ravensweald — Page 24 of 87 — wode natterings

casting runes — 05dec25
05Dec25 | 11.28 CST
© 2025
michael raven
c: 251205.1128
othala
```
emerging ash smudged &
marked as nowhere
from the beginning—
back to the barrow
on a dark wood trail
lined of poppets & treats
```
A poem prompted by a randomly selected Elder Futhark rune.
Today’s rune is othala, which has a core meaning of “heritage”, “inheritance” and “legacy”. These are all associated with home, kin, ancestors, stability and (in some interpretations) past lives or spiritual legacy.
Please visit my Elder Futhark pages at sceadugenga.com for additional interpretations of the runes based on multiple references and personal reflection.
tagged:
othala, poetry, rewilding, rune
filed under:
poetry
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casting runes — 05dec25
On the Hobnob with Gilly
05Dec25 | 08.33 CST
© 2025
michael raven
c: 251205.0833
a songlet written in 120 minutes or less
Photo by Anthony Roberts on Unsplash
For new visitors: I occasionally set myself up with the challenge to write, record and produce a songlet (not a full song) in the space of 120-minutes, starting from scratch. I try to limit the song to about a minute in length.
As a result, quality varies greatly and I don’t promise that there are any hits that will arise of this personal challenge. The quality over time will vary dramatically, depending on how my creativity level is faring for the day.
(more…)
tagged:
120 minutes, experimentation, songlets, songs of two minutes or less
filed under:
listening, songlets
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On the Hobnob with Gilly

waiting drawn

04Dec25 | 21.33 CST

© 2025

c: 251204.2133

cord bound in lace and
burning wheels
to find my way back
to ringwood fires and
turquoise nights that
i can never wipe 
from my mind's eye...

ragged lips become
a stolen kiss, there 
upon empty mounds

long has waiting drawn
for her there still

tagged:

betwixt and between, poetry

filed under:

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waiting drawn

after the flesh

04Dec25 | 13.56 CST

© 2025

c: 251204.1356

it is unkindness
painted a dark blade
they deliver blindside
a haunted wondering
of what was left
unsaid in the
somespace beside
as black warmth
clings cooling
after the flesh

tagged:

experimentation, poetry

filed under:

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after the flesh

casting runes — 04dec25
04Dec25 | 09.28 CST
© 2025
michael raven
c: 251204.0928
fehu
```
i traded too much away
for comfort's sake—
i would give back
most of my gold
in exchange for
a simple block of wood
```
A poem prompted by a randomly selected Elder Futhark rune.
Today’s rune is fehu, which has a core meaning of “cattle” or a more generalized “livestock”, which was a representation of personal wealth or earned prosperity. Sometimes luck played a role. Wealth and prosperity was valued, but was looked down upon when material accumulation appeared to be excessive, greedy, miserly or turned to hoarding, especially when those around you were lacking.
Please visit my Elder Futhark pages at sceadugenga.com for additional interpretations of the runes based on multiple references and personal reflection.
tagged:
fehu, poetry, rewilding, rune
filed under:
poetry
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casting runes — 04dec25
red red wine
03Dec25 | 19.29 CST
© 2025
michael raven
c: 251203.1929
Photo by Andriyko Podilnyk on Unsplash
```
on the drift
i close my eyes
beckon & recall
raw chapped lips
stained red red wine
yours, mine, both—
who could tell?

in thrall;
that was the day
of my dying
```
tagged:
poetry
filed under:
poetry
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red red wine
casting runes — 03dec25
03Dec25 | 18.14 CST
© 2025
michael raven
c: 251203.1814
gebo
```
for what seems a forever
i have made myself a gift,
ready to trade this chilled cheek
for a summer's kiss from you
```
A rune poem, based on an Elder Futhark rune selected at random.
Today’s rune is gebo, which has a core meaning of “gift”. This relates to all forms of reciprocity: transaction, generosity, hospitality and sacrifice (in the sense of giving up something). It may also mean offering up a talent or skill, and may suggest a synergistic, possibly romantic, relationship.
Please visit my Elder Futhark pages at sceadugenga.com for additional interpretations of the runes based on multiple references and personal reflection.
tagged:
gebo, poetry, rewilding, rune
filed under:
poetry
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casting runes — 03dec25

another tangle

03Dec25 | 09.20 CST

© 2025

c: 251203.0920

Campfire — Photo by Ville Palmu on Unsplash

another tangle of winter
at slick crags open water
i shed these bones for you

chisel shadow, wax & stain
heartbeat heavy slow
ancestors flow on whisper

gather flame of heartwood
collect forgotten songs
here raises laughter
here we belong

tagged:

betwixt and between, poetry, rewilding

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another tangle

catscratch

02Dec25 | 14.04 CST

© 2025

c: 251202.1404

with skin kissed in rope burns
and pricked of thorns
sheets stained of summer and
whispers screamed at forlorn

all barbed with catscratch
do you desire anything more?

tagged:

melancholia, poetry

filed under:

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catscratch

casting runes — 02dec25
02Dec25 | 11.19 CST
© 2025
michael raven
c: 251202.1119
dagaz
```
drawn to earth
more than that just under
ragged-hewn fingernails
scratching at blood soil—
toss aside your frame-drum
and follow me down
```
A rune poem, based on an Elder Futhark rune selected at random.
Today’s rune is dagaz, which has been translated as “daybreak”, that transitional moment between night and day. By extension, it might also be interpreted as “twilight” and is representative of liminality, transformation, the space between worlds, and suggests walking in both the material world and otherworld.
Please visit my Elder Futhark pages at sceadugenga.com for additional interpretations of the runes based on multiple references and personal reflection.
tagged:
dagaz, poetry, rewilding, rune
filed under:
poetry
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casting runes — 02dec25