the rune of strength. It indicates a time of endings and new beginnings. More specifically, it centers on the death of self, the aspect of humanity that naturally shifts when we outgrow certain identities.

While Uruz is ultimately positive, as the changes brought about by growth are, it does not shy away from the truth that brighter paths are often born from dark struggles. Opportunities may be disguised as loss initially, but working through that loss clears the way for those new paths leading uphill.

Do not be mistaken: Uruz allows for choice. It is always up to us whether we choose to strive for change when faced with darkness. Change can be terrifying as it disrupts the comfort of security. However, the new life that arrives after the despair is always greater than the old life left behind.

Today's rune: Inguz

Inguz is the intuitive aspect of the self. It the rune regarding personal relationships, centering on our need to form bonds with others. Inguz indicates a time of completing beginnings, the start of new paths in life upon the completion of others.

Inguz isn't just about accomplishment; it symbolizes the need to set ourselves up for our new paths. We must prepare ourselves in our beginnings, hence the complete start that Inguz promotes.

Inguz is a symbol of development. It is the next step we take in life, moving from one state of being to another. Inguz is fertility, meaning that it is a time of rebirth into our new sense of self.