Rune Yoga: A Daily Ritual

This essay is offered to describe a practice that may help to align one's life rhythm with the energies of the runes. It is intended for those already familiar with the practice of Rune Yoga, Mudras, and Meditation. 

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What follows is a description of a technique and approach to ritualizing Rune Yoga on a daily schedule. I shall assume that the postures are already understood through familiarity with the works of Kummer, Marby, Spiesberger, Welz, or Thorsson. It is important to understand what I intend by the use of the term, “ritual.” Ritual is, by definition, a sequence of activities involving gestures, words, or actions performed in a specific sequence. From a magical perspective, each element of a ritual should be meaningful or sacred. The inference here is that by setting aside each element or aspect of one’s rune yoga practice that more meaningful results may be attained.

The ritual that follows may be used for either Rune Yoga or Rune Mudras (Runen-Griff) or some combination of each. My ritual is designed for the 18 Sacred Futhorkh Runes also known as the Armanen Runes. The practitioner should orient himself or herself to the North. The practice should begin by establishing the Inner Rune Realm. This may be most easily accomplished by closing one’s eyes. If able, establish the Inner Rune Realm while performing 3 deep cleansing breaths. Breathing should be rhythmic. Inhale deeply and hold for at least 3 seconds. A pattern of 7-3-7-3 (inhale-hold-exhale-hold) is good but may be adapted to what the practitioner is comfortable with. When performing the posture I prefer to be physically oriented so that the rune position appears correct if viewed from the North. Therefore one would face the following directions for each posture.

Orientations

FA – West
UR – West
THORN – North
OS – East
RIT – North
KA – West
HAGAL - North
NOD – North
IS – North
AR – North
SIG – West
TYR – North
BAR – North
LAF – West
MAN – North
YR – North
EH – North
GIBOR – West

For the performance of each posture (stellung), it is essential that the practitioner be able to visualize the rune. This may be done with eyes closed or open depending on one’s abilities and preference. With the rune fully visualized, silently chant (galdr) the rune name while inhaling. Imagine the rune entering your body and filling it entirely. While exhaling, chant the rune softly or loudly depending on your surroundings. Each rune should be chanted three times. Follow this by murmuring the mantra provided.

I have established three sets of six runes each that may be performed at three times throughout the day. From a ritual perspective, it is best to establish set times for this practice (e.g. dawn, noon, sunset). The timing may vary slightly and be as simple as upon rising from bed, prior to eating lunch, and prior to going to sleep in the evening. By forming the posture and chanting each rune three times, the practitioner will perform 18 rune postures and chants at each of the three specified times throughout the day. Not only do we return to the sacred number 18 (6 x 3) but we perform it three times throughout the day. It was common for Runemasters of antiquity to carve a particular rune three times in a row for magical purposes. Three is a special and sacred number in many cultures and religions. It represents the creative force and the process of “becoming” or “turning.” It is exemplified by several sets of three gods prominent throughout Germanic spirituality including for example, Har, Jafnhar, and Thridi. One also immediately thinks of the Norns, Urd (Urðr), Verthandi (Verðandi) and Skuld. The Norns may also be thought of from the perspective of “turning” as well as from Guido Von List’s important formula of “arising-being-passing away to new arising.” The rune practitioner may also choose to wear special clothing that is set aside and only used for their Rune Yoga practice.

Here divided by time of day is each set of runes and their associated mantra. Note that the mantras may also be used as part of meditation work on each rune. The first six runes are all about “arising.” We focus on beginning our day properly and establish an attitude that enables us to address the day’s events positively.

Morning

FA – “I am potential”

UR –  “I am healing”

THORN – “I am will”

OS – “I am creation”

RIT – “I am order”

KA – “I am ability”

The second set of six runes change our focus to “being.” We are able to successfully address the day’s challenges in an enlightened and controlled way.

Afternoon

HAGAL –“I am all”

NOD – “I am fate”

IS – “I am”

AR – “I am light”

SIG – “I am success”

TYR – “I am sacrifice”

The final set of six runes represent our “passing away to a new arising.” The day’s challenges are behind us. We sense the spiritual and embrace the evening as new beings. We enter the dream state as a daily example of “passing away” with the profound understanding that we shall rise again with the next day’s dawn.

Evening

BAR – “I am reborn”

LAF – “I am life”

MAN – “I am spirit”

YR – “I am matter”

EH – “We are one”

GIBOR – “Gibor-Arahari!”

This practice does not take long to complete. Substituting hand mudras for the yoga positions makes the afternoon set easy to accomplish even if one is in a work setting –as it will not draw unwanted attention. Completing this practice on a daily basis keeps us focused on the power of the runes and helps us to continually reset ourselves. It aligns our day with the rhythm of the runes. We draw upon the rune energies and allow them to displace any negative energies that may blur our focus or inhibit our potential throughout the day.