A gray day in November

Wandering through the city of Borås in western Sweden. There is so much amazing public art here, these are just a fragment, but they’re two of my favourites.

Haikus about the runes: Logur, the water rune

Child, be like waterFor logur is powerful,breaks mountains by touch The l-rune ᛚ is called logur, meaning ‘water’. It is associated with all things we associate with water: softness, flow, multifacetedness and flexibility. As Lao Tzu, a great spiritual teacher from another tradition (Daoism), taught: softness is seen as weak by many but is in

Haikus about the runes: Bjarkan

Wind rustling through leavesThe birches are whispering‘bout a sacred rune The b-rune is in Old Norse called bjarkan, meaning birch. It is associated with growth and rebirth of life.

Haikus about the runes: Ár and Jera, runes of plenty

Plenty’s been givenGenerous jera grantedLet’s rejoice and share ᛅ or ár (ᛃ or jera in the Elder Futhark. The Old Norse of the Younger Futhark had no j-sound) is a rune whose name means ‘plenty’ or ‘good harvest’. Speaking of enjoying the Earth’s gifts: it’s strawberry season here in Scandinavia and I’m thoroughly enjoying it

Haikus about the runes: Isa, loved by Skaði

Clad in white IsaSkaði reigns over the mountainsFar from Njörðr and seas The i-rune is called Isa, meaning ice. This particular rune makes me think of the Goddess and Giantess Skaði, who is associated with winters and mountains. There is a story the Norse told about Skaði having an unhappy marriage with Njörðr, the Vanir God

Haikus about the runes: Nauðr

Hasten to the callNauðr says there is much to doChild, stand up and fight! The n-rune ᚾ is called nauðr, meaning need or distress. Meditating on this rune can conjure thoughts of personal suffering and longing. But it can also be a reminder of the needs of others and one’s responsibility to lend a helping

Haikus about the runes: Haglaz

Terrible haglazStones of ice fall from the skyStrike the Earth with fear The ᚺ (or ᚼ in the Younger Futhark) rune is called haglaz, meaning hail. It stands for the h sound. One mention of hail in the myths is in relation to the world tree Yggdrasil, which is said to stand in a shower

Haikus about the runes: Kaun, the wound rune

Memories is kaunScar like a rune on my skinA word that reminds The rune K rune is called kaun, meaning ‘scar’, ‘wound’ or ‘ulcer’.

Haikus about the runes: Úr and Thurisaz, rain and thunder

ÚR Days of summer rainÚr gives respite from the heatTo the sons of Earth Úr (rain in Old Norse) is the second letter of the Futhark. It is associated with water and particularly rain. Thurisaz Lightning shakes the EarthThunderer has struck againLord Thor rages on Thurisaz is the third letter of the Futhark and the