magic

The Kenaz (ᚲ) Rune

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A short section from the new book “Wandering the Runic Path: Esoteric Analysis of the Germanic Runes” regarding the Kenaz (ᚲ) rune.

“Kenaz is a particular rune, changing dramatically in context from Elder to Younger runes. The continental Germans seemed to hold this rune in a more positive light than their Scandinavian neighbors in the North. Kenaz is a reconstructed word from Proto-Germanic meaning “torch”, associated with creative fire, skills, knowledge, and teaching. The torch is that which illuminates the darkness, showing us the way in places unknown. This has been equated with an internal creative “spark” as well, which I think is reflected in the hard “k” sound represented by this rune. If we look to the Gothic language, we find evidence for this theory in the kindred word kōnja which refers to pine sap. This must be directly related to the torch, as pine/spruce has long been a favored wood for this use. 

The Gothic name for this rune is kosma/kusma, stemming from kunnan meaning “to be able, to know how,” referring to one’s inner abilities and skills. This word travels through time and tribe almost unchanged in sound and meaning, showing up in modern English in the words know and keen. In my opinion, the best example of this concept is crystallized in the Swedish word konst, meaning “art, knowledge, science, magic, secret,” and in the cognate German word kunst meaning “skill, craft, ability, magic.” This internal power of knowledge, associated with a craft or specific artistic focus, is the secret “light” side of the Kenaz rune, symbolizing our ability to make things known, to teach them, and to exhibit mastery in arts, crafts, intellectual or occult matters.”

May all sentient beings realize this rune within themselves.

Hailaz / Namaste

Wandering the Runic Path: Esoteric Analysis of the Germanic Runes (New Book Coming Soon!)

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We are wrapping up the final edits for the second rune book by Hrukjan titled “Wandering the Runic Path: Esoteric Analysis of the Germanic Runes.” 

These will be published early next month and copies will be available from us around Samhain. 

For those interested in the book, we’d like to share some information from the introduction:

“This book is meant to help guide the runic adept through various untrodden paths regarding the runes and their use in esoteric Pagan practice. Through many avenues such as language, myth, religious comparison, and thorough analysis, one can expand the dimensions of each rune into the endless fathoms of space and time. Each rune of the Elder Futhark has been dissected and tirelessly studied so that no stone is left unturned in their usability and ultimate meaning. Along with in-depth study, each “aett” of runes has also been given a set of common themes that one can ponder in association to their roles within the entirety of the Futhark. Not only this, but it is speculated throughout the book that the order of the runes is not only important, but carefully tells a unique story regarding life, death, rebirth, and the ultimate truth of existence as expressed by the people who created and used them.

While much of this book is speculative in nature, offering a deeply subjective analysis of these symbols, there is also much concrete and objective information regarding their history, etymology, and journey through time. From their many connections to Sanskrit and other Indo-European languages, the reader can form a thorough understanding of these symbols based on thousands of years of transformation. The reader will see how these runes transcend culture and relate to the natural surroundings of the different tribes that used them as they migrated across much of Europe, Asia, and beyond. Through this approach, one will see that the use of the runes is not only universally applicable, but also, not restrained to a certain “folk” or people. By realizing the scope of their use, one can see them as a divine tool for Self-development and transformation, as each rune is a key to ultimate realization.

If you are looking for a book that is not just informative, but also applicable to religious and spiritual practice, then this book should offer you many avenues towards your own purified understanding of these ancient symbols as used by the greatest of sages and magicians of the past. My hope is that this book will act as a compass for the devoted reader as they traverse the dark and endless paths laid before them by these ancient symbols. By doing so, one does not get lost or steered in detrimental directions by those who would rather see you confused and reliant on outside influences. Runic knowledge and the wisdom inherent within them are present in every sentient being, especially those who have the memories of these signs within their very soul. These secret symbols mirror that which exists within us and each rune is a key to unlocking the mysteries that lie dormant within our experience of reality. May this book help you transcend the limitations of individual existence and soar into the ether as Odin once did upon the great World Tree.”

May all sentient beings embrace the runes.

-Ansuz Society

Interpreting Odin’s Sacrifice on the World Tree

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One interpretation of Odin’s world tree ritual is the destruction of his ego: the sacrificing of his lower self to his higher Self. The ritual is a metaphor for replacing our material limitations for the infinite potential of primordial wisdom; exchanging our mundane form for that of the almighty consciousness of Odin. Odin, as the material individual, strives to return to the source, which like Shiva or Buddha, is nothing other than his innate, true nature, beyond constructs and existing within everything. This is why Odin is known as the “Masked God” or “God of Masks,” as his shapeless state allows him to cloak himself in whatever physical form he wants, being able to shift appearances according to his worldly goals.

Names of Odin relating to this are Fjallgeiguðr (Shape God), Fjolnir (The One Who is Many), and Grimnir (Masked One). Odin, in this way, represents all possible expressions of life and exists within all sentient beings. Odin is the great animator of matter, obscured and covered up to varying degrees by the limitations of our ignorance and material attachments. By removing these obstacles one by one, Odin, as the common man, realizes and becomes his true Self; the unchanging reality which can be described as furious, terrifying, and awesome. This is why he is known as “The Terrible” or “Furious One,” as the realization of this state can be deemed nothing other than ferocious and shocking. This is identical to some names of Shiva that relate to this same phenomenon, such as Bhairava (Lord of Terror), Mahakala (Beyond Time), and Rudra (The Howler/Dreadful).

This primordial state, the formless consciousness beyond conceptual and dualistic framework, can be further represented by Odin’s one eye, which sees nothing but the true state of reality: non-dual and single focused. This pure vision shows him all things; the causes and effects of all phenomena; unaffected by time, change, or abstract forms. Odin as the “One-Eyed God” appears in many ways such as Hoárr (One Eyed), Báleygr (Flaming Eye) and Bileygr (Flashing Eye). Odin, the individual, has but one single motive: the search for ultimate wisdom/source. Further evidence for this is reflected in his names Sanngetall (Seeker of Truth), Fjǫlsviðr (Very Wise), and Forni (Ancient One).

This is the eternal Odin within us, the awareness we must all uncover if we want to transcend our worldly limitations. This formless state of being is what remains when the body falls to the wayside, remaining intact for all of eternity. Through his ritual on the world tree, Odin loses attachment to his body/shape/name and realizes his supreme nature; flooded by the ancient wisdom of the cosmos represented by the runes, poetry, and other various magical techniques.

May all sentient beings seek the source of consciousness and realize Odin within themselves.

Hailaz / Namaste