The Glorious Days of Old
~ Lucia Bertani dell’Oro
Translated from Italian by Laura Anna Stortoni and Mary Prentice Lillie

The glorious days of old were glad to own
Both Sappho and Corinna, whose wise pens
Raised them as high as to the light of heaven
Through many honorable, virtuous ways.
And now these two, whose hair is bound with laurel,
Not only pour out new streams from Aganippe
But quench all impious and evil customs
With their high works, eternal and rare.
Such that their fame not only overshadows
The ancient two, but everywhere the names
Of Gambara and Pescara resound,
These noble souls inspire me to strive
To bring my little light out of the shadow,
Only that it may shine forth to the world.

Notes: Aganippe is a fountain in Greece, sacred to the Muses. Gambara and Pescara are Veronica Gambara and Vittoria Colonna, Marchesa of Pescara, both famous women poets of the Italian Renaissance.

The Giants’ Tarot, Raven Kaldera

Draw for September 29,  2016:
Active Influence: Ymir/The Fool
Rune: Yr/The Archer (reversed)
Hidden Influence: Fenris/The Devil

Your attention is scattered, and you may be distracted by the excitement—or dread—of starting something new. You have unfinished business and unresolved issues to sort out before you can move forward. Take care of them now before beginning the next thing, or they will come back to disrupt your careful plans in ways that will be difficult to recover from.

Stanza IV of A Vision of Spring in Winter
~ Algernon Charles Swinburne

As sweet desire of the day before the day
As dreams of love before the true love born,
From the outer edge of winter overworn
The ghost arisen of May before the May
Takes through dim air her unawakened way,
The gracious ghost of morning risen ere morn.
With little unblown breasts and child-eyed looks
Following, the very maid, the girl-child spring,
Lifts windward her bright brows,
Dips her light feet in warm and moving brooks,
And kindles with her own mouth’s colouring
The fearful firstlings of the plumeless boughs.

The Giants’ Tarot, Raven Kaldera

Draw for September 28, 2016:
Active Influence: Svipdag/Knight of Cups
Rune: Raido (r)
Hidden Influence: The Volva/Four of Swords

While today may be a low energy day, or a day where you are not able to make much progress, it’s important to keep looking forward. Do not allow yourself to slide back and become stuck in what is over and done. Love is the key to healing and to moving forward. As Lucille Ball said, “Love yourself first and everything else falls into line. Your really have to love yourself to get anything done in this world.”

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.

No amount of external elements—admiration, affection, conversation, sex—will ever be enough to satisfy a person whose internal compass does not point to joy.
~ David Finch

People need joy quite as much as clothing. Some of them need it far more.
~ Margaret Collier Graham

Happiness is good,  but fleeting, as it is derived from external sources and events. Joy comes from within, and can be experienced even in the most awful circumstances. This week’s bindrune is designed to help you tap into your joy, and let it grow and sustain you, regardless of what the external situation may be.

Bindrune to Increase Joy: Nauthiz, Gebo, Wunjo

Nauthiz (far left tile, rune in black): Nauthiz is the rune of need. When your true needs are fulfilled, you are content, and contentment increases joy.

Gebo (center tile, rune in blue): The rune of gifts, both giving and receiving, Gebo is a reminder to give generously and receive graciously. Whether the exchange is one of emotion, time, effort, money, or energy, giving authentically and receiving with awareness create healthy emotional balance.

Wunjo (right tile, rune in gold): Golden and shining, Gebo is the embodiment of joy. By acknowledging the joy you feel, you create more joy, perpetuating a virtuous cycle.

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 sunflower or marigold oil to reinforce the positive 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.

Wishing you great joy, today and every day!