carving obsidian beyond bone
scraping down to marrow
still more: how can you cut further?
by slipping to shadows of shadows
to places behind the behind
kissing flint in the darkest of times
we grew of flowers once
we grew of trees, now
snow stained scarlet...
stripped to heartwood
we stand the granite over doors
Tag: rewilding
stripped
casting runes — 07dec25
wunjo silent the flurries
eddy between boughs
my back warmed by fire
eyes all antler & stone
in this forever—
only the crackle-pop,
wood devoured by flameA rune poem, based on an Elder Futhark rune selected at random.
Today’s rune is wunjo, which is translated as “joy” and has been interpreted in both the earthly sense as well as in spiritual ecstasy. It has been associated with healing (emotional, mental and interpersonal) and some sources connect the rune to luck, the act of making a wish, or applied will. Wunjo can also be the inspiration for creativity.
Please visit my Elder Futhark pages at sceadugenga.com for additional interpretations of the runes based on multiple references and personal reflection.
Campfire Sessions — 07dec25
Photo by Ville Palmu on Unsplash Something about the campfire and the silent ghosts feels more burden than gift, so I slap my knees to signal that I need to get moving along as we do in the upper midwest, vocalize the requisite “welp” and stand. A few of the spirits turn their grey eyes to me, grant me a lingering look and then those empty eyes return to the flames. Not even a farewell wave then — the winter cold must be slowing them down today. Or maybe it is the daylight’s glare across the fresh snow that makes them blind. We gather in the late morning, although it isn’t without precedent. They prefer the glow of the flames against the backdrop of night, I’ve been told, but they will never turn down a flame lit in their honor if there is one burning in their area.
I don’t bother with any parting words. Not out of spite, but respect. I am mirroring their inclinations.
(more…)casting runes — 06dec25
tiwaz having set to sail &
rudderless on
this ship of fools
cresting the nine
on the forever & ages,
i now ache for her safe
harbor to slip into viewA poem prompted by a randomly selected Elder Futhark rune.
Today’s rune is tiwaz, which is named after the Norse god Týr, and the second weekday (Tuesday) is named for the god. According to Norse myth, Týr offers his right hand to the wolf Fenrir, who bites it off when he realizes the gods have bound him as he held Týr’s hand in his mouth. The rune is typically considered symbolic of honor, loyalty and justice, as well as of sacrifice. It may be representative of discipline and faith. Some interpretations have associated the rune with the North Star.
Please visit my Elder Futhark pages at sceadugenga.com for additional interpretations of the runes based on multiple references and personal reflection.
to shatter ice
seething a steel spike
to shatter ice, to
strike sparks to stone
sever sinew & send
a tattoo to bone
pierce mine eyes
so the seeing can beginshh tell no one this lullaby it is our secret to own welcome to this razor wire
casting runes — 05dec25
othala emerging ash smudged &
marked as nowhere
from the beginning—
back to the barrow
on a dark wood trail
lined of poppets & treatsA 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.
casting runes — 04dec25
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 woodA 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.
casting runes — 03dec25
gebo for what seems a forever
i have made myself a gift,
ready to trade this chilled cheek
for a summer's kiss from youA 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.
another tangle
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 belongcasting runes — 02dec25
dagaz drawn to earth
more than that just under
ragged-hewn fingernails
scratching at blood soil—
toss aside your frame-drum
and follow me downA 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.
