Saying Yes to a Drink
~ Deborah Garrison

What would a grown woman do?
She’d tug off an earring
when the phone rang, drop it to the desk

for the clatter and roll. You’d hear
in this the ice, tangling in the glass;
in her voice, low on the line, the drink

being poured. All night awake,
I heard its fruity murmur of disease
and cure. I heard the sweet word “sleep,”

which made me thirstier. Did I say it,
or did you? And will I learn
to wave the drink with a good-bye wrist

in conversation, toss it off all bracelet-bare
like more small talk about a small affair?
To begin, I’ll claim what I want

is small: the childish hand
of a dream to smooth me over,
a cold sip of water in bed,

your one kiss, never again.
I’ll claim I was a girl before this gin,
then beg you for another.

Gin and Tonic (Image from Wikipedia)

The Giants’ Tarot

Draw for October 5, 2016:
Active Influence: Laufey/The Empress
Rune: Hagalaz/Hail
Hidden Influence: Sunna/The Sun

The sun melts the icy hail, watering the seeds you have planted. Radical change releases trapped energies to create a new and more authentic life.

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.

For some spirit workers, their call to divine service is a gradual transition from their old life to their new life. For others, there’s a radical shift, both internal and external, that strikes with the swiftness of lightning. I created this bindrune to help someone going through an intense and profound change. The first variant is for someone on a path of gradual transition. The second variant is for someone who is navigating an abrupt (and usually unexpected) change of direction.

Bindrune to Let Go and Be Remade, Variation #1: Ear Mannaz Berkana

Ear (black rune, far left tile): The rune of Hela, the grave, and the slow transition from death to rebirth. Ear strips away what you no longer need.

Mannaz (dark blue rune, middle tile): The rune of the Self. This is your true nature, your divine essence, your authentic way of being in the world, living your Wyrd with courage, grace, and honor. Be true to yourself, be true to your Gods, and you will always be on your best path. Mannaz centers you in your authentic and best Self.

Berkana (green rune, right tile): The rune of rebirth. Green, growing things; the energy of spring; new life, new hope, new purpose. Berkana supports your growth along your new path.

Bindrune to Let Go and Be Remade, Variation #2: Cweorth, Mannaz, Berkana

The second variant puts Cweorth (red rune, left tile) in place of Ear. Cweorth is the rune of the fire-twirl, the tool that starts the flame which consumes all in its path. Like Ear, Cweorth strips away what you no longer need, but it is a sudden, and quick, removal. Cweorth is often seen as the funeral pyre, and if you feel your life has gone up in smoke, the energies of this rune can help you find your footing quickly.

The bindrune on the left in each photo was done in colored pencil. The one on the right in each photo 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 sage oil to reinforce the energies, or a drop of 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.

Let go, and be remade.

O What Transparent Waves
~ Vittoria Colonna
Translated from Italian by Lynne Lawner

O what transparent waves, what a tranquil sea
my speedy vessel travelled through,
laden, adorned with richest freight,
the clear air and breeze aiding it!

The sky that now hides in beautiful lamps
rayed soft light then, erased most shadows.
How must one fear who happily proceeds!—
for the end is not always like the beginning.

Regard how fickle and impious Fortune,
uncovering her wicked, angry face,
gives rise in her fury to a vast tempest.

But though she collects wind, rain, and arrows
and sends wild beasts to devour me,
the soul still catches sight of its faithful star.

The Giants’ Tarot, Raven Kaldera

Draw for October 4, 2016:
Active Influence: Bolthorn/Two of Wands
Rune: Sowelu/Sun, Lightning
Hidden Influence: Ran/Queen of Cups

Yesterday’s Sowelu energy of light and lightning carries over to today. Emotions are running high, pushing you to take action to make changes—some fundamental, some higher level—that are overdue.