The Bare Necessities of Life
Norse Runes for Daily Living
If you have never had the chance to look up old norse runes - I will tell you what you need to know. Without diving into the religion of the runes, or the divination process, I will only show you how I think that the runes spell out 24 basic needs of life for each young person growing up in this world.
Come closer and listen, young one.
Life can be just simply living on auto-pilot, we call this “bio” life - it’s just breathing. But “zoe” life is purposeful, intentional, meaningful and delicious. We should aspire for both. The runes are organized into three parts of your life. First, is the creation, second the transformation and third, the ascension. This means that in life, you begin, you change and then you rise above to a new level - possibly to do the same cycle all over again.
Creation Runes
FEHU - Stuff - we all need stuff, wealth, possessions. I think that each child has his/her toys surrounding the playroom. We need stuff, of course, materialism is only the worst version of things. However, without our wealth, we are poor. So, take care of your stuff, because without it, we are unskilled and useless.
URUZ - Willpower - we need an inner voice; one that says, “I’m here and I matter”. We need a way to say “I want” and “I am”, without folding into the mess of humanity. Selfishness is the worst version of willpower, but without it, we have no spine. Children learn this in the “terrible twos” where their willpower comes online. Without our will, we are spineless and unambitious.
THURISAZ - Weapon - we need a way to defend ourselves. Children get into fights, physically or verbally, whatever the culture deems as appropriate. We need a way to stop violence, whether it is a tool, or our body, or tongue - we need a way to stand up and fight. I’ll reflect on this more, because I think of all the runes, this one gets massively overlooked because we fear violence, we fear individualism. But without weapon, we are defenseless and weak.
ANSUZ - Voice - while our voice can be a weapon, if needed, primarily, our voice is a way to express, communicate, and use language to bridge the divide between us. The voice helps build relationships, and helps bring what’s inside out to share such as emotions, thoughts and desires. Without a voice, we are dumb and stifled.
RAIDHO - Path - journeys, travels, the path you are walking. By now, you are ready to know “what are you doing with your life”. You sense your destiny, your calling from God and respond to it with those first bold actions. We all need a purpose, meaning for our lives, to remind us that our own two feet are walking the path, nobody else walks it for us. Without the path, we are directionless and lost.
KENAZ - Knowledge - now we learn, we assimilate memories, experiences and knowledge into wisdom, or applied experience. We have insights and major realizations about the world, our families, and ourselves. Without knowledge, we stumble in the darkness of ignorance, barely knowing why we put one foot in front of the other, without knowledge, we are dull and ignorant.
GEBO - Gift - the law of reciprocity is summed up in this rune, this lesson of life and youth. What you sow, you reap. Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. A generous man may prosper for in blessing others, you bless yourself. Also, it feel really great to give and receive without any compensation except for love. Gifts of time, our stuff, our defense, and everything we have won so far helps us build relationships. Without gifts, we are disconnected and isolated.
WUNJO - Party - like a graduation, youth culminates here in celebration. After achievement, we should party. After work, we should play. Wunjo is a vital part of life, not only a reward, but a necessity for a fulfilled life. Taken too far, wunjo results in unfettered libations and waste, but still the principle stands - we must enjoy our life or suffer under its burdens. Celebration lightens the load and reminds us why we struggle. Without party, we are sad and discouraged.
There are two more levels of life - transformation and ascension. Look for the other 16 runes down in the next two posts. Remember that these runes are ancient words telling us what is important in life, so as not to live simply the “bio” of life, but also the “zoe” - the vibrant, animated life of the spirit. May your story continue.