The Giants’ Tarot, Raven Kaldera

Today’s Draw: Hrungnir/Seven of ands; Inguz; Fenris/The Devil.

Today will be many things, but jolly is not one of them. You have some serious issues to confront, and some very real problems to solve. Your frustration over the fact that some (or many, or most) of the problems are self-inflicted isn’t helpful. Admit that fact, and move on. If you try to deny it, or assign responsibility elsewhere, you will not make any progress.

Inguz brings the light and healing energy you need for today. Draw on Freyr’s energy of sacrifice and renewal to find real solutions to the very real problems you are dealing with.

Sacrificei is the key word here. What do you need to give up to move forward? A limiting belief, negative self-talk, a comforting yet destructive behavior? Whatever it is, let it go. It doesn’t help, even if it feels comforting and comfortable. It’s time–past time, actually–to release it and move on.

If you are new to working with bindrunes, I suggest you read the introductory bindrune post here, then return to this post to read about this specific bindrune.

We’re almost two weeks into the new calendar year, and this is the time where people start losing interest in their resolutions. The bindrune below focuses energy to help you make a gradual change, which is what most new year’s resolutions require–steady effort over a period of time to establish a new pattern of behavior.

Bindrune to Create Gradual Change: Ear, Dagaz

Ear (brown) and Dagaz (orange) combine to create this rune. Ear is the rune of Hela, death, and the grave. Hela’s energy can make this a heavy bindrune to work with, so be sure you are comfortable with Her presence, and are prepared to deal with Her. Hela tolerates no nonsense, and if you invoke this energy to help shift things in yourself and your life, She expects you to follow through.

This is where old habits go to die, slowly eroding in the waves of new energy you bring in with your new behaviors. You have to let the old behaviors go completely, let them die out of  your repertoire, so you can redirect that energy into cultivating the new behaviors (making better choices about how you spend your time or money, making better choices about what you eat and when, how much you move your body, etc.).

Dagaz is the rune of the inflection point, that momentary point of transition between morning and afternoon, day and night, light and dark. That energy expands as you practice your new behaviors, and each time you choose the new over the old, Dagaz grows more vibrant and creates a virtuous cycle of healing energy.

Sometimes, though, you just need something to shift right now. Not next week, not in a month, not as the result of a process. Energy is stuck, and something has to give–and it’s not going to be your sanity.

Bind Rune to Create Fast Change – Sowelu, Ior, Dagaz

A word of caution about this bindrune: Sowelu brings in the fiery energy of the sun, and just like the energy of the great star, it’s not always easily controlled. It will run where it wishes, and it will be as intense as it chooses to be. Dagaz, too, brings in the energy of transition, and, bolstered by Sowelu, can have unexpected results and unintended consequences. Ior sets boundaries and can help channel and direct these energies, so you want to draw Ior last to help lock down the energies of the other two runes.

Both bindrunes were done in colored pencil. I tried using my calligraphy markers, but the color combinations went muddy due to mixing, so I stuck with the colored pencils for these two.

You could also put a drop of lavender on the bindrune to clear your mind and calm your nerves as you go through these changes, or a drop of your favorite oil  on it to reinforce the energy with your personal scent.

And remember: be careful what you wish for–you might just get in, but not in the way you expect.

The Giants’ Tarot, Raven Kaldera

Today’s Draw: Rym/Ten of Wands; Ansuz, reversed; Hymir and Hrod/Five of Swords.

Rym returns from Sunday’s draw to see what progress you’ve made. How’s your to-do list coming along? All those things that you feel stuck with, that probably shouldn’t be your responsibility, but somehow they are–however much you resent or deny them doesn’t matter. They’re still your responsibility, and Rym isn’t going to let you forget or get away with not doing them. So you might as well get to it.

Ansuz reversed makes things more complicated. You may feel disconnected from yourself, discouraged, even depressed. You feel (and probably are) cut off from sources of support. Think of one thing you can do to reconnect, and do it. Even with all the extra stuff Rym has brought to your attention, you still have a responsibility to the Universe to take care of yourself.

Hymir and Hrod reappear in the Hidden Influence position, where they were yesterday. They are encouraging you to continue what you began yesterday, and reinforcing the message of Ansuz. Keep communicating,  keep reaching out, keep building those bridges. You need support and cooperation to deal with things, and the only way you’re going to receive that is by clearly communicating what you need and what your goals are.

Half the battle is knowing what needs to be done, and how it can be done.

The Giants’ Tarot, Raven Kaldera

Today’s Draw: Hyndla/The Hermit; Sol, reversed; Hymir & Hrod/Five of Swords.

Today is a good day to withdraw and spend the time in meditation and study. Since that’s not a reality for most of us, Hyndla’s presence tells you to go within in whatever manner possible. Today is not a day for experts or teachers. What you need is within you, and you need to take the time to go quiet, go within, and discover it.

Hymir and Hrod bring in the mental energy of the suit of swords. You need to be crystal clear in your thinking, and utterly honest, at least with yourself. Hyndla is not going to let you get away with delusional thinking–the consequences will be severe. Hymir and Hrod encourage you to deal with differences by finding some common ground, however small. Some bridge-building may be required, and whatever you can use as a foundation is a good start.

Sol reappears from yesterday, but reversed. That light and healing energy is dimmed. If you’re tired, don’t push yourself, and make the effort for self-care. You can’t build a bridge in the dark, or when you are tired, hungry, angry, or lonely. Progress may be slow, and perhaps painfully incremental, but that’s just how it is today. Do what you can, and no more.

The Giants’ Tarot, Raven Kaldera

Today’s Draw: Asvid/Hierophant; Sol; Ran/Queen of Cups.

However much  you know, there is always more to learn. Asvid suggests you find a teacher to help you through your current passage. Someone who has walked the path can help you navigate it with fewer surprises and more wisdom, so that you reach your destination more prepared for what you find there.

Ran’s net brings up emotions buried deep within you. Events you haven’t thought about in years, incidents you would just as soon forget, pain and loss and embarrassment and all of those other emotions we try to pretend don’t happen to us. But here they are, and you must deal with them.

Sol brings in the light and healing energy of the sun, illuminating what has been lurking in the watery depths. Once you can see your wounds clearly, you will be able to use Sol´s energy to heal yourself.

Learn what you need to heal yourself.

The Giants’ Tarot, Raven Kaldera

Today’s Draw: Rym/Ten of Wands; Inguz; Unn/Eight of Cups.

Yes, it is your job, man. Rym is here to remind you that even if you are tired, or don’t want to deal with it, even if you’re stuck cleaning up someone else’s mess, the Universe has decided it is your job to do, so get over yourself and get to work.

But it’s not all grim. Unn tells you that have the emotional reserves and awareness to manage what’s been handed to you, no matter how much of a mess it seems. She tells you that you have the personal knowledge from your own prior experience to work your way through this. It may take more time and effort than you want, but you are equal to this challenge.

Freyr, present in Inguz, brings light and hope. A sacrifice is required, and it’s probably not going to be an easy or pleasant one, at least at first. However, once you’ve given up whatever it is in order to move ahead and made some progress, you may find that you are actually relieved to be free of that old way of being, thinking, or living. The choices you make about what to let go and what to carry forward are your own–but you must choose something.

A great deal is working in your favor behind the scenes. Take a deep breath, do your part, and let the Universe do its part.

The Giants’ Tarot, Raven Kaldera

Today’s Draw: Loki/The Magician; Ehwaz, reversed and Nauthiz (Nauthiz added by choice); Beli/Knight of Swords.

Apparently, whatever you did yesterday was interesting enough for Loki to stick around and see what’s going to happen today. That may or may not be a good thing, depending on how well you get along with Him, and how well you deal with His Trickster energy.

Ehwaz also reappears from yesterday (yes, I *do* thoroughly mix the runes in the basket before the draw), but this time, reversed. Stop and think before you make a move. You may have made a lot of progress yesterday, or perhaps only apparent progress. Take the time to assess your new position and circumstances before jumping back on the horse.

And then there’s Beli, the Berserker, in the Hidden Influence position. Our clear thoughts can lead us to wise actions and great accomplishments. Our muddled thinking leads to impulsive actions and immoderate speech. Sometimes, you need to bring this raw energy to a stagnant situation to shake things up and set things right. However, those situations aren’t as common as the movies make them seem to be. Be mindful of your anger, your aggressive energies, your urge to rebel. Speak with someone you trust for a reality check–are things as intense and extreme as you think, or is your perspective a bit skewed? Remember, Loki’s quick intellect and mental energy can be channeled into delusion and foolish action just as easily as it can lead to clarity and progress–and He is a Trickster.

I added Nauthiz to this spread to bring in some tempering energy. Before going off today, either on a mission or on a tangent, stop and think about what you need. Not what you want, not what has captured your attention for the moment, but what you truly need. Sigyn’s energies run through this rune, and can help calm some of Beli’s raw aggression, and help to focus Loki’s wild energy into actions that are still thrilling and creative, but not damaging.

Act thoughtfully, live intensely, and be authentic.

The Giants’ Tarot, Raven Kaldera

Today’s Draw: Loki/The Magician; Ehwaz; Grid/Knight of Coins.

Loki is back, to see what you have been up to since He was here on Wednesday–He’s curious. Bolthorn has gone on His prickly way, so your efforts the past two days have been in the right direction. Loki is here to remind you to use your magic and use your words. If you don’t feel equal to the task, act as if you are, and carry on–you are ready for it, and acting as if will help you tap into the skills and strength you already possess to make it so. Also, if you ask nicely, or cleverly, or with the right touch of humor, Loki may be willing to teach you some new things, or show you a new use for a current skill.

Grid represents the underlying work necessary to accomplish those tasks. Grid is a teacher, and can help  you discover what you don’t know and to fill in those gaps. She’s not into “act as if”–She requires that you make effort to learn, and actually learn what you don’t yet know. She will provide the tools for you to develop the solid foundation you need, but it is up to you to learn to use the tools and create that foundation.

Ehwaz is the rune of the horse, journeying, movement, trust, and teamwork. If you have ever ridden a horse, you know that the ride is much better if you and the horse are of the same mind about gait, direction, and destination. If your horse (or team, or whoever you are dealing with) has differing ideas, take a leaf from Loki’s book and use  your powers of persuasion to move the horse/team/other person in the direction you need things to go. However, there are issues of trust here–you must act from a place of integrity. Don’t cut corners or omit parts of the truth, or it will come back against you later. Likewise, if you are experiencing doubts about the honesty of the person you’re dealing with, take appropriate precautions to defend yourself and protect your interests.

Be wise, be clever, be strong.

The Giants’ Tarot, Raven Kaldera

Today’s Draw: Bolthorn/Two of Wands; Sol; Himinglava/Ten of Cups.

Bolthorn, yesterday’s Hidden Influence, becomes today’s Active Influence. Yes, that’s been going on a lot lately.

You made a good start yesterday, but you’re not done. Bolthorn is going to keep poking you until you finish, so buckle down and power through. Bolthorn is also bringing in fiery wands energy so you can do what needs to be done.

Himinglava is the Undine associated with fair weather. Sol brings the energy and healing of the sun to the mix, giving you an additional boost of energy and vitality.

Make hay while the sun shines, take advantage of the opportunities of the present moment. Today is all you have, so do all you can with it.

The Giants’ Tarot, Raven Kaldera

Today’s Draw: Loki/The Magician; Ac; Bolthorn/Two of Wands.

You know the day is going to be interesting when Loki is in the Active Influence position. And now that you know, you can prepare for it. Ask Loki to inspire you with His cleverness, His quickness, His eloquence. And be sure to thank Him for his gifts.

As the Magician, you have the tools you need. You may have the skills to use them, or today may be the time for you to learn how to work with them. Either way, today is a good day to pull out all the stops and be your best and most charming self.

Bolthorn brings in fiery wand energy to feed into  your work, and your workings. Bolthorn also pricks and prods  you to action–there is no taking it easy, or taking the day off. There is something you must do, and you must do it.

Ac is the rune of the oak tree, and is often associated with Angrboda, the giantess who was Chief of Chiefs of the Nine Clans of the Iron Wood, and Chief of the Wolf Clan. She was also Loki’s first wife, and mother of Hela, Jormundgand, and Fenris, with Loki as Their father. Angrboda is the powerful shaman, the magical embodiment of female vitality, and also a fierce warrior. Feel Angrboda’s energy in your veins, your muscles, your heart, giving you the strength to do the magical work today requires.

Much power is flowing today; use it wisely, and use it well.