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As I approach my 50th year I discovered from a conversation with my Brother that we are indeed off strong Irish and Nordic Heritage.. For this I give thanks.. For this I celebrate ,its a beautiful conformation to why I walk the path I do… A few years back i had a powerful dream that brought that belief alive, and now the whisperings of that Nordic blood flowing through my veins.. The old magic and gods feel like a memory.. Rather than empty words or calling upon something that is not there.. Half my lifetime ago I set foot into the Mountains of Scotland I would dream of Raven’s and strange swirling Symbols.. Upon returning as if by chance , I wandered into a Book Shop and placed my hands upon the Book Of Runes, and The Runes themselves.. It was my first encounter with an Oracle, in this life… at least...
As long as I can remember I have had a relationship with the Runes and the Mysteries of The Wyrd, the land and the spirits that have dwelled in those in between places.. The Hidden Folk … Born out of a Pilgrimage and Solo journey across the Scottish Mountains many moons ago… I had been made redundant from my job, standing at a crossroads I felt a pull towards the mountains.. It was a strong pull, a tug into the fabric of the old world...Made redundant on the Friday and in the Mountains by the Monday… At the time of writing this, it was over 25 years ago now...
Whilst walking across that ancient landscape...I had dreamt of strange swilling symbols, and often I would sense a old man walking with me, with a heavy wooden staff.. He was strong, fierce, yet I only but felt his warmth towards me… He was a wanderer, like me.. I felt his guidance, his protection and his love.. He wore a heavy coat, made from woollen blankets… and times sensed a wide brimmed hat, Yet I could never see his face…
At night I would dream of the swirling symbols.. I felt at home in that landscape, it was more like a remembering… a returning…
“ We touch the ground and reach deep into the earth with our bare hands, we pull those stories up into the light , like lost seeds, that are yearning to be reborn , retold and remembered .. This is how we move from harm to healing …. Through our collective story”
One morning as I pack away my tent in amongst the mist and rain I reached a ridge, and as I did , I looked down, and there in the distance stood a large stone, that I came to know as a Standing Stone, as I approached it, I was filled with a mixed feeling, with knowing and memory, it was inscribed with what I later discovered Rune markings, that of which, were in my dream..
Now could be a good time to watch this video its serval years old now: Odin's Gateway The Call of The Wyrd
Back to Scotland So much happened on that journey.. More than I could ever write here, and now.. I save it for another time, if feted we will share around a fire, or in another story….
Once back I discovered what I had seen in my dreams and on that Mountainside was indeed the Runes… I was led randomly to a book shop one day just after I returned.. Which was surreal after not seeing many if any people, in days and weeks, the mountains are wild and raw.. And full of solitude.. I met myself in that place.. It was more than a journey, it was a rite of passage…I entered the mountains as one person and returned as another.. My Ancestors had initiated me.. I know that now… The path was feted…
Back to the Bookshop for now at least…
I waked up beyond the little café, coffee filled the air, the smell of convenience and instant… A luxury … I walked over to the shelf, a book had caught my eye.. It was hanging half out.. As if to say, here I am… I approached it, my heart was beating fast.. I tugged at it….
It read “ The Book of Runes by Ralph H. Blum that book over the years changed my life.. It was like a seed that was planted into deep fertile soil, and in the most recent years has flourished.. And only in the most recent past, truly made total sense..
Now its time to tell you why.. Partly at least...
The Runes had come and gone over the years.. Yet never gone to far, if you have watched the video above, your understand why, partly at least.. , the Old Man lingered in the shadows.. I had come to possibly think, yet feel in my heart, that it could be No other than The Wanderer and All Father, Odin…
He is many things yet he is a great teacher of the Runes.. I had always felt the spirits of the land “ The Hidden Folk “ Honour, Kin, Clan, Hospitality… have always felt ingrained into what I hold dear… Around 15 years ago I had tattooed on my shoulder and down my arm the most incredible image of Odin..
The thread of time runs forwards and I was chatting to my brother, he had rung me last Saturday evening.. randomly catching up.. It being full moon it made me smile ( February 2021) we were talking about the Vikings, stories, TV series , Runes and life, he softly said ... I have something that will confirm your feelings and bring a greater sense to your journey...
My brother he had not so long ago researched our DNA and had a ancestry test.. gifted to him by his dear girlfriend. We are 48% Irish 48% Nordic and small mix of French.. We have no trace of English Blood in us... I smile as I write that... Not sure why.. Its the Viking in me ha ha ha... I thanked the Gods.
I was born in the Month of The Seed Moon and as I approach my 50th year and birthday my heart is full, It answers allot.. to know our ancestors going back spoke to Odin, Freya , and Brigid, with humility and heart.. and to the spirits of the land ... as we do today.. As I gazed out the window onto The Full Moon .. I swear I heard Odin's laugh...