Runes: "Double Chevron" Spread

An explanation of Runes (opens new window)

For the third reading, I used another spread from Krasskova’s book. The Double Chevron spread, which consists of two intertwined “V’s,” helps people to look into the Well of the Wyrd and uncover any spiritual influences that are in their lives. In this spread, Runes 6, 7, and 8 intersect Runes 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 at Runes 2 and 4. The corner Runes 1, 5, 6, and 8 are the external influences on the questioner. The interior Runes 2, 3, 4 and 7 are the internal influences coming from the questioner.

 My question for the Runes was “Do you have any guidance for me about my brain injury.” I am at a crossroads on what my direction in life should be now. I felt the need to consult the Runes about this.

 For the external influences, I drew (1) Dagaz, (5) Eihwaz, (6) Perthro and (8) Thurisaz. (Their traditional meanings are “day,” “horse,” “dice” and “thorn.”) Dagaz said to me to expect rapid change, and Eihwaz pointed out that the transformation will come from the Worlds. Perthro indicated that that source would be the Well of the Wyrd, whilst Thurisaz counseled that this would be a focused change.

 The internal influences were (2) Fehu, (3) Algiz, (4) Isa and (7) Hagalaz. (Their meanings are “wealth,” “elk,” “ice” and “hail” respectively.) Fehu told me of the connection from the Gods, one of which is protection (Algiz). Isa, to me, represented the dynamic interactions that are provided by having boundaries. Hagalaz told me again of the descent into the Realms of the Dead. As I go into those places, I will be protected with gifts from the Gods, which also includes firm boundaries.

From the entirety of the reading, I see that my injury placed me between the Worlds of the Dead and the Living, where I have a foot in both. My injury has transformed me and I must embrace it, instead of fighting it. Since public blogging is now an aspect of my new direction, I can be a voice for all the animals.

Runes: Three Rune layout, "Hammer Spread (9 Runes)"

I usually do my divination in the afternoon after I have my tea. The ritual of afternoon tea puts me into a reflective frame of mind. After tea, I would cleanse my divination space, lay out my cloth, put crystals out for clarity of signal, and finally light a candle. After doing the Hammer Rite for protection, I arranged myself to do Runic divination. After asking my question, I would pull each Rune out of the bag. When I laid them on the cloth, I would ask the Norns to bless my reading.

 For the first divination, I did the Three Rune drawing. I asked, “What guidance can you give me about having a high profile blog?” I was nervous about blogging about animals on a public platform.

As I was shuffling the Runes in the bag, Uruz jumped out. I put that Rune aside; then I drew out Eihwaz, Gebo, and Kenaz. To interpret the Runes, I consulted Galina Krasskova’s book, “Runes: Theory and Practice.” The standard meanings for Eihwaz is “yew,” Gebo “gift,” Kenaz “torch,” and Uruz “strength.” Going deeper into the Runes themselves, Eihwaz became for me the Yggdrasil, the axis mundi of the Worlds, the World Tree itself. Gebo, then, is the gifts from the Gods, with the “X” indicating that we are acting in a partnership. Kenaz is now the spark of the Divine leading me. Uruz is important since it grounds these other Runes by establishing boundaries for Them to work in.

From these Runes, I formed the sentence for my reading: “From the World Tree, I am given the gift of connection with the Divine. Therefore I can write knowing that there are firm boundaries to protect me. The Runes answered my deeper issue of being able to deal with the public.

For the next two divinations, I used two spreads featured in Krasskova’s Rune book. However, now, I set up a small altar in my divination space. The Runes informed me that They were more than simply divination tools, and wanted to be accorded the proper respect. To explore in depth, about being in the public eye, I used the Hammer Spread. I asked, "What spiritual challenges are there for me for being so public." The Hammer Spread has Runes 1, 2, 3, 4, and 9 in a vertical line with Runes 5, 6, 7, and 8 crossing at Rune 4. Runes 1 through 4 are the spiritual lessons for me to learn, Runes 5 through 8 are the physical manifestations of this spiritual lesson. Rune 9 at the top is for anything else that the Runes may have to say.

The Runes detailing the spiritual lesson were (1) Wunjo, (2) Hagalaz, (3) Othala and (4) Algiz. (The traditional meanings for these Runes are “joy,” “hail,” “family estate” and “elk” respectively.) Wunjo, for me, is the mystical Tree working through me whilst Hagalaz is the shadow work with the Dead. (After my brain injury, I have been blogging about extinct animals.) Meanwhile Othala becomes the protective boundary that the Ancestors surround me with, strengthened by Algiz, for things of the spirit. These Runes are telling me that the Great Tree will bring forth my work with the Dead (including animals), with the protection of my Ancestors.

For the physical manifestations of this lesson, I drew Thurisaz, Ansuz, Gebo, and Uruz. (Traditional meanings are “thorn,” “God,” “gift” and “strength.”) I interpreted Thurisaz to mean swift and contained fortitude, with Ansuz, opening my voice. Gebo gives balance for my struggle, whilst Uruz gives me strength to transform. With fortitude, my voice will become balanced and strong.

 For Rune 9, I drew Tiewaz (“Tyr”), which means for me, “moral clarity.” When I blog, I should be scrupulous in what I write. The Hammer Spread helped me to gain insight in what was bothering me about blogging. I was counseled by the Runes to forge ahead in this endevour.

Me in the Tarot: Zodiac House Spread (1)

To get a feel of where I am today, I decided to use the Zodiac Spread. Reflecting on each of the Houses, I could review the various aspects of myself. This spread would give me a holistic reading of myself.

1. FIRST HOUSE: PHYSICAL SELF: Death (XIII)
Death (XIII) is appropriate for me. With my brain injury, I am going through a transition. My old life that I knew is over. I am now embarking on a new one.

2. SECOND HOUSE: VALUES AND SELF-ESTEEM: The Hermit (IX)
Like the Hermit (IX), I withdrew into my cave after my accident. Because of my shaking and stuttering, I feel alone. In my readings, the Hermit appeared three times reminding me of my solitude. However, I am still searching for the light as the Hermit (IX).
3. THIRD HOUSE: COMMUNICATION AND KNOWLEDGE: The Magician (I)
The Magician (I) reminds me that I am an alchemist. I can manifest much of what I need. Moreover, the Magician (I) showed up three times in my readings to remind me that I have the power to create a new life for myself.

4. FOURTH HOUSE: HOME AND FAMILY: The Knight of Wands
Dynamic and determined, I am also impetuous. My family call me “Squirrellie” because of this behaviour. In my readings, the Knights of the Minor Arcana have appeared ten times. They are there to remind me of my impulsive tendencies.

5. FIFTH HOUSE: CREATIVITY AND FUN: The High Priestess (II)
The High Priestess (II) does not seem to me to be a fun character. Perhaps, She has a wry sense of humour to appear here in this reading. I often think of the High Priestess (II) as Jane Austen, observing the world around her, and following her muse. She does encourage me to follow my intuition to play and enjoy myself.

6. SIXTH HOUSE: WORK AND RESPONSIBILITY: The Knight of Swords
I rush forward when I need to stop and think. Although I am confident, I am not ready to go out into the world just yet. If I go too quickly, I could reinjure myself by pushing my brain too much. The two Knights (Wands and Swords) gently remind me of my tendency to go first and ask questions later.
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Tarot Spread: Body Mind Spirit (2)

In the third reading, I asked what direction my business should take. I was a vendor selling my wares at various festivals. Since I could no longer do this, I asked what to do next. The cards that were dealt were the Nine of Pentacles, Ten of Wands and Knight of Cups. The Nine of Pentacles (body) indicated I could succeed in doing my business from home. Then Ten of Wands (mind) said for me to lay down my burden because my brain needed to heal. Meanwhile the Knight of Cups (spirit) indicated I would go on a quest and eventually find my way.

At this point, I asked what quest. The Eight of Pentacles and The Moon (XVII) were my answer. The Eight of Pentacles, in the Thoth Deck, is the Lord of Prudence. Then, The Moon (XVII) said to pay attention to my dreams.



In the fourth reading, I again asked for more details about my impending quest. The Ten of Wands, Knight of Swords, and Queen of Pentacles appeared. Building on the last reading, the Ten of Pentacles (body) basically said stop what you are doing. It is not your path to take. The Knight of Swords (mind) charged forward exclaiming “Let go! Ride the wind with me!” Then, the Queen of Pentacles (spirit) reassured me all will be well.

Tarot: Body Mind Spirit Spread (1)

Using the “Body-Mind-Spirit” Spread, I did four readings. (Because one reading left me with more questions, I drew two more cards after that reading for more illumination.) My overview of this spread is that it is a story in three chapters. The positions were further highlighted when the same cards appeared in two of the readings in different places.

In the first spread, I asked how I should deal with my brain injury. Because of it, I have problems of perception. The cards that were dealt were The Chariot (VII), Ace of Cups, and Seven of Wands respectively. The story, they told was to accept help and stop struggling by yourself. The Chariot (VII) (body) emphasised let yourself be carried forward. The Ace of Cups (mind) said allow yourself to be healed. And finally Seven of Wands (spirit) said stop struggling. (This card reminded me of fighting all by myself against the world.)



In my second reading, I asked how I could help my son in his college life. The Ace of Cups, Two of Pentacles, and Seven of Wands came up respectively. (The sex of the characters on the cards was important since they featured young men.) The Two of Pentacles (mind) suggested that he had to balance his body and spirit by himself. The Ace of Cups (body) suggested that I provide him with basic needs, so that he could fight his own battles. The Seven of Wands (spirit) emphasised that I need to get out of his way, and allow him to mature.

Finding Balance: Animal Oracle Cards

Earth Mother and Sky Father Spread

Finding Balance

(Two Cards)

For people familiar with the Tarot, working with animal wisdom cards is another way to find balance in your life. With the Earth Mother and Sky Father spread, you learn to balance your maleness with your femaleness. Think in terms of giving and receiving when you are shuffling and dealing the cards. In traditional cosmology, Sky is dominant and giving, and Earth subordinate and receptive.

Use your dominant hand as Sky Father and your other hand as Earth Mother. Right-handed people would have the right card be Sky Father while left-handed people would have Sky Father as the left card. Pull one card with each hand and place them side-by-side. Right-handed people will have Sky Father-Earth Mother; Left-handed: Earth Mother-Sky Father.

When reading the two cards, notice any special relationship of the animals such as predator-prey or alliances. Do the animals belong to the same species group? Do they live in the same environment? These are clues as to what is out of balance in your life. Ask the animals to help you regain your balance.


SAMPLE READING:

Deck: “Druid Animal Oracle” by Philip Carr-Gomm, Stephanie Carr-Gomm, and Bill Worthington

This deck contains twenty-five animals important in Celtic Lore. Using this desk will restrict you to only animals of the British Isles. Therefore, you will need to look for more subtle clues in the cards.

After shuffling the cards, you draw Badger as Sky Father and Owl as Earth Mother. What do you know about this pair? They are different species, but both are warm-blooded carnivores. However, one prefers life on the earth, while the other prefers the skies. Badger lives in setts dug into in the ground; Owl lives in stick nests fashioned in trees. However in Celtic lore, Badger is the Keeper of Traditions, while Owl is one of the sixth Oldest Animals of the world. Seemingly opposite animals are subtly joined as one under Celtic traditions.

What is interesting is about this pair is that a land mammal is Sky Father; a bird is Earth Mother. What is significant is that they are warm-blooded carnivores that possess ancient wisdom. Badger and Owl suggests that perhaps you have been in one place too long in your life. It is time to move on. Use the wisdom of Badger and Owl to decide where your life path needs to go.

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A Note On Handedness and Cards

Most people think in terms of “right” as dominant and male. Since “right” is traditionally associated with sun and light, people see “right” as the ‘yang’ side. “Left” is associated with darkness and night, and is the ‘yin’ side.

However, in using objects such as cards, handedness does matters. A left-hander goes to the left and sees the left as natural. This runs counter to traditional thinking, which labels left as “sinister”. However, left-handed people give with their left and receive with their right, which is the opposite of right-handedness. If you think in terms of receiving and giving, then handedness matters. In two and three card spreads, this is something to be considered, especially when direction matters. The hand you use is the dominant male hand.

In many cultures, left-handedness is viewed as a bad omen. In many places, the use of the left-hand is taboo. Left-handed people are forced to eat and write right-handed. In Tarot cards, the Devil is left-handed symbolizing Western cultural view on “left”.

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For a two card reading ($US 15) : contact me at animalteachers @ gmail.com.

Copyright: Virginia Carper, Animal Teachers Enterprises, 2008

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