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Runic Gardening - Max Evett

The northern path tends to seem at times both complicated and overly analytical to the beginner. Instead of blind faith they encounter 9 worlds, multiple parts of self, multiple paths and a whole host of Deities. There is no key to the universe. Rather there are 24 tumblers in an ever challenging lock. Lots to memorize and ponder, lots to experience and eventually understand. The futhark seems incredibly complex when you first start to seriously delve into it and as understanding grows so to does the possibilities contained both within individual runes and also the interplays and relationships between them.

I found myself working with the runes this weekend and thought I'd share some of my thoughts and experiences to help those starting their explorations in this area to realise that runic knowledge manifests itself naturally through use.

My task for the weekend was to prepare my small vegetable garden for its winter crops. The season is just starting to turn to autumn down here and the coming full moon and recent storms have made it a good time to knock the rust off of the hoe.

Within the mannaz rune (human) are the twin aspects of thought and memory, representative of Odin's fetch aspects, munnin and thugin. These are the two ravens that travel the 9 worlds bringing all they see and hear to the attention of the one eyed one.

As with most runic exploration there is both memory (previously learned lore) and thought (speculation, data accumulation and testing of theories/truth.) Rather than rationalise my work I had dropped into that mediative state where both aspects of consciousness interplay without either dominating or excluding the other. As I was working my mind worked with the runes. Sometimes noticing an aspect of them in the process and sometimes pondering and roaming freely.

The first aspect that manifested was Hagalaz. As I cleared out the old grown and abundant weeds I filled 5 wheelbarrows to the brim. In the place of tangled masses of weeds and thorns I left only bare earth. Hagalaz, sudden violent change. The weeds (wild plants) were removed to make room for the work I had in mind. Their physical aspect was thrown to the chickens, to be broken down and changed into eggs. Hagalaz has a strong seed aspect; in fact I've heard the Anglo-Saxon protective version of the rune called the world seed. It looks like a series of Isa runes emanating from a central point (and works in a similar way.) Destruction was the first part of my work to make way for the garden I wanted to manifest. By the time I decided to break for a cup of tea I was sweating freely and the sun was hot on my skin and the freshly revealed earth.

I use a hoe to break up the soil, making it ready for the tiny roots of the seeds to pierce and grip. I hoe strongly and deeply, sweating freely now and enjoying the task. I'm careful around a patch where some leeks are growing, not wishing to disturb their roots. Leeks are tied to two runes, Laguz and Thurisaz (the later a minor link through their close association with Thor.) This second rune is the one I'm manifesting, focused might changing form. The hoe splits the earth, breaking it up, smashing its rigidity and making it more fertile and productive. Jotun energy, but focused and directed by will. The energy of Thor, the aspect of the toiling freeman. Thurisaz. The choosing of seed was another work of intermingled runes. From the hagalaz seed aspect I wished to involve the generative aspect of nature, as manifested in ingwaz. This rune is often depicted as a diamond shape, and is closely associated with the concept of seed. It is the rune of Inga-Frey. I find the analogy of the acorn useful in working with this rune. A tiny compact form that can eventually become a mighty oak. Inguz contains this idea of "that which should be" or potential growth and future aspect. Many vegetable seeds look alike, Bok Choi and Radish for example, are both small dark round seeds. Within the seed there is the potential for two seemingly similar starts to follow and manifest their particular Orlog, becoming two very different plants. Many have equated ingwuz with DNA, the genetic blueprint, and this seems to me to be a fairly accurate association. Some of the seeds I collected from plants I'd grown last season, so I knew that they should grow true to form. Inguz is also an important rune to those following Odin's example of self-growth through contemplative action. By the time I'd got the kettle filled I remembered I had some beer in the fridge and opted for that instead. I sat on the earth and selected the seed, taking into account their preferences for light, water and selecting only those that would do well in the climatic conditions I expected over the next few months. Winter is oncoming, Isa will manifest as Jera rolls. Thought and memory interacted with Inguz and my selections grew. I moved the selected seeds to one side and then started arranging the packets into patterns as I analysed the gardens potential and zones.

Othalia is the rune of homeland. Land with which we have a strong relationship, known land. The rune (interestingly) looks like the rune inguz has sprouted roots, forming the structure of gebo between the seed and its earth. This concept is a good introduction to Othala. Growth in its place, equal exchange (harmony) between earth and those that dwell with it. Ones homeland was often where your ancestors were lain, in mounds (like seeds under heaped earth.) Knowing the names of the mounds was often considered proof that you were of that area, and ownership of land in some lands seemed tied to this close knowledge. It is interesting to note that mound sitting was a way of gaining insight and answers from the dead, (albeit a risky one.) This rune also encompasses the concept of Odinic nobility.

I work during the week earning the rewards of my labours and a home for my family. This soil is under my care and my will interacts with its nature and the nature of the seed to produce life, food that will sustain my kin in months to come. I do not impose my will on it, rather I learn its ways, its cycles and fill its needs. A relationship with the land implies obligations and effort of me, responsibilities and opportunities to learn. This is not the "nobility" we so often see in history ( an exploitive class enforcing their will through violence) but the true nobility of self that comes from knowing your place with regards to the land, Ancestors, Elderkin and landsvar This is my home, this is my garden. I have tired muscles and a satisfied glow as I raise my glass to the world and toast it in cold beer of my own making, freely shared. I was joined by my lady and together we tied trellises, dug trenches, planted seeds and patted down soil, placed mulch over the top to reduce the need for water and to improve the soil. It was hard and compacted once. Ute loads of horse manure dug in over the seasons and the multch from the chicken run have seen it become looser, darker and full of earthworms.

I ponder the finished job.

From here I will be able to watch/enjoy the marvellous interplay of forces that represent a garden. Othalia (homeland) will hold my seeds, laguz (water) and Dagaz (daylight) being the hidden and revelatory aspects, will join to inspire the inguz aspect to expand. My own work will be mixed with them; no more important but no less, and hopefully harmoniously. The garden will grow, I will learn, grow and hopefully soon taste the "fruits of my labour."

I don't wish to make out that planting a veggie garden is somehow a magical endeavour. All of these forces and aspects will act even if I was not aware of their operation. But there is something magical perhaps in being involved in a working where you see and experience runic energy, where you can work in harmony with their own natures to shape the wryd of your personal area and through reflection and investigation gain a deeper understanding of the runes, the universe and yourself.

Not all magic is obvious, it is no less powerful for that. Some times the most important works are those that let us appreciate what's happening (becoming) around us and find our role in it, to the mutual benefit of all.

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