Monthly Archives: October 2010

October – Ior


Ior

Ior is the dipthon “io”

Anglo-Saxon Rune Poem (from ragweedforge.com)

Ior is a river fish and yet it always feeds on land;
it has a fair abode encompassed by water, where it lives in happiness

Ior is the rune for October, which I find to be fitting and appropriate. In most of modern European lore (starting from the fall of Rome forward) the time following the autumnal equinox until the first part of spring, was a time when the spirits of the dead became more active. Some see it as the veil between worlds opening. In other views, it has to do with the increased darkness, allow the revenants who lay in their barrows to move about longer and more freely, then the brighter months of spring and summer.
As Ior represents being in the liminal point, standing in the boundary between things, it is a key sign for being in the boundary between life and death, and thus being able to communicate or interact with both, and yet be tied to neither. The role often required by many people from many cultures, was one who could communicate between the living and the dead, and to help the relationship between them. Sometimes it would happen in families. Other times, a trained specialist would be required who can help navigate the challenges that the living faced, especially during the darker days.

October 1, 2010 – Eihwaz


Eihwaz

Eihwaz is a long “i” sound, but it is rarely used in script.

Anglo-Saxon Rune Poem (from ragweedforge.com)

The yew is a tree with rough bark,
hard and fast in the earth, supported by its roots,a guardian of flame and a joy upon an estate

Eihwaz is the yew tree, one of the trees that embodies Yggdrasil, and the tree most often identified with the Underworld, and the realms of the dead. Combining those to symbolic qualities, it is a rune of connection, the secret and dark passages and influences that connect people, places and things, the occult bonds that speak of the Unity that exists, but is not always obvious to the untrained eye and untaught mind.

September 30, 2010 – Khalk


Khalk

Khalk is the letter K

There is no rune poem. Khalk is a Northumbrian Rune.

The appearance of Khalk gives me the impression that the fires of Cweorth are starting to burn out. As Khalk is the cup, containing within it various liquids, whether it be the waters of life, the mead of inspiration, or maybe even the milk of human kindness, it’s still a liquid, a contrast to the fiery powers at work this week.

The cooling powers of Khalk, a refreshing and rejuvenating tonic, that cools the fires within, quenching them, and giving rest and peace, at least for a moment. One can’t burn all the time.