Divination Articles

Road to Runes

Reconnecting to Spirituality

 

I recently had to write a little bit about divination for the Pagan Federation, and I realised that my regular practice had become, well, not so regular. For many months, I was drawing a card or a rune daily, and even taking an in-depth course on Ogham with the Irish Pagan School. However, I’d allowed myself to become bogged down in “day job” work and other commitments, and wasn’t utilising the tools at my disposal. What better prompt to get back into my journey learning the runes than this! And, what better question than, “How do I reconnect to my spiritual practice and ensure I’m not neglecting it?”

I mulled over the question, letting it fill my mind, then pulled two runes from my bag. They were Raidho and Dagaz – please note, Dagaz is shown on its end here and is usually the other way around.

 

 

Raidho

This is the Riding rune, the rune that reminds us of the dangers of standing still: uncertainty, inaction, and stagnation. Something needs to change, or there may be a journey ahead in order to accomplish goals. It can also simply mean to get moving, to get on with something, and to avoid hesitation. This may mean breaking from habits that hold us back, or moving onto another path that’s more beneficial to us.

This rune is one of movement, of traveling, and I feel like this is very pertinent to my question. I’ve stalled on my path, and am allowing obstacles to pile up in front of me. I can traverse them, with some will and the right motivation.

Read more about Raidho here.

 

Dagaz

The last time I pulled Dagaz was after leaving my office job and committing to life as a fulltime writer. Dagaz, at that time, indicated a breakthrough, just like the breaking of day that the rune is named for. Could it be similar in this context? I guess I’m searching for a breakthrough, a way to reconnect to the things I love while maintaining my other commitments. Possibly, though, this rune is more connected here to awakening, my own realization of my shortcomings here, and the hope that there is a solution – light, after the darkness.

Of course, as with any divination, it’s important to consider the answers together. We always look for patterns and connections, rather than considering any one aspect in isolation. For me and my question, it seems that the runes may be indicating that I’m on a journey to awakening, and that I need to take the steps one at a time – ride the path, rather than sitting by and waiting for time to return to me. I have to take action and carve out my own needs in the midst of mundane commitments, and that will result in the breakthrough I require.

What did you think of this interpretation of these two enigmatic runes? Would they mean something different to you? Look out for our review of Taking Up The Runes by Diana L Paxson in this issue of PaganPagesOrg, if you’re interested in books that can teach you more about rune magic and divination.

 

Recommended rune resources:

The Knotty Occultist

https://dro.dur.ac.uk/1053/

 

Recommended Norse/Heathen resources:

https://skaldskeep.com/

https://fjorns-hall.com/

Books and columns by Morgan Daimler and Dagulf Loptson provide a good mix of tradition, lore, and modern practice.

Always be mindful when reading rune interpretations online or even in popular books. Some runes and other Norse symbols have been co-opted by the alt-right and far-right, so use discernment and avoid sources based on fascist ideals.

 

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About the Author:

Mabh Savage is a Pagan author, poet and musician, as well as a freelance journalist and content creator. She’s a nature-based witch, obsessed with Irish and British Paganism and Folklore, plus she’s a massive plant nerd. She’s also a long-time Hekate devotee and a newbie Lokean. She works extensively with the UK Pagan Federation, including editing their bi-annual children’s magazine. Mabh is a passionate environmentalist and an advocate for inclusiveness and positive social transformation.

Mabh is the author of A Modern Celt: Seeking the Ancestors,  Pagan Portals – Celtic Witchcraft: Modern Witchcraft Meets Celtic Ways, and most recently, Practically Pagan: An Alternative Guide to Planet Friendly Living. Search “Mabh Savage” on Spotify and @Mabherick on all socials.