Then and Now
~ Kath Walker/Oodgeroo Noonuccal

In my dreams I hear my tribe
Laughing as they hunt and swim
But dreams are shattered by rushing car,
By grinding tram and hissing train
And I see no more my tribe of old
As I walk alone in the teeming town.

I have seen corroboree
Where a factory belches smoke;
Here where they have memorial park
One time lubras dug for yams;
One time our dark children played
There where the railways yards are now,
And where I remember the didgeridoo
Calling us to dance and play,
Offices now, neon lights now,
Bank and shop and advertisement now,
Traffic and trade of the busy town.

No more woomera, no more boomerang,
No more playabout, no more the old ways.
Children of nature we were then,
No clocks hurrying crowds to toil.
Now I am civilized and work in the white way,
Now I have dress, now I have shoes:
‘Isn’t she lucky to have a good job!’
Better when I had only a dillybag.
Better when I had nothing but happiness.

If you are new to working with bindrunes, I suggest you read the introductory bindrune post here, then return to this post to read about this specific bindrune. Remember that working with bindrunes, as with working with any kind of magic, does not carry guaranteed results, and may produce results quite different from what you expect.

Sometimes, you find yourself in a challenging situation, going through difficult times, or, sometimes, things just suck, to use the vernacular. When you are feeling stuck, tired, and in need of a spiritual refresher, this bindrune can help you live the cycles of life in a state of grace and perhaps even peace.

Bindrune of Mannaz and Wendhorn

Mannaz (left tile, blue in bindrune): Mannaz is your self, your best, highest, truest self. The part of you that is wise, that knows just what to say and do in every situation. This is you on your very best days, at the very best moment of those days. You are wise, calm, courageous, and creative—your very best you. Mannaz is a pair of Wunjo facing each other. Finding your inner joy, and its reflection in the world around you, will give you strength to meet each day.

Wendhorn (right tile, purple in bindrune): Associated with the moon, Wendhorn is the rune of cycles, of the passage of time, of waxing, waning, and waxing again. Wendhorn reminds you that, whatever you are going through right now, this, too shall pass; things will change, and change will lead to something better.

The bindrune on the left was done in colored pencil. The one on the right was done with fine point calligraphy markers. They are shown in two different media to give an idea of how the same bindrune looks different depending on how it is created.

You could put a drop of lavender oil for calm and courage, or peppermint for uplifting energies. You could also use your favorite oil on it to reinforce the energy with your personal scent. You can also use a magical oil, such as a hoodoo oil or other type of specially prepared oil.

Use this bindrune—and all bindrunes—entirely at your own risk.

This spread is based on the Rider-Waite-Smith style of Tower card.

RWS 1910 version

Often, when the Tower card turns up (regardless of which deck you’re reading with), the initial reaction is, “Oh, no, not this card!”

I’ve created a spread to approach the Tower card (and associated events) from a positive perspective.

Lay the cards out as shown:

Landing on Your Feet

1. Lightning. What has ignited your soul?

2. Crown. What has expanded your mental awareness?

3. Falling female figure. What old emotional patterns can you break free of with this change?

4. Falling male figure. What old thought patterns can you break free of with this change?

5. The unshakeable foundation. Even if your world has been turned upside down, you still have the ground under your feet. What is supporting you at this time?

Give it a try—it’s Tower-iffic!

Stone Cutter and Cloud
~ Steve Klepetar

Tonight I am stone
cutter and cloud, a man

with empty hands, who
stands before you spinning

with sleep, wearing the ropes
of day, dressed in thin,

ragged shreds of dream.

Something to keep in mind as you move through your manic Monday.

Invitation
~ Mary Oliver

Oh do you have time
to linger
for just a little while
out of your busy
and very important day
for the goldfinches
that have gathered
in a field of thistles
for a musical battle,
to see who can sing
the highest note,
or the lowest,
or the most expressive of mirth,
or the most tender?
Their strong, blunt beaks
drink the air
as they strive
melodiously
not for your sake
and not for mine
and not for the sake of winning
but for sheer delight and gratitude—
believe us, they say,
it is a serious thing
just to be alive
on this fresh morning
in the broken world.
I beg of you,
do not walk by
without pausing
to attend to this
rather ridiculous performance.
It could mean something.
It could mean everything.
It could be what Rilke meant, when he wrote:
You must change your life.