ravensweald

casting runes — 18dec25
18Dec25 | 13.05 CST
© 2025
michael raven
c: 251218.1305
raido
```
his backstep to gloaming
cloakworn & graveled
as bonesky carries her down
all at the edge before dreaming
with raven feathers in their hair

to awake?
when cries burn obsidian
```
A poem prompted by a randomly selected Elder Futhark rune.
Today’s rune is raido, which has been translated as “ride” and the implied “journey”. This may be spatial and literal in practice (a physical journey), or it may be more figurative (an inner/shamanic journey, i.e., útiseta). The rune is associated with cyclic motion and the movement of the sun. Some consider the journey represented by raido to be that of returning.
Please visit my Elder Futhark pages at sceadugenga.com for additional interpretations of the runes based on multiple references and personal reflection.
tagged:
poetry, raido, rewilding, rune
filed under:
poetry
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10 comments on casting runes — 18dec25

c: 251218.1009

given of shadows
painted sliver moon
a fingernail pressed to
flesh renders cinnabar

chipped-tooth, still
i skate thin the edge
pricked pine at all bends
singing pain to wash pain
— here we go again

night, i slip to her embrace
rooted inside
a heart cries embers

tagged:

betwixt and between, poetry, rewilding

filed under:

poetry

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casting runes — 17dec25
17Dec25 | 10.41 CST
© 2025
michael raven
c: 251217.1041
othala
```
i fell chasms
i drowned lake bottoms
to reclaim my ancient teeth

old man crag
accepted my pointed bone
before he swept me home
a-chatter on north winds
```
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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2 comments on casting runes — 17dec25
Solstice — an explanation of sorts
16Dec25 | 20.43 CST
© 2025
michael raven
c: 251216.2043
The season of withdrawing is upon us.
The sun slips lower with each passing cycle and we will soon have the longest night upon us — here, in Minneapolis we will see more than fifteen hours of darkness overnight at solstice, while places like Fairbanks, AK will see closer to eighteen hours of night.
I’ve decided this year to honor this cycle of nature and reduce my online presence over the days leading up to Winter Solstice, which takes place on December 21 — in accordance with the daylight hours and as my professional career allows (I still need to make money to pay bills, after all).
(more…)
tagged:
animism, old ways, solo path, solstice
filed under:
thinking
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13 comments on Solstice — an explanation of sorts

beaivi

16Dec25 | 19.26 CST

michael raven

c: 251216.1926

kissing the horizon
she slipsbone pale
fingers slick of hope
at return on the
other side of night
we wave and
give to grave our
many pasts on
black wings
of the crow

tagged:

betwixt and between, poetry, rewilding

filed under:

poetry

No comments

h…-penny thoughts — 16dec25
16Dec25 | 13.19 CST
© 2025
michael raven
c: 251216.1319
Dropping hints.
Again, my head is off in the outer limits where the ozone thins and this might be one of those weirdo (I’m a creep/I’m a weirdo) kinds of subjects to try and hold a discussion around, but I have my personal reasons for asking about people and communicating in hints.
(more…)
tagged:
direct vs indirect speaking, half-penny thoughts, hints, pathetique, sad attempts at humor
filed under:
thinking
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49 comments on h…-penny thoughts — 16dec25
simple things:
16Dec25 | 11.24 CST
© 2025
michael raven
c: 251216.1124
```
simple things:
four different ways
skies and stone
above and below
and those places
left in between

black sheen brow
crossed of blood
cut ashen
i turn my
flint head away
```
tagged:
betwixt and between, poetry, rewilding
filed under:
poetry
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casting runes — 16dec25
16Dec25 | 09.21 CST
© 2025
michael raven
c: 251216.0921
kenaz
```
after pasts go to pyre
burning the longest night
a brand to sear away
open sores left behind
```
A rune poem, based on an Elder Futhark rune selected at random.
Today’s rune is kenaz, which has been translated as both “torch” and “ulcer” . It is conceived as symbolic of flame, which is the illuminated creativity as well as the source of purification/healing/cautery. Fire is a a source of transformation and unmaking as well as heat, passion and light. As an ulcer, kenaz can be associated with a fever or inflammation, perhaps a wound which requires healing.
Please visit my Elder Futhark pages at sceadugenga.com for additional interpretations of the runes based on multiple references and personal reflection.
tagged:
kenaz, poetry, rewilding, rune
filed under:
poetry
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Towards the Within — Sólstöður, Kælan Mikla
15Dec25 | 22.32 CST
© 2025
michael raven
c: 251215.2232
A little Icelandic darkwave in honor of the upcoming solstice, perhaps?
```
Á sólstöðum í svartnætti tunglið geislum grætur
Vetrarnótt; við erum þínar sönnu svörtu dætur

Winter solstice in the black night
the moon cries its beams
Winter night; we are your true dark daughters
```
Of course you may have some, my darkling dearies. Enjoy.
tagged:
darkwave, icelandic, kælan mikla, solstice, towards the within
filed under:
Towards the Within
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5 comments on Towards the Within — Sólstöður, Kælan Mikla

val sans retour

15Dec25 | 20.03 CST

michael raven

c: 251215.2003

given to pressing petals of
her fragrant valley sheltered
drinking her butterfly wine
grown over gone under
lingers myrrh sweet inside
slumber her summer slopes
tracing dew along her lines...
who would wish for return
after lingering this vale?