Today my daughter and I are performing a song for two dear friends who are renewing their wedding vows on their 50th wedding anniversary. Mannaz came to me this morning as a perfect reminder of the joy we experience through the vehicle of music created in partnership.
Music is certainly a vehicle that carries our hopes and dreams, our pain and fear, our success and joy. And when two or more make music together something magical happens. The music lifts us to a place we could not reach alone.
We “play” music. That is how connected music is to joy. And the rune Mannaz looks like two Wunjo (joy) runes facing each other–as if they are ready to dance. And that is another way that we experience and embody music. Musicians move to the rhythm and phrasing of the music that they play. If fact, if they are having difficulty with a section of music–moving more may actually help them to flow right through that passage.
Music is supposed to fun. The key is to relax into it and just love who you are playing with and who you are playing for. Not a problem today!
I am on the train, journeying to Seattle to Angie and Tim’s wedding. It is grey and misty outside but I still wore my requested sundress. I have lived in the NW all my life and I know there could still be sun by 3pm today. But as I journey I am thinking of two runes I have been posting about already–Raido and Gebo; the journey and the gift. I am creating bindrunes and combined them together as a symbol of the wedding journey. It is an illustration of not only the journey that brought them together, but the journey ahead for the rest of their lives. Raido + Gebo = Wunjo wrapped up in a bow. (See the picture illustrating this equation and bindrune)
Bindrunes can be very powerful. When you combine 2 or more runes you often create other runes at the same time. In this bind rune Wunjo became prominent. There is also Kenaz–in reference to a wedding it speaks to a new “kenning” or intimate knowingness, and a new chapter in the kin–the family. (A nod to the joy of sexual union as well)
As I charge this bindrune I know only happiness and joy for Angie and Tim as they continue this journey of love: knowing that they are blessed by giving of themselves and receiving from each other along the way.
Blessings on their wedding day!
I am sitting at the bus stop waiting for the next bus. It is a busy day, yet I am in a moment of stillness. I look around me and note that there are hemlock and pine trees sharing my space. The trees are a manifestation of Isa with their straight trunks and rooted stillness.
Summer is all about growth, fruits, play and action. But in the center of it all is stillness and calm. I have a moment of reflection and feel the nudge of the Goddess. “All is good, all is well. Enjoy the Life you have been given; right now just as it is. Perfection.”
Under the tree I feel the coolness and remember Isa’s frosty winter bite. I appreciate the stillness she brings to the middle of a hectic day. Hail ISA!
I have been surrounded by the spirit of Raido this week. Raido is about the journey and the paths you travel. The city is working on the road in front of my house, and in front of my work. Pretty funny to have barriers leaving home and entering work; or leaving work and entering home. OK, maybe not funny at all—but I do have to pause before I enter and leave the road twice a day. And in being forced to pause as part of the journey, I realize the value in doing just that.
I love that the runes look like whatever they symbolize. Doesn’t Raido look just like a person in mid-step—walking forward? Easy for me to begin to think about all that goes with traveling; preparing by planning the route, taking along the tools and supplies you need, determining how long it will take and when you will be able to return home, do I need a companion on this journey? In today’s language it might look like: do I have my Garmin or other directions/maps; cellphone, water, snacks, music; get a pet sitter, or put a hold on the mail; call to tell my friend I’m on the way to pick them up. Even going to work requires the same thought processes: the road construction requires I take a different route to work to save time; remember my lunch, cellphone, and files; do I need to put dinner in the crockpot because it will be a long day; or set something out to thaw to cook when I get home; am I carpooling today or on my own? Haven’t we all had those days we are in a hurry and forget something that ends up taking us longer? Raido is not just the action of moving forward; but contains the whole picture—planning, movement, and arrival.
Raido corresponds with the Chariot tarot card; number 7 of the major arcana. It often depicts a person in a chariot or other conveyance pulled by two similar animals, one light and one dark—often looking to the opposite of the the card. Themes for the card are the struggle between choices, control of your destiny, focused direction, overcoming obstacles, self-control, mastery of your desires, clarity of purpose. In the Gaian Tarot my dear friend Joanna Powell Colbert has chosen the the Canoe as the image to portray taking control of ones destiny. With the runes being a tool used by the Norse ancestors who traveled so extensively by water, the canoe image resonated with me. I even created a tarot spread designed to give me insight on what I might need to know on my journey. Try it using either tarot cards or runes, the questions and spread design follow:
1 RUNE/CARD
3 RUNE/CARD 5 RUNE/CARD 4 RUNE/CARD
2 RUNE/CARD
Card 1
Eagle’s view–What is the big picture? What inspires me? What makes the journey worth it?
Card 2
Salmon’s gift–What wisdom, deep knowledge or truth supports me on my journey?
Card 3
First Orca– What slows me down?What barriers must I overcome to reach my destination? What am I clinging to in my past that hinders me? What am I afraid of?
Card 4
Second Orca–What causes me to rush? What lesson will I miss if I hurry too fast? What opportunity am I limiting with too narrow a focus?
Card 5
Me– What must I do to glide forward effortlessly into my right and perfect future? What allows me to reach my destination with ease and joy?
Summer is certainly a time for travel. Spend some time with Raido soon, and see how you journeys become more fun, efficient, purposefulll—especially if the purpose is to enjoy the ride!!
