divination Archives - Owl Medicine: Shamanic Healing

My most recent copy of The Book of Runes* by Ralph Blum

Standstill

I love when I start a post having no idea where it’s going (indeed, if it’s going anywhere), only to have something quite unexpected spontaneously appear. That’s what happened last night, when I had the image and name of a rune – Isa – ‘Standstill’ – practically show up and do a tap dance on my laptop.

I yearned to write something interesting last night, or at least descriptive of the weird feelings I was having, yet none of my ‘go-to’ divinatory tools appealed to me. I tried a couple of different types of decks and as I sat holding them in my hands, I kept getting a clear, “No.”

And so I sort of wrote around my feelings (which haven’t abated much, yet, I’m sad to report) until – boom! – a very specific rune demanded my mind’s attention.

Runes

I haven’t gone back into my journals today to get specifics, but it is quite possible that Karl and I picked Runes on our walks even before we began choosing Medicine Cards*. I remember buying our first set of Runes (included with The Book of Runes* by Ralph Blum) back at Sagittarius Books. We probably ended up owning half the inventory of that gem of inner transformation tucked away in an alley in New Hope. I can honestly say that bookstore was the lifeline that fed my soul and opened me up to the life I knew I wanted and needed to live. I miss it.

Actually, I’m sure our consistent use of Runes pre-dated our work with the Medicine Cards* because I now recall picking a Rune – Hagalaz – on the day I took a huge tumble, face-first, into a local creek. I wrote about that experience and what unfolded in our lives afterward, in my book, Owl Medicine*.

I guess I’m mentioning all of this because I am fascinated by how I plucked the name of the Rune that appeared in my mind’s eye last night out of thin air – or at least the wisps of memory. It’s been years since I worked with them.

Last Night’s Runic Appearance

While I felt quite certain that just the acknowledgment of the keyword associated with this Rune, Standstill, hit the nail on the head of what I felt I’m experiencing (rather ungracefully), I almost gasped when I once again read the explanation of Isa in The Book of Runes by Ralph Blum. And I have to share it with you:

Isa – Standstill/That Which Impedes/Ice

“The winter of the spiritual life is upon you. You may find yourself entangled in a situation to whose implications you are, in effect, blind. You may be powerless to do anything except submit, surrender, even sacrifice some long-cherished desire. Be patient, for this is the period of gestation that precedes a birth.

Positive accomplishment is unlikely now. There is a freeze on useful activity, all your plans are on hold. You may be experiencing an unaccustomed drain on your energy and wonder why: A chill wind is reaching you over the ice floes of old outmoded habits.

Trying to hold on can result in shallowness of feeling, a sense of being out of touch with life. Seek to discover what it is you are holding onto that keeps this condition in effect, and let go. Shed, release, cleanse away the old. That will bring on the thaw.

Usually Isa requires a sacrifice of the personal, the ‘I.’ And yet there is no reason for anxiety. Submit and be still, for what you are experiencing is not necessarily the result of your actions or habits, but of the conditions of the time against which you can do nothing. What has been full must empty; what has increased must decrease. This is the way of Heaven and Earth. To surrender is to display courage and wisdom.

At such a time, do not hope to rely on help or friendly support. In your isolation, exercise caution and do not stubbornly persist in attempting to work your will. Remain mindful that the seed of the new is present in the shell of the old, the seed of unrealized potential, the seed of the good. Trust your own process, and watch for signs of spring.”

My Take

Whoa. Nailed it. Lots and lots to contemplate.

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(T+49)

Cloud Goblin

If you’ve been hanging with me and reading my daily posts for a while, you’ll undoubtedly agree that I have a thing for clouds.

When I scan the photos I’ve stored on my phone, the vast majority are of clouds. Sunsets are probably a close second, although they would probably vie for that position with my totally cherished and unabashedly spoiled pets.

My particular fondness for capturing images of clouds is connected to how these images almost always reveal shapes or faces or images that I didn’t even see when I snapped the shot. I’ve shared a number of unique clouds with you already.

Honestly, in many ways they feel like a readily available and nearly endless supply of inspiration. And with the prospect of at least another 886 posts ahead of me, my appreciation for this atmospheric support group is monumental.

Cloud Readings

There have been times when I’ve been known to give ‘cloud readings.’ The only time I’ve ever given them in a somewhat formal fashion was when I was appearing at the Tinicum Arts Festival in my role as the WiseWoman of Wormansville.

It’s funny, because I actually offered ‘Cloud Readings’ as an option specifically because I own a wonderful divinatory set called Cloud Dancing – Wisdom From the Sky, which I intended to use. But when people approached me and were more interested in receiving a “Cloud Reading’ than in a Medicine Card reading (gasp!), the look of disappointment on their faces when I pulled out the cards took me totally by surprise.

As a result, I decided to plunge headlong into the unknown. I trusted myself and simply looked up. I told them what I saw.

Judging from their reactions, the risk was worth it.

Some Surprises

Occasionally, when I start scrolling through my cloud photos, I’ll see something entirely different or new than what I saw when I snapped the photo. Many times, I just whip out my phone and take a photo because I love the colors, or because I see something that – in retrospect – I can’t for the life of me see again.

Tonight, for instance, Karl and I found ourselves walking with our heads tilted upward a great deal of our walk. (I’m probably going to have a sore neck tomorrow!) The ripples of the clouds were rather fascinating to observe, but I couldn’t seem to capture the effect that was so mesmerizing to us.

Nevertheless, when I started to write tonight, I quickly took a glance at the photos I took. I became intrigued by one in particular. Suddenly, and completely unexpectedly, a face made itself obvious to me. Once I saw ‘him’ I couldn’t unsee him.

I call the photo Cloud Goblin.

I share him here, without an interpretation. Just a face in the sky. And an inspiration I didn’t see coming – for which I’m nevertheless grateful – for yet another 1111 Devotion blog post.

(T-886)