Personal revelations in Runic studies

I confess I was happy in my comfort zone. For nearly 20 years I was content. I studied runic authors who spoon fed me. Gave me lists of meanings (complete with “keywords”) that I merely had to memorize. Then all I had to do was run through a list and plug in the appropriate meaning for any circumstances. Easy. Simple. One dimensional.

But for the last year or so I’ve found a new batch of authors who have a different approach. They quote the Rune Poems and give an overview of potential meanings. And then they encourage me through thought provoking questions and requiring me to meditate to come up with my own list of meanings. A lot more work for me to be sure but much more rewarding.

I’m finding myself using the intuitive side of my brain in regards to the runes. Before I really only was using the analytical side. Keeping my studies focused on the clear hard interpretations given by an author. But now I was finding new freedom in coming up with my own meanings. Through concentrated meditation thoughts were blooming. I was allowing and trusting my own processes in learning.

Certainly a lot of my meanings were influenced by the studying I had done all those years. I couldn’t break totally free of my past ways of thinking. But a lot of the meanings came more solidly from the Lore. A lot were jazz rifts on the Poems. All of it is eye openly freeing.

I’m not totally sure where this new approach will lead me. I do know that from now on I will rely more on my own discoveries. No more lists of memorized meanings for this vitki!

Author: vitkimusings

A fifty-something Vitki living in the suburbs of Chicago. Follower of the Nordic Path for the last fifteen years. Student of runes for the last 23 years and seidr for the last seven years. Always learning and growing! View all posts by vitkimusings