Runecasting - 3 Rune Spread

I decided to do a three-rune spread today, which I haven't done in a while. I included some crystals that represent each of the runes I drew. Nauthiz - Apache Tears, Mannaz - an amethyst skull, merkaba and pyramid, and Algiz -  a Selenite sphere for its Moon Tarot correspondence. A three-rune spread suggests balance to me, which the crystals can help bring about.

Nauthiz, or need, represents absolute necessity, or that which we need to survive. It's the "doing whatever needs to be done" attitude. Nauthiz indicates as well the fundamental realities that govern our existence in the universe. And it also may reflect an inner struggle that arises when our needs conflict with our desires.

Mannaz, or humankind, illustrates the human condition..our intelligence, our memories. It's thought and the behavior which results. Mannaz suggests a progression, or return if you will, from our individuality back to our collective consciousness as we understand our collective reality.

Algiz, is represented by the White Elk, a symbol for our Higher Self. It facilitates the connection with the sacred space where alignment with Source is most felt..the divine sacred energy that connects us all.

I love synchronicity. It allows us to experience our connectedness as we go about our day. If we're all part of the same energy, it makes sense that we would experience this more and more as the frequency rises. The need to survive Nauthiz speaks of, is more than a physical survival. It's a spiritual one. It's a remembrance of why we're here in the first place, and what our real focus should be. Mannaz opens us up to that remembrance of our collective consciousness. And Algiz represents our inevitable alignment with Source. In effect, our most primal need is to remember who we are as an extension of Source. As we do that, we awaken to our true reality, our Higher Self.

The physical world is but a projection and at some point, we will have no choice but to acknowledge this. Our collective energy created this to experience duality. But that's all it is..an experience. It's not reality. Reality is reflected in today's runecast. As we begin to feel the resonance within, it will reflect in our outward behavior. And compassion will return, as we align with Source.

As I draw them, I never know what insight the runes will share. But I'm never disappointed. There's always something to learn, and in today's spread, remember.

~ Blessed Be the Runes! ✵☽✺☾✵

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?