Category Archives: Gebo

February 11, 2010

Gebo

Gebo is the letter G (as in go)

Anglo-Saxon Rune Poem (from ragweedforge.com)

Generosity brings credit and honour, which support one’s dignity;
it furnishes help and subsistence
to all broken men who are devoid of aught else

Gebo is translated as generosity or as gift. A significant part of the social structure of northern European peoples was based upon the giving of gifts between men. It is essentially, the social contract that bound people together into communities.

Esoterically speaking, Gebo is this exchange on any level. It is a rune of relationship and parternership, whether it is romantically, economically, intellectually or spiritually. Depending upon the context of the question it shows a give and take that is necessary for the coming together. Sometimes you get to be in the receiving position, sometimes you need to be the one giving and showing generosity. By coming into this exchange, you can gain in honor and dignity, values which have a metaphysical impact as well as social one. It is a complex subject, but in general, living your life with honor and integrity gives a person spiritual force and power born of respect because they do what they say, and keep their word. This can even be developed in complete isolation from other people, and the spiritual realms will recognize it. Dignity, however, does require people. It is not being dignified, but rather having the appreciation of the people who are close to you. While there will always be (and always has been) people who will gossip, and engage in rumor and innuendo, they don’t matter here. The people who are close to you, close friends, close family, who know they can depend on you (or not) and that you can depend on them (or not) creates that dignity. Raven Kaldera calls this hamingja. Gebo is the rune of hamingja and honor (which Mr. Kaldera calls maegen) both, and the benefits of that that value exchange between people. The gift of this results in what people might call luck.

Week of Jan 31 – Feb 6

Gar

Gar doesn’t have a letter equivalent, although it could be the letter g (even though Gebo already occupies that role)

There is no rune poem for Gar

The word Gar translates as spear. Raven Kaldera sees it as the spear of the All-Father, his mark upon the runes, claiming his action which brought the runes into this world. The spear is also an epithet of Yggdrasil is also indicated by Mr. Kaldera.
As Yggdrasil, it is a rune of possibility and connection, a doorway that leads to all places. There is also a value of it as the replacement of the “blank rune” used in some practices. It isn’t blank, but rather represents the cosmic “sit tight and hold on” value that things are happening around you, and you need to be in the moment. I sense of similar meaning, but it has more to do with being in that moment, and as all things now are a clear slate for you, the actions you take can lead to anywhere, instead of responding and interacting with things that you have already done. As Yggdrasil is the axis of creation, it has infinite potential and possibility, growing into all worlds, rooted in all worlds. Yggdrasil itself however it is not changed in it’s nature from the worlds, but rather holds stead and balanced, even though imbalance can rage around it. From that center, take action, and shape the maelstrom around you.