This is the rune known as 'Jera', representing the cyclical aspect of nature, the great wheel of the year. It points to the rewards of right action; plenty and a good harvest can be expected. Jera is often associated with farming or a farmer, and the student who has carefully tilled and cultivated these lessons now stands just before the harvest.

Remember what Einstein said? (Nudge nudge...)

Please do not let this Lesson go until the last day or two of the month; you just won't have enough time to finish it. Thank you.

Probably because there is so little documentation of truly 'ancient' runes (in use prior to 50 CE), most commentators seem to like references to the Roman historian Tacitus and to Julius Caesar's Gallic Wars. Not to leave you out, here is the most widely-used snippet from Tacitus:

To the taking of auspices and drawing of lots they pay as much attention as any one: the way they draw their lots is uniform. A branch is cut from a nut-bearing tree and cut into slips: these are designated by certain signs (Latin notae) and thrown randomly over a white cloth. Afterwards, the priest of state, if the consultation is a public one, or the father of the family if it is private, offers a prayer to the gods, and while looking up in the sky, takes up three slips, one at a time, and interprets their meaning from the signs carved on them. If the message forbids something, no further inquiry is made on the question that day; but if it allows something, then further confirmation is required through the taking of auspices.

In this passage, the remark '(Latin notae)' does not mean that the wooden slips were marked with Latin inscriptions; it means that the 'signs' were what, in Latin, would be designated as inscriptions or symbols. Tacitus does not identify these symbols further but, because they were made and used by Germanic peoples, we may draw the inference that they may well have been what we call runes. The other details of the divination ceremony fit precisely the rune-casting procedure that has come down to us intact, increasing the likelihood that Tacitus was, in fact, describing the use of runes.

Writing in about 55 BCE in his account of his wars in Gaul, Caesar also mentions "consulting the lots three times" (ter sortibus consultum), from which we are to understand that this practice must have been an important aspect of Germanic divination. Caesar does not go on to describe the lots themselves or the ceremony used; he gives us nothing more than an independent verification that the Germanic tribes did use a lot-casting system of divination. This is as far back in time as presently-available history allows us to look.

In the last lesson I mentioned the fact that some aspects of the old Norse mythology fit very neatly into some of our physicists latest views. One of the most obvious correspondences is the view that everything in the material universe is simply energy, in one form or another, and that everything is also constantly changing, becoming some new and uniquely different form of itself. Another is that everything is connected to everything else.

Just as important is the view, of both Old Norse and today's researchers, that all 'events'... everything that is... happen in something called Now. The 'Now' does not change, but everything happening within it does.

With this in mind, the old rune-masters caution us not to seek (ask for) reliable information either in the Past or in the Future. Past events appear differently Now, because their elements, aspects, influences and results have all changed to some degree, whether greatly or only in some minute aspect. We do not see, know, or gnow what these changes have been or how they alter the subject of our inquiry, and so the farther back we attempt to look the more unreliable is the 'information' that comes to us.

The same is true for 'information' we request from the Future; it hasn't happened yet, and the farther into the future we attempt to look the less reliable our vision becomes. But you may say, "Here is this granite monument, right here, now. Can you not cast the runes and tell me whether it will still be standing here next week — or tomorrow?"

Strictly speaking, the answer is 'no, I cannot.' The probability is extremely high that it will be visible in this location both tomorrow and next week, but what is 'there' is not exactly the same as it is today, Now.

I admit readily that this is an extreme example, chosen precisely because it is extreme to illustrate a point. In practice, we could cast the runes with the question "Is it extremely likely that this monument will still be standing here in two weeks' time?" and get an answer that indicates that it probably will be, overlooking any changes in its surface, appearance, or composition... or unless someone steals it (enormously unlikely).

The best way we can get a 'yes-or-no' answer to this monument question is simply to ask for one, either using a single rune-stave (emerging face down means 'no', and face up means 'yes') or a genuine 'Casting' using all 24 rune-staves minus the blank stave if you are using one. More about this below.

And, just as a matter of further interest, these very same instructions concerning energy, change, past, future, and now were given by the Priest-Masters of the I Ching in China some three thousand years ago.

If all this sounds both terribly uncertain and terribly restricting, please bear with me. We will resolve these difficulties a little later on, when we look more carefully at the art of posing Queries... of asking questions in ways that get meaningful answers.

Very well, students, it's time to do some divination.

For these exercises, you may use either your paper/cardboard temporary rune-staves or the permanent set you have been making (you have been, haven't you?). Whichever you use, it should have been made accoording to the Elder Futhark... and so traditionally would not contain a blank stave.

On the other hand, if you are using a set that you have purchased, it will probably contain a blank stave (or what the set's documents call a 'blank rune'). Dr. Thorsson and other traditionalists tell us that they do not use a blank (because it's not a part of the Elder Futhark), and suggest that we not use one either. You may, of course, do as you like, but here is my 'take' on the situation:

Most advocates of the use of the blank stave agree to some form of the notion "The Blank represents the Unknown, the Great Mystery, the Universe, Fate, God's Will," or some close variation on this theme. I say pretty much the same thing; I use the blank, drawn blindly along with the other rune-staves in the bag, with the stipulation that it indicates that the 'Finger of the Tao' is resting on the next rune-stave drawn. Whatever interpretation may normally be appropriate for that next stave must now be seen as subject to modification, alteration, or perhaps even total wipe-out by the Great Mystery, The Tao, or Ein Sof.

For example: I prefer to use a three-stave or Nornic (as in the Three Norns) layout for quick routine readings; let's say that I draw the first stave and place it in position, then the next stave I draw is the blank. I place this blank stave above the second position and draw another stave to fill second. The third position stave (actually the fourth stave drawn) is drawn as usual.

At no time is the blank stave considered a part of the Elder Futhark, nor can it occupy a structural position in a reading layout (taking the place of a regular stave); it can and does modify or overrule any regular stave drawn and placed in sequence. To include a blank stave in your set of rune-staves, or not to, is entirely up to you providing you use it in accordance with the above directions.

So, with all that said, now shuffle, shake, or whatever you do to mix up your set of rune-staves. We are going to draw staves to cover three (3) positions in a 3-stave or Nornic layout. Ordinarily, that means drawing 3 staves; however, if you have included a blank stave in your set and happen to draw the blank one during this exercise, it means that you will need to draw a total of four (4) staves, including the blank.

We shall assume, for the moment, that you have prepared a well-thought-out Query, avoiding set-ups for yes-or-no answers (which you will not get), as well as asking only in terms of Now. A good basic model to use is "What do I need to know about..." and then avoid beclouding the issue with your own prejudices, judgements, expectations, or assumptions. An example might be, "What do I need to know to help me better follow the path I have chosen?" (instead of "Will I be successful?"). Get the idea?

So let's imagine that you have just done this blind-drawing of three rune-staves, and the results look like the diagram below:

The names of the three positions of the layout are deceptively simple: A = Past (Urdhr), the Crone; B = Present (Verhandi), the Maiden; and C = Future (Skuld), the Mother. I do not want you to be deceived, so let's examine each of these rather carefully.

The first rune-stave you draw, which you place on Position A, carries some information about contributions of the Past to the Present process, or about Urdhr the Crone and how she interacts with and influences the Maiden, Verhandi, the Present. This rune can also clarify the real root of the present situation, or perhaps a novel consideration or set of factors in what you 'thought' was / is 'the Problem'.

Always remember that when we talk about the interactions of Urdhr, Verhandi and Skuld, we are talking about you and the Subject of your Query. In a runic spread, 'The Past' refers not only to your remembered or documented personal past, but also to all the events and influences (known to you or not) that have shaped, shifted and stirred you to produce the 'you' that arrives in The Present. It can also refer to or include your 'present' attitudes, preferences, judgments and prejudices that you bring with you from that 'past'.

Likewise, in the Present (symbolized by Miss Verhandi) we are not merely looking at the persona described in your Passport, but at the totality of your continuing interpenetration with all the elements of the complex of energies that also meet in you in the Present.

Please note that there is no way that you, I , or anyone else could rationally/intellectually know how all this fluid, dynamic, energetic synthesis has functioned and continues to function. It can only be gnown first, and that must come from/through the Self... often by using a meta-language such as the runes, the I ching, or similar modality.

Don't worry; we'll talk more about all this as the course progresses. The interesting thing is that you don't have to understand how or why it works (at first): just accept that it does work. So. Let's get back to our rune-cast.

The second stave you draw, for Position B, brings information about how Past and Present interact to produce the singular process of Becoming now going on; this usually gives an interpretation of 'what is'.

The third stave covers Position C, and carries information about how the Becoming taking place Now is most likely to manifest, or 'turn out'; we are in the realm of Skuld, the Mother and she is frequently pictured as being veiled and carrying an unopened scroll. Still, even with this element of uncertainty, this rune presents the probable Outcome, essentially completing the answer to your query.

But wait! Let's imagine that the second rune-stave you drew was the Blank Stave. In that case, you would place the Blank above and to the right of the layout pattern; you would then draw a third stave to place in Position B and move the Blank down to sit just above it or perhaps even slightly overlapping... as suggested in the second diagram, at the right. You would then draw a fourth stave to cover Position C.

Very well, now it's your turn. Using your own rune-staves, prepare yourself mentally, emotionally, and physically to conduct a 3-position Nornic rune-casting.

Preparing yourself, of course, includes drafting an appropriate Query. Yes, this is 'only' your first practice casting, but I want you to remember never cast the runes idly, frivolously, and without a well-crafted Query. If you should be tempted to say something like "Oh well, let's just see what comes up...", put the runes away and go fishing instead. Casting runes without a serious and appropriate Query is inviting the runes to tell you things you really did not want to hear, and, worse yet, to mark you as an unworthy querent and feed you gibberish from then on. Believe me, it happens.

The task of constructing appropriate and useful Queries is made much simpler if you start out (whenever possible) with phrases like: "What do I need to know about...", "What is important about...", "How can I best help with...", "How can (Querent's name)'s situation be clarified (understood, improved... etc.)". You will notice that all these are couched in terms of Present Time; it is important that you thoroughly understand this, so please examine very carefully what is being asked.

---

I want to take a slight detour here, to consider again the troublesome matter of 'yes or no' questions. Such questions can be appropriate and useful, and responsive answers can certainly be received from The Unconscious, the Tao, the Universe, or whatever name suits you best. But this type of inquiry is really not best served by using Oracles such as runes or the I Ching. Nor are you best served either.

Why not, if the runes are so useful otherwise? Because many (perhaps most) people simply draw a single rune-stave and observe whether the stave emerges right-side up or up-side down (or blank side up or rune-side up). But suppose one draws the Isa rune-side up? Or Dagaz, or Berkana? How about Kenaz or Jera (to say nothing of Eihwaz, Pertho, or Sowelo)? How do you know whether these staves are right-side up or up-side down? Or does this mean 'Maybe'? Not very satisfactory.

But quite aside from these obvious (and perhaps infrequent) difficulties, there is the deeper consideration of the rune itself. If one draws Fehu (for example), rune up and right-side up, does that merely answer 'yes'... or is it a qualified 'yes' in terms of or under the influence of the character and energy of Fehu?

In his book "Runecaster's Handbook", Dr. Thorssson describes a much more flexible, detailed, and potentially informative way of handling yes-or-no questions. Instead of using a single rune-stave drawn blindly from a pouch or box, he instructs us actually to cast all 24 rune-staves (excluding the blank this time) onto a white cloth or table-top... or even onto the ground, if need be. Whatever surface you choose needs to be marked with a circle about 12 or up to 16 inches in diameter. (Thorsson includes directions for a more complex diagram, but a simple circle is sufficient for us apprentice vitki's... the plural is actually vitkar.)

Place all your rune-staves in a suitable box or large lot-cup, mix them up taking care not to look at them (and risk getting visual clues), and then 'dump' (cast) them out onto the prepared surface with the circle. Only the staves that fall within the circle are considered; those falling face-down represent 'no' and those falling face-up represent 'yes'. Count all staves within the circle; more 'yes's' than 'no's' give a 'yes' answer. Conversely, more 'no's' give a 'no' answer. An exactly even split, of course, means "beats me" (not really; an even split means the matter could go either way, but also usually means that your question doesn't address the issue adequately. If this happens, do not ask again for 24 hours.!)

Now the interesting part of this method is that you also may consider the collection of runes that fell face-up. Each one has a message for you, amplifying and qualifying your 'yes'! Done properly, this is an enormous bonus.

However, if you are really just interested in a clear (and accurate) 'yes' or 'no' answer, we have a far more direct and uncomplicated method available to us in using kinesiology. If you are not familiar with it, the term refers to an involuntary human muscle-response mechanism that produces immediate changes in muscle tension ('strength') in response to 'yes or no' questions; the same changes occur in response to 'true or false' statements. It works, is reliable, and can be used anywhere without any gear or equipment whatever. If you would like more information about this method, I suggest that you Google "kinesiology".

Many of the more detailed rune-castings are just that, requiring rune-staves that can be tossed around (so to speak). For this purpose, I prefer real wooden staves, rather than disks or little 'panels'.

I mentioned earlier making rune-staves out of tongue-depressors, and another very useful material is what are usually called 'popsicle-sticks', available in packages of 150 from most craft stores, at a very reasonable price. I mark mine (see photo at left) with a ball-point pen; the ink doesn't spread out into the wood and pressing on the ball makes a perfectly adequate indentation in the stave.

My set does not include a blank stave.

I haven't forgotten that you have just drawn and laid out a 3-position nornic spread. You have the rune-staves on the table before you, now what do you do with them? Before you open up a list of meanings and attempt to piece together an interpretation of the runes, I want you to do things rather differently.

Do you recall Exercise #2, in the last Lesson? If so, do you also recall my question about 'day-dreaming'? Hopefully you can bring both to mind now. Here is what I want you to do:

First, take each of the rune-staves in your 'spread' singly in your hand, identify its reference (Past, Present, or Future) by virtue of its position in the spread, and then 'be with' it until you can describe what feeling you get.

Next, once you identify your feeling, and before going on to the next rune-stave, allow yourself to 'day-dream' a little story suggested by the feeling and by the rune itself. It doesn't have to be long or fancy; day-dreams seldom are. Don't try to force it, or think about what the story 'ought' to be; if what comes to you makes no sense (to you), or sounds 'silly' (again, to you), make a note of it anyway and then go on to the next rune. Repeat this process untill you have little 'stories' dreamed up for all the rune-positions and, perhaps, an overall or composite story covering the spread as a whole.

If this exercise seems 'difficult' or taxing to you, you are trying too hard. In fact, 'trying' at all is self-defeating; it is not what this exercise is about. One does not 'try' to day-dream. Not successfully, anyway.

On the other hand, if 'day-dreaming' just seems to you like a serious waste of time, describe what I am asking you to do as asking for and accepting imagination and inspiration from your Self. That is never a 'waste of time'

Varieties of 'Meaning'

While you are learning, it is perfectly acceptable for you to consult various authors and references in order to get some basic idea what each rune stands for or 'means'. Take what you find and and use it to whatever extent you wish, blending it into your own intuition and impressions. Just don't allow yourself to become dependent on the standard or published 'meanings'.

And what are these 'standard' menaings? Not everyone agrees. Let me show you.

The 'proper' or 'accepted' meaning for each rune rather depends on which author (or 'Authority') you prefer. To give you a 'feel' for the variations available, I have listed excerpts from the 'meanings' given for each rune of the first Aett by just three of the the authors listed in your bibliography, side by side, in their Futhark order. To see these, click here.

Remember: these are only portions of the authors' remarks; some of the full sections on a particular Rune go on for several pages.

You may find it instructive to compare these with the runes-list you were given in Lesson One (the one where you needed to draw in the actual rune shapes in the little boxes provided).

Your Assignment ('homework') for this lesson is waiting for you at the link below. Be sure to follow the instructions for submission carefully. (You may need to consult previous lessons.)

Good luck, and enjoy playing with Runes!

Click here to access your Assignment.