I "Rune" My Day with Mannaz

During my morning rituals, I pulled a rune for the day and felt the tingly sensation of Mannaz. The 20th rune of the Elder Futhark, representing the letter M and standing for "man," sauntered into the wormhole of my brain, asking, "Who are you?"

What Makes You Human?

My brain shouts: love, compassion, kindness! But alas, does not being human also encompass our "bad" aspects—our hate, judgment, and fears? To be human is to be perfectly imperfect, to embrace our whole selves, which is exactly what Mannaz calls for. It invites us to embrace our human identity as a whole being and as an interconnected being.

The Call for Self-Reflection

Who are you to your community? What is your societal human identity? Is it in harmony with your human self? Does it have to be? I'm not sure. One would probably argue yes that this has to be in balance in order to gain some sort of spiritual enlightenment, but everyone’s journey is different. These questions linger as Mannaz encourages us to reflect deeply on our place in the world, our interactions, and how we present ourselves to others.

Embracing the Duality

Embracing Mannaz means acknowledging both our strengths and weaknesses. It’s about understanding that our fears and judgments are as much a part of us as our love and kindness. This rune challenges us to find balance and harmony within ourselves and our communities.

The Journey Ahead

As I carry Mannaz with me throughout the day, I strive to find harmony within myself and my surroundings. It’s a journey of continuous self-discovery, embracing all facets of my being. Mannaz reminds us that to be human is to be a part of a larger, interconnected tapestry, and our true power lies in embracing every bit of the interwoven threads of who we all are.

So, Who Are you?

I will leave you with a poem by Robert Longley

Ashes to Ashes. Dust to Dust.

Once solid in iron is now only rust.

It is but a cycle through all things must pass.

For rarely do the tangible continue to last

We look at these cycles and wish they would change.

Accepting this pattern somehow does seem strange.

Few things are eternal and one of them is love.

Now & Forever, On Earth and Above.