S. Kelley Harrell's Blog: Intentional Insights - Ancient Healing, Modern Shamanism, page 70

Sacred Ink

I’ve long wanted to get a tattoo. When I was in college–well before it was cool to sport ink–a fellow TA had a tiny American flag in the shape of a heart on her ankle, and I wanted one, post-haste. However, not being much of a flag or tiny heart person, I couldn’t imagine what to get. Fond of ritual to a near-OCD fault, it would have to be something meaningful, marking a significant event that altered the course of my life.

No big, yes?

For the last twenty-two years, I couldn’t come up with anything. It was just as well, because in my early thirties I made a pact with my body no longer to cause it harm, even the aesthetically derived kind. No new scarring, no new piercings, even some of the old ones had to come out. Having withstood more than its share of family inflicted harm by the age of seven, the self-harming release that was my teens, and the chronic pain of my thirties and ever-after, my body said, “Enough.”

I listened.

I’ve led a fairly vanilla exterior, since. I’m not complaining, just saying in the world of profound body ritual, chameleon hair has nothing on writing a story on a body.

Nothing.

Last fall, the end of monochroma came into view. Over lunch and while discussing parenting, a dear friend reminded me how most of the distress of our lives and our ability to cope with it is set by the age of five, that our centers of empathy, compassion, and confidence are likewise, and what an accomplishment it is to reach that age without trauma.

I didn’t clear five, though at six I made a profound decision about what seven would look like. The night before my seventh birthday, the last time I was hurt, I stated a very clear mantra, and decided to stop the abuse by all means necessary. Years ago, I wrote about that night and speaking that boundary in Gift of the Dreamtime. What I didn’t write, what I couldn’t know even then, was how hard it was to be that resourceful at seven years old, to make that boundary stick. This, I learned only in the last year, watching my six-year-old twins.

I didn’t understand the stress I was under, the choices I had to make, the lies I had to tell, the people and dynamics I had to manipulate. How vividly I recall working it like a champ so that I would never be left alone with that man again, and I wasn’t. It truly was a feat of incredible skill, impeccable timing, and pure survival.

Children are capable of amazing and unthinkable potential.

With my friend’s words, it hit me what I would write on my body, and exactly where. On my wrists, the site of so many scars, I would write forgiveness of myself for the shadow behaviour I adapted to stay safe and sane. I would thank my family for doing everything they could to give me what I needed when they found out what had happened, even when nothing anyone could have done would have been enough. And I would write about forgiving life for nothing ever being enough.

I would thank the parts of me that got me where I am today, and vow their care and safekeeping, no matter what comes in my life. No more self harm.

I would write thanks to my spirit guides and ancestors, to the father of my children, and to my beautiful, safe, whole, happy kids, for a very honest and safe family life.

I would write thanks to the loved ones and spirits who have protected my children. I would write true and clear joy to celebrate myself and their father for doing the very best we could to keep them safe, and the fact that it worked.

I would write the hard, though true, realization that I can’t protect them forever, that as they grow older and become more independent, I won’t be able to keep them from hurting themselves, from being hurt by the world.

I would write all these things onto my body, and it would hurt. It would trigger, but it would be okay, because pain is not a threat and a body’s not a target. It’s a page, a book, an entire library, written for life.

In barred owl feathers and branches, tent rune ciphers hinting Twinkies, so it was inked, mere days before my kids turn seven, with compassion, with intention.

Because this full circle has come full.

Because alongside the ill-gained scars, I will honor the wonderful passings of my life and let them mark me.

Thank you, day-saver Christine, cheerleader Susan, artist Chris, and the scheduling techs at Mad Ethel’s.

The post Sacred Ink appeared first on Soul Intent Arts - Intentional Insights.

The Weekly Rune – Ehwaz

For the week of 7 February 2016

Well, we’re right-side up this week, and digging deep.

Algiz is the half-month rune through 13 February, at which point Sowilu moves forward, with Ehwaz as the intuitive stave. The half-month rune is set by the traditionally accepted runic calendar, and governs for a tad over two weeks. Read right to left is Algiz below, Sowilu below, followed by Ehwaz. The intuitive stave brings the focus of the half-month rune into sharper focus for the present week.

Following is a summary of The Weekly Rune. Read the full runecast for more details on how these runes impact human life force over the next week, and how to best manage the curves and twists.

Likewise, sign up to get all the details for my new year-long Intensive Reclaiming the Runes – Putting the ‘Elder’ Back in Futhark. This Intensive is focused on teaching the story  of the runes in as full an Old Norse context as possible, and instructing on how to work with them as a personal tool for growth, and a facilitator of gaining insight for others.

After two back-to-back reversals, it’s refreshing to have some forward-flowing energy. The transition of Algiz to Sowilu generates subtle movement that well-complements a beginning of an end.

Algiz has provided a good bit of protection from otherwise distressing reversals, which isn’t to say they haven’t been stressful. Despite the external jockeying we’ve had to do to keep order, the chaos has been primarily inside. The transition into Sowilu at the end of this week marks the calendar’s progression through the second aett, which has been full of personal trials.

Sowilu is the final rune in the second aett, and it comes at a time that we need to be reminded of our divinity. The first aett is largely a challenge to manifest, period. It’s the creation story of All and of ourselves, followed by the physicality of what it means to be in form, in the second aett.

The way we remind ourselves of life’s joy is through divinity, and our greatest divinity must be found within. Sowilu translates to “sun,” though its meaning is something more complex. As Source shines through the sun, so the sun shines us so that we may shine on others. This pay-it-forward quality serves not only to unite and equalizes us, but to remind us that we’re not just responsible for our own joy, but also that of others. We’re in this together.


To learn more about the impact of Sowilu, read the full runecast.


Our task this week is to clarify at that soul level what our role in joy is. Of course, we’re challenged to accomplish this while stabilizing the debris of the last two weeks. Recognize that we are in the midst of transitioning through the second aett, and this can be a time of natural closure. Let it be.

Through this week, find the places to drop the guard, or at least let what’s Divine in life hold it for us. Our energy needs to be focused on becoming active in shining our light, and reaching deeper so that our own light can carry us… and others.

Read the full runecast.

 

The post The Weekly Rune – Ehwaz appeared first on Soul Intent Arts - Intentional Insights.

Celebrate the Small Things – Gratitude

My weekly gratitude post, in the Celebrate the Small Things [ongoing] Blog Hop.

I’m grateful for a fabulous gaming weekend at Whose Turn Is It Anyway.

I’m grateful for the kids having a good time at said event.

I’m grateful for a few nights of good sleep, despite said event.

I’m grateful for a great conversation with my agent!

What are you grateful for this week? How will you show thanks? Who is grateful for you? I am!

This post is part of Lexa Cain’s blog hop, Celebrate the Small Things, along with her  co-hostesses L.G. Keltner and Tonja Drecker. Participate by following the link and adding your name to the Linky list, then post your gratitude every Friday.  Easiest blog hop ever!

Click here to hop on, and thanks for coming with me on this journey of self-empowerment and collective awareness.

The post Celebrate the Small Things – Gratitude appeared first on Soul Intent Arts - Intentional Insights.

The Weekly Rune – Wunjo Reversed

For the week of 31 January 2016

Compassion for self is the focus this week.

Algiz is the half-month rune through 13 February, with Wunjo reversed as the intuitive stave. The half-month rune is set by the traditionally accepted runic calendar, and governs for a tad over two weeks. Read right to left is Algiz below, followed by Wunjo reversed. The intuitive stave brings the focus of the half-month rune into sharper focus for the present week.

Following is a summary of The Weekly Rune. Read the full runecast for more details on how these runes impact human life force over the next week, and how to best manage the curves and twists.

Likewise, sign up to get all the details for my new year-long Intensive Reclaiming the Runes – Putting the ‘Elder’ Back in Futhark. This Intensive is focused on teaching the story  of the runes in as full an Old Norse context as possible, and instructing on how to work with them as a personal tool for growth, and a facilitator of gaining insight for others.

On the heels of Thurisaz reversed last week, it’s telling to have another reversal. Wunjo reversed is an interesting creature. Upright it indicates hitting on all cylinders. All elements required to manifest have aligned, what has been desired has been completed or is near completion, and taking a little respite to enjoy that fact is in order. In fact, Wunjo means joy. Wunjo is one of the staves everyone wants in their cast, and it is generally a very bright, light life force.

Reversed, it’s something else entirely, and possibly one of the most unwanted staves in a cast. There’s a great set up, yes? It would seem that reversed, Wunjo is about not getting what one wants, not having the elements aligned, not being able to groove with the elements to produce results. It is all of those things; however, the thread tying all of those together is disappointment.

To learn more about the impact of reversals, read the full runecast.

 

Algiz provides protective cover for the disappointment of this week. It may not be much given the toll that shame can take, though it is something. The strength of Algiz is being so deeply embodied in the home space–the Nature spirits, Land Elders, Ancestors, family, land, elements, lineage–that we become it. We take it everywhere we go. We are it.

Most often the defensive nature of Algiz is implicitly directed toward others. This week we protect ourselves from ourselves.  Make no plans. Stay behind the white line, and tend the space of self. Don’t rush the feelings that come up, however yucky. Breathe them through. Let them have their moment, and realize it’s just that–one moment on a long continuum of opportunity and creativity.


The rest will sort on its own.

Read the full runecast.

 

The post The Weekly Rune – Wunjo Reversed appeared first on Soul Intent Arts - Intentional Insights.

The Weekly Rune – Thurisaz Reversed

For the week of 24 January 2016

The force getting away from us is the subject, this week.

Perthro is the half-month rune through 28 January, at which point Algiz moves forward. The half-month rune is set by the traditionally accepted runic calendar, and governs for a tad over two weeks. Read right to left is Perthro above, Algiz below, followed by Thurisaz reversed as the intuitive stave. The intuitive stave brings the focus of the half-month rune into sharper focus for the present week.

Following is a summary of The Weekly Rune. Read the full runecast for more details on how these runes impact human life force over the next week, and how to best manage the curves and twists.

Likewise, sign up to get all the details for my new year-long Intensive Reclaiming the Runes – Putting the ‘Elder’ Back in Futhark. This Intensive is focused on teaching the story  of the runes in as full an Old Norse context as possible, and instructing on how to work with them as a personal tool for growth, and a facilitator of gaining insight for others.

Foremost, Thurisaz reversed has never been The Weekly Rune. Keep in mind that I hold reversals carefully, as they aren’t an attested function of the runes. For a good twenty years, I didn’t work with reversals in readings. For many years, I kept meticulous notes on the readings that I did, and I started to notice patterns in how reversals played out, compared to their upright positions. I acknowledge them now, though it’s still a very intuitive process.

Given that, I consider the advent of Thurisaz reversed a pretty big deal as the intuitive stave. With it comes the transition of Perthor to Algiz later in the week (Thursday), which actually pairs really well with the rune for the week. It may even take some of the sting out of things. I’ve already talked a good bit about the formula of Jera, Eihwaz, and Perthro, (read the full runecast), so then, how does that strategy for manifestation lead into Algiz, the rune of protection?

Interesting, that. Algiz is a rune of protection, though it’s not as simple as a white line drawn in the sand. Meaning “elk/sedge” this stave brings to mind that we are so connected to our home space, which given the Nature significance of both meanings, that would imply to our land or Nature Spirits, we embody them. Strong with animistic overtones, the protection of this rune stems from not just being aware of the Home Spirits, but being in concert with them, being in relationship with them. When we fully embody the spirits of home, they travel with us everywhere we go. In that light, everywhere becomes home. The protection of that bond travels with us, and it’s the strongest mojo there is.

This week that mojo is quite handy, because Thurisaz reversed indicates life force out of joint. Also having two powerful meanings, “giant” and “thorn,” both represent extremes and point to blunt change. Giants are linked with primal forces, unconscious motivations that compel us. Like the jarring realization of a thorn in an otherwise smooth and appealing dynamic, the sudden interjection of rapt attention to an irritant prompts change.

One of the most misunderstood aspects of Old Norse culture was being keenly familiar with personal shortcomings. Where our culture hides such, their tradition faced them, and this is the message of Thurisaz reversed. Only by realizing our own shadows will be light them.

Read the full runecast.

—

Have you ever wanted to know what the coming currents are? Have you ever thought that if you could know, you’d better prepare for them? A personal runecast provides just that, with insights to get in sync with the rhythm that’s head for you.

The Year in Runes–for you, about you!

This is the last week to order your 2016 Personal Runecast!

The post The Weekly Rune – Thurisaz Reversed appeared first on Soul Intent Arts - Intentional Insights.

Celebrate the Small Things – Gratitude

My weekly gratitude post, in the Celebrate the Small Things [ongoing] Blog Hop.

I’m grateful for a supportive revisit to the surgeon. Things aren’t going great, though there’s a plan laid out, for now.

I’m grateful for good vibes around submitting my novel.

I’m grateful for a a happy, healthy family.

I’m relieved to feel more open-minded about various life dynamics. Things change. So can I.

What are you grateful for this week? How will you show thanks? Who is grateful for you? I am!

This post is part of Lexa Cain’s blog hop, Celebrate the Small Things, along with her  co-hostesses L.G. Keltner and Tonja Drecker. Participate by following the link and adding your name to the Linky list, then post your gratitude every Friday.  Easiest blog hop ever!

Click here to hop on, and thanks for coming with me on this journey of self-empowerment and collective awareness.

The post Celebrate the Small Things – Gratitude appeared first on Soul Intent Arts - Intentional Insights.

The Weekly Rune – Berkana

For the week of 17 January 2016

Accomplished detachment is on the agenda, this week.

Perthro is the half-month rune through 28 January. The half-month rune is set by the traditionally accepted runic calendar, and governs for a tad over two weeks. Read right to left is Perthro followed by Berkana as the intuitive stave. The intuitive stave brings the focus of the half-month rune into sharper focus for the present week.

Following is a summary of The Weekly Rune. Read the full runecast for more details on how these runes impact human life force over the next week, and how to best manage the curves and twists.

Likewise, sign up to get all the details for my new year-long Intensive Reclaiming the Runes – Putting the ‘Elder’ Back in Futhark. This Intensive is focused on teaching the story  of the runes in as full an Old Norse context as possible, and instructing on how to work with them as a personal tool for growth, and a facilitator of gaining insight for others.

Berkana visited us last month in company with Eihwaz, and it returns now with Perthro. This stave of completion and detachment brings nurture and calm for dealing with the unknown.

Perthro is the synergy of our past and our present in balance to create a sought-after outcome. Those of the new vernacular may consider it akin to the Law of Attraction, though it’s a more complete formula than that. In the traditional ordering of the Elder Futhark, successfully moving through Jera to Eihwaz produces solid ground for Perthro. It’s the sure thing of efforts and embodiment manifesting desired wyrd.

Read the full runecast, including the full story on the formula of Jera, Eihwaz, and Perthro.

Imagine the sweet spot of perfect support that’s a bit detached, is encouraging, and utterly confident in both her own actions and ours, yet takes absolutely no shit. Berkana settles for nothing less than getting the job done, and the discernment to realize that it’s done. Likewise, she sits with completion comfortably. There’s no pressure to analyze what should have been done, where to go next. This stave encourages us to be in the moment of our creative birth, to see it for what it is, and take the time to recover from its exertion.

This week, the challenge before us is to realize what’s being birthed, and to facilitate it. The chance aspect of Perthro suggests we may not readily see what’s completing, or recognize that it is. We are charged with being very attentive, alongside retaining emotional detachment.

Read the full runecast.

—

Have you ever wanted to know what the coming currents are? Have you ever thought that if you could know, you’d better prepare for them? A personal runecast provides just that, with insights to get in sync with the rhythm that’s head for you.

The Year in Runes–for you, about you!

Order your 2016 Personal Runecast now!

The post The Weekly Rune – Berkana appeared first on Soul Intent Arts - Intentional Insights.

Celebrate the Small Things – Gratitude

My weekly gratitude post, in the Celebrate the Small Things [ongoing] Blog Hop.

 

I’m grateful for a reasonably smooth return to The Routine. Back to work is never easy.

I’m grateful for poignant memos from the Multiverse, even f I’m thrilled about what they say.

I’m grateful for a really great start to Year Two of The Spirited Path Intensive. It’s such a joy to teach!

What are you grateful for this week? How will you show thanks? Who is grateful for you? I am!

This post is part of Lexa Cain’s blog hop, Celebrate the Small Things, along with her  co-hostesses L.G. Keltner and Tonja Drecker. Participate by following the link and adding your name to the Linky list, then post your gratitude every Friday.  Easiest blog hop ever!

Click here to hop on, and thanks for coming with me on this journey of self-empowerment and collective awareness.

The post Celebrate the Small Things – Gratitude appeared first on Soul Intent Arts - Intentional Insights.

The Weekly Rune – Jera

For the week of 10 January 2016

Know the formula to evoke change, this week.

Eihwaz is the half-month rune through mid-week, 13 January, after which Perthro moves fore. The half-month rune is set by the traditionally accepted runic calendar, and governs for a tad over two weeks. Read right to left is Eihwaz above, Perthro below, followed by Jera as the intuitive stave. The intuitive stave brings the focus of the half-month rune into sharper focus for the present week.

Following is a summary of The Weekly Rune. Read the full runecast for more details on how these runes impact human life force over the next week, and how to best manage the curves and twists.

Likewise, sign up to get all the details for my new year-long Intensive Reclaiming the Runes – Putting the ‘Elder’ Back in Futhark. This Intensive is focused on teaching the story  of the runes in as full an Old Norse context as possible, and instructing on how to work with them as a personal tool for growth, and a facilitator of gaining insight for others.

Winter Solstice saw us through the half-month transition from Jera to Eihwaz, to Perthro. It visits us again now as the intuitive stave, with a slightly different emphasis.

Remember also, that Jera, Eihwaz, then Perthro are the native order of these staves in the Elder Futhark. Where Jera  is the acquisition of tools, perhaps allies, Eihwaz indicates a deep reality check. It’s the rune of the True Self, or High Self, and marks the point in that natural order that we realize we are our best resource. We can have all the spirit guides and tools possible; the final decision to engage, to move, must come from ourselves.

Read the full runecast, including the full story on the formula of Jera, Eihwaz, and Perthro.

Perthro is the synergy of these influences. The whole reason we become capable of possessing tools (Jera) is because we’ve done some work, some effective thing that benefits us and All Things. We’ve worked wyrd [Eihwaz] in a way that restores balance. We faced the unknown armed only with our wisdom and experience, and we awaited the outcome.

This week we are reminded that we have control over ourselves, and how we respond to our pasts. This would be a good week to focus on healing ancestral lines, and learning how we can bring them into balance. The less we feel the wounds of those who went before us, the more power we have available to us in the present, the better we can prepare those who follow us.

Read the full runecast.

—

Have you ever wanted to know what the coming currents are? Have you ever thought that if you could know, you’d better prepare for them? A personal runecast provides just that, with insights to get in sync with the rhythm that’s head for you.

The Year in Runes–for you, about you!

Order your 2016 Personal Runecast now!

The post The Weekly Rune – Jera appeared first on Soul Intent Arts - Intentional Insights.

Celebrate the Small Things – Gratitude

My weekly gratitude post, in the Celebrate the Small Things [ongoing] Blog Hop.

I’m grateful to return to the Hop!

I’m grateful for my new Hop image! I love JD Hancock’s work!

I’m grateful for a fun holiday, and having had good quality time with all of my family.

I’m grateful for safe travels.

I’m grateful for a gentle reminder to my Samhain intention–stop fighting conflict. Life change ahead.

What are you grateful for this week? How will you show thanks? Who is grateful for you? I am!

This post is part of Lexa Cain’s blog hop, Celebrate the Small Things, along with her  co-hostesses L.G. Keltner and Tonja Drecker. Participate by following the link and adding your name to the Linky list, then post your gratitude every Friday.  Easiest blog hop ever!

Click here to hop on, and thanks for coming with me on this journey of self-empowerment and collective awareness.

The post Celebrate the Small Things – Gratitude appeared first on Soul Intent Arts - Intentional Insights.