Bind Runes and Witch Names

Words have power, so it follows that names do as well. There exists such a thing in Wicca known as a witch name. It's used during rituals and is personal and meaningful. Some Wiccans have more than one name. One is reserved for inner work and the other is reserved for outer work. In other words, one is private and one is public. Numerology is involved in its selection, as is whatever dieties, animals, crystals, elements, etc. one might be drawn to. Witch names can be revealed during initiation, or if you're Solitary like me, you create your own. Some reveal their names, some don't. I happen to be one that doesn't. But I do love rune divination and one of the cool things to do with it is to create a bind rune of your name. So, I thought I would do that with my witch name. It ended up being prescient to say the least.

Bind runes are symbols you essentially bind together from whatever runes you happen to be using. I approach it in the same manner as reducing numbers. I find the commonalities and go from there, trying to create the smallest version of the bind rune possible. Balance is encouraged without being redundant. Writing out my witch name brought forth the following runes:

• Tiwaz - The god, Tyr - justice, balance, self-sacrifice, rational thinking - represents fundamental cosmic law as true reality and our alignment to that reality.
• Wunjo - Joy - understanding, community, harmony, leadership, connectedness - indicates a concern for others and their well-being, and recognizes that feeling joy is our strongest desire.
• Isa - Ice - stillness, self-preservation, focus, ego-awareness - expresses individuality, yet superficially, reflects illusion.
• Laguz - Water - unconscious, psychic power, oneness of all, imagination, dreams, collective consciousness - water symbolizes life as it flows along, our real foundation that exists outside the body, also involves Karma or Wyrd as actions have consequences.
• Othala - Homeland - inheritance, oneness, spiritual awareness and power, paradise - separation fades away leaving only oneness and unity as we accept responsibility for our home and for each other.
• Mannaz - Humankind - intelligence, thought, mind, service to others, incorporation of the divine into the everyday - how we perceive the world has consequences, so the emphasis is on harmony and community and what kind of world we, as co-creators with Source, create. Responsible behavior stemming from responsible thought.
• Nauthiz - Need - necessity, conflict, effort, consequences of behavior, doing whatever needs doing - the focus here is on what we actually need for survival and not neglecting our most basic needs. Recognizes the difference between survival needs and other desires.

Your witch name should reflect who you are and what matters to you. As an empath, I experience the energetic connection between myself and others. I not only believe we are all one, I know we are. I experience it. Our collective attention is here on this Earth, in this universe, to learn how to relate to each other in harmony and unity. Justice, self-sacrifice, community are all part of that process.

Underlying everything is Laguz, which tells us that our real existence is outside the body, and that everything we do here has consequences. This is a particularly important truth to an empath. We're aware of the collective consciousness that unites us all and that we have a responsibility to embrace the principles of Tiwaz including balance, justice and aligning with fundamental cosmic law while here in this life.

We have our basic human needs that Nauthiz refers to. But anything else is a choice, and we incorporate Mannaz to bring the divine into our everyday lives so that we behave responsibly toward each other. A sense of community results in joy, or Wunjo, which is our strongest desire.

The duality we explore in this life includes expressions of individuality which are not necessarily conducive to oneness and Isa tells us to be aware of the superficiality of the ego and to not let it deter us from embracing all as one. Oneness is preferable to self-preservation and sometimes this takes focus and a stillness so that we can see reality over the illusion.

Othala, the final rune, reinforces our reality of oneness and shows us that as separation fades away, our essential reality becomes all that is. As above, so below.

Runes are so fascinating. Using them offers clarity and perspective in our daily lives. I had no idea when I chose my name that it would contain all of this. I never thought of it in terms of runic divination. Both my date of birth and my birth name reduce down to 9. It also reflects two things I feel connected to. Looking at the runes and their meanings, it's everything I believe. I love synchronicity. Your witch name should reflect alignment with Source. I believe mine does..

~Blessed Be! 

Reconnecting to the Divine Feminine..

Wicca teaches that the Goddess created the universe and everything and everyone in it. In her wisdom, She created a duality which balances masculine and feminine energy. But in practice, is it always an equal balance? I don't think so, given societal norms and mores that tend to discount or dismiss feminine energy in favor of masculine energy. Because of that, feminine energy is thought to be weak; masculine energy is viewed as strong. However, nothing could be further from the truth. And now everything is so out of control.

And by everything, I mean men, as well as all the women who support the oppression of other women. I read an article in which former President Jimmy Carter expressed his belief that Republican men are abusing women by not embracing Equal Pay laws. He's the perfect example of how to be Christian and still think women are worth fighting for. I know others like him exist..we're just not hearing from them enough. Maybe President Carter's comments will prompt others to speak out on behalf of women's issues. Pope Francis expresses progressive thinking about women, but still won't allow female priests. Baby steps, I suppose.

War hawks in Congress, particularly the Senate, should really connect to the divine feminine energy that they've so effectively hidden from view. President Obama understands this concept, standing in stark contrast to Mr. Putin and his aggressive action in Ukraine. Some in Congress clearly disagree with President Obama's approach, instead blaming him for not being "manly" like Putin. Their definition of manly expresses the imbalance in which the world now lives. 

Even the military isn't exempt from this imbalance. They brazenly continue to insist that they can investigate sexual assault, by officers no less, and then justify it all when the guy gets his charges and/or sentence reduced..assuming he's convicted in the first place. They want it both ways which fails on every level to respect the victim. They're just like a spoiled child who has had too much candy. The rush (of arrogance in this case) is too great, and they can't see anything clearly. Anyone who has had kids understands this. And whether we're talking about Congress or the military, or anything else for that matter, the good ol' boy's club mentality needs to go..now.

Last May, I attended a lecture given by His Holiness, The Dalai Lama. His message: We are One. He stressed the importance of balance and equality, particularly in the case of women. His Holiness discussed the problem with out of control male egos and told mothers to train their sons to value compassion. Radical ideas? No. They reflect the truth that lies within. We cannot go on as we have. We need a kinder world. We have forgotten that we are one and that everyone matters. Mr. Putin needs to take his troops home. Congress needs to embrace our President and then get to work fixing this country. Compassion needs to rule the day. 

Women are the bedrock of the family. We give life and wipe tears and bring balance. We should never need to fear the men in our lives, nor should we need to fear men in authority. And yet, that's where we now find ourselves. All that we've worked for as feminists is in jeopardy. We cannot let this happen.

My Sisters..we need to raise feminine energy to bring back harmony and balance to the Earth. Create your sacred space. Extend blessings of love and remembrance. Extend blessings of awakening and vision. We must be vigilant for there is much work to do. Our children deserve a world far better than the one we now have. They deserve to feel safe and loved. Clearly..it's up to us.

~ Blessed Be!

Sunday Runecasting - 2 March 2014

Left to right: Tiwaz, Fehu, Inguz

In today's three rune spread, I drew Tiwaz (Issue), Fehu (Action), and Inguz (Outcome). Representing cosmic law, justice, balance and right-minded thinking, Tiwaz, in the Issue position, reminds us that our moral compass should be driving our decisions. By remaining in alignment with Source, our decisions will be just. A Course in Miracles tells us that "Nothing real can be threatened. Nothing unreal exists. Herein lies the peace of God". It's our premise..our beginning point, from which everything else emerges. It's our foundation and our guide while we exist here. It speaks to the notion that we should only embrace or place value on what reflects Source or God.

Fehu, in the Action position, represents cattle or wealth, and the status or position that may follow. It's also the point at which individuality starts coming into play. When we're born into this existence, we're dependent upon our parents and the world around us for our survival. Fehu depicts our transition away from dependency to independence. As we begin to own things, wealth may accumulate, which tends to create more separation between people. True wealth, has less to do with acquiring possessions than with the awareness that we cannot exist independent from each other, and the understanding that we are, in fact, One. Wealth in the hands of a few can result in the oppression of many, making the drawing of Tiwaz even more significant as issues of poverty and income inequality affect so many. Remaining in alignment with Source, wealth becomes a means by which unity is achieved rather than the separation that a focus upon duality, or individuality, often brings. 

Tiwaz stresses balance and harmony as we progress through life. And how we do that matters. Inguz, in the Outcome position, represents the seed, or beginning of life..in short, creation. As co-creators with Source or God, we can create a world of duality and all its ego-related problems, or we can create a world that expresses the Perfect Oneness of All That Is. We exist in Reality as One Mind. This universe is a projection of our Collective Consciousness that has our attention at the moment. Inguz represents the continuing process of creation within that projection. When we prefer duality as a basis for creation, we tend to make quite a mess of things. With duality, the outcome is seemingly up for grabs. In Oneness, it's assured.

Runes give us pause. They make us consider a perspective that can improve how we relate to the world. I see them as remembrance of spiritual truth which we can then use to extend love and unity to everyone, making every encounter a holy one.

~ Blessed Be!

Note:  The above quote, as always, was from A Course in Miracles. Foundation for Inner Peace. 2007

Sunday Runecasting

Today's runecasting brought forth (left to right) Thurisaz, Uruz, and Dagaz. A three-rune casting involves Issue, Action and Outcome. Runes are broken down into three categories or Aetts. Both Thurisaz and Uruz are from the first Aett that deals with our own personal development as well as how we relate and integrate into the larger community surrounding us. Dagaz, is from the third and last Aett which deals with universal law, truth and ultimately, our true Reality. In short, today's runecasting reflects the process we go through to awaken.

Drawing Thurisaz as the Issue rune, suggests that there may be some assumptions or beliefs that need reassessing. Powerful in its nature, Thurisaz indicates that focus and intention are necessary to look clearly upon whatever is standing in the way of our personal growth. Uruz, in the Action position, is considered to be the rune of becoming and survival, but it doesn't always accept challenges well, so drawing Thurisaz gives us the protection and encouragement we need to cast aside old patterns of behavior that create separation from others and a lack of peace in ourselves. Uruz illustrates that our lives are always in flux and at times, immediate action is necessary for either our physical or emotional survival. Thurisaz suggests that judgment isn't always the answer, giving us the push we sometimes need to face up to what's troubling us as well as to make the changes we need for growth. 

Dagaz sits in the Outcome position of the runecasting. It speaks of our essential Reality as part of the Oneness of God. Our entire reason for existing in this projection we call a world, is to remember we are part of that eternal Oneness. We are projected Thought and a part of our Mind is here, experiencing the idea of duality, which actually doesn't exist at all. We have created the idea of time and all that goes with it, to experience again and again, the drama of being in human form. Because it feels real, it is real to us. Dagaz represents the Collective Mind that sits outside of time, observing all that is going on in this projection. The Collective Mind could, at any time, choose to stop looking at this world and simply remain part of the Mind of God, but for whatever reason, we're not done yet. Dagaz reminds us that as our fully conscious and natural state, our spiritual awakening is the only outcome possible . It's the Mind's final rejection of the ego and the remembrance of our Oneness that results in our awakening.

Sometimes we need a swift kick in the behind to wake up to what we already know. We can play out the drama, or we can see the essential holiness in others. And whether or not we accept it, our time here is always a journey back to Oneness. And that's pretty cool when you think about it..

~ Blessed be.

Revealing ourselves..

“The first time someone shows you who they are, believe them.” ― Maya Angelou

I love Maya Angelou. And she's right. It would save so much drama and heartache if we would only pay attention to what people show us instead of what we want to see. Behavior can be telling, but should that be the only factor that we consider? It's the "who they are" part that's open to interpretation and for me, the most important factor involved. Because when we know that, everything becomes clear.

We can't change other people. But what we can do is change how we view them, and then, with any luck, respond more positively in difficult situations. We're a disparate group that, in reality, are One. We struggle in an effort to preserve our individuality, when we should drop resistance and embrace each other as the same. We can choose to see the drama where, as individuals, we are at odds with each other, or we can choose to see Oneness where none of the drama exists. Illusion versus Reality. If we know who we really are in truth, then the drama expressed is part of a painful illusion we've both chosen to experience.

The notion that what we see as life in this world is actually a projection of our collective mind can be daunting to consider let alone accept. It not only challenges current religious teaching on the subject, but also turns the idea of God creating this world on its head. But that's what A Course In Miracles does. We created this world by thinking we could be separate from God. It explains that our only real choice is to continue focusing on the projection, or awaken to the fact that we are still One. Hell or Heaven. It's not that we vanish from this world when we awaken to this..because we don't. We simply see things differently, choosing to see through a holy vision versus an ego vision. We look upon the world without judgment, staying removed from the drama that pulls us back into the illusion of individuality. Since our Minds are joined as One, as each of us begins to respond this way, all receive the blessing, or miracle as the Course says, whether or not they actively participate.

Each of us is responsible for our own reactions to negativity others may express. As unpleasant as the situation is, if we engage with others in a similar way, it keeps our focus on the projection instead of Reality. The question is, do we focus on illusion or Truth? If we know that we are actually part of the Oneness of God, and that what we see is a projection or dream, we should understand that our hostile brother is in pain, or his hostility wouldn't be possible. He's focusing on the illusion instead of Perfect Oneness where only Love exists. We should extend love and kindness, and if that's not possible at the moment, we need to stay in the present, in the now, and not react at all. It only keeps the expression of pain going in the other person. The situation ratchets up, and so does justification on all sides. If a problem truly exists, then it has to be viewed dispassionately so that a solution can be found. Staying present in the moment can create the space for that to happen. Negative emotion dissipates in the extension of love. And isn't that what people in pain really need?

We reveal ourselves in every moment we spend here. We offer opportunities to everyone to either engage in the drama of illusion or in the presence of Perfect Oneness. We can judge, or we can love. That's our only free will..our freedom to choose right-mindedness over ego-mindedness. When I first heard Maya Angelou's quotation above, I thought it meant that I should pay attention and not set myself up for heartache by engaging with people who clearly don't have my best interests at heart. Although I still think that's probably a good idea, it's less clear cut now. Instead of believing the behavior we see as the only factor involved, we can see the pain that exists behind the behavior. We can view this projection as a place where we practice forgiveness and love, or we can view it as a battlefield.

The question then becomes: what would happen if we each chose to step away from the battlefield?

Thought creates form..

Thought creates form. That's easily understood when you hear a beautiful song or see a priceless painting. We understand that the songwriter or painter was inspired and from that inspiration arose a wonderful creation. Our efforts to live together as one don't always inspire wonderful creations. But they do offer us a classroom of sorts, with the ultimate goal of seeing holiness in everyone.

Choosing to see holiness instead of what others present to us feels odd at first, especially when the other person is behaving in a hurtful manner. We're used to justifying our own responses based upon the actions of others. How do we see past their projection and respond with love instead of judgment? For me, it helps to go into every moment with forgiving intention. Or I should say, it's my goal each time. I fail often. But when I don't, it's such an awesome feeling. To stay in the Holy Instant with people is amazing. After experiencing it even one time, I feel compelled to do that again. It's so much better than living in drama where few, if any, real solutions exist.

The Course teaches that what we see in others is either an expression of love or a call for it. When people are difficult, that's clearly a call for love, so why would we respond with judgment or attack? If that person were our child, we would naturally try to figure out what's going on before concluding anything. In reality, we should feel that way about everyone.

It's not about religion, or which religion is right. It's about our reality in the Oneness that is God. That doesn't require any religion at all. It just is. We just are. If we are One in God, then we are also One here in this illusory projection we call life. In other words, we're family. Always have been, always will be. We should remember that.

So, back to thought creating form. How we think about things matters. Divisive thinking gives rise to punitive laws that serve no one. It allows governments to abuse their people as we've seen, for example, in Syria. It allows lawmakers in this country to not only refuse to extend federal unemployment benefits to those in our family still struggling to find work, but to also shut down the government in an effort to prevent people from taking advantage of the Affordable Care Act. We've waited forever for affordable health insurance, and yet conservatives mistakenly believe this is a terrible thing to have. 

Evidence of separation is all around us. It's an illusion, because we can never be separate from each other. It's not possible. We are one. We can choose to see separation or we can choose to see the truth, but we cannot change what is. Look around the world and what do you see? Conflict is everywhere. We come up with endless reasons to be separate when the only way forward is together. We must stop putting people in their so-called proper place in life. It's never proper for them..only for us. And while we're at it, we must stop thinking in terms of us versus them. There is no them. There is only us. What affects you, affects me. Always.

So what form should our thoughts manifest? Oneness, of course. The love that comes from that transcends any petty conflict and drama we've chosen to create. Awakening to Oneness is our means of rejecting the separation we have chosen to see in this life, and instead, seeing only God in everyone. 

We change our minds and we change everything. Do we create a world where love is abundant, or do we keep creating division among us? My preference is love..

Sunday Runecasting..

Before I begin, I wanted to talk about the amethyst rune set I used today. Typically I use a set I made from an apple wood branch from my backyard. I felt compelled to use the amethyst set today and after pulling the runes that I did, I understand why. Amethyst is a stone of protection and spirituality. It brings a sense of inner peace and helps attract positive energy while dispelling negative energy. Since I tend to absorb energy if I don't shield properly, wearing amethyst is helpful in that regard. 

Today, I pulled Wunjo, Ehwaz, and Fehu. I rarely pull Wunjo, and since it's a positive omen, I was eager to begin my interpretation. Wunjo represents joy, and a feeling of connectedness to others. It signifies friendship and shared identity with others. In a three rune spread, we have issue, action, and outcome. Wunjo suggests that awakening to our oneness with others will result in our collective joy.

Ehwaz emphasizes cooperation, teamwork, partnership and love. It suggests extending love and unity to others, seeing in them their holiness instead of reacting with ego-mindedness. We accomplish this by remaining in the present and refusing to allow the illusory past to influence that moment, preventing the judgment that typically happens. Instead, by choosing love and forgiveness, we further awaken as we join with our brothers and sisters, instead of judging and attacking them.

The result is Fehu, or wealth. Of course, it's not monetary wealth, but true spiritual wealth which occurs when we awaken to the fact that we are part of the collective Oneness that is God. Fehu also indicates freedom as well, which this awakening also represents. Abandoning judgment, we are free to choose a more loving way of seeing each other. Monetary wealth doesn't reflect this. True wealth is reflected in our Oneness.

We begin in joy..choose to see holiness in everyone..resulting in our true wealth in the Oneness of God.. What a lovely rune spread!

A Great Teacher has Returned Home..

Yesterday was a big deal for two reasons:

Ken Wapnick passed yesterday. He was there from the beginning of A Course in Miracles. He knew Helen Schucman and William Thetford. Helen received the revelation and Bill transcribed it. Ken and his wife Gloria introduced the Course to the world. Although I have never met any of them, by making the Course available, my life was changed forever.

The other thing that happened yesterday was I finally finished the text of A Course In Miracles. It only took thirty years or so. I would only get through half of it and then I'd become sidetracked by life. I could have finished it Thursday, but I decided to wait. I didn't have any real reason for that, and when it only took a few minutes yesterday to finish, I was irritated at myself for slacking off. I thought, well this is fitting. It was then that I discovered Dr. Wapnick had died. And then I knew why I waited. What better tribute to pay to someone than to study a message he so selflessly spent his life sharing with all.

I believe strongly in synchronicity. It reflects the oneness that defines us all. The Course presents oneness as our reality. The world as we see it now is simply an elaborate illusion that we relive again and again until we don't need to anymore. It's a dream that we believe is reality. The Son looked away from the Father only for an instant. It was over and done with as soon as it happened. That notion alone can be a bridge too far for many. And yes, it defines the "Son" a little differently. Instead of an individual, the Son is all of us. However, I'm one of those out of the box thinkers so I was not deterred by any of that. The world had always seemed surreal at best anyway, so it essentially clarified things for me. I didn't realize back then that I was an empath, but it didn't stop me from functioning as one. So the Course seemed a natural extension to how I already experienced the world. 

As the cliche goes, we're spirit having a human experience. We are misdirected Thought in various stages of awakening from the dream. As the veil lifts, we awaken to the understanding that we are indeed home where our Creator has never left us. Sin, according to the Course, is of the world and is an illusion of our own making. Instead, it's error, which can always be forgiven. No one is condemned to hell. We are presented with continual opportunities to forgive instead of attacking each other. It's our choice what we do while we're here. When our bodies stop functioning, we remain as we always have been..in oneness with each other and in oneness with the Creator. It's odd we don't seem to embrace that while our bodies exist. We can see evidence of that everywhere. But when we do, there will be no further need for the world. 

In the last chapter of the text, the Course exhorts us to "choose once again". It reminds us that in every encounter we have the opportunity to choose to see holiness instead of sin, heaven instead of hell. We have the opportunity to choose forgiveness over attack. We can, indeed, choose once again. And as we do, we stay in the oneness, the Holy Instant, where time doesn't exist and love is all there is.

In honor of Ken, here are the last four paragraphs of the text:

Let us be glad that we can walk the world, and find so many chances to perceive another situation where God's gift can once again be recognized as ours! And thus will all the vestiges of hell, the secret sins and hidden hates be gone. And all the loveliness which they concealed appear like lawns of Heaven to our sight, to lift us high above the thorny roads we travelled on before  the Christ appeared. Hear me, my brothers, hear and join with me. God has ordained I cannot call in vain, and in His certainty I rest content. For you will hear, and you will choose again. And in this choice is everyone made free.

I thank You, Father, for these holy ones who are my brothers as they are Your Sons. My faith in them is Yours. I am as sure that they will come to me as You are sure of what they are, and will forever be. They will accept the gift I offer them, because You gave it me on their behalf. And as I would but do Your holy Will, so will they choose. And I give thanks for them. Salvation's song will echo through the world with every choice they make. For we are one in purpose, and the end of hell is near.

In joyous welcome is my hand outstretched to every brother who would join with me in reaching past temptation, and who looks with fixed determination toward the light that shines beyond in perfect constancy. Give me my own, for they belong to You. And can You fail in what is but Your Will? I give You thanks for what my brothers are. And as each one elects to join with me, the song of thanks from earth to Heaven grows from tiny scattered threads of melody to one inclusive chorus from a world redeemed from hell, and giving thanks to You.

And now we say "Amen." for Christ has come to dwell in the abode You set for Him before time was, in calm eternity. The journey closes, ending at the place where it began. No trace of it remains. Not one illusion is accorded faith, and not one spot of darkness still remains to hide the face of Christ from anyone. Thy Will is done, complete and perfectly, and all creation recognizes You, and knows You as the only Source it has. Clear in Your likeness does the light shine forth from everything that lives and moves in You. For we have reached where all of us are one, and we are home, where You would have us be. T-VIII. v.9-12 pp 668-69

Excerpt from A Course in Miracles. Combined Volume. 3rd Edition. Foundation for Inner Peace. 2007 

 

 

Today's Runecasting..Dagaz, Hagalaz, Uruz

In today’s runecasting, I cast  Dagaz, Hagalaz and Uruz. Dagaz suggests a shift in awareness or perspective, as well as increased growth. Hagalaz, a rune of transformation, illustrates that not everything is within our control and sometimes forces are at work that seem to destroy. But not all destruction is negative per se. Sometimes destruction is necessary so that new growth can take place.  Uruz suggests creation or rebirth, so it’s easy to see the message from the runecasting today.

All around us we see a quickening of the world. We’re seeing a shift in perspective take place. Oneness is our reality. Old beliefs are being cast aside, replaced by beliefs of inclusion. But the pull to remain the same, as evidenced in Hagalaz, is everywhere. We see it in our many conversations about how we can live together in love and unity.  We seem to be confused about our role in this life. Another child died in Colorado at the hand of her stepfather, a terrible accident to be sure..yet we haven’t yet agreed that we can stop this without losing who we are, when in fact, in doing so, we actually embrace who we are.  Our oneness. And that’s the rebirth Uruz suggests. A rebirth that will heal our world, filled with compassion, love and unity. A rebirth that will let us all remember that we are one family and that each of us is necessary.

The push toward progressive thinking, the new Pope's inclusive nature, the growing rejection of the surveillance state, the rejection of war, the outrage at how women are treated in this country and around the world, along with all the attitudes that strive to keep oppression in charge, all represent this conversation we're having. The push and pull of right thinking versus wrong thinking; of unity versus division are part of our rebirth as a loving creation.

We haven’t lost our way..we only forgot for a while.